unusual question

[molly]

Where I live, we have raised beds and I had someone tell me that I should not have planted green peppers and flowers together. They said that the peppers would taste like the flowers. Strange as I've never heard of that before and I've gardened for many years. So, just wanted to hear what others have to say about it. Just doesn't sound reasonable to me.

[Newt]

Hi Molly,

It really isn't a 'strange' question, but it's a bit different then ones I've heard/read about bell peppers. Most folks say that you shouldn't plant sweet bell peppers next to hot peppers for the same reason as you've asked about. Actually, the neighboring flowers won't change the taste of the peppers you harvest. Planting hot peppers and sweet peppers next to each other can potentially cause the sweet peppers to become hot, but only if you save the seeds and plant them the following year. That is when the cross pollination effects the peppers.

You might find these sites about companion planting helpful as well.
http://www.minifarmhomestead.com/gar...anionplant.htm
http://www.moonsweb.com/companions.shtml

Newt

[molly]

Thanks for your reply. As I said, I had never heard of it either. If I would have had my wits about me, I should have responded that I guess I wouldn't have known that as I don't eat flowers to know what they taste like. lol
There are some really strange thoughts out there.
Thanks again for your response.
Molly

[Newt]

Molly, you are so very welcome! I'm sure you know that there are edible flowers. Nasturtium flowers have a bit of a peppery taste, lavender flowers can be eaten in lots of foods from cakes to candies and ice cream, rose petals and pansies can be candied and eaten and many herb flowers are also edible. Many people consider fried Hemerocallis (daylily) flowers and fried and stuffed squash flowers a delicacy. Here's an interesting site on edible flowers.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8513.html

Happy munching, whether it's your bell peppers or newly found flowers!

Newt