The next time you cook for your family and friends, impress them with edible flowers grown right in your backyard. It can be difficult to find edible flowers to purchase, but they're quite easy to grow yourself. 

Edible flowers should ideally be harvested in the cool, morning hours. If you're not going to be using the flowers immediately, cut them with the stems intact and keep them in water. You could also store them in damp paper towels in the refrigerator.

Featured Edible Garden Items
Lavender
Lavender has a sweet floral flavor, with a hint of lemon and citrus. Use as a garnish for sorbets or ice cream. Lavender also goes well with savory dishes.

Violas
Violas give a sweet perfumed flavor. The tender leaves and flowers can be eaten in a salad. Or the flowers can beautifully embellish desserts and iced drinks.

Sage
Sage flowers have a more delicate taste than the leaves. They can be used in salads or as a garnish.

Lemon Balm
Lemon balm flowers have a gentle lemon scent and can be used as garnish.

Oregano
Oregano flowers can be used as you would the herb; it's a milder version of plant's leaf.

Marigolds
Marigold flavors range from spicy to tangy. Their sharp taste resembles saffron and the plant is sometimes referred to as poor man's saffron. Their pretty petals can be sprinkled on soups, pasta or rice dishes, and salads.

Nasturtiums
Nasturtium blossoms have a sweet, spicy flavor similar to watercress. Their leaves add a peppery tang to salads. Use the entire flower to garnish platters, salads, and savory appetizers.

Thyme
Like sage, thyme flowers have a milder taste than the leaves. Use as you would the herb -- the flowers also make a beautiful garnish.

Window Box How-To
1. Make sure your container has drainage holes; cover the holes with a pottery shard or a piece of landscape fabric.

2. Use a good potting soil; we used Miracle-Gro Organic Choice.

3. Add a time-released fertilizer such as Scotts Osmocote Multi-Purpose Plant Food to the potting soil.

4. Pot your plants into the container and water thoroughly.

5. Place it in a spot that has a good amount of sunlight.