The Urban Patch

Sometimes, in the chaos of our little urban patches, we get so focused on harvesting that we forget one of the best tricks in gardening: letting your vegetables flower. And before you shake your head, I’m not talking about letting things go completely wild – there’s a method to the madness. Today, I’m talking bok choy and broccoli rabe, two of my favourite veggies to grow that reward you in more ways than just dinner.

1. Flowers Mean Seeds (and Future Veggies!)

When your bok choy or broccoli rabe bolts and flowers, it’s not the end- it’s the beginning. Those delicate yellow flowers are busy making seeds for next season. By letting a few plants run to flower, you can collect your own seeds, save money, and even start a little seed library for your friends or neighbours. Nothing beats that feeling of growing a plant from seed that came from your own garden!

2. Pollinators Love Them

Vegetable flowers are a magnet for pollinators like bees and hoverflies. Even in a small urban garden, attracting these little helpers can make a big difference to the overall health of your patch and pollinate your other flowering plants. Plus, it’s a joy to watch bees buzzing around, knowing you’re supporting your local ecosystem – even from your balcony or tiny backyard.

3. Flowers Add Interest (and a Little Surprise)

Let’s be honest: there’s something magical about a patch of flowering greens. The contrast of tender green leaves and bright yellow flowers adds colour and life to your garden. It’s a reminder that gardening isn’t just about produce – it’s about beauty, surprise, and connection to the seasons.

4. You Can Still Eat Them

Here’s the best part: those flowers aren’t off-limits. Broccoli rabe flowers are mild and slightly sweet, perfect tossed into a salad, sautéed with garlic, or added to pasta. Bok choy flowers are tender and tasty, with a hint of that familiar brassica bite. Think of them as a bonus harvest – you get flavour and visual charm in one.

5. A Lesson in Patience (and Letting Go)

Letting a few plants flower teaches you patience and flexibility. Not every plant in your urban patch has to be perfectly harvested at the “ideal” size. By leaving some to flower, you’re experimenting, learning, and embracing the natural rhythms of your garden.

💡My Urban Patch Take

In my little Melbourne patch, I always let a couple of my plants go to flower. I get a pop of colour, a snack for pollinators, and extra seeds for next season. And on top of that, I get to enjoy flowers in my meals – tiny yellow petals that make even a midweek salad feel fancy. It’s a simple, low-effort way to give a little extra magic back to your garden, your meals, and the local ecosystem.