Gloriously rewarding and sometimes magically astonishing is cultivating a cut flower garden. Watching small seeds grow into large plants that produce armloads of beautiful, fragrant blooms is truly impressive.
Stagger your flower plantings so you have a steady supply throughout the season – this method is known as succession planting.
Location
Step one in starting a cut flower garden is selecting which species to grow, then planning how beds will be laid out – make sure taller plants, like sunflowers, are planted in the back while shorter flowers, like zinnias, are closer to the front for optimal success.
Location is also key; cut flowers thrive best in full sun conditions. Additionally, soil should be loose and well-drained for best results; raised beds provide optimal results; but even ground beds with good drainage should work just as well.
Consider succession planting to extend the bloom time of flowers that typically only bloom once, such as zinnias and celosia. Furthermore, adding some greenery such as holly, ninebark, ivy or ferns could add visual interest and give bouquets that wow factor.
Soil
Most cut flower plants thrive best in loose soil with excellent drainage. Raised beds are recommended but not absolutely essential.
Flowers require regular nourishment in order to thrive and bloom beautifully, and a balanced fertilizer with a flower booster would be best.
Annual flowers that can easily be grown in a cutting garden include cornflowers, zinnias, snapdragons and love-in-a-mist. You can direct sow seeds for cool season flowers such as rudbeckia, scabiosa and honeywort (cerinthe), as well as using succession planting to ensure blooms from plants that typically only produce once every season – it’s the easiest way to build up your cut flower garden!
Water
An effective cut flower garden requires regular watering, especially during hot, dry conditions. Adjust your routine according to weather and be sure to remove spent flowers (deadheading) in order to return energy into new growth and blooms.
Many cutting flower seeds require full sun – check the back of your seed packet to verify this – as well as loose, rich soil that drains well, such as raised beds or planting them in mounds to ensure adequate drainage. Zinnias and Celosia varieties should also be pinched regularly to encourage branching and longer stems; although this practice is typically beyond novice level but an excellent way to increase harvest!
Fertilizer
When starting a cut flower garden, I highly suggest planning the layout on paper and adding rich organic matter to your soil. You could also consider planting companion crops like vegetables or herbs alongside your flowers for increased pollination and easier maintenance.
Annuals, which bloom for one season only, are an integral component of many cutting gardens. I recommend selecting annuals with different colors, shapes and sizes in order to create a balanced floral display.
Make sure to deadhead and pinch back your flowers on an ongoing basis for maximum bloom. Deadheading helps extend blooming periods and redirect energy from seed production towards growth; pinching is beneficial for some flowers such as zinnias and celosia.
Pruning
Maintaining a weed-free garden is one of the key components to creating stunning blooms in your yard. Use a hand trowel or weeding fork to loosen and pull weeds by their roots while taking care not to disturb surrounding flowers.
Consider planting annuals to provide an ongoing source of cut flowers throughout the season. Some popular annual choices to cultivate include cornflower, dahlia, love-in-a-mist, scabiosa snapdragons and rudbeckias – or add cutting length perennials such as larkspur or yarrow for added color and length in bouquets.
Plan your cutting garden in rows or grid patterns for easy harvesting and maintenance. Also, planting in uniform rows makes it simpler to identify weeds or pests early and remove them before they become an issue.
Harvesting
Maintaining a cut flower garden throughout its growing season is critical to producing consistent blooms. Deadheading faded flowers regularly by cutting just above leaves or nodes can ensure more consistent blooming.
Investigate the specific growing requirements and planting times for each flower you intend to cultivate, as some flowers can be planted early while others should wait until cooler weather in summer before sowing seeds.
Select varieties bred for desirable traits like longer vase life and stem length, to prevent powdery mildew or black spot fungal disease outbreaks. Proper soil preparation is also an integral component of successful cut flower gardens.