How to Create Your Own Garden for Endless Bouquets
It’s nice to look after a houseplant and watch it change and grow, but there is something special about the way a fresh flower bouquet will brighten a room. And while cut flower arrangements are usually presented for special occasions, it is sometimes nice to treat yourself to one of your favorite flowers. However, making it a habit can be very expensive and very fast.
One way (ultimately) to lower the cost of permanent bouquets is to grow your own vegetable garden. As with any garden, the initial setup is an investment and requires some effort, but once it is up and running, you have your own stock of your favorite flowers.
Oh, and did we mention that this is the kind of gardening that can be done in containers? So even if you don’t have a spacious yard (or even a yard at all), this is an option. Here’s what to know about creating a vegetable garden, courtesy of Emma Lowe from an article she wrote for mindbodygreen .
How to create a stalk in the garden
If you have an open garden space, start by choosing a location that gets plenty of direct sunlight (at least six hours a day) and then prepare the area by removing weeds and backing up soil to aid drainage. New gardeners may want to start with a small plot to help them figure out the process.
Those without a yard can use large containers with drainage holes and must also pay close attention to the amount of direct sunlight the plants receive (the more the better). For this reason, it is best to look for locations that face south, east or west, explains Loewe.
How to choose flowers for planting in the garden
While you can start with seedlings and watch them grow, it is definitely cheaper to start with seeds. If you do, Loewe recommends that you start planting them in late winter or early spring, a few weeks before the last frost hits your area.
As for what to plant, it depends on your personal preference – although it might be helpful to consider a flower schedule, explains Loewe:
Consider planting plants with different growth schedules so there is always something to see, preferring flowers that bloom more than once a year and can germinate well in the fall.
Plants in the same area should have the same needs for water and sunlight. Prolific growers such as mint (also a flowering plant!) Should be placed away from the group in their own containers so that their roots do not overlap the rest of the plot.
According sadovoda- ecologist Allison Wallin Kostovik colors that are relatively require special care, quickly germinate and grow, but also have long stems, ideal for bouquets:
- Marigold
- Celosias
- Cornflowers (also known as bachelor buttons)
- Space
- Forget-me-not
- Marigold
- Nasturtiums
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
From here it all boils down to regular maintenance, which includes frequent pruning, picking flowers when they are ready, and watering the plants frequently. Loewe provides additional tips and details in the article.