Establishing a cutting garden from seed requires special care and consideration. Flowers with long stems that serve as fillers as well as scent-producing varieties or those boasting visually striking foliage may all play a part.
Start by sorting your flower seeds and plants according to their specific growing requirements – most require rich, well-draining soil, full sun exposure and regular feeding with liquid fertilizer during planting as well as every two or three weeks through summertime.
Annuals
As part of a cut flower garden, annuals that produce blooms throughout the growing season should form its base. Examples include cosmos, zinnias, larkspur, scabious sunflowers and sweet peas.
Choose flowers with long stem length to maximize the number of blooms on each stem for your arrangements. Incorporating fragrant plants such as these into bouquets adds another special touch.
An effective cutting garden relies on properly prepared soil. Before planting, loosen it up before adding compost and slow-release fertilizer as necessary. Furthermore, adding organic mulch will help retain moisture content within your soil.
Flowers grown specifically for cutting will benefit from being planted in rows for easier access, making weeding, staking, and picking much simpler. When possible, try planning the rows so you have access between them when necessary for watering, weeding, or picking.
Perennials
Rethink perennial flowers when designing your cutting garden to extend blooming seasons and add color. Allocating an area just for cutting flowers eliminates depleting beds and borders while giving more freedom in flower arrangements. Create blocks of perennials suitable for cutting such as dahlias and delphiniums alongside annuals that produce cut blooms throughout the season such as cosmos, larkspur sunflowers or zinnias for optimal results.
Cutting gardens are typically organized into wide rows to make accessing and harvesting flowers easier. Consider how much time will be dedicated to weeding and picking before choosing a layout for your cutting garden.
Before planting, prepare the soil by loosening and adding compost or slow-release flower fertilizer. Flowering plants need rich, nutrient-dense soil with good drainage that’s free from weeds – raised beds make an excellent cutting garden but any well-draining site will do. Regular applications of organic matter (one bucketful per square yard/metre) also improves water retention and aeration in sandy or clay soils.
Sunflowers
Helianthus annuus (sunflower), the most widely grown cut flower worldwide, can easily be grown from seed. Boasting prolific blooming across summer and into fall, its branches or non-branching varieties range in height between 18″-24″ (45-60 cm).
Sunflowers form thick stems covered with translucent, prickly hairs that may cause pain when cut, yet act to defend them from garden insect predation. Furthermore, sunflowers are one of the few flowers which can be harvested as soon as 3-4 ray flowers open, prolonging vase life considerably.
Plant sunflowers in rows for easier weeding, staking and picking. Aim for an 18-24 in (45-60 cm) spacing between each plant so you can access between rows. To achieve maximum productivity and an extended harvest season, fertilize regularly while applying an organic matter layer annually – these steps will promote healthy plants with long harvest seasons. Bulbs such as tulips or hyacinths also work well as cut flower gardens; planting multiple bulbs together extends blooming periods even into winter!
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are essential in any cut flower garden, from seedling to bloom. Easy to cultivate from seed, their flowers make stunning bouquets while their fragrant blooms attract pollinators and add fragrance. To maximize yield from these vigorous climbers, support them with sturdy bamboo poles in a teepee shape or weaved willow obelisks for optimal success.
Once they reach four to six inches tall, pinch back down to their first or second set of leaves to promote branching and more flowers while keeping their stems long and straight for cutting. This will also keep their stems straighter during cutting sessions.
Soak or pre-sprout seeds in plastic bags for at least an hour to ensure 100% germination before planting out, spacing 9 inches apart (depending on variety). You can plant rows or blocks, keeping perennials together while annuals in separate blocks – planting blocks allows easier weed control!