Creating a Cutting Garden for Year-Round Bouquets

A cutting garden is a working part of the garden, planted for productivity rather than perfect display. The bonus is that the flowers look lovely in the ground too.

Choose productive plants

Focus on varieties bred for vase life: dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, snapdragons, sweet peas, sunflowers, rudbeckia and salvia. Include foliage plants such as eucalyptus, mint and grasses for arrangements.

Plant in rows or blocks

For easy harvesting, plant in rows or blocks rather than mixed borders. Make sure you can reach every plant without stepping on others. A dedicated bed also makes succession sowing simpler.

Sow and plant in succession

Sow hardy annuals in autumn or early spring and tender annuals after frost. Re-sow every two to three weeks for continuous blooms. Dahlias and other tender perennials can be lifted or mulched over winter.

Harvest correctly

Cut in the cool of the morning, using clean sharp snips. Cut stems at an angle and remove lower leaves. Put stems straight into clean water. Some flowers benefit from searing or a brief dip in hot water, but most are fine with cool water.

Keep them coming

Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers. Feed dahlias and other heavy bloomers through summer. A little planning means a steady supply of bouquets from late spring to first frost.