SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

DIY Seed Starting from Your Window

When I was a little girl my Grandmother started marigolds every winter in a little modified milk garden planter with her seeds from last year’s crop.  I loved those marigolds in her brick planters and still think of her every time I see a marigold.

You really don’t need a grow light or other expensive equipment to start seeds. Seed starting from your window is relatively easy, but there are some limitations.

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The 36 Best Cut Flowers to Feed Your Floral Arranging Habit All Summer Long

If you’ve been reading this blog or following me on Instagram for awhile, you might have noticed that #ihavethisthingwithflowers.  I am obsessed.  To feed my obsession I need a garden filled with cut flowers that will hold up well in my various arrangements.

Here are my favourite plants to keep me in floral arrangements from June to September.  Pick at least three from each section to plant in your garden so that you can have cut flowers all season long too.

Yes! You can create a cut flower garden for floral arranging all season long. Here's the perfect flower ideas to design your garden, even if you're a beginner. Bonus! Most of the pics are perennials! #flower #garden #cut #ideas #forbeginners

Disclaimer: I am writing from USDA Hardiness zone 2-3, so all plants listed will grow in this location.  The good news is that if you live almost anywhere else, you should be able to grow these flowers.  The bad news is your success with these flowers can vary depending on your area’s growing and soil conditions.

Annuals vs. Perennials

A cut flower garden should have a nice mix of annuals and perennials to help ensure that there will be something to cut all season.  Annual flowers will not come back again the following year they are planted, but generally provide blooms all season long.  Perennials will come back every year once they are planted, but usually have a much shorter bloom time.

Annual flowers are cheaper to purchase, but you have to purchase them every year.  Perennial flowers are more expensive to purchase, but you usually only have to purchase them once.

A good portion of annual flowers meant for cutting will also need to be seed started anywhere from 4-10 weeks before you plant them outdoors. I go into more detail about the easiest annual flowers for beginners to grow here, and provide detailed growing information in my cut flower e-book.

With that out of the way, let’s get on to my favourite cut flowers!

Want to know how to start your own cutting garden on the cheap and what a professional flower farmer grows?  Click here to learn more!

All Season Cut Flowers

1. Daisy

Daisies are beautiful, simple, and look good on their own or with any colour flower.  They can have a spreading habit, so be ready to divide them up and pass them on to a friend or neighbour.

2. Gypsophelia

More commonly known as Baby’s breath.  They make a beautiful filler in any arrangement.

3. Marigolds

Larger varieties like the Mary Helen or Crackerjack varieties look better in floral arrangements.

4. Sedum

Even thought some sedums flower only in one part of the year, or even not at all, I love using them all year round for their interesting shapes and textures.

Spring and Early Summer Cut Flowers

5. Allium

6. Daffodil

7. Hyacinth

These grape hyacinths are the ones most commonly grown in zone 3.  I love them in a small teacup arrangement.  Warmer zones can grow many more and larger varieties of hyacinths.

Need help planning your backyard flower bed and more?  These printables will give you a place to organize your thoughts and plan your projects.  Click here for more information.

8. Iris

You’ll most commonly see irises in purple, but yellow (like these) or even blue are an unexpected choice.

9. Lilac

Lilacs are actually a shrub, and not a perennial.  However, I just had to include them, as spring wouldn’t be the same without a large bouquet of them sitting on my kitchen table.

10. Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is fragrant and beautiful, but it spreads if left unchecked.  Worried about planting something you might regret later?  Check out my list of 28 perennials you’ll regret planting.

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    11. Peony

    I am obsessed with peonies!  We have 8 bushes of them and I can’t bear to give any of them away. . . although I probably should.  Did you know that when you get a new peony plant it won’t bloom for 3 years!?!?  Learn what you need to know about taking care of peonies here.

    Related: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Peonies, plus fun DIY’s

    12. Tulip

    To me, tulips are the ultimate floral expression of spring.  I loved our simple yellow and red ones growing up.

    Summer Cut Flowers

    13. Asiatic Lilies

    Asiatic lilies are so easy to grow and come in an endless variety of colours.

    14. Bee Balm

    Makes a gorgeous filler plant and are great for attracting bees to your garden.

    15. Blanketflower

    Blanketflowers are a great choice on the prairies, as they’re a native plant and don’t require much water or care once established. Want to grow more native plants? Here’s some of my favourites!

    16. Blazing Star Liatrus

    Another gorgeous, easy to grow native plant. The varieties you buy in stores are likely naturalized ones, so to get a truly native plant, you’ll need to order from a specialty seed shop like Prairie Originals.

    17. Clustered Bellflower

    Shopping for a bellflower plant?  Make sure to get the clustered variety and not the regular bellflower.  The regular kind is more weed than flower and can easily take over your flower bed in a few years.

    Related: 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting

    18. Coral Bells

    Coral bells can tolerate a bit of shade and make a stunning filler.

    19. Dahlia

    So many dahlias, so little time.  Dahlias come in practically every colour of the rainbow, and the sizes can range from 1 inch to the size of a dinner plate.  They’re a must have for the garden, although the bulbs must be dug out every fall and replanted in the spring. I’ve included everything you need to know about removing and storing dahlia tubers here.

    20. Delphinium

    An old fashioned favourite that’s easy to grow. I have found in my garden that they seem to need 5 years to really establish, although you’ll get blooms every year. Make sure you stake them, because they will be the first thing to break in a summer storm!

    21. Dianthus

    22. Glads

    Glads are a staple of late summer floral arrangements.  In colder climates you’ll need to dig the bulbs out every fall and replant in the winter.

    Gardening Newbie?  Here’s how to create a beautiful cut flower garden with ease–no fancy skills required!

    23. Hydrangea

    Be careful of what you purchase in zone 2 or zone 3!  Often the hydrangeas in the big box store will not be hardy enough for these climates.  Check on the tag that the plant is hardy to at least -30 degrees celsius.

    24. Lady’s Mantle

    25. Lupin

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      26. Coneflowers

      Some of my favourite coneflowers are echinacea and rudbeckia. They don’t only have to be yellow either! You can find many lovely shades of pinks and reds too.

      There are many type of coneflowers and all of them are good candidates for your next cut flower arrangement.  Check for black eyed susan’s in ditches along the road.

      27. Sweet Pea

      28. Veronica

      29. Yarrow

      Fall Cut Flower

      30. Aster

      Asters come in both perennial and annual varieties. This year I’m experimenting with the much larger annual varieties. The ones pictured here would work better as a filler flower.

      31. Annual Sunflowers

      Sunflowers come in so many different heights, and even in shades or orange, red, plum, brown, and almost white.  Plant at least one every spring for the children in your life.

      32. Brown Eyed Susan

      See coneflower above.

      33. Chinese Lantern

      Chinese lanterns can be invasive, depending on your soil. I have a problem with mine running wild, so this year I’m trying to grow Pumpkin On A Stick as an annual alternative.

      34. Chrysanthemum

      You know it’s fall when the pots of mums appear at the big box stores.

      Dahlia

      See dahlia above in the summer section.

      35.Goldenrod

      Golden rod grows wild where I live.  Hurray for free cut flowers!!

      36. Strawflower

      Strawflower is one of my new favourite flowers.  Light as air and super pretty! They last forever in and out of the vase and are very easy to collect seeds from.

      37. Zinnia

      Zinnas hold a special place in my heart and I go a little crazy each year planting them.  So worth it once they bloom!

      What is your favourite cut flower?  Let me know what I’ve missed!

      Ready to grow your own beautiful cut flower garden, without the hassel?

      I’ve taken all the guesswork out of creating a cut flower garden with my e-book, Cut Flowers Made Simple. It’s the perfect way for beginner and intermediate gardeners to start their own cut flower garden with or without seed starting, growing annual flowers.

      Click on the picture to find out more or get your copy.

      20+ Canadian Seed Companies & Nurseries to Order the Garden or Landscape of Your Dreams

      Are you a beginner gardener with no idea where to buy your seeds?  Whether you’re looking for flowers or vegetables, heirloom seeds, organic seeds, wildflower seeds for your xeriscape, or hardy fruit trees, you’ll find something in this list.

      Are you a beginner gardener with no idea where to start?  Whether you're looking for flowers or vegetables, heirloom seeds, organic seeds, wildflower seeds for your xeriscape, or hardy fruit trees, you'll find something in this list. Order early so you can try seed starting before it's gardening season! #gardening #seedstarting #seeds #startingseeds #flowers #vegetables #landscaping #seedcompanies
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      Ten Fall Garden Chores to Do Now For an Easier Spring

      Buy Soil and Mulch for Next Year

      If your local garden centre has any dirt or mulch left, now is the time to get it on sale.  Don’t worry if you can’t put it in your garden just yet.  Those bags will keep until spring.

      I find it helpful to store a bag of dirt, fertilizer, and my small pots downstairs so they are ready when it’s time to start my seeds in the spring.  No trekking outside to the garden shed in minus 40 for this girl!!  Not that I’ve done that before, or anything.

      Trim Down Perennial Plants

      If you’re short on time, you can save this chore for spring.  At the very least, pull out all of the plants in your pots and add them to your compost pile.

      Related: How to Harvest and Store Onions

      Mark Perennial Locations & Take Pictures

      There is nothing worse in your gardening life than planting something new, only to realize its inches away from an established plant that’s going to overshadow it.  This is especially important if you’ve moved into a new home with an established yard.

      Related: Gardener’s Worst Nightmares: 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting

      Take in Bulbs for Overwintering

      Dahlias, calla lilies, and gladiolas all need to come inside for the winter.  Unless you’re in USDA hardiness zone 8 or higher.

      To store, dig up the bulbs and remove all dirt.  store them in a cool, dry place like a basement or crawl space.  Anywhere that won’t get below zero degrees.  Check your bulbs periodically over the winter and throw away any that are starting to rot.

      Fall is here but gardening doesn’t stop as soon as Autumn begins!! Here's some good tips for beginners on what do with vegetables, perennial flowers, and annual flowers now, so that you’ll have an easier Spring. Who wouldn't want to enjoy these gladiolus bulbs again? #gardening #tips #beginners #fall #autumn #garden #vegetables #perennials#chores #tasks #gladiolus #bulbs

      Transplant Perennials and Plant Spring Bulbs

      Now is the time to transplant peonies, astilbes, bleeding hearts, Irises, day lilies, lily of the valley, and asiatic lilies.  All of these flowers can be transplanted in spring, but you’ll have a better first year of establishment if you do it in the fall.

      Make sure your newly transplanted perennial gets lots of water until the snow falls.

      Head over to your local garden centre for spring bulbs like daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, and allium.  Planting in spring is too late because these bulbs need the cool winter to flower..  For zones 9 and 10, you may need to dig up these bulbs and store them in a fridge over the winter.

      Related: 53 Most Loved Perennials You Need to Plant

      Cover Tender Shrubs

      I live in a climate where no one wraps their shrubs for the winter.  However, I know in other parts of North America this is standard practice.  Here’s an old but good video showing how to wrap trees:

      Winterize Your Strawberries

      Strawberries are hardy to zone 2, but they require some extra care and attention in the fall to make sure they return in the Spring. Here’s what to do to make sure your strawberries don’t die.

      Harvest tender vegetables before the first frost

      Tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, and peppers all need to be picked before the first frost, even if they are not ripe.  Check the weather forecast daily.  Some years I’ve had to harvest everything as early as September 3rd, and this year I was able to wait until September 19th.  (The average first frost is September 15th in my area.)

      Here’s a handy chart for Canadian and American frost dates.

      Fall is here but gardening doesn’t stop as soon as Autumn begins!! Here's some good tips for beginners on what do with vegetables, perennial flowers, and annual flowers now, so that you’ll have an easier Spring. Less work in the garden? Yes please! #gardening #tips #beginners #fall #autumn #garden #vegetables #perennials#chores #tasks

      If the daily low gets to just above freezing and you live in the country or are worried about the temperature dipping lower than expected, you can cover your plants with old sheets.

      P.S. Root vegetables are just fine in the ground during a frost.  In fact, carrots taste better after the first hard frost, so leave them in the ground without regret!

      P.P.S.  For whatever reason, potatoes don’t follow this rule.  If you leave them in the ground during a killing frost, the taste will change and they’ll go mushy.  Go figure.

      Related: How to Harvest and Process Fresh Pumpkin

      Don't leave your tomatoes out in the cold! Pick them before the first frost or cover with sheets.Click To Tweet

      Make Your Own Compost

      I’m not talking about your compost bin.  Although if you have one, that is an excellent start.  Collect all of the leaves you rake up and leave them outside in garbage bags over the winter.  When spring comes, spread them out over your garden and rototill them in for an excellent compost.

      Fall is here but gardening doesn’t stop as soon as Autumn begins!! Here's some good tips for beginners on what do with vegetables, perennial flowers, and annual flowers now, so that you’ll have an easier Spring. I'm going to collect some of these sunflower seeds for my seed saving. #gardening #tips #beginners #fall #autumn #garden #vegetables #perennials#chores #tasks #seeds #sunflower

      Collect Annual Seeds

      You can save yourself a large expense next spring if you plant heirloom varieties and learn how to collect your own seeds.  Tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and peppers are all really easy vegetables to start collecting from.  As for flowers?  Here are 5 of the easiest annual flowers to harvest seeds from.  Perfect for the beginner seed saver.

      Like saving money?  Who doesn’t?! Here are the Fall garden chores that will save you money next Spring.

      Is there anything I’ve missed?  Let me know in the comments what you do in the fall to make things easier in the spring!

      Want updates on how my garden is doing?  Follow me on Facebook or Instagram for the latest.

      Pin me for later!

      Fall is here but gardening doesn’t stop as soon as Autumn begins!! Here's some good tips for beginners on what do with vegetables, perennial flowers, and annual flowers now, so that you’ll have an easier Spring. Less work in the garden? Yes please! #gardening #tips #beginners #fall #autumn #garden #vegetables #perennials#chores #tasks

      A huge thank you and shout out to my friend Paige of Blush Beauty and Photography.  She had the unenviable task of making an almost 5 months pregnant lady look not-pregnant and feel good about herself.  If you’re in Saskatoon and looking for a photographer she is your girl.  She is also really amazing with autistic kids, as she was able to get my son to look at the camera for our family pictures.

      How to Get Your Kids in the Garden–and Like it!

      Every Mom who likes to garden dreams of getting their children into gardening. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your mini-me help you plant and tend the garden, and even pick the odd weed or two?

      Unfortunately, trying to garden with children often turns into a power struggle, or it’s impossible to keep them interested and entertained. Or if you’re me, your toddler ends up rolling around in the dirt more than anything. Super cute, but not what I imagined.

      So how do you teach gardening basics to kids, without losing your mind?

      I’ve asked experienced gardening Moms and members of the Warman Collective Garden to share their secrets.

      All photos are courtesy of Kids in the Garden Camp run by Warman Collective Garden.

      Make Gardening Real for Children

      We know where vegetables in the grocery store come from, but do our kids? Gardening is a great way to teach children about where our food comes from, and how just a few decades ago many families relied heavily on their garden as a main source of food.

      Erin says, “Kids love to see the plants that they put in the garden get big.  I encourage smelling flowers and tasting herbs.  I also get excited when I see a bee or butterfly gathering nectar and pollen.”

      “I like to point out vegetables and fruit in the grocery store and ask if they know what sort of plant they grow on, and if they’ve seen them in the garden before.”

      Encourage Their Growing Love of Gardening with Books & Craft Projects

      I’ve compiled this list of gardening books for babies, toddlers, school age children, and the teachers (and homeschooling mamas!) who teach them. There’s a range of books. Some are more garden project intensive, others are full of fun craft projects, and others are geared for younger children to teach them what a garden is, and help them understand why it takes so long for food to grow!!

      Read the list here.

      Give Kids the Fun Jobs

      I know, in a perfect world, our kids would help us with all the weeding as well as the harvesting. When you feel your child is old enough, you can give them their own garden space to plant whatever they want–and make them responsible for weeding and watering.

      When your kids are younger, it’s best to involve them in the fun stuff. Most kids love to help with seeding, watering, and picking the harvest.

      If you have a child that really loves to water, make them in charge of watering the family watermelon or pumpkin. Those two plants love water and can stand up to all the water your child gives it.

      Plant Vegetables Kids Want to Eat

      Your kid may not like vegetables, but growing their own is a great way to encourage them to start expanding their palate. For example, my good friend started planting purple beans because her daughter is obsessed with the colour purple. Now her toddler requests beans for supper instead of refusing them.

      Erin of Kids in the Garden suggests rainbow carrots. “The tops are green, but the colour of the carrot is a surprise until you pick it.”

      Learn the Basics of Gardening in Just a Few Minutes

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      Gardening doesn't have to be complicated. Learn the basics in minutes, get started with your first garden in a day or less, and start your lifetime gardening adventure.

      Enter your name and email address to download the Quick Start Garden Guide. You'll also get a mini-email course and weekly gardening tips and advice.

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      Side note: if anyone is reading this and you have a kid with Autism, this advice will probably not work for you. My son has Autism and when he was younger, advice like this would not work for him in the slightest. Now that he’s older and we’ve made progress with food textures and combinations, it might. I just wanted to include this, because as a parent of a non-neurotypical child, I find it really frustrating that advice for picky eaters never includes our children, or even acknowledges that it probably won’t work for our children–which is especially frustrating because our children are typically the most picky eaters you will ever meet. *gets off soapbox*

      With that said, I’m going to share with you some of my favourite neurotypical-kid-friendly vegetables and flowers.

      A List of My Favourite Kid-Friendly Vegetables and Flowers

      • Easter Egg Radishes
      • Rainbow Mix Carrots
      • Flambo Beans
      • Any purple or yellow variety of beans
      • Snap peas
      • Sunflowers
      • Watermelon–perfect for toddlers who love to help water!!
      • Bachelor’s Buttons–my Mom always planted them for me.
      • Baby Boo Pumpkins
      • Jack Be Little Pumpkins
      • Atlantic Giant Pumpkins
      • Zucchini–there’s always something to harvest once it gets going!

      When You Get Frustrated, Remember Why You Want Them To Garden in the First Place

      Erin says, “Nurturing something even as simple as a plant grows empathy for living things.  Seeing a beautiful healthy garden is also calming for the spirit and brain. Growing your own food develops a habit of healthy eating and self sufficiency. I have a passion for gardening and plants.  Encouraging them gives them an activity for us to do together.”

      Don’t give up when your kids don’t seem interested. I complained a lot about gardening when I was a kid, and I’m pretty sure I told my parents every year that I would not have a garden when I grew up. And yet here I am, obsessed with gardening and writing a gardening blog.

      Enrol Your Kids in Gardening Camp

      Gardening camps for kids are becoming more and more popular than ever. They have fun hands-on experiences like planting seeds, making jam, picking produce, and even running a market garden! If you’re local to Saskatoon, SK, the Kids in the Garden Camp is a fun day camp to send your budding gardener to.

      They’re still accepting registrations, you can enrol your child here.

      If you’re not local, try searching “Gardening Camp” or “Kids Gardening Program” as well as your City, State or Province. Still nothing? Pick up one of these Gardening Books (the ones for teachers) and consider starting your own.

      Do you wish your child would like to garden with you? It doesn't have to be impossible. Even if you're a beginner, you can grow a vegetable or flower garden with your kid and have them like it! Here's my best tips and activity ideas to get you started. #gardening #kids #ideas #tips #activities

      Welcome!

      Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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