Harvesting and Creating Stunning DIY Floral Arrangements from your Garden

I love me some fresh flowers in my home. They brighten up my kitchen, which lacks windows. And it adds a freshness in both appearance and scent. This year I’m making more DIY floral arrangements than ever, and I’ve found a few tips and tricks I’d love to share.

So, with a little effort, and the bounty of your own garden, you can craft beautiful bouquets and arrangements that rival those of professional florists for a fraction of the cost. Here’s how I approach the art of harvesting and creating stunning DIY floral arrangements using flowers grown right in your own backyard.

Choose the Right Flowers

Start by selecting a variety of flowers that compliment each other in color, size, and texture. There’s a little phrase that you can use to remind yourself of the different types of blooms and foliage you should utilize: a filler, a spiller, and a thriller. Consider blooms that are in season and thrive in your local climate. Popular “thrillers” or focal flowers include roses, dahlias, zinnias, and hydrangeas. “Spillers” can be flora that are spike shaped like gladiolus, larkspur, baptisia, or even grasses. You can utilize both greenery and flowers for “fillers” such as yarrow, cosmos, or feverfew.

Timing is Key

Harvest flowers early in the morning or late in the evening when they’re at their freshest. Use sharp clean shears to snip stems at a 45-degree angle, ensuring they have plenty of water intake once placed in a vase.

Also, keep in mind that some flowers will last longest in the vase if you cut them before they are fully “blown out” or opened. For example, peonies do best when picked before they open up and the bud is soft and squishy like a marshmallow. Roses and tulips also do best if harvested before the bloom opens.

On the other hand, other flowers such as zinnias and yarrow should be harvested only once they are fully open and the stem has stiffened. There’s something called the “wiggle test” that will help you to see if these flowers are ready: if they are floppy, hold off for a day or two. If the flower is sturdy when you wiggle it, then it’s ready to snip!

Mix and Match

Also, you can create depth and visual interest by mixing different flower types, heights, and shapes in your DIY floral arrangements. Pair large focal blooms with delicate filler flowers and foliage for balance.

Don’t forget the Greens

Greenery such as eucalyptus, ferns, and foliage from shrubs adds texture and volume to your arrangement. Herbs like basils, mints, and catnips make fantastic foliage. Another unexpected option is raspberry leaves. Don’t overlook these natural accents- they can elevate your bouquets and make them feel much more luxe.

Prep your Vase and your Flowers

Choose a clean vase that complements the style and size of your DIY floral arrangements. It should be clean enough to drink out of. Because bacteria will shorten the lives of your flowers. Fill it with fresh water and add a floral preservative to really prolong the life of your blooms. A pinch of sugar or a crushed up aspirin can be used in a pinch.

Also, before you arrange, make sure to strip all of the leaves from the bottom of your flower and foliage stems. Any part of the stems that will be in the water should be bare. This will help prevent the leaves from rotting and introducing more bacteria into your water.

Arrange with Care

Start by placing your largest blooms in the center and working outward, filling in gaps with smaller flowers and greenery. You could alternatively start with your foliage if they are very large. Trim excess foliage and adjust stem lengths as needed to achieve your desired shape and height.

Add Personal Touches to your DIY Floral Arrangements

You could optionally enhance your arrangement with personal touches. Things such as ribbons, decorative stones, feathers, or dried flowers or grasses add a unique flair. Let your creativity shine!

Maintain and Enjoy

To keep your bouquets looking fresh, change the water every few days and trim stems at an angle to encourage water absorption. Display your creation in a cool, well-lit area away from direct sunlight and drafts. While you may think a window would be the perfect place for a cheery bouquet, it is one of the worst places you could put your DIY floral arrangements! Direct sun will really decrease the lifespan of your flowers.

Conclusion

Finally, creating stunning DIY floral arrangements from your garden is a rewarding experience that allows you to showcase the beauty of nature right in your home. With a bit of practice and creativity, you can enjoy the splendor of freshly harvested blooms all season long. So roll up your sleeves, get down in your garden, and let your creativity bloom!