Tips for Great Blooms

Quality Blooms Begin With Great Soil

A solid foundation is essential for cultivating beautiful blooms. Start by amending your soil with a few inches of high-quality compost on top. When building new beds, be sure to remove larger rocks and roots for optimal growth. While tillers can be useful in certain situations, recent studies indicate that soil health often thrives with less disturbance. So, spread that compost generously and allow it to sit. Less work for more vibrant flowers—That’s a success worth cheering for!

Great Blooms Prefer Good Nutrition

Water your plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. For optimal growth, fertilize weekly with a high-quality fertilizer.

We use and recommend organic fertilizers, as they promote long-term microbial and soil health.

Flowering plants thrive on calcium, which is a key component of my fertilizing regimen. I incorporate a homemade recipe from Korean Natural Farming (KNF) for this purpose.

Water-Soluble Calcium Recipe:

Finely crush 12 egg shells (or more) and cook them in a pan until they turn golden brown. This can create a bit of an odor, so it’s best to use an exhaust fan or cook outside. Be cautious, as the shells can scratch certain pans, including non-stick varieties—I now have a dedicated egg shell pan for this purpose.
Place the cooked shells in a quart-sized jar and fill it with vinegar, leaving a little headspace. While some say brown rice vinegar is preferred, I’ve had great success with apple cider vinegar.

Blooms Like it Cool

For optimal freshness, harvest your flowers early in the morning or during the evening's golden hour.

Be mindful of the correct harvesting stage for each bloom. For instance, zinnias and dahlias should be cut when they are just fully open, as they will not open further after cutting. On the other hand, roses and bachelor buttons can be harvested when their buds are just beginning to show color, as they will continue to open after being cut.

Always cut stems at an angle and place them immediately into prepared cool water to keep them fresh and hydrated.

Preserving Blooms

To ensure your cut flowers thrive, remove any leaves from the stem that will be submerged in water, as they prefer dry leaves. Place vases out of direct sunlight and keep them away from bananas, which can emit ethylene gas that may shorten flower lifespan.

Change the water daily and nourish your blooms with a floral preservative.

Homemade Floral Preservative Recipe:

Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of bleach, and 2 teaspoons of vinegar in 1 quart of water.

This recipe is also effective right after harvesting, providing your flowers with essential nutrients to help them maintain their freshness.