It’s such a delight to see flowers blooming in the garden that it’s often hard to cut them to bring indoors. That’s the beauty of a designated cutting garden. Find a sunny spot in your yard and fill it with plants that are grown to be cut. Then treat your cutting garden as your private source of flowers for bouquets to brighten your indoor spaces.
Think you don’t have any space left for a new garden, even if it’s tucked away? How about designating a few rows in your vegetable garden to flowers. It’s a win-win. You get flowers to cut and the flowers will attract more pollinators to your vegetables.
Plants to Grow in a Cutting Garden
Annuals are the most traditional cutting flowers, although it is entirely possible to have a perennial cutting garden. Many annuals tend to repeat bloom and you can grow them quickly. Whichever you choose, here are a few traits to consider:
- You will probably prefer flowers with long stems since you will be cutting and displaying them.
- If you love fragrance, make sure you include some scented flowers.
- Include some filler plants, like baby’s breath or coral bells.
- Plants with attractive foliage, like artemisia and coleus, will also be handy for arrangements.
- Planting flowers that dry well will extend your bouquets into winter.
- Grow what you love. If you want sunflowers all summer, give them top priority in your cutting garden.
Consider ordering some specialty seed and plant catalogs for exotic or old-fashioned varieties that might not be available at the local garden center.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Cutting shears
Materials
- A variety of flower seeds for a cutting garden
- Compost or leaf mold
- Organic fertilizer
- Mulch
Instructions
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Instructions
Prepare the Site
Just because you’ll be cutting these flowers regularly doesn’t mean you can skimp on the soil. For the most prolific, healthy flowers, amend your soil to ensure the plants have the nutrients they need to grow and bloom well.
Make sure the area isweed-free. Although this garden doesn’t have to look pretty, you still don’t want your plants to have to compete with weeds for nutrients and water.
Your cutting flowers will need soil that is rich inorganic matter to improve water retention and drainage. Work in several inches ofcompostorleaf mold before planting.
Incorporate a dose of a balanced, slow-acting, granular, organicfertilizer at the start of the season. This, plus a healthy dose of fresh compost, is usually enough to keep the plants healthy and growing throughout the season. If you notice blooms diminishing, you can always give them a hit of liquid fertilizer during the summer if needed. Make sure you check the growing needs of your flowers first. Some flowers, like coreopsis, actually bloom better in poor soil.
Plan the Layout
Ease of access is very important in a cutting garden.Wide rowsare the traditional approach. You won’t have to reach as far to cut stems. Be sure to leave paths between them that are wide enough for you to move in and work. You’ll be carrying a bucket of water for them or a basket to hold your cut flowers, so give yourself space to navigate.
Determine What the Plants Need
Determine what the growing conditions are for each of the flowers you choose to grow, and then group those with like needs together. Grouping plants with similar growing requirements will help you give them all exactly what they need with minimal effort on your part. It will also prevent you from unintentionally over- or under-watering the plants that are growing near other plants with completely different likes and dislikes.
Consider the Height of the Plants
Once you have your plants grouped by their cultural needs, divide them again by their mature height. You don’t want the shorter plants to be engulfed by the tall ones. They won’t get enough sunshine and it will be more difficult to reach them for cutting.
Arrange Flowers Based on Bloom Sequence
Flowers don’t all bloom at the same time. Consider laying out your plants in the order they are expected to bloom; early season, mid-season, or later in the season. Or, if you want to avoid dead patches in your cutting garden and keep it looking lovely all season, intersperse flowers with different bloom times within the same beds. As spring bulbs fade, for instance, early summer annuals cover the bulbs' fading foliage.
Spread More Seeds Throughout the Growing Season
Annualsoften don’t last an entire growing season. Make sure you pick up extra seed packets in the spring, so you can reseed when one batch starts to fade. If a group of plants is fading, rip them out, freshen the soil with compost, and replant something new.
Use Mulch
Yes, even in a cutting garden,mulch is necessary. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. You can mulch with shredded leaves or straw. The mulch helps deter weeds from moving in while also retaining soil moisture. The last thing you need is another garden to weed. If the mulch decomposes to less than 1 inch of covering, it’s time to top it off with some fresh mulch.
Maintain Your Cutting Garden
The most important thing you can do is keep cutting. Many plants will set new flowers after cutting the first flush of blooms.
Otherwise, maintenance will be much like any other flower border. Keep an eye out for pests and disease and remove affected plants before the problems have a chance to spread. Make sure your flowers get water at least weekly, more if you’re having a particularly hot, dry summer.
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FAQ
What is a cutting garden?
A cutting garden is designed specifically for growing flowers to then cut for floral arrangements. Ideal plants to include are ones with visually appealing and prolific flowers that can be pruned off without impacting the plant’s overall health.
What flowers should you plant for a cutting garden?
Some good options for flowers that keep producing even after you cut some for floral arrangements include asters, dahlias, snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, roses, marigolds, and phlox. Ultimately, what you plant comes down to your taste and what grows well in your climate.
How much sun does a cutting garden need?
In many cases, a cutting garden should receive full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, this can vary depending on the individual needs of the plant species you choose.
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Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in this article.
Cutting Garden
A cutting garden is a designated garden area specifically designed for growing flowers that can be cut and used in floral arrangements. The purpose of a cutting garden is to have a private source of flowers for indoor bouquets, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of blooming flowers both in your garden and inside your home.
Choosing Plants for a Cutting Garden
When selecting plants for a cutting garden, you have several options. Annuals are the most traditional choice, as they tend to repeat bloom and can be grown quickly. However, it is also possible to have a perennial cutting garden. Some traits to consider when choosing flowers for a cutting garden include:
- Long stems: Flowers with long stems are preferred since they are easier to cut and display in arrangements.
- Fragrance: Including scented flowers can add a pleasant aroma to your bouquets.
- Filler plants: Consider including filler plants like baby's breath or coral bells to add volume and texture to your arrangements.
- Attractive foliage: Plants with attractive foliage, such as artemisia and coleus, can be useful for creating visually appealing arrangements.
- Drying flowers: Planting flowers that dry well can extend the life of your bouquets into the winter season.
- Personal preference: It's important to grow what you love. If you have a particular favorite flower, prioritize it in your cutting garden.
Site Preparation
To ensure the health and productivity of your cutting garden, it's important to prepare the site properly. Here are some steps to follow:
- Soil amendment: Amend the soil by incorporating several inches of compost or leaf mold before planting. This will improve water retention and drainage, providing the plants with the necessary nutrients to grow and bloom well.
- Weed control: Ensure that the area is weed-free before planting. Weeds can compete with the flowers for nutrients and water.
- Fertilization: Incorporate a balanced, slow-acting, granular, organic fertilizer into the soil at the start of the season. This, along with regular applications of fresh compost, should be sufficient to keep the plants healthy and growing throughout the season. If blooms start to diminish, you can provide additional nutrients through liquid fertilizer if needed.
- Growing conditions: Determine the growing conditions required by each flower species you choose and group them together based on their similar needs. This will make it easier to provide the necessary care and prevent over- or under-watering.
- Layout: Plan the layout of your cutting garden with ease of access in mind. Wide rows are recommended to make it easier to reach and cut the flowers. Leave enough space between rows for movement and carrying water or baskets for cut flowers.
- Bloom sequence: Consider the bloom sequence of the flowers you choose and arrange them accordingly. You can group flowers with similar bloom times together or intersperse flowers with different bloom times to ensure a continuous display of blooms throughout the season.
- Mulching: Apply mulch, such as shredded leaves or straw, to the garden beds. Mulch helps deter weeds and retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent weeding and watering. If the mulch decomposes to less than 1 inch of coverage, add fresh mulch .
Maintenance
To keep your cutting garden thriving, regular maintenance is necessary. Here are some tips:
- Regular cutting: Continuously cut flowers from your garden. Many plants will set new flowers after cutting the first flush of blooms, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh flowers.
- Pest and disease control: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and remove affected plants promptly to prevent the spread of problems.
- Watering: Ensure that your flowers receive adequate water, especially during hot and dry periods. Water at least weekly, or more frequently if needed.
- Mulch maintenance: Check the mulch regularly and top it off with fresh mulch if it decomposes to less than 1 inch of coverage.
- Enjoy the process: Remember to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of your cutting garden. Experiment with different flower varieties and arrangements to create stunning bouquets for your indoor spaces .
I hope this information helps you create a beautiful and productive cutting garden. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
