COLUMNIST: OLIVIA THOMAS
The great thing about gardening is you get a fresh chance every year, and the first place to begin is thinking over the gardening year that has been. Maybe a cutting garden will be the first gardening you have undertaken (and if so, that is awesome), but the chances are you have done a bit of gardening before, and you may already have an established cut flower patch. So, start with what you know.
How was last year for you? What did you enjoy doing in the garden, and which flowers in particular did you like and why? Was it the colour, scent, size, or the way they looked in your favourite vase? What do you want more of this year? What was the weather and soil like? What grew well, and what did not? Do you need to move or expand your growing space? What do you have elsewhere in the garden that you can cut from: shrubs, perennials, foliage? All of these questions, and more, should be given consideration.
Think about the year ahead. Do you have any particular plans set in stone that will affect what you grow? If, for example, you know you may be away for the whole of July, it is best not to plan a garden full of summer flowers without a plan to look after them.
Do you have any particular events or dates you know you would like to pick flowers for? Growing your own flowers for family weddings is becoming increasingly popular. If you are not growing from seed, you may need to choose your varieties early on, to make sure of getting the plants you need.
If you are just getting started with cut flowers, you should have a dedicated cut flower spot, which is ideally separate to your main garden area - think of it like a vegetable patch. This will enable you to pick blooms without worrying about disrupting the overall display or trying to make them specifically look good or match the rest of the garden. The main thing is to find the sunniest space you can. If that limits you to the main garden area, at least try to set aside a dedicated area.
Once you have your spot, get familiar with it. Take measurements to allow for some accurate planning. Figure out your soil type, and look at the drainage, noting when it rains and whether the soil gets waterlogged or flooded, or if it is free-draining. Observe where and when shade falls and if needed, can you get rid of anything casting that shade? An overall assessment is of upmost importance.
In the depths of winter, it is hard to imagine a summer full of flowers. Having a vision of the bunches and bouquets you want to create will help guide your growing choices, and keep your spirits up when you look at the patch of muddy ground you currently have.
Start a Pinterest board, look for flowers in Scotland Grows magazine, even when they feature in the background. Think about which colours you prefer and what it is that you want to do with your crop once picked, whether you will be gifting them or displaying them in your own home. Fall down an Instagram rabbit hole, wander through books and websites, generally cosy down and dream of what you would like to create.
Vision boards really do help you find ongoing focus and inspiration.
You do not need detailed plant lists and planting plans, but start making some notes as you go along. Include any flowers or varieties you are pretty sure that you want. Research growing information about any plants you are not familiar with, to ensure you have the conditions to grow them well and draw up some rough plans in order to check you have space for your design.
Be warned however, it is addictive stuff, you will probably end up working out how you can expand the cutting garden to accommodate all the flowers you wish to grow!
Finally, sit back, hunker down, and wait for spring to get started on bringing your plans to life.
Olivia Thomas grows flowers that are better for people and the environment. Her passion is for sustainable floristry: for growing local flowers that she sells to florists and other businesses including cafes, bars, and restaurants, and locally to the public whenever there are enough flowers available! Olivia talks about sustainable floristry and recommends the best cut flowers to grow in Scotland on the Scotland Grows Show.
See more of Olivia's beautiful blooms on her website, Instagram, and Facebook pages, or catch up with all her news on her Substack.
