FAQ Cut Flower Garden

I have had some really great questions about the Cut Flower Garden Collection and I thought I’d address them here too in case any one else has the same questions. A side note as I’ve had a lot of interest, we will have a limited number of collections as I do not have a greenhouse space at this time. Maybe in the future I can offer a load more!

Q: Will deer eat these/are any deer resistant?

A: I can’t guarantee that deer won’t eat your flowers. A fence is usually the best defense, especially for young, tender plants. I like to cover newly planted seedlings with a light frost blanket to prevent munching from hungry critters. However, there are a few varieties in this collection that are supposed to be deer resistant: marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, and snapdragons.

Another idea for future reference is to plant daffodil and/or allium bulbs around your gardens to repel deer as well as interplant flowers or veggies with strong smelling herbs like lavender and sage.

I’ve been really lucky (knock on wood!!) with my deer pressure because we certainly have plenty of deer around. I think it also helps that our farm is surrounded by food (soy and corn fields, acorns in the woods) that keep those hungry deer full and from eating my flowers!

Q: Are they perennials or annuals?

A: All are annuals except the rudbeckia (Brown eyed Susan’s) that is a true perennial. The feverfew, however, will come back at least one more year if cut back in the fall. Others, like dara and cosmos, easily self seed if a few blooms are left on the plant and allowed to go to seed in the fall. With many of the others, you can save seed (see below!).

Q: Can you save the seeds?

A: Absolutely. I’m not an expert on seed saving as I do not save my own seeds. Many flowers cross pollinate and sometimes you won’t get the exact variety of the parent plant. For my needs, that doesn’t work. In your own garden, that can be a great way to get free seeds from year to year! Zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, snapdragons, rudbeckia are all easy to collect seeds from.

Q: Do they all bloom at the same time/will they bloom all season?

A: Each variety will start blooming at a different time although the majority should start around mid to late June. Most will bloom all season long once they start as long as you continue to cut and deadhead (I’ll provide more details at pickup). Some are true workhorses: zinnias, marigolds, cosmos. Some are a step down from true workhorses but will still throw great blooms through the season: snapdragons, celosia, strawflower. Some (like dianthus and scabiosa) are stronger and bigger early in the season but will throw up smaller stems until they peter out. Feverfew and lisianthus will put out blooms and then once cut will not bloom again until later in the season.

Q: How much sun is full sun?

A: Technically, they say full sun is 6-8 hours of sun per day. I say, the more the better and 6-8 is a minimum. Pick an area that is out in the open (sorry to those who live in the woods) and is not obstructed from the sun. South facing is best if planting close to your house, otherwise the sun is blocked for too much of the day and will affect blooming.

Q: Do I have to pickup at the farm?

A: Yes, I’m not able to ship these little seedlings. Around the first week of May we’ll have them ready for pickup at our Linden farm for those who purchase. More details regarding pickup will be emailed closer to that time.

Q: What will I actually get with this collection?

A: A 38 cell tray of approximately 14 varieties of flower seedlings. See my previous post on variety specifics. Considering most seedlings are grown in 128-200 cell trays, these are huge seedlings! You’ll also get 3 dahlia tubers which resemble little sweet potatoes that will be in a paper bag with instructions for planting. In addition, you’ll receive an instruction guide on planting, watering, and growing your seedlings from planting to harvesting.

Q: I don’t have room for 38 seedlings, do you sell smaller quantities or singles?

A: At this time, no…However… I seeded a ton so IF I have additional seedlings, I will post about it and let you know what we have available as singles or in smaller packs.

Do you have additional questions? Email me: emily@longlanefarmflowers.com