Starting your own picking garden, who doesn't dream of it? And I can't blame you, because it's fantastic. Sowing, planting and eventually picking a bouquet. I can recommend it to everyone. But what should you take into account when you start?
The right place
The vast majority of the well-known cut flowers need sun, lots of sun. They grow best where the sun shines all day. A few hours of shade are no problem, but you still want at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day.
The bottom
A lot is said and written when it comes to the ideal soil for your flowers. And of course we all want the best, that's logical. But the reality is that we don't have a choice. Whether you have sandy or clay soil, compost is the solution. Compost retains moisture longer and ultimately ensures that your soil becomes better. Adding it at least once a year is ideal. A thick layer of 5 to 10 centimeters does the job. If you have very heavy clay soil, the combination of adding compost and sand is surprisingly good for the structure of your soil.
Fertilizers
Don't go wild with fertilizers. Many cut flowers such as Cosmea or cosmos then become very large and mainly form many leaves, no or few flowers. If you leave the soil well covered with compost and supplement it annually, then everything will grow fine. And if you do use fertilizers - which is possible, then of course choose organic fertilizers and ignore the chemical ones.
Pre-sow or directly in the open ground?
That depends on the flower/plant and what type of gardener you are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 'lazy gardener', who lets nature do its work and therefore prefers to sow directly in the open ground. But it is also perfectly fine if you prefer to pre-sow. I am a pre-sower. Starting in pots and trays, prickling out and giving each plant its own pot: it mainly gives me a sense of control I think. Often a lot of hassle, but I still enjoy being busy during the sowing season. I also decide for myself where something goes, another great advantage as far as I am concerned. Well, slightly OCD I think.
Be aware that pre-sowing is a bit more complicated, but it also has advantages such as creating an affinity with the entire sowing process and the plants in your garden.
Annual, biennial and perennial plants
The ideal picking garden, in my opinion, does not only consist of annuals. That way there is always something to do. Sow and plant biennials, but also perennials, then you will enjoy them for years. And the ultimate tip? Also plant bushes and shrubs to have lots of picking greenery to fill your bouquets. Cornus is always a nice idea because of the beautiful branches, but Chaenomeles or Japanese flowering quince is also a winner in the spring.
