How to start a Cut Flower Garden at home: our favourite resources.
At Shortacre Farm, we’ve learned a lot through trial and error, along with some incredible resources that have shaped the way we grow. If you’ve ever wanted to start a cut flower garden at home, we’ve put together a list of books, podcasts, and ideas to help you get started. Whether you’re growing in a spacious backyard or a few pots on a balcony, these beginner flower gardening tips will help you choose the right flowers and set your garden up for success.
Before picking what to plant, take a little time to improve your soil health and work with the conditions you have. This is the foundation of sustainable flower growing. Whether you want to fill your home with fresh-cut flowers or dream of a small space flower garden, these resources will point you in the right direction.
Choosing which flowers to grow is important, but getting to know your site and soil and improving them through regenerative practices will set the foundation for success. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a cut flower farm for florists or creating a small cutting garden for your home, this list will point you in the right direction.
Books
A good book is worth its weight in compost. These are a few we come back to season after season:
Cut Flower Garden – Erin Benzakein
A beautiful and practical seasonal flower growing guide that covers everything from seed starting to harvesting. Perfect for beginners looking to grow a cutting garden full of colour.
Secrets from the Flower Farm – Rebecca Starling & Christine McCabe
A comprehensive guide to growing cut flowers with insights on soil health, climate adaptability, and heirloom varieties. Whether you're dealing with hot summers, cold winters, or unexpected weather shifts, this book provides practical strategies for resilient flower growing.
Superbloom – Jac Semmler
This book is a must-read Australian publication for flower lovers. It is full of vibrant inspiration, small-space flower garden ideas, and practical advice on growing a lush and abundant cutting garden.
Podcasts
Perfect for learning while you’re out in the garden:
Let’s Grow, Girls – A fantastic podcast for home growers, full of flower gardening tips and arranging advice.
Avant Gardeners – An inspiring listen featuring growers and designers who are rethinking traditional cut flower garden techniques.
No-Till Flowers – Jennie Love – A deep dive into sustainable flower growing, focusing on soil health, regenerative practices, and low-impact growing methods.
Final Thoughts
These resources have helped shape how we grow at Shortacre, and we hope they’ll be useful for you too. Whether you’re interested in organic flower gardening, learning about the best flowers for cutting gardens, or simply looking for more sustainable flower-growing ideas, we hope this guide helps you get started.
If you’ve got a favourite book, podcast, or tip for growing cut flowers at home, we’d love to hear about it!
