Growing your own cut flowers can be an incredibly rewarding hobby for any gardener. Not only does it allow you to decorate your home with beautiful blooms grown right in your own yard, but it can also save money compared to buying flower arrangements. Starting a cut flower garden does require some planning and preparation, especially for beginners. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a thriving cut flower garden even if you’re just starting out.
Choose a Sunny Spot
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Most flowers need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
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South or west facing locations are ideal for maximizing sun exposure,
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Make sure spot has good airflow and drainage. Avoid low wet areas.
Prepare the Soil
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Cut flowers thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
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Incorporate 2-3 inches of compost or other organic matter.
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You can also mix in a balanced fertilizer when first establishing the bed.
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Raised beds are great for drainage if your native soil is heavy clay.
Pick the Right Flowers
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Focus on long-stemmed annuals, perennials, and bulbs.
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Choose a mix of heights, colors, and bloom times.
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Some easy starters: zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, dahlias, snapdragons.
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Don’t forget “fillers” like baby’s breath, herbs, grasses, and foliage.
Design the Layout
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Group plants with similar needs together.
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Place tall flowers toward the back or middle.
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Mass plants in groups of 3, 5, or 7 for visual impact.
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Square foot gardening works well for dense plantings.
Plant at the Right Time
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Direct sow hardy annuals like zinnias right into garden.
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Wait until after last frost date to plant tender plants.
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Follow individual planting guidelines for seeds, transplants, bulbs.
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Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous blooms.
Provide Support
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Staking or trellising helps prevent flopping, broken stems.
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Set supports in place early before plants get large and unwieldy.
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Try bamboo stakes, chicken wire, strings, or wire cages.
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May need to periodically re-secure plants to supports as they grow.
Water and Fertilize
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Consistent moisture is crucial, especially right after planting.
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Established plants need about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting for rain.
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Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble, bloom-boosting fertilizer.
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Avoid wetting foliage, water at base to reduce disease.
Control Weeds and Pests
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Weeds compete for water and nutrients, so stay on top of them!
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Scout regularly for common pests like aphids, caterpillars, beetles.
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Remove by hand or use organic sprays like neem oil when needed.
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Dig out diseased plants immediately to prevent spreading.
Harvest Flower Stems
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Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors. Make cuts on an angle.
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Harvest in morning when cool for longest vase life.
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Cut stems as long as possible – you can always trim later.
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Immediately place in cool water; strip lower leaves.
Deadhead Spent Blooms
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Regular deadheading encourages more flower production.
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Just follow each stem down to a leaf node and snip.
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Some self-cleaning varieties like zinnias don’t require deadheading.
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Remove damaged or unsightly foliage as needed.
Take Care of Tools
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Clean tools after each use to remove debris and sap.
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Periodically sharpen bypass pruners with a diamond file.
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Disinfect tools with isopropyl alcohol or a dilute bleach solution.
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Lubricate hand tools annually to prevent rust.
Prep for Next Season
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Amend soil again in fall with compost or manure.
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Cut back perennials after first frost.
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Mulch beds once cool to protect roots.
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Save seeds from favorite annuals or collect bulbs/tubers.
Overwinter Tender Plants
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Dig up and store dahlia tubers in cool dry place.
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Pot up plants like geraniums and bring indoors.
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Take cuttings from annuals to propagate new starters.
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Leave most perennials and biennials in ground over winter.
By following these tips throughout the season, you’ll have gorgeous, vibrant cut flowers ready for bouquets. Don’t be intimidated to start small your first year – even a few containers on a balcony can provide lovely flowers. Learn as you grow and expand your cut flower garden over time. The beauty of nurturing your own flowers from seed to vase is extremely rewarding for any gardener.
Easiest Annual Flowers to Grow for Beginners Zinnias Sunflowers Cosmos Sweet Peas
Zinnias
These pink, orange, yellow, and white flowers are ridiculously easy to grow. They are my top choice for kids and people who are just starting out. They have long sturdy stems and an extended vase life.
Sunflowers
These bright, unforgettable summer flowers are simple to grow, even in the hottest months, and don’t need much care to do well. Plus, there are tons of different varieties from bright yellow, fridge burgundy, and large doubles.
Cosmos
With airy fernlike leaves and summery shades of pink and white flowers Cosmos are great for beginners. Plus the more you cut, the more they produce lovely blooms. They thrive in full sun and well drained soil.
Sweet Peas
In spite of their delicate look, Sweet Peas are rather hardy. They add a light, whimsical addition to any vase. Plus their delicious scent will be delightful in your garden. If you live in a colder zone, starting seeds indoors is best due to their longer germination period. They grow best on a trellis so they work well in small gardens with limited space.
Other Annuals to Consider: Strawflower, Celosia (Cocks Comb)
*Another flower I’d like to mention is the dahlia. They need a little extra care, but they are so beautiful.
Dahlias
Technically, Dahlia plants are tubers. It costs more than seeds at first, but these beautiful flowers are a favorite and make a great centerpiece for any bouquet. Choose varieties that have a long stem and height. Plant dahlia tubers after the last threat of frost. Similar to many cut flowers, they do best in full sun and well-drained soil. If you want to have Dahlias for the next season (zones 3-6) there is some additional work. At the end of the season, dig up the tubers and store them somewhere dry over the winter. In the spring, after the last frost, plant them again.
What is a Cut Flower Garden?
If you’ve never seen one before, you might be wondering what a “cut flower garden” is. A “cut flower garden” is a garden where flowers are grown so that they can be cut and used to make bouquets or arrangements. The flowers are selected based on their bloom time, size and color. Ideally they have long stems and maintain a long shelf life in a vase. They are generally a mix of annuals, perennials, flowering bushes, and filler plants. If you choose a lot of different flowers that bloom at different times, you can enjoy bouquets all through the growing season, from spring to fall.
If you don’t have a lot of room, try planting flowers and plants in your yard, vegetable garden, or along a fence. A simple way to have flowers in any room is to choose perennial plants and bushes that bloom with beautiful flowers.
Cut Flower Garden for Beginners – From Seed to Bouquet
FAQ
What are the easiest cutting flowers to grow?
What soil to use for a cut flower garden?
How to make a cut flower garden?
Make a plan for your cut flower garden by following these steps: First, select the flowers you want to grow based on their color, shape, and bloom type. Then, make a map of your garden space to mark where the plants will go. Finally, create a seed sowing schedule for indoor or direct sowing.
How do I choose a flower for my cut flower garden?
As you select your flowers to plant, be sure to look at the growing information and determine if the flower will grow well in your area. Use this tool to determine which growing zone you are in. This is the flower plan for my cut flower garden this year. For reference, I am in growing zone 7. Flowers for Cutting Garden:
How do you choose a cutting garden?
Cut flowers come in every color. Decide if you want to grow a rainbow of colors, or if you want to stick to a small color palette, such as pastel shades, or an all-white cutting garden. Texture: A cutting garden should include a variety of textures, such as the fuzzy leaves of dusty miller or the wispy fronds of cosmos.
Is cut flower gardening a good idea?
Cut flower gardening is easy and affordable. It can be interwoven into your existing garden. If you choose plants that will bloom at different times of the year, you will have fresh flowers available throughout the season. And if you grow everlasting cut flowers, you can enjoy your flowers year-round.