Volleyball Court to Cut Flower Garden!?
I have always had a passion for growing and creating new things, like most, I started out a novice gardener growing plants inside, container gardening during apartment living and even experimenting with square foot gardening growing vegetables and herbs here.
We bought our house in December of 2019 so it took awhile for me to learn there is an abundance of perennial flowers in two landscaping gardens that start Spring off with a fresh look, feeling and aroma. However, with all this property, I had only been growing vegetables and herbs, no annual flowers, and only in two tiny plots. There was a full size volleyball court outside near the chicken coop, in mostly full sun! Neither Travis or I were interested in playing often enough to keep a court in our backyard and our kids hadn't used it at all. So, in 2021 we turned the volleyball court into a large garden!
Clearing the Volleyball Court
I had no idea what I was doing, but I was super inspired by a co-worker to start growing flowers from seed, something I had never done before. I was looking at ALL of the resources! I am such a big fan of Chip & Joanna Gaines and through their network I was introduced to Floret Farms. (Not an affiliate of either of theirs, just a fan girl!) I devoured the few episodes of their show, their social media channels, website, etc. When that wasn't enough I ordered Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden book, earmarked it and began my journey as a cut flower gardener.
This book and website are something I would highly recommend if you are looking to start your own cut flower garden, now or in the future, and no matter the size. It is full of tips, vase life tricks, advice for getting started, when to start, and detailed information on all types of flowers broken down in a very logical and consumable way.Products linked are my favorites or highly recommended for each project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See something you like? Click it! It helps support the amazing content on this site. Xoxo B
When I went to order seeds that year I of course wanted seeds from Floret! But I was only able to get dill and ornamental squash seed packets because they were so popular most things were sold out! I was impressed with the quality of the dill and ornamental squash plants and I was so delighted to see those little white pumpkins pop up! The rest of my seeds have been randomly collected or ordered from places like Johnny's Seeds, Target, Menards, Tractor Supply, Amazon etc.
The 2021 growing season went well but advice I had ignored from the book, like putting down weeding fabric and soaker hoses in the beginning, and not dedicating enough time to the garden, got me overwhelmed. I had enough flowers to bring bouquets to friends and family and to provide for a few small parities but not a full cut flower garden with blooms to sell. In 2022 & 2023 we did not grow much at all and actually this past Winter we had planned to use it as a hockey rink! Which if you know about the MN winter we are experiencing, you know how that went, it is still a leveled out mud pit!
This season I have the time, drive, passion, a little experience and a whole lot more knowledge to try again. Maybe even take it a little further, sell some bouquets or provide a subscription service!? But let's not get ahead of ourselves...
When I made the decision to re-try and to expand my cut flower garden this year, I went back through the book, made my list and set an alarm for the Floret seed sale. Little did I know they are not selling all seed varieties anymore!? Just Floret original flowers they are breeding! Still, as a fan girl, I thought this was pretty cool and thankfully they had all of their flower varieties available. Since it is only my second year growing flowers and their seeds are more expensive I opted for two varieties the Zinnia Unicorn Mix and Dahlia Shooting Stars. Growing Dahlia's from seeds will be new for me too, I have only used bulbs!
Now, with all of that being said I still have a few flower varieties that I need to replenish or would like to try this year so I have to find another trusted seed source and I will also need bulbs & tubers. I usually use Johnny's Seeds and I like to be intentional with my purchases.
Where do you get your seeds, bulbs, and tubers from?
I hope you I hope this project was helpful or inspiring! If so, please let me know by leaving a comment! Remember to come back regularly to keep up with my farm, art, restoration and other miscellaneous adventures. Thank you!
Xoxo, B