I started gardening in my new P-Patch plot last autumn. When we got the plot, huge sunflower skeletons stood sentinel over it and weeds, squash, and greens grew in a tangled jungle on the ground. We pulled up everything and started with a clean slate…or so I thought. This spring and summer a number of volunteer vegetables have popped up all over the plot. I’ve discovered frilly heads of leaf lettuce among the fava beans, pink and white chard intertwined with my peas, plus romaine and oak leaf lettuces, lots of lemon balm, nasturtiums, and sunflowers.

These plants were an unexpected, but delightful, surprise. And they have convinced me that it’s best to not have too tidy of a garden! 

If you like the idea of veggies and herbs that plant themselves, try letting chard, lettuces, arugula, mustard greens, chives, cilantro, Italian parsley, and dill go to flower and self sow. I can’t predict where these plants will end up in your garden, but I can guarantee that they’ll find their way to your plate next summer! 

Surprise Arugula Seedlings

Gorgeous, Lime Green Volunteer Lettuce

Lemon Balm Is Pretty, but a Bit Weedy

Chard Sets Tons of Seed In Its 2nd Season

p.s. Letting vegetables and herbs flower has some fringe benefits. Herb blossoms attract tons of pollinators and look awesome in bouquets (just be sure to leave some flowers in the garden or you won’t get any volunteers). And arugula flowers make a great salad garnish. They look delicate, but pack a spicy punch!