Grow a Cut Flower Garden without Being Bogged Down
Arrange your plants based on their cultural needs to give each one exactly what it requires and avoid crowbarring in other plants with different needs. This will also prevent overcrowding caused by plants with differing requirements.
Location
Cut flower gardens should receive six hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning hours, for maximum vase life and shape retention under sunlight’s harsh glare. This will allow them to hold their form better in its presence.
Locate a location with optimal drainage and loose soil for rapid growth. Incorporate plenty of organic material like compost or leaf mold to improve drainage while providing essential nutrients.
Plan the space carefully, planting an array of perennials and annuals in a mix to form a balanced arrangement. Plant tall sunflowers at the back, medium-sized ones like zinnias in the middle, and short-stature ones at the front for optimal results.
In order to maximize harvest success, pinch young zinnias and celosia plants to encourage branching and longer stems. This technique works for both annuals and perennials – though perennials may take longer to bloom than annuals.
Planting
Many cut flower farmers start their flowers indoors in seed trays to extend the growing season and explore a wider selection of blooms.
Cutting gardens typically use annual flowers, although perennials and shrubs can make great additions as well. A balanced combination is key to the success of a cutting garden; choosing plants with various heights and bloom times will ensure you always have fresh stems on hand for arrangements.
Select a site with full sun and rich, well-draining soil, such as one where sunflowers or zinnias thrive well. When mapping out your garden beds on paper, take notes on variety names and bloom cycles while moving along. Arrange tall plants like sunflowers in the back corner while short ones, such as zinnias, nearer the front edge.
Watering
To achieve longer stems when cutting flowers, it’s essential to water them thoroughly and ensure your soil has good drainage; otherwise water could pool in it and encourage fungal growth.
Begin by selecting which flowers you would like to cultivate, whether perennials like larkspur or peonies will last longer in a vase while others such as echinacea and honeywort have shorter bloom periods.
Once you know what plants to plant, divide it up into rows for easier harvesting of flowers when ready. Also consider grouping plants by their cultural requirements for optimal success.
Pruning
Cutting gardens require additional care than traditional vegetable or herb gardens. Many cut flower varieties, like tulips and hyacinths, require initial roots before being ready for harvesting.
Most flower plants prefer full sunlight, though some varieties may do better in partial shade conditions. When choosing a location, ensure it receives ample lighting throughout the day; morning sun is especially essential as this reduces risk of hot afternoon temperatures damaging flowers.
Planning how you will access your planting beds is also key, for instance planting in wide rows allows easier reach when cutting back plants.
Harvesting
Planning is essential when harvesting from a cut flower garden. Make sure your chosen location receives at least six hours of sun per day and conduct a soil test to confirm it has the necessary nutrients for creating flowers.
Laying out your beds in wide rows will facilitate access for cutting stems. As this task often requires carrying around both buckets of water and baskets to collect harvested material, an area which is easily navigable is key.
Increase your flowering season by allowing some blooms to set seed, gathering the seeds for sowing in subsequent years. This process provides a rewarding view into all stages of flower development from birth through bloom.