At Crooked Pines Farm, we take great pride in our vibrant cutting gardens, bursting with a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances. Whether it’s sweet peas cascading over trellises, cheerful sunflowers standing tall, or delicate ranunculus unfurling their petals, these cut flowers are the stars of our farm-to-table floral arrangements and add a touch of rustic elegance to any setting.
Growing Cut Flowers
Plant Selection
When it comes to growing cut flowers, the possibilities are endless. From classic annuals like zinnias and cosmos to perennial favorites like dahlias and peonies, there’s a bloom for every taste and style. At Crooked Pines, we carefully curate our selection to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the seasons, with a focus on long-lasting, high-quality stems.
One of our standout cut flower varieties is the humble sweet pea. These fragrant, heirloom flowers are a true delight, and with the right growing conditions, they can provide an abundant supply of blooms for bouquets and arrangements. Check out our tips on growing sweet peas from seed.
Soil Preparation
Preparing the soil is the foundation for a successful cutting garden. We start by amending our beds with a generous layer of compost or well-rotted manure, creating a nutrient-rich environment that will nourish our plants throughout the growing season. This not only improves soil structure and drainage but also helps to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
After incorporating the organic matter, we use a broadfork or tiller to loosen the soil, ensuring that the roots can penetrate deeply and access the essential nutrients they need. For crops that thrive in acidic soil, such as peonies and hydrangeas, we may also add a layer of lime to adjust the pH levels.
Planting Techniques
Proper planting techniques are crucial for the health and productivity of your cut flowers. When sowing seeds, we recommend following the instructions on the packet, paying close attention to depth and spacing requirements. For seedlings or transplants, we gently loosen the root ball and plant them at the same depth they were growing in their previous container.
One of our favorite tricks for maximizing bloom production is succession planting. By staggering the sowing or transplanting of our cut flowers, we can ensure a continuous harvest throughout the growing season, rather than a single flush of blooms. This not only provides us with a steady supply of fresh flowers but also helps to extend the lifespan of our cutting garden.
Flower Cultivation
Watering and Feeding
Cut flowers are heavy feeders, and they require consistent moisture to thrive. At Crooked Pines, we use a combination of drip irrigation and hand-watering to keep our plants well-hydrated, especially during hot, dry spells.
To ensure our flowers receive the essential nutrients they need, we supplement our soil with a balanced, organic fertilizer every few weeks. This helps to promote strong root growth, vibrant foliage, and an abundance of blooms. For crops that require a bit more specialized care, such as dahlias, we may also use a bloom-boosting fertilizer to enhance their floral display.
Pest and Disease Control
Maintaining a healthy, thriving cutting garden requires vigilance when it comes to pest and disease management. We closely monitor our plants for any signs of aphids, powdery mildew, or other common issues, and we quickly respond with organic, eco-friendly solutions.
One of our go-to methods for controlling pests is the use of beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on many common garden pests. We also employ crop rotation and companion planting strategies to discourage disease and create a more diverse, resilient ecosystem.
Harvesting Techniques
Knowing when and how to harvest your cut flowers is essential for ensuring the longest vase life. At Crooked Pines, we train our farm staff to carefully select stems that are just starting to open, typically in the early morning when the flowers are most hydrated. We use clean, sharp pruners to make a clean, angled cut, leaving a few sets of leaves on the plant to promote regrowth.
To prolong the freshness of our cut flowers, we immediately place the stems in a clean bucket of water and store them in a cool, shaded location until they are ready to be arranged. This helps to minimize wilting and ensures that our blooms arrive at their destination in peak condition.
Flower Arrangement
Design Principles
Arranging cut flowers is both an art and a science, and at Crooked Pines, we take great pride in creating stunning, one-of-a-kind floral displays. Our approach is guided by principles of balance, proportion, and color harmony, ensuring that each arrangement is a visually captivating and harmonious composition.
We often start with a focal point, such as a vibrant sunflower or a lush peony, and then build the rest of the arrangement around it, incorporating filler flowers, foliage, and accents to create depth, texture, and visual interest. Take a peek at some of the floral arrangements we’ve created at Skylands, Martha’s home in Maine.
Floral Containers
The vessels we choose to display our cut flowers can have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic. At Crooked Pines, we curate an ever-changing collection of vases, urns, and other vessels that complement the natural beauty of our blooms.
For a rustic, farm-inspired look, we often reach for weathered wooden crates, galvanized buckets, or vintage-inspired pitchers. For more formal settings, we might select elegant crystal or porcelain vases that allow the flowers to shine. And for large-scale arrangements, we rely on our custom-designed pedestals and statement pieces to create a truly breathtaking focal point.
Flower Preservation
To ensure that our cut flower arrangements maintain their freshness and vibrancy, we employ a few tried-and-true techniques. After harvesting, we condition the stems by re-cutting them and placing them in a clean, nutrient-rich solution, which helps to hydrate the flowers and extend their lifespan.
When arranging the flowers, we carefully select floral foam or chicken wire to provide a sturdy structure and support the stems. We also mist the blooms with a flower preservative to help prevent wilting and discoloration.
Finally, we educate our guests and customers on proper flower care, providing them with tips on how to prolong the life of their arrangements, such as keeping them in a cool, well-lit location and changing the water regularly.
Seasonal Considerations
Spring Blooms
As the earth awakens from its winter slumber, our cutting garden at Crooked Pines comes alive with an array of vibrant, spring-blooming flowers. From delicate narcissus to bold tulips, these early-risers set the stage for the season’s floral abundance.
One of our favorite spring flowers is the peony, with its lush, romantic blooms and intoxicating fragrance. We carefully time our planting and harvesting to ensure a steady supply of peonies for our arrangements, often incorporating them into our spring-themed workshops and family events.
Summer Abundance
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, our cutting garden bursts into full bloom, offering a dazzling display of zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and a host of other summer-loving annuals. This is the time of year when our fields are alive with the buzz of pollinators, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of freshly cut flowers.
During the summer months, we invite our community to join us for U-pick experiences, where they can wander through the rows and hand-select the blooms they’d like to take home. This not only allows our guests to create their own unique arrangements but also gives them a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into growing these beautiful flowers.
Autumn Arrangements
As summer transitions into fall, our cutting garden takes on a more muted, autumnal palette, with rich dahlias, chrysanthemums, and asters taking center stage. We love incorporating these bold, vibrant blooms into our seasonal arrangements, pairing them with dried grasses, berries, and other natural elements to create stunning, harvest-inspired displays.
During the autumn months, we also celebrate the bounty of our farm with a series of seasonal events, such as our annual Harvest Festival. These gatherings are the perfect opportunity to showcase our cut flower arrangements, which serve as the perfect complement to the delicious, farm-to-table fare and family-friendly activities.
As you can see, growing and arranging cut flowers is a true labor of love at Crooked Pines Farm. From the careful selection of our plant varieties to the artful crafting of our floral displays, we pour our hearts and souls into every bloom. We invite you to visit us throughout the year to experience the ever-changing beauty of our cutting garden and to take home a little piece of the farm to enjoy in your own home.
