WRITTEN by Donna Hall & Wendy Reinemann
Do you want a hidden gem in your backyard? Then start a cutting garden this season.
A cutting garden is filled with flowers that you plan to cut from to create beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements. These flowers continue blooming, giving you a season to hone your bouquet skills.
You can create a cutting garden in any sunny spot in your yard or garden. 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 or add them in your existing flower beds. Most cut flower varieties are tall and work well in the back of a garden bed or mixed in with existing perennials or shrubs. It’s a win-win. You get flowers to cut and attract more pollinators to your gardens.
The ideal cut flower garden will have a mix of different types of flowers that offer an array of colors and that provide different purposes in your bouquet. A bouquet should be balanced with focal, filler and line flowers as well as greenery. The “Flower Types” link has a great article that helps explain more.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Find a Space – Find a sunny space that will work and measure it.
Determine What to Plant – Now that you know how much space you have, plan what to grow! You can use our basic Flower Calculator to help. You can also check out our website and search “Cut Flowers” to learn what annuals, herbs and perennial make great cut flowers. Check back often to see what we have.
Get Your Supplies – Don’t forget to make sure you have the tools and supplies you will need to be successful, including fertilizer, harvest sheers, vases, etc. That way you are ready to go!
Need some more help? We offer design services to help you with planning and variety selection. Please call to set up a time to discuss your project (207) 877-5874.
So, why not create a great garden gem in your backyard this season. Your friends and family will just be amazed at all the nice fresh flowers that you always have on your table freshly cut from your garden!
