Growing a cut flower garden can be both satisfying and amazing. From tiny seeds to blooming plants that produce tons of fragrant blossoms is nothing short of miraculous!
Most flowers require rich, well-draining soil with at least six hours of direct sun daily, as well as pinching young plants such as zinnias and celosia to encourage branching and longer stems.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are perhaps the most renowned cut flower, and for good reason: they thrive in warm temperatures, bloom for several weeks at once and are easy to care for. Their vibrant hue and versatility makes them great accompaniments for black-eyed Susans or ornamental grasses.
Starting seeds indoors early spring can be done easily a few weeks prior to the last frost date, while direct planting in your garden may prove more complex due to pests like slugs, snails and mice enjoying nibbling young seedlings.
Pinching sunflowers at six to eight inches will increase their flower production. Pinching also encourages longer stems suitable for cutting. When selecting varieties, prefer branching over nonbranching types as branching varieties have shorter side stems that result in reduced productivity overall.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are essential components of any cut flower garden, as they’re simple to grow, prolific bloomers and fragrant.
Seed-grown cucumbers can tolerate frost well. Sowing seeds indoors helps facilitate rapid germination and minimizes stress of transplanting, while pre-soaking seeds for up to 24 hours and placing in an humid environment can increase their chances of successful germination.
Once planted out, pinch the central stem with your fingers or clean shears to promote branching and longer stems, helping retain their fragrance while keeping their aroma strong. Fertilizers such as nitrogen boost plants or seaweed emulsion can be added to build up soil structure and promote flowering.
Zinnias
Starting seeds to cultivate a cut flower garden is an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. Witnessing seemingly inanimate seeds flourish into lush bouquets of fragrant blooms is truly amazing.
Plant a variety of colors and sizes of flowers to add variety to your bouquets. Arrange your garden so that taller sunflowers grow toward the back while smaller varieties, like zinnias, form the front.
Start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost date or plant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Pinch zinnias to promote branching and longer stems by pinching with your fingertips or clean garden shears when plants reach 8 to 12 inches tall directly above a set of leaves – you should pinch again at 8 to 12 inches when plants reach this height! To further encourage branching and length, pinching will also encourage branching as long stems grow out from each bloom head.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are must-have annual climbers. Easy to grow from seed, these perennial bloomers bloom continuously during the summer and self-seed themselves so they’ll return year after year. You can choose between tiny pom-poms, cactus blooms or single and double flowered varieties; all will add color and fragrance.
Plant your seeds about one or two weeks or a month prior to the last frost date and be amazed at their rapid development! You can also direct sow them into the garden once soil temperatures warm up; just remember they may take longer to sprout!
When planting seeds, make a hole just larger than each seed with a pencil or chopstick to allow the rooting hormones to remain intact as you insert the seedling.
Gerber Daisies
Gerbera daisies feature vibrant petals and flower heads in soft hues as well as more eye-catching hues of orange and red for stunning bouquets.
When planting cut flower gardens, follow the recommendations on seed packets regarding mature height and spacing for maximum success. Standard grid sizes for cut flower gardens include 6″x6″, 9″x9″, 12″x12″ and 18″x18″.
An organic fertilizer regimen will produce vibrant flowers throughout the growing season, while organic mulch helps retain soil moisture for healthier plants while also protecting from disease and insect pests. Deadheading will prolong blooming while pruning can enhance aesthetics; while organizing the garden in long rows or grids makes maintenance, harvesting and weed removal simpler.