Honestly, who doesn’t love the idea of having fresh flowers indoors? For the most part, bouquets are pretty expensive, and while yes, bouquets can really add a touch of luxury to a home, that high price kind of makes it feel like it’s not all that worth it, though, right? So, just imagine this for a moment: you’re stepping out into your garden, surrounded by vibrant, fragrant flowers, and picking a fresh bouquet to brighten your home or gift to a loved one.
The idea is delightful, right? Well, that’s pretty much the whole point of a picking garden; it’s specifically designed for growing flowers that are perfect for cutting and arranging into beautiful bouquets. You don’t need a large property or anything to do this; technically, even a small balcony can work perfectly, too. But where do you even begin?
It’s All About the Right Flowers
Not every flower makes the perfect picking flower, so that’s something you really need to keep in mind. Of course, it’s still a good idea to opt for varieties that are hardy, long-lasting, and bloom profusely. Roses are a classic choice, known for their timeless beauty and enchanting fragrance.
You can’t go wrong with tulip bulbs and daffodils in the springtime; they’re super easy to cut, too. In the summer months, dahlia tubers are a great option due to their range of shapes and colours; plus, they add some nice diversity to your arrangements. Sunflowers are pretty easy to grow, too; the same goes for zinnias. In general, there’s a large variety out there, so it’s more about flowers that are easy to grow, don’t wilt the second you clip them and can survive in water for a few days, too.
You’ll Still Need the Right Garden Layout
Again, it doesn’t really matter if this is on a balcony, terrace with concrete, or a lawn, but what matters is the right area as there needs to be plenty of sunlight. So, if you plant under a tree, don’t expect much flowers, same goes for any other shady areas. Most flowering plants require at least six hours of sunlight each day. But that’s not all either, as you’ll need to prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
Ideally, you’ll need to arrange your plants in rows or clusters, grouping flowers with similar growth habits together. Taller plants like sunflowers and dahlias should be placed at the back or centre of the garden, with shorter plants like zinnias and sweet peas at the front. This not only creates a visually appealing layout but also ensures that all plants receive adequate sunlight. But you can also have taller plants in another area, so you can count on 100% not having any shade on the smaller flowers like your bulbs.
Patience
After prepping and planting your flowers, all you can really do at this point is wait for the right season to come. You’re supposed to plant tulips in the Autumn, so by spring, they’ll show up, and you’re supposed to plant dahlias right after the last day of frost so the flowers can show up in late summer.
Harvesting Your Flowers
Even though it’s a picking garden, you shouldn’t pick the flowers but rather cut them. You’ll need to cut them at an angle, not just straight across. Also, it’s best to do this during cool temperatures rather than in the middle of the afternoon when it’s blazing hot. But of course, as cute as it is to put them in a basket, instead, right away, they’ll need to go straight into a bucket or vase of water, seriously, ASAP.
