Starting seeds for a cut flower garden can be an incredible journey of transformation! Transforming seemingly inanimate seeds into beautiful, blooming plants producing armloads of fragrant blooms is nothing short of miraculous!
Select an assortment of annual and perennial flowers that produce blooms throughout spring, summer, and fall for an all-season bouquet. Also be sure to include plants with long vase lives for maximum impact!
Soil
Some cut flower varieties thrive best in well-draining sandy loam or clay soil; other species like strawflowers, sunflowers and cerinthe flourish just about anywhere there’s organic matter present in their soil.
Most cut flowers are annuals that don’t return the following year, but a few perennials such as garden phlox, yarrow and dahlias may add something different to the arrangement. Their blooming periods tend to extend further than annual flowers.
Plan the layout of your cut flower garden carefully. For instance, group together plants with similar growing requirements (such as watering needs). This will ensure they receive what they require without competing with other plants for scarce nutrients. Also be mindful of mature height; shorter plants shouldn’t become overwhelmed by taller ones which might obstruct their blooms.
Sunlight
Flowers require full sunlight in order to flourish; without enough light in your garden, your cut flower garden may struggle.
Select an array of annual and perennial flowers with differing bloom times to provide a constant supply throughout the summer season. Be sure to include cut-and-come-again varieties like cosmos, Larkspur Sweet Peas and Sunflowers which continue producing blooms even after being cut – these cut-and-come-again flowers offer added benefits!
Group your flowers according to their cultural needs. For instance, put tall plants like sunflowers at the back and shorter blooms like zinnias at the front for optimal effect – this also helps you track which blooms need water or fertilizer more frequently; keeping an eye on this will allow you to avoid either over- or under-watering!
Water
Cut flowers require much more water than vegetables and herbs in order to stay vibrant and full, so daily watering with an efficient drip irrigation system should ensure optimal conditions.
Plan your garden on paper first to avoid any potential bare spots and ensure enough flowers to fill your arrangements. This will also allow for easier tracking.
Add organic material such as compost or leaf mold to the soil prior to planting for improved water retention and to promote soil health, while providing plants with a slow release source of nutrition. Mixing perennials and annuals into your arrangement adds color, height and texture.
Fertilizer
Maintaining the health of your flower garden requires frequent fertilization. Add compost or organic slow-release fertilizer regularly into your beds to provide constant access to vital nutrients for plant health and longevity.
Plant a diverse blend of perennials and annual flowers in your garden for cutting. Perennials will return year after year while annuals offer greater versatility when it comes to colors, heights and experimentation. Add aromatic plants or foliage that dry well as they could come in handy when making floral arrangements too!
As you create your cut flower garden, take note of each plant’s individual sun needs when planting them in rows. Doing this makes accessing and harvesting them much simpler while leaving enough space between each one for movement and work.
Pruning
Starting seeds to create a cut flower garden is both rewarding and magical, revealing how these tiny, seemingly inanimate seeds sprout, bloom and produce armloads of beautiful blooms for floral arrangements.
An effective cutting garden starts with selecting easy-care annuals and perennials suited to your climate, then planting them in rows or blocks for an attractive design that requires minimal care and upkeep.
Assure a steady supply of fresh-cut flowers throughout spring, summer and autumn by creating the right balance in height, growing conditions and blooming times for your plants. Regular pruning will promote branching and produce long stems for cutting; pinch off young plants such as zinnias or celosia when they reach 10 to 12 inches tall using either your fingers or clean shears.