Create a cut flower garden with a mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables for increased pollination and vase life.
Reading planting grids and descriptions on seed packets carefully can help you gauge how much space each plant will require as it matures. While zinnias require only 6″x6″, other plants such as nasturtiums or climbing dahlias require more.
Planting
Seedlings sprout and expand into lush plants bursting with fragrant blooms – it seems almost magical! Maintaining a cut flower garden requires careful planning and an attention to detail, yet is so fulfilling and rewarding.
Select a site with full sun and good drainage, adding several inches of organic matter like compost or leaf mold for improved soil structure and water retention.
Plan your garden for maximum production and easy upkeep, such as by arranging cutting flowers in rows instead of traditional landscape beds to facilitate easy weeding and harvesting.
Choose annuals and perennials with different flowering times to create a long season of color. To extend this further, plant bulbs such as tulips and narcissi that flower from late winter into early spring – don’t forget texture-enhancing plants such as baby’s breath or coral bells as filler plants, as well as foliage like artemisia or coleus!
Care
An optimal mix of perennials and annuals is key to providing a steady supply of blooms throughout the season, adding color, texture, and height to bouquets.
Water the cut flower garden at least enough to keep its soil moist but not saturated, adding mulch or organic matter for slow-releasing nutrients and natural plant nourishment.
Support tall plants such as sunflowers and zinnias to prevent them from flopping over as they expand, and pinch young stems regularly to stimulate branching and produce longer blooms.
Harvest flowers early morning or evening to reduce wilting. A clean pair of shears is key for long-lasting cut flowers; use an angle cutter and remove leaves below the water line to reduce bacteria growth. Once harvested, place cut flowers in cool, clean water with preservative added and allow them to rehydrate for one hour before arranging them into designs.
Harvesting
An attractive flower garden makes an eye-catching centerpiece in any backyard, yet growing them doesn’t require extensive space or an expert green thumb to thrive. By following some simple tips and planning ahead, even beginners can grow gorgeous blooms to fill vases throughout the season.
Prior to planting your cutting garden, be aware of your hardiness zone and first and last frost dates. Plan around these dates, leaving enough time for everything to be in place before frost sets in.
When selecting plants to plant, select ones with similar height and growing conditions. Also keep filler flowers in mind as these can often look just as lovely in bouquets as focal flowers.
Prep the soil by mixing in several inches of organic matter for improved water retention and added nutrients. Use slow-release organic fertilizer in spring after planting to promote healthy plants with more blooms, and pinching cutting flowers such as zinnias and celosia for branching and longer stems.
Preserving
Maintaining an orderly cut flower garden will allow you to harvest blooms for fresh or dried arrangements, or store them in an environment which slows their aging and preserves their color. A cool, dark place should work well as storage.
Plant selection is key when planning a cutting garden. According to gardening expert Louise Curley, aim for an assortment of annual and perennial flowers so you have fresh blooms all season long.
For ease of maintenance, planting flowers in rows is ideal. This makes weeding, staking and picking much simpler; group your plants according to their growing conditions so you can provide exactly what they require without overwatering or underwatering other varieties nearby.
To ensure your flowers remain strong and vibrant, provide them with a healthy and well-draining soil environment. Use organic materials like compost, kitchen scraps and yard waste to add nutrients, improve structure and promote fertility in your soil. Aim for applying compost or manure at the beginning of every growing season then on an ongoing basis every two-three weeks during their growth phase.