Seasonal Guide to Planting a Cutting Garden

How to grow your own bouquet – a sponsored guest post by Johnsons

A cutting garden is a dream for flower lovers, giving you an endless supply of blooms to brighten your home with vibrant bouquets. The secret to a thriving garden lies in seasonal planting, so there’s always something blooming. Here’s your friendly guide to planning, planting, and even arranging your own bouquets!

Spring Planting: The Starting Line

As winter fades, it’s time to dig in. Hardy annuals like sweet peas, larkspur, and cornflowers thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring. They’re easy to grow and perfect for beginners. Sow them directly into prepared soil or start them indoors for a head start.

Summer Planting: The Sunshine Season

With the soil warming up, summer is the ideal time for half-hardy annuals and perennials. Zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos are absolute stars in the summer garden. For a constant supply of blooms, try successional planting—sow new flower seeds every couple of weeks. This ensures a steady stream of flowers for cutting while keeping your garden bursting with colour.

Autumn Planting: Planning Ahead

Autumn is all about setting the stage for next year’s blooms. Hardy perennials and biennials, like foxgloves and delphiniums, establish their roots during the cooler months, ready to flower in spring. This is also the time to plant bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. They’re easy to pop into the ground and will reward you with a spectacular display.

Winter Prep: Quietly Productive

Winter might seem like a slow season, but it’s a great time to prepare. Dream up next year’s garden, organise your seeds, and give your tools some TLC. If you’ve got a greenhouse or a cold frame, you can even sow early blooms now, ensuring a head start when spring arrives.

DIY Bouquets: From Garden to Vase

Now for the fun bit—arranging your flowers! Start with a striking focal bloom like dahlias or sunflowers, then add filler flowers such as sweet peas or cosmos for volume. Don’t forget foliage to add texture and balance. Experiment with different heights and colours for that effortless, freshly picked look. Top tip: Cut flowers early in the morning when they’re most hydrated and pop them straight into water to keep them fresh.

Keeping Things Blooming

To keep your cutting garden productive, enrich your soil regularly with compost or organic matter. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers and keep an eye on pesky weeds that might compete for nutrients.

By planting with the seasons and getting creative with your bouquets, you’ll have stunning, homegrown arrangements year-round. Ready to get started?

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