Start your cut flower garden in full sun to ensure the highest success; most flowers do not thrive when exposed to less.
Carefully consider what each variety requires for optimal success when planting it together – this will prevent over or underwatering of certain varieties.
Plan your garden.
Cutting gardens differ from flower beds and borders in that they can be more loosely planted; this allows you to plant an array of colors, textures and heights to create stunning floral arrangements.
Start seeds early in the spring once the ground is workable. Most seeds require 6-8 weeks of warm weather to mature fully and should be checked against their packaging for planting information.
Consider perennial plants if you want flowers that come back year after year – this will save money over purchasing annuals each season. However, if space is tight, cutting flowers can still be planted throughout your existing flower beds; just avoid clustering too tightly as this could create gaps in bouquets.
Plant a variety of perennials and annuals.
To create an effective cut flower garden, combine perennials and annuals into a balanced combination. Perennials such as lilacs and hydrangeas make great permanent installations; sweet peas and zinnias also bloom frequently enough that they can be planted spring through summer for beautiful bouquets throughout the season.
Start seeds indoors a few weeks or a month ahead of the last frost date for plants that take longer to develop; this will give them an early head start and help ensure they won’t get overshadowed by faster-growing species.
Before planting, ensure all tender seedlings have been hardened off so they can quickly adjust to life outdoors. Also remember to pinch back plants so that they produce more flowers while providing longer stems for cutting purposes.
Harden off your seedlings.
Starting seeds indoors may be an option for growing cut flower gardens, but direct sowing provides you with more control of their environment and lets you jump-start the growing season quickly.
When planting, remember to space your seeds 9″ apart (or as recommended on the back of your seed packet) so they have space to thrive and produce flowers. Additionally, pinching plants after one month could result in longer stems with more blooms and flowers.
Add mulch to your flower beds for improved soil conditions and to control weeds. Mulch can also improve drainage and moisture levels in your soil – especially essential when growing cold-sensitive flowers such as dahlias and perennials.
Keep your flowers watered.
Cut flowers need plenty of sunlight and rich, well-draining soil in order to thrive. Additionally, many types of cut flowers must be protected from wind as tall plants tend to tip easily.
Addition of compost or organic matter to the soil can enhance fertility and moisture retention in flowering plants that flourish in cooler or marginal climate zones. This is particularly important when growing flowering plants that flower profusely.
If you’re planning a cut flower garden within an existing garden, create a detailed layout on paper outlining which varieties and bloom times you wish to plant. This will help prevent gaps from forming when flowers begin fading and you need to remove them, while making this entire process much simpler! Certain flowers like zinnias and dahlias continue producing blossoms even when cut if allowed to set seed after being cut from.
Cut your flowers.
Once your flowers are ready to be harvested, take note: cut them early morning when they’re more hydrated to prevent spreading plant diseases and avoid stressing out the flowers during harvesting. It is also a good idea to do it in a cool dark place rather than during hot afternoon hours when cutting flowers can become stressful for their delicate blooms.
Plan a garden that includes both perennials and annuals to achieve maximum variety for cut flower arrangements. Take into account bloom times, heights and textures when selecting perennials and annuals to get the optimal blend for cut flowers arrangements. Seed starting is easier than you might think – even for novice gardeners! For indoor start up of seeds consider these essential garden supplies – you won’t regret your hard work when the stunning cuts arrive! Pinch cutting (cutting just below a set of leaves) can encourage more flowers on longer stems as it stimulates production from both perennials and annuals alike!