How to Start a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners

And what a miracle a flower is! To think something so undeniably beautiful, with its vivid colors and intricate details, came from a simple seed.

Something so spectacular can indeed change our whole life, figuratively and literally. Their smell brings back memories, their beauty adds color to our surroundings, and they provide endless joy for the soul!

Many of us dream about creating a cut flower garden. Its easy to fall in love with the of wandering through the garden and harvesting a plethora of vibrantly colored blooms to proudly display in our homes.

Not only is it magical, but it is way cheaper, more sustainable, and you can grow your favorites instead of settling for whats available at the store or florist.

Continue reading for my steps for growing cut flowers, easy flower varieties for beginners, where to get seeds, tips, and how to harvest cut flowers.

Why You Should Have a Cut Flower Garden

First of all, what is a cut flower? Simply put, it is a flower that is grown for the purpose of cutting it off and using it for decorative purposes. The bud, full flower, stem, and/or leaves are used, and the plants are grown with this purpose in mind. Not to say that you can’t grow typical cut flowers in your landscape and leave them be, but most people choose these types of blooms with the thought of harvesting them.

Why should you grow cut flowers? Well, first and foremost, they are beautiful. They will make your garden and landscape a more captivating environment, even if just for enjoying the view. Another reason is that flowers are expensive to buy, especially pre-arranged bouquets. Maybe you enjoy having fresh blossoms on your kitchen counter or dinner table on a weekly basis. Maybe you have a small business or shop that would benefit from the beauty of fresh flowers as decor. Buying flowers on a routine basis can quickly add up. If you grow your own, you can save a ton of money.

Another big reason to grow your own cut flowers is to avoid unnecessary chemicals and the like that often come with flowers grown far away and shipped into your climate. The majority of the time, these flowers are grown in huge fields and routinely sprayed with pesticides before being shipped with various holding solutions and preservatives to keep them as healthy and fresh as possible. Just like growing your own food, if you grow your own flowers in your garden, you will know exactly what goes into the soil and onto the plant before you bring it into your home.

And stemming from this, if you grow your own cut flowers, you will have fresher blooms, and can many times get types or varieties that would not be available otherwise. Think of how far roses from Ecuador and peonies from the Netherlands have to travel to get to you. But from your backyard? Super fast! And things like dahlias, zinnias, and delicate flowers like cosmos and bachelor’s buttons cannot be shipped at all, or they will be ruined. So if you want those types in your home, you had better grow them yourself. Especially if you want rare or unusual varieties, which you definitely won’t find at your local florist or grocery store.

How to Create a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners

First and foremost, its important to understand your growing climate and space. When are your warm, hot, cool, and cold seasons? How long do they last? Many flowers are going to want a temperate warm/cool climate, but there are definitely some that flourish in the heat and those that can handle some frost or very cold temps.

Also, where will you be growing your cut flowers? Do you have a dedicated bed or area, or are you going to disperse them throughout your garden or landscape? Will you grow them in rows or bunches, or maybe even pots or large containers? Realize that, other than a few outliers, most flowers will want rich, well-draining soil and at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Also consider wind and rain exposure. Lots of flowers grow fairly tall, and a strong wind can easily break them down. See if you can give them some protection from the elements if you live in a blustery or rainy environment.

After your climate and environment, you will want to think about what flowers you want to grow. What flowers do you like? How will you be using them? Do you want flowers that have a long vase life for arrangements? Do you want to grow flowers to dry to make crafts? Do you need flowers that do okay out of water for weddings or other events? Do you want flowers that are pollen-less due to allergies?

Once you decide on what and where you are going to grow, it is time to plan out your cut flower garden! Let’s take a look at the different seasons and some good beginner options.

10 Easiest Cut Flowers to Grow for Beginners

FAQ

What are the easiest cut flowers to grow?

• Bachelor’s Buttons.
• Calendula/Pot Marigold.
• Cosmos.
• Larkspur.
• Love-In-A-Mist.
• Love-Lies-Bleeding.
• Marigolds.
• Orlaya.

When to start planting a cut flower garden?

While many annual flowers are fast-growing and can be directly sown in the spring garden, seedlings will give you a head-start on the season. If you have the time to start seedlings, start them a few weeks or even a month before your last frost date.

How do you start a flower garden for beginners?

• Sunlight: Most flowers need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. 

• Soil Type: Test your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Loamy soil is generally ideal for most flowers. 

• Water Source: Ensure your chosen location is close to a water source for easy watering. 

What cut flowers can be planted together?

The Beauty of Companion Planting

Stacy recommends plants like borage, amaranth, yarrow, and sedum as great fillers and companion plants. These plants not only add texture and color to bouquets but also attract beneficial insects and deter pests.

How do you design a cut flower garden?

Just a few last considerations when you design a cut flower garden: Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs. Plan for continuous blooming by selecting varieties with staggered bloom times. Allow enough space between plants for proper growth and air circulation. Incorporate pathways for easy access and maintenance.

How to grow a cutting garden this year?

Follow these steps to learn how to grow a cutting garden this year: 1. Understand The Light You Are Working With More than anything, sunlight is the most crucial ingredient to growing cut flowers. Most flowers thrive in full sun and need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.

Is a cut flower garden a good idea?

A cut flower garden is a fantastic project for beginners. Start with easy-to-grow varieties and gradually expand your garden as you gain experience. What flowers are best for cutting and arranging? Zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, hydrangeas, and roses are excellent choices for cutting gardens.

What is the easiest cut flower to grow?

Some of the easiest cut flowers for beginners are zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons, cosmos, dahlias, and marigolds. They tend to be less fussy about growing conditions. Check out our post about 35 Easy to Grow Cut Flowers for a Cut Flower Garden. What is the most profitable cut flower?

Should you start a cut flower garden?

Depending on your goal, you may want to start a cut flower garden to enjoy making your own arrangements or consider having a small business in your backyard. So, instead of growing flowers randomly, I suggest growing some of the most profitable cut flowers. If you’re going to start a small business, make it profitable.

What is a cut flower garden?

With a bit of planning and care, a cut flower garden yields an abundant, renewable source of floral decor to fashion into stunning bouquets and arrangements. It provides the joy of immersing yourself in nature’s palette of colors and textures that you alone can shape into a customized work of art for your tabletop. Why Grow a Cut Flower Garden?