I'm working on a wild yet somewhat organized garden this year, aiming to include a variety of edible flowers. I want to create some fun concoctions with them beyond just pretty decorations for charcuterie boards and cocktails. I'm thinking about making things like calendula salve, flavored oils, and using butterfly pea flower for its magical color-changing properties (my 3-year-old daughter will love that purple-to-pink transformation!). I'm open to anything edible, not just flowers, and I also plan to grow various tomatoes and interesting veggies. Additionally, I'd appreciate any book recommendations on this topic—I've come across a few that were a bit too witchy for my taste since I'm just a little witchy myself! Oh, and I'm interested in recipes and activities beyond just potions!
4 Answers
I love the idea of adding pumpkins and gourds to your garden! There's such a variety, like mini and bumpy pumpkins, and you can do fun things with them later on. You might also think about snapdragons; not only are they edible, but they’re also enchanting to watch. Other interesting options include nasturtiums, roses, and even some herbs that are fun to touch like lambs ear. For coloring vinegars or syrups, lavender and lilacs work wonders! And don’t overlook growing some dried flowers like strawflowers and statice for winter decoration. Oh, and I make a simple salve from plantain at home for cuts and bites. It’s totally easy and practical!
Yarrow is great for healing, and it attracts pollinators too! You could also consider soapwort and a range of different herbs; they add that witchy touch to your garden and can be really useful.
Don't forget about stinging nettles! Plant them away from main paths to avoid the sting, but they have a ton of uses. If you pick the young tops in spring, you can make delicious nettle soup. They are versatile, too, as they make great compost tea! Just be careful with the older leaves, as they aren't safe to eat. They're also excellent for your compost!
You definitely should consider getting a vermicomposting bin! Nothing quite like raising some worms to add to the witchy vibes. Your daughter might also enjoy hydrangeas since they change color based on the soil pH—talk about magical! If you have access to redbud trees, the young flower buds can be brewed into a lovely pale pink tea that turns vibrant magenta with a splash of lemon juice. You could even make a jelly out of it! Plus, think about growing mushrooms; they're super fun and can be grown easily with kits. And don’t forget about creating a terrarium or fairy garden with your kid—collect some moss and stones for that whimsical touch!
I love all of these ideas! I actually got a bird camera feeder for Christmas! I had to stop putting seeds out for a bit due to bird flu, but I hope to start again soon. My daughter adores it! We also just got worm bins but haven't set them up yet. We compost and she's really into feeding our worms—it’s all a part of the food cycle talk!

Great suggestions, thank you! I have a love-hate relationship with lambs ear because it took over our yard before we moved in, haha! But putting some in a pot might work because my daughter would really enjoy it. Plus, the bright flowers are a bonus!