Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>There’s something super-satisfying about stepping into your own garden, snipping a few stems, and arranging them in a vase. Not only do you save your bank balance, but you also bring down the carbon footprint of the flowers in your vase (86% of the UK&#8217;s cut flowers are imported). And the best part is that the more you pick, the more flowers you get.</p>



<p>Fancy filling your house filled with beautiful homegrown blooms come summer? Now’s the time to get planning. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a petite patch, you can start a cutting garden. Derbyshire farmer florist <a href="https://laurennehopkinsflowers.co.uk/">Laurenne Hopkins</a> (and last year&#8217;s Muddy Award-winner) shares her top tips for starting your very own. Take it away Laurenne.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers.jpg" alt="florist laurenne hopkins arranges flowers in vase from cut flower garden" class="wp-image-12301" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/happyrootsfarmuk?_ga=2.85453726.62401210.1740391411-1617103667.1740391411">Laurenne</a> arranges her farm-grown cut flowers / Photo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurennehopkinsflowers/">@laurennehopkinsflowers</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-find-the-perfect-spot">1. Find the perfect spot</h2>



<p>Before you get carried away with seed packets, take a good look at your space. Flowers love sunshine, so choose the sunniest spot you have &#8211; at least six hours of light a day is ideal. Good drainage is essential too. If your soil is clay-like and compacted, consider raised beds. And don’t forget to leave enough space between your plants so you can step in and snip without trampling everything! A little shelter from strong winds will also help keep those tall, delicate stems from flopping over.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-what-to-plant-in-spring">2. What to plant in Spring</h2>



<p>March and April is the perfect time to sow the seeds of your dream flower patch. Sow into module trays (like those pictured) and plant out as small plants &#8211; they are much more likely to be successful that way.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting.jpg" alt="woman's hands planting seedlings in soil to grow a cut flower garden" class="wp-image-12303" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-cutflowers-planting-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurennehopkinsflowers/">@laurennehopkinsflowers</a></figcaption></figure>



<p> For a long-lasting display, go for a mix of flowers that bloom at different times. Hardy annuals like cornflowers, snapdragons and larkspur are great for early colour, while half-hardy annuals like cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers will keep the show going into late summer. Perennials such as roses and achillea will reward you year after year, and don’t forget some lovely foliage like eucalyptus or amaranth to pair with your arrangements in the vase.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands.jpg" alt="woman's hands covered in soil holding small green plant" class="wp-image-12310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-hands-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurennehopkinsflowers/">@laurennehopkinsflowers</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>If you are totally new to growing, I&#8217;d advise picking just a handful to start with to avoid getting overwhelmed. Sweet peas, cornflowers, snapdragons, cosmos and feverfew would be a great start &#8211; they all look great in a vase alone and provide TONNES of blooms if you keep cutting them.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-look-after-your-blooms-as-they-grow">3. Look after your blooms as they grow</h2>



<p>A little TLC goes a long way when it comes to keeping your flowers happy. If you’re growing tall blooms like cosmos or sweet peas, it’s best to stake them early so they don’t collapse in a summer breeze. Use bamboo canes, wooden or metal stakes and flower netting for perfectly straight stems.&nbsp; Pinching out the growing tips of certain plants &#8211; like sweet peas and snapdragons &#8211; encourages them to grow bushier, rewarding you with you more flowers to pick. Deep watering (rather than a light sprinkle) will help roots grow deep and sturdy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-cut-and-come-again">4. Cut and come again</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips.jpg" alt="derbyshire florist laurenne hopkins holds bunch of tulips" class="wp-image-12304" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/Laurenne-tulips-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurennehopkinsflowers/">@laurennehopkinsflowers</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>The golden rule of flower growing? The more you cut, the more they grow! Regular picking stops plants from going to seed, which means they’ll keep flowering for longer. The best time to cut is early morning when the stems are full of moisture, making them last longer in the vase. Always use sharp snips to avoid crushing the stems.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-keep-flowers-fresh-for-longer">5. Keep flowers fresh for longer</h2>



<p>Once you’ve brought your freshly cut flowers indoors, strip any leaves that would sit in water, as they can cause bacteria to build up and shorten the life of your blooms. Fill your vase with fresh, clean water (changing it often makes a big difference). Keep your flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators &#8211; they’ll last much longer in a cool spot. Also keep them away from&nbsp;the fruit bowl (fruits release ethylene which reduces the vase life of flowers).&nbsp;</p>



<p>With a little planning and care, your cutting garden will keep giving you beautiful, fresh flowers all season long. And trust me, once you’ve filled your first jug with homegrown blooms, you’ll be hooked!</p>



<p><em><a href="https://laurennehopkinsflowers.co.uk/">Laurenne Hopkins Flowers</a> is based at Happy Roots Farm, 26 Oxcroft Estate, Oxcroft, S80 4NA.</em></p>


Take your pick! How to start a cutting garden

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