Cut Flower Gardening for the Home Gardener

Akin to how growing your own food nourishes your body, growing your own cut flower garden – or flowers in general - is of equal importance to nourishing your soul.

What may seem an intimidating addition to your garden can be simplified by following three basic concepts: 1. Location, location, location 2. Planting varieties known to be reliable, productive and easy to grow. 3. Harvesting techniques. When choosing where to plant your cut flowers, select an area that receives full sun (6 - 8+ hours) and rich, welldrained soil. Prepare your site by loosening the soil and adding well aged compost and a slow release fertilizer. Double check seed packs/ seedling labels carefully, ensuring you plant your tallest plants to avoid shading out shorter varieties. For your first year growing cut flowers, stick to the following annual varieties and add on as your confidence grows.

• Sunflowers – plant in succession every two weeks. I find single stem Sunflowers an absolute joy! You don’t have to bend over to harvest. Strip the leaves off the stem while standing before making your cut.

• Zinnias – a true work horse, Zinnias will bloom vigorously all season long and hold up well in summer heat. They are available in a wide range of colours and sizes. They also have a fantastic vase life. • Rudbeckia – another prolific bloomer, Rudbeckia is low maintenance while being very heat and drought tolerant. Post harvest, make sure to change the water in your vase frequently as Rudbeckia can “muddy” your water.

• Cosmos – the more you cut and deadhead them, the happier your plant will be. The trick is when to harvest Cosmos - you want to pick them before they open fully for longest vase life. The best time to harvest your cut flowers is early in the morning or in the evening. Blooms cut mid day are more likely to wilt! Bring a clean bucket or vase with you to your garden. As you snip your flowers, place them into warm water to rehydrate. Both cleanliness of your vessel and the temperature of your water will help to ensure your flowers can take up enough fresh water to be hydrated and gorgeous postharvest.

Jen Rose-Miller (alongside her husband, Devin) are the farmers behind Miller + Co. Flower Farm. Jen is the principal floral designer and potter of Miller + Co. Wood Studio and Pottery

Grow Cutting Flowers

Brings Flowers into the Home Many annuals and perennials to consider

Sunfl ower Marigolds Calendula Celosia Strawfl ower Cosmos Zinnia Rudbeckia Echinacea Dahlia Lily Phlox Delphinium Salvia Liatris

Serving local gardeners since 1973 www.dinternursery.ca 250 748-2023

5km South of Duncan on Hwy 1