In these trying economical times when many are growing recession gardens to help with food cost, you many also consider adding a small cutting garden. The fresh flowers will add color and fragrance in you home from spring until fall and decorate your home. 
photo credit: makelessnoise
A cutting garden adds a cottage garden look to your yard and can be set up in a small space or even in containers if need be. Cutting garden flowers generally have sturdy stems, and survive well in a vase of water. This is what makes them have value as a cut flower. They also will live in vases longer than most flowers and work well in flower arrangements.
Many also make excellent dried flowers. These dried flowers can be used in crafts or made into dried floral arrangements for the colder months when flowers are scarce. Cutting gardens may include perennials and annuals, and are fairly easy to grow. Many of the annuals are started from seed right in the garden, or earlier in a greenhouse or cold frame if you want earlier blooms.
Planning a Cutting Garden
Develop your plant list by choosing the colors and textures you like, and how you will use your cut flowers. Are you growing them for the home or for a family event where flowers are needed? You may also want to sell a few or dry different varieties for crafting. These decisions swill help you choose varieties, how many plants you want and the garden size you will need for you plants.
Top ten cutting flowers that are bought
- Tulips
- Gerbera Daisies
- Lilies
- Gladioli
- Iris
- Roses
- Snapdragons
- Delphinium
- Orchids
- Lisianthus
I also feel these flowers belong in the list. They add to any floral arrangement:
- Carnations
- Chrysanthemums
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
- Gypsophila (Baby’s breath)
Next choose your garden location. Most cut flowers will thrive with lots of sunshine. It will also be easier to tend your garden if it’s near a water source. I would also choose a location where you can see the garden from several different vantage points so that you and the family can enjoy it.
Design your garden.
If your garden is large and its main purpose is selling flowers I would lay the flowers out in one-foot rows. But if it’s decorative; give it an artistic flair and group the flowers, make a curved bed, and add height and garden art. In other words, have fun! 
photo credit: maggiephotos
You may also want to have two gardens or at least keep the annuals and perennial flowers separated in the flowerbed. The soil needs for these two varieties differ enough that it’s best to keep them separate
Cutting gardens are easy and fun to grow and they add color and personality to your backyard garden area. They will also save you money on bouquets and flowers for crafting.
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