Growing Your Own Cut Flower Garden
Whenever people meet us at our stores or at markets people say “oh you are living my dream!” I would love to have flowers like you. Why not start your own flower cutting garden? Imagine stepping outside and snipping fresh flowers straight from your garden for a beautiful bouquet. Growing your own cut flower garden is not only rewarding but also a cost-effective way to enjoy fresh blooms all season long. Whether you’re a beginner or have a green thumb, we have created a little guide to help you start a thriving cut flower garden in your backyard.
1. Choose the Right Location
Flowers need plenty of sunlight to thrive. Select a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Good drainage is also important—avoid areas that stay soggy after rain. If space is limited, consider raised beds or container gardening.
2. Pick the Best Flowers for Cutting
Some flowers are better suited for cutting because they have long stems, a long vase life, and continuous blooms. Here are some great beginner-friendly choices by season:
Spring
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Ranunculus
• Sweet Peas
• Anemones
Summer
• Zinnias (easy to grow and come in many colors)
• Sunflowers (classic, cheerful, and long-lasting)
• Dahlias (stunning with many varieties)
• Snapdragons (tall, colorful, and great for arrangements)
• Cosmos (delicate and airy, perfect filler flowers)
Fall
• Chrysanthemums
• Asters
• Marigolds
• Celosia
• Sedum
By planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers, you can ensure a continuous supply of flowers throughout the growing season.
3. Start with Healthy Soil
Good soil is the foundation of a productive flower garden. Follow these steps for success:
• Add compost or aged manure to enrich the soil
• Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
• Test your soil’s pH (most flowers prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0)
If your soil isn’t ideal, consider using raised beds or large pots with quality potting mix.
4. Planting Your Flowers
Each flower has different planting needs, but here are some general guidelines:
• Direct Sow vs. Transplants: Some flowers, like sunflowers and zinnias, do best when sown directly in the ground, while others, like dahlias and ranunculus, prefer to be started indoors and transplanted.
• Spacing Matters: Crowded plants compete for nutrients, so check seed packets for spacing recommendations. Buy Canadian and order from William Dam seeds in Dundas Ontario, they have every variety you can think of and they are a small family run operation.
• Stagger Planting: For continuous blooms, plant in intervals (every 2-3 weeks).
5. Watering & Maintenance
• Water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than shallow daily watering.
• Use mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
6. Supporting Tall Flowers
Some flowers, like dahlias, sweet peas and snapdragons, need extra support to prevent drooping.
Use:
• Stakes – Place individual stakes next to tall flowers.
• Netting – Horizontal flower netting helps keep stems straight.
7. Harvesting for the Longest Vase Life
To get the best vase life from your homegrown flowers:
• Cut flowers early in the morning when they are well-hydrated.
• Use sharp, clean shears to avoid crushing stems.
• Remove leaves that would sit in water to prevent bacteria growth.
• Place stems in cool water immediately after cutting.
All of us at Fresh Market farms are obsessed with Flowers and Gardening. Susan the owner of Fresh Market Farms always had a cutting garden and fresh blooms for her house and to share with friends. Although she has turned her passion for flowers into a business, she believes that growing a cut flower garden is one of the most rewarding ways to bring beauty into your home. By choosing the right flowers, preparing your soil, and following simple care tips, you’ll have fresh bouquets all season long.