Diversified Edible Flower Box

I can not speak highly enough about the results I have seen in my diversified edible flower box. All my plants in this box have been planted in companion groupings- with flowers, onions and herbs attracting pollinators, hummingbirds and repelling pests. 

Out of all of my little gardens around the property, this one is small but stunning and really productive. I have only used organic methods of fertilization- blood and bone meal, chicken and steer manure and the occasional soak of fish emulsion. I bury kitchen scraps beneath the plants and also sprinkle coffee and tea grounds.

I believe the diversity of the groupings are responsible for the luck I have had in avoiding pests- and the tight spacing of plants has helped reduce water needs significantly. Occasionally, I do have to thin the leaves to prevent over shading.

I keep thinning the box as one harvest ends and a new one begins- I sow seeds near the end of one harvest and by the time I'm ready to pull up one thing up, another has sprouted. My goal is to have a year-round continuous harvest. Though, now that my mature shade trees are gone, it will be interesting to see how things hold up in the heat surrounded by cinder block. It may pose a significant challenge until my Bauhinia Blakeanas are bigger and able to diffuse some of the intense sun. (It's south facing.)

However, I'm very pleased with the results of my labors thus far. Current plants in box: Chard, several types of onions, Allysum, Snap Dragons, Marigolds, pansies, Heirloom red and green lettuces, brussell sprouts, Chard- Lights, Salvia, Strawberries, Red Cabbage. I have bush beans sprouting and California Poppies- some organic heirloom varieties of lettuce, basil and perhaps some more things that I am forgetting at the moment.

This is one eye catching front yard garden for my boring mostly rock landscaped neighborhood  I love that it has intrigued my neighbors. They come over inquiring as to what plant is what. Although they are still afraid to eat vegetables, because they didn't at one time moo and don't taste that great on a bun with mustard and ketchup; they at least they see the beauty in them, and are becoming curious...  The kids come by all the time to pet the dog and ask questions. Often they request samplings of the fresh veggies and they'll bring their friends to show them what fresh veggies look like when they are growing. It's kind of neat. I hope my little garden, at the very least, can inspire them to learn about the foods they eat.

Currently...

Right after pulling lettuce...

Right after pulling cauliflower and broccoli...

Cauliflower Maturing, packed to the max

Plants are ridiculously beautiful. Is that a fractal I see?

Most of these plants I sprouted from seed using peet pots then transferred in. Sort of makes you feel magnificent to see what you have in a sense created.