Kids gardening: How to choose and cut flowers

Using flowers in your home is one of the most rewarding ways for children to appreciate their versatility. Before growing and picking your own, take your children to a florist to gain an understanding of the variety available, and to see how different combinations work together. Back in your garden, make it your kids’ task to monitor flower growth so that they’re able to identify when blooms are ready to be cut for vases.

When to pick

Teach your children the importance of allowing flowers to grow in soil for as long as possible before cutting, so that they receive all the nutrients they need to survive in just water, and do not let them pick flowers that are not yet in full bloom, as this may prevent them from opening in the vase. But don’t wait indefinitely – if they’re picked when well into bloom, they won’t last very long in the vase and will drop petals and pollen everywhere.

Here’s a general guideline for when these flowers are in season…

Daffodils: when in tight bud
Daisies, dahlias, marguerites: when coming into full bloom
Long flowers like lupins, foxgloves, delphiniums: when lower flowers are fully open with some upper-level buds yet to open
Poppies: when buds have just burst open
Chrysanthemums: when flowers are fully open
Roses: Rose buds should have already begun to open, but should not be more than 1/3 open.

Timing is everything

Cut flowers early in the morning (6-8am) when the stems are full of water and plants aren’t yet wilting in the sun.

Tools of the trade

Use a sharp, clean pair of scissors that won’t transfer diseases to the plant. Cutting is a preferred form to picking by hand, as this minimises damage to the plant, and, by cutting stems at an angle, you’re able to create more surface area for the flower to drink up water. Have a bucket of water handy for children to place stems straight into after cutting.

How to cut

Snip the stem above a node or dormant bud to spur on new blooms, and let kids count at least three leaves to keep on the stem in the ground so that the plant can still be fed.

Vase art

Before arranging flowers in a vase, remove any leaves that will be below the water’s surface. Fill the vase halfway with room-temperature water, and let your children be responsible for replenishing this as the level drops. Don’t forget to use a cut flower food!

For more information on bringing life to your garden, visit the Life is a Garden website or join the conversation on their Facebook page.