Create your dream cut
flower garden
Thank you so much for joining me at CC Studio’s Create Your Dream Cut Flower Garden event.
It’s a lot to absorb in one evening, so I’ve gathered everything here for you to revisit in your own time. Think of this as your guide, a place to refresh your memory, find practical tips, and watch a step-by-step dahlia planting video.
Even a small patch or a few pots on the verandah can bring joy and colour when tended with care. With the right soil, thoughtful planting, and a little attention along the way, your garden will reward you with armfuls of blooms all season long.
Location
Where you grow your flowers depends on the space you have available, there’s no one right way. Raised beds or rows give a flower-farm feel and make watering, weeding, and harvesting easier. Pots work beautifully in smaller spaces or on verandahs, as long as they receive enough sun and regular water. You can also weave cut flowers into existing garden beds alongside vegetables and herbs. Aim for a sunny position with at least six hours of light each day, good airflow, and easy access for care and harvesting.
Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving cutting garden. Think of it as the pantry your flowers feed from all season long. By enriching your soil with compost, animal manures (cow, sheep, chicken), or even straw from a local chook coop, you’re setting your plants up for strength and abundance. Mulching locks in moisture and suppresses weeds. A little extra boost from liquid feeds like fish emulsion or seaweed solution helps during active growth. When your soil is alive and nourished, your flowers will repay you with beauty many times over.
Climate
Mudgee falls within a temperate climate zone, meaning we experience cold winters and hot, often dry summers. This contrast offers both challenges and opportunities for home gardeners. Frosts can linger until mid-October, and start as early as May.
It’s also important to remember that our region has many microclimates — small variations in temperature and conditions depending on factors like elevation, aspect, and wind protection. One part of your garden may frost heavily while another stays more sheltered, or certain beds may dry out faster than others. By observing your own garden closely, you’ll learn how these patterns play out and can adjust planting times or crop choices to suit your specific patch.
Planting
Planting is all about timing and giving your flowers the best possible start. Dahlias are planted around the mid October, once frosts have passed. Cover them with mulch to protect them through winter if you choose to overwinter them. Zinnias, cosmos, and amaranthus can be sown directly into warm soil from early December.
DAHLIA ~ 10cm depth, 50cm spacing
ZINNIA ~ direct sow, 30cm apart
To see the process step by step, don’t forget to watch the dahlia planting video & read our grow guide specifically for dahlias. It’s the easiest way to gain confidence before you begin planting.
Varieties
Choosing the right varieties makes all the difference for cutting. Many bedding plants from nurseries are bred for compact size or mass colour, but cut flower varieties are selected for long, strong stems, repeat flowering, and better vase life. Dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, amaranthus, sunflowers, and celosia are excellent summer staples for Mudgee gardens. Look for lines noted as “cut flower” or “florist” types. Pest tolerance is also important, starting with a handful of resilient, purpose-bred varieties will reward you with healthier plants and more reliable harvests.
Care
Once planted, the joy is in nurturing your flowers as they grow.
~ Watering & Irrigation → Water deeply a few times a week rather than sprinkling lightly. Pots dry out quickly and need extra attention. Drip irrigation is a wonderful option for efficiency and consistency.
~ Fertilising → Use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser early to support leafy growth. Later, ease off nitrogen and switch to potash (potassium) for stronger stems and abundant flowers. (Think: nitrogen to grow, potash to show.)
~ Pinching → Removing the tip of young plants encourages bushier growth and more stems, giving you more flowers to cut.
~ Staking → Tall plants like dahlias can become top-heavy. Stakes, netting, or bamboo canes provide support and prevent breakage in wind or storms.
~ Pest Control → Observation is key. Look for early signs of aphids, caterpillars, or mildew. Encourage nature’s helpers like ladybugs and lacewings, or explore predatory insects from Bugs for Bugs. Neem oil and gentle organic sprays can help if pests become a problem.
Harvest
Harvesting at the right stage ensures longer-lasting flowers indoors. The best time is early morning or evening, when plants are hydrated and cool. Cut zinnias once stems pass the “wiggle test” (firm, not floppy). Dahlias are best harvested when petals are nearly open. Always use clean, sharp snips or secateurs to avoid damage. Cut above a leaf node to encourage more growth. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line and place stems straight into clean water. These small steps make a big difference in vase life.
Resources
Learning to grow your own cut flowers is a journey — the more you observe, read, and experiment, the more confident you’ll become. Here are a few resources I recommend if you’d like to explore further:
Books
~ Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein (Floret Farm) – a wonderful introduction to seasonal flower growing, filled with inspiring photos and practical tips.
~ Discovering Dahlias by Erin Benzakein – a deep dive into dahlia varieties, care, and design ideas.
~ The Flower Farmer’s Year by Georgie Newbery – written with small-scale growers in mind, but full of tips home gardeners can use.
~ Seed to Bloom by Milli Proust – a beautiful guide on growing and arranging flowers with a focus on sustainability.
Online Inspiration
~ Floret Flowers (Instagram & blog & YouTube) – seasonal growing, seed saving, and arranging inspiration.
~ Little Lyndon Flower Farm, Bloom Academy (Instagram & website) – an Australian flower farm sharing tips, behind-the-scenes, and seasonal updates, as well as downloadable grow guides for specific varieties.
~ Florelie Seasonal Flowers (Instagram) – another Australian grower offering seasonal growing insights.
~ Pure Maiden Farm (Instagram) – shares a wealth of practical growing advice for home and small-scale growers.
~ Bugs for Bugs (Website) – a brilliant Australian source for predatory insects and natural pest control.
A note from me..
Thank you for taking the time to dive into this guide. I hope it inspires you to bring a little bit of flower-farm beauty into your own backyard. Remember, there’s no “perfect” way to garden; it’s all about experimenting, learning, and enjoying the process.
If you ever have questions or would like a little extra guidance, I’m always happy to help. My Instagram DMs @posieclub_ are always open, and I love hearing from fellow gardeners. Share your progress, ask away, or simply connect. I’d be thrilled to cheer you on as your own cutting garden grows.
With love and happy planting, Candice
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