In 2024, we are expanding our market garden to include a cut flower garden. In this blog post, we will go over the flowers we are growing in 2024 as beginner cut flower growers.
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Why You Should Grow a Cut Flower Garden in 2024
Growing a cut flower garden can provide a constant source of fresh, fragrant flowers to brighten your home. It’s a rewarding endeavor that enhances both your surroundings and your well-being. On top of that, you can choose to sell extra bouquets or other projects to make some extra income.
Flowers We are Growing as beginner cut flower growers
- Ranunculus
- Tulips
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Strawflower
- Gomphrena
- Celosia
- Matricaria (Feverfew)
- Calendula
Ranunculus
Ranunculus are a cool season flower that grow best in spring-like temperatures. In warmer zones (8-10), Ranunculus are planted in the fall so they bloom in late winter and early spring before the warmer temperatures arrive. Here in zone 6b, I soaked and pre-sprouted my Ranunculus corms in our greenhouse and planted them out at the beginning of December. Since Ranunculus aren’t winter hardy in my zone, I used frost fabric to cover the plants when temperatures dipped below freezing.
Tulips
Tulips are another flower that we plant in the fall. We ordered in bulbs from a couple of different wholesale sites. However, you can also find them from Johnnys, Baker Creek, etc. Bulbs should be planted 6-8 inches deep and can be spaced closely together (imagine putting eggs in an egg carton).
When it is time to harvest, you want to pull up the entire plant, bulb and all. Tulips should be harvested when the bloom is plump and starting to get some color. If you are not selling them right away, you can dry store tulips with the bulbs attached in a refrigerator or walk in cooler. The ideal temperature is around 35°F (1.67°C).
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a staple flower and make a great addition to any bouquet, in my opinion. This was an easy choice for us to add to our cut flower garden. We have previously grown sunflowers. However, growing them for cut flowers is a little different. This year, we selected varieties that have less pollen than traditional varieties. In addition, we will be planting them closer together to help get the correct bloom size. We are choosing to plant around 6″ apart from one another. In addition, we are succession planting sunflowers every 1-2 weeks throughout the growing season to ensure a continuous harvest.
Zinnias
Zinnias are another flower that we have grown in the past and now we are moving towards growing in a more production type manner. They are warm weather flower that are very sensitive to frost. We are choosing to start our zinnias in the greenhouse and will transplant them out after the risk of frost has passed.
The initial bud or bloom should be pinched, and deadheading is recommended to encourage strong branching and bloom production. Zinnias should be harvested before they are completely open, and the stem is firm from point of cut to just below the bloom. In addition, we will be succession planting Zinnias every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season to ensure a continuous harvest.
Strawflower
Strawflowers are beautiful fresh or dried. We are growing strawflowers for both fresh use as well as drying. They can be used in a variety of dried flower projects which is a way to extend your blooms and income.
Strawflowers are flowers that are recommended to be started from seed and then transplanted out. They are frost tender plants. When starting from seed, be sure not to cover the seeds as light is required for germination. As strawflowers grow, they may need support through some sort of netting. Similar to Zinnias, pinching is recommended to encourage uniform and productive branching. We are succession sowing every 2-3 weeks. Strawflowers should be cut when 2-3 layers of petals have unfolded, but before flowers fully open to reveal center.
Gomphrena
Gomphrena is a globe type flower that is great for use fresh or dried. It should be started from seed and transplanted out after the risk of frost has passed. Unlike other summer flowers, pinching or supporting Gomphrena plants is not necessary. If using fresh, harvest when flowers are in color, but not fully open. If harvest for dried usage, harvest when the flowers are completely open and hang to dry.
Celosia
Celosia is exceptional as a cut flower and can be used both fresh and dried. It should be transplanted out after the risk of frost has passed. Note: low temperatures and less than twelve hours of daylight can cause premature flowering. When starting seeds, do not cover seeds as light is required for germination. Pinching is recommended to encourage branching.
When harvesting for both fresh and dried use, harvest when the flowers are fully developed, and stems are firm at the base of the bloom. For drying, remove all the foliage and hang in a dark, well-ventilated location to dry.
Matricaria (Feverfew)
Feverfew is a tender perennial in zones 5-9 and can be fall planted with frost protection or in a greenhouse. Fall planting typically results in taller and more abundant stems. However, Feverfew can also be planted in the spring. When spring planted, it should be treated as an annual to ensure optimal stem and flower quality. Feverfew is a long-day plant, meaning flowering is generally initiated during the longest days of the season. However, plants will eventually bloom under short-day conditions but on shorter stems.
Feverfew can be started from seed and transplanted or direct seeded. If direct seeding, make sure the seeds are not covered as they require light to germinate.
Feverfew is another flower that is great for using fresh or drying. If harvesting for fresh use, harvest when the flower cluster is 3/4 open. If harvesting for dried use, harvest when the flower cluster is almost fully open.
Calendula
Calendula is an edible flower that has many medicinal properties. In addition, it makes an excellent cut flower. Like sunflowers, Calendula can be direct sown after the risk of frost. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous blooms throughout the growing season.
When harvesting for cut flower use, harvest once the bloom is approximately 50% open. If harvesting for edible uses, harvest once the bloom is fully open and pull the petals off before using in dishes. You should not eat the calyx or flower center.
How I am Planning Our Cut Flower Garden
I am using Seedtime for most of my cut flower garden planning. Since, I am new to cut flower growing. Seedtime takes the guess work out of when start seeds, when to direct seed or transplant, and succession planting. It will also give you an estimated harvest window for each crop. You can sign up for a free Seedtime account, no credit card required. There is also a paid version that has a few additional features, but it isn’t completely necessary.
Additional GARDENING CONTENT:
- How to Take a Seed Inventory
- How to Organize Your Seeds
- How to Start Seeds Indoors Without Grow Lights
- How to Start Sees Indoors Using Grow Lights
- The Best Seed Starting Supplies
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SEED STARTING SUPPLIES:
- Sharpie Extreme
- Masking tapeorPainters tape
- 128 traysor72 cell trays
- 1020 trays (solid bottomorslotted)
- Soil blockeror Swift Blocker
- Seed starting mix
THE BEST PLACES TO ORDER SEEDS:
OUR FAVORITE flower growing BOOKS:
- Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms (Floret Farms x Chronicle Books) by Erin Benzakein
- The Cut Flower Handbook: Select, Plant, Grow, and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms The Cut Flower Handbook: Select, Plant, Grow, and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms byLisa Mason Ziegler
- The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, 2nd Edition byLynn Byczynski
