Starting a flower garden on your farmstead is a rewarding endeavor, whether you’re looking to create a side business or simply enjoy fresh flowers all spring and summer. Here’s how you can transform your backyard into a vibrant flower haven.
As spring begins, it’s time to plan your flower garden. Melissa Stewart, the owner of Prairieland Flowers in Long Pine, Nebraska, offers valuable advice for growing and selling stunning bouquets. According to Stewart, flowers from local growers often last longer than store-bought ones, which are treated with chemicals to extend their vase life. Supporting local flower producers not only ensures fresher flowers but also helps local agriculture thrive.
Planning Your Flower Garden
Start preparing for your flower garden in January by laying out a plan, ordering seeds and soil, and setting up an indoor growing space. Begin by choosing flowers that are likely to sell well, keeping in mind that the flowers you find most attractive may not always be the most profitable. Reviewing notes from previous seasons and production records will help you decide which flowers work best for your customers.
In February, focus on starting cool-season flowers like snapdragons, delphiniums, daffodils, and daisies. This is also a good time to check your inventory of tools and supplies, such as drip irrigation systems, hoses, and clippers, to ensure you’re ready for the upcoming growing season.
Starting Seeds and Planting
By March, it’s time to start another round of seeds for flowers like snapdragons, strawflowers, and celosia. Stewart emphasizes the importance of succession planting, where flowers are spaced out every couple of weeks to ensure a steady supply throughout the season.
Once May arrives and the risk of frost has passed, it’s time to plant your summer annuals. This includes heat-loving flowers such as sunflowers, zinnias, celosia, marigolds, and dahlia tubers. May is a busy month for flower growers, as it marks the transition from indoor seed-starting to outdoor planting.
Harvesting Your Blooms
During the summer months, flowers like tulips that were planted in the winter will be ready for harvest. Due to the practice of succession planting, you can harvest flowers at different times throughout the summer, ensuring that your farmstead remains vibrant with fresh blooms.
Harvesting is typically done in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler, as this helps prevent the flowers from wilting. It’s also crucial to maintain irrigation systems and ensure that flowers receive adequate water during the hot summer months.
Fall Harvest and Marketing
As fall approaches, flower harvesting continues with the collection of fall annuals. Many flower farms, like Prairieland Flowers, also offer a U-pick experience for customers, providing an interactive way to enjoy the farm.
Marketing your flowers is key to success. Stewart recommends starting small and gradually expanding your flower business as your brand grows. Researching local preferences and staying attuned to which flowers are popular in your area will give you a competitive edge. Prairieland Flowers uses farmers markets, subscription services, and their U-pick option as effective marketing tools.
By following these steps, you can create your own beautiful farmstead flower garden, providing a steady supply of vibrant blooms for your home or customers.
