Select Seeds for Starting A Cutting Garden

There’s nothing quite like stepping into the garden on a cool summer morning, snipping fresh stems, and arranging a bouquet that brightens up your home (or a friend’s day). A well-planned cutting garden keeps those vases filled all season long, and we’ve stocked our seed shop with some of our absolute favorites to help you grow your own.

If you’ve been dreaming of armfuls of blooms, here are some of the great cutting garden seeds that are available on our website to help get your cutting garden started.

The Cut Flower Garden Collection – Seed Starting Kit

New for this year, we hand-picked five of our favorite flower varieties for this collection, making it easy to grow a vibrant and productive cutting garden right at home

These tried-and-true blooms will keep your snips busy from early summer until frost. If you're just getting started, this kit is the perfect way to dive in!

The kit also includes detailed seed starting instructions for each variety as well as a few special tips & tricks for each flower. Also included is a beautiful pair of our wooden handled floral snips to help harvest your blooms to enjoy!

Celosia – Garden Lover’s Mix

Celosia is an essential must-have in any well-planned cutting garden, offering bold color and playful texture that elevates every floral arrangement. These vibrant blooms thrive exceptionally well in the summer heat and hold up beautifully in bouquets, whether they are presented fresh or dried.

The Garden Lover’s Mix is packed with a delightful variety of mixed, vibrant hues, adding rich tones to your flower beds and vases, making it a perfect choice for enhancing the beauty of your garden and for bouquets.

Sunflowers – Vincent’s Choice & Vincent’s Fresh

These aren’t your grandma’s sunflowers!

No cutting garden is complete without sunflowers! Vincent’s Choice and Vincent’s Fresh are two of our favorites for their strong stems, pollen-free blooms (great for indoor arrangements), and stunning golden petals. These sunflowers are reliable, productive, and add that perfect touch of sunshine to every bouquet.

Benary’s Giants Zinnias

If you want show-stopping, long-lasting blooms, Benary’s Giant Zinnias are a must-grow. These zinnias are beloved by flower farmers and gardeners alike for their large, fully double blooms, strong stems, and outstanding vase life. They reach up to 4 feet tall, with sturdy, branching growth that produces an abundance of flowers all season long.

One of the best things about Benary’s Giants is their incredible range of colors—soft salmon, rich oranges, warm gold, soft pastels, and bold magentas. Their petals have a beautiful form, and their blooms can span up to 4-5 inches across, making them a stunning focal point in bouquets.

Zinnias are also heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and incredibly easy to grow, making them perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. The more you cut, the more they bloom, ensuring a steady supply of vibrant stems from summer through the first frost. Plus, pollinators love them, so they’ll help bring even more life to your garden!

Pink Lemonade & Peaches Celosias - New Introductions This Season!

We’re beyond excited to introduce two stunning new celosia varieties to our seed shop this year: Pink Lemonade and Peaches.

Pink Lemonade Celosia

This beautiful bloom features soft, feathery plumes in a gorgeous blend of pastel pink and warm golden yellow, reminiscent of a glowing summer sunset. Its dreamy, airy texture pairs beautifully with bold blooms like zinnias and sunflowers. It’s a must-grow for a cutting garden.

Peaches Celosia

Peaches is a warm, peachy colored variety with a touch of coral that lightens a bit as the season progresses. This variety glows in the garden, bringing an elegant and unique hue to fresh arrangements and dried floral work.

Both of these heat-loving, long-lasting blooms are perfect for fresh bouquets or drying for year-round beauty. Their tall, sturdy stems make them an excellent choice for cut flower production, ensuring a constant supply of richly textured blooms throughout the season.

If you need some seed starting tips and tricks for celosia, check out our YouTube video here.

Double Dutch Rose Cosmos

If you’re looking for a delicate, airy flower that adds movement and whimsy to bouquets, Double Dutch Rose Cosmos is a must-grow! Trust us, you NEED them. This variety stands out with fully double, ruffled petals in a striking shade of deep rose-pink, creating a lush, fluffy bloom.

Cosmos are incredibly easy to grow from seed, thriving in poor soil and requiring little more than sunshine to flourish. The more you cut them, the more they bloom, producing a steady flush of flowers from midsummer to frost. Their tall, wiry stems make them perfect for loose, romantic arrangements, and they mix beautifully with zinnias, sunflowers, and celosia.

As we said above, cosmos are super easy to get start from seed, but if you need some pointers, check out our seed starting cosmos video on YouTube here.

Double Dutch Rose Cosmos

The Easiest Flowers to Start for a Cutting Garden

If you’re looking for reliable, abundant bloomers, start with the classics: strawflower, zinnias, cosmos, and basil (yes, basil!). These varieties are beginner-friendly, bloom prolifically, and keep producing as long as you keep cutting. Plus, their pollinator-friendly nature brings even more life to your garden. Check out other varieties we have available in our online seed shop, or via our YouTube video giving a little more detail about our favorites.

Need a little guidance? Our "Seed Starting 101: Creating a Home Cutting Garden" online class is designed to walk you through the basics of seed starting and garden planning so you can plant with confidence.

There’s something deeply satisfying about growing flowers from seed and watching them flourish in your own backyard. Whether you’re growing for yourself, for gifting, or even for market bouquets, we’re honored to help you build a garden full of beauty.

Shop our seed collection now and get ready to grow!

Making Mini-Dried Flower Bouquets

Dried flowers are so gorgeous and they bring colorful beauty to any space without the worry of wilting. At PepperHarrow, we love experimenting with colors and textures to create unique floral arrangements. Recently, we conducted an A/B test to see what our customers preferred in terms of colors for the dried flowers we use in bouquets: soft pastel hues or slightly bolder pops of pink and purple. The results? It was nearly a perfect split!

The Romance of Pastels

Romantic Pastel Bouquets

Pastel dried bouquets evoke a sense of calm, romance, and elegance. With delicate shades of blush, cream, lavender, and soft blue, these bouquets are perfect for those who love a subtle, dreamy aesthetic. They pair beautifully with neutral home décor, wedding centerpieces, and gentle, airy arrangements. There’s something so soothing about the muted tones blending harmoniously, creating a peaceful ambiance wherever they’re placed.

The Beauty of Bold

Bold and Beautiful

On the other hand, our brighter bouquets featuring hot pinks, deep purples, and rich berry tones have their own undeniable charm. These bouquets bring energy and vibrancy to a space, perfect for those who want a pop of color that commands attention. Whether used in a modern home setting, as a striking gift, or simply to lift the mood of a room, these bright bouquets add a dynamic touch to any display.

Learn How to Make These Bouquets!

Learn how we create them on our recent YouTube video, which you can access here.

Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between pastels and brights comes down to personal preference and how you want your space to feel. If you love soft, understated beauty, a pastel bouquet might be your perfect match. If you prefer a more lively and bold statement, the brighter hues could be just what you’re looking for. Or better yet—why not mix and match for a unique, personalized arrangement?

At PepperHarrow, we’re thrilled to offer both styles so you can choose the perfect mini dried bouquet that speaks to you. Which side are you on—pastel perfection or bold and bright, or both? Let us know in the comments or visit our shop to pick your favorite!

XX Jenn and Adam

Growing Lavender at PepperHarrow Flower Farm

Known for its captivating scent, calming properties, and endless versatility, lavender has become a flower that’s a staple of our farm. The beauty and tranquility these beautiful plants bring to our growing areas is incredible. Lavender’s vibrant purple to ultra violet color and sweet fragrance not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also create a calming atmosphere that benefits visitors and the surrounding environment (so many bees!).

One of the lavender fields growing at PepperHarrow Flower Farm in Winterset, Iowa

Why Lavender?

We’re well known for growing over 200 different types of cut flowers at our farm, but for us, lavender is more than just a flower; it’s a powerhouse of uses. From its use as an essential oil, fresh or dried bundles, to its culinary applications, lavender is a favorite for us. Although occasionally tricky, its ability to thrive in the Midwest, where our farm is located in zone 5b, makes it an ideal addition to our fields of blooms.

We appreciate lavender not only for its fragrance but also for its practicality. The plant is drought-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and adds a stunning pop of color to the landscape. It also pairs wonderfully with the other flowers and plants we cultivate, creating a picturesque and sustainable environment.

As of this blog post, we’re currently supporting 2.5 acres of lavender, and we have plans to expand this in the future, adding new varieties and setting up interesting areas for photographs. Check out a great YouTube video for a small lavender tour of our farm here.

Growing Lavender at PepperHarrow

Lavender thrives in well-draining soil and full sun. The plant prefers a slightly alkaline soil pH (between 6.5 and 7.5) and benefits from being spaced adequately to promote airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew.

Our lavender plants are carefully pruned each year to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth. We prune after the flowering season, cutting back about a third of the plant to keep it tidy and productive. This care ensures we have vibrant blooms and great harvests season after season.

Lavender’s Role on the Farm

Beyond its practical uses, lavender is a cornerstone of the farm’s aesthetic. Its purple hues contrast beautifully with the other flowers we grow, creating breathtaking scenes for our visitors. It’s extraordinary to see the fields in full bloom, which usually happens fro mid-June through early July.

Lavender is also a huge attractor for bees and butterflies, making it a vital player in our commitment to sustainability and supporting pollinators. The fields all hum with the buzz of bees, who are busy at work, gathering pollen to take back to their hive.

Harvesting Lavender

Harvesting lavender is one of the most rewarding tasks on the farm. We cut the stems early in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak, ensuring the freshest and most fragrant product. The blooms are then bundled and hung to dry in a cool, dark space to preserve their quality.

Lavender Bouquet Care Tips

Dried lavender is used in so many different ways. We love making a dried lavender wall against our battened white walls in our barn to make a really beautiful, visually stunning statement piece for guests to enjoy when they visit.

Dried lavender can be used in wreath making, sachets, and even in the farm's seasonal offerings like holiday wreaths, and lavender lemonade. Whether fresh or dried, the lavender from PepperHarrow adds a touch of beauty and serenity to every use.

A Few Tips for Growing Your Own Lavender

Choose the Right Variety: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy and great for colder climates, while French and Spanish lavender thrive in warmer areas.

Well-Draining Soil: Lavender dislikes “wet feet.” Adding sand or gravel to your soil can improve drainage.

Full Sun: Lavender loves the sun—aim for 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

Minimal Watering: Overwatering is a common mistake. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Prune Regularly: Pruning helps the plant stay healthy and prevents it from becoming too woody.

Need Pro-Level Growing Tips?

Check out our Lavender Masterclass here. It’s a fee based online course with a ton of great information, our best tips & tricks for how to be successful growing these tricky plants.

Lavender's Timeless Appeal

What is it about lavender that everyone seems to love and connect with? Is it the fragrance? Is it the gorgeous purple blooms? For us, lavender represents so many things. Lavender’s a blend of visual beauty, utility, and also sustainability. Whether it’s gracing our flower fields or the star of the show, enhancing our handmade products, it continues to be at the core of what we do and leans into our mission of bringing beauty, wellness and connection to people’s lives.

We would love to invite you to visit the farm and experience the calming presence of lavender for yourself. Walk among the rows of this enchanting plant, breathe in its soothing aroma, and take a little piece of PepperHarrow home with you.

Let’s Celebrate Lavender Together!

Follow along with our farm’s journey as we cultivate not only flowers but also connections with nature and our community. Lavender is just one way we share our passion for the land with you.

New for 2025, we’re celebrating our 1st annual Lavender Festival. Grab your tickets and enjoy a weekend filled with live music, great food, and all things lavender.

Dahlia Bouquet Inspiration

Dahlias are the main event in late summer and fall gardens. During this time at PepperHarrow, our nearly 2 acres of dahlias burst with blooms of every color, shape, and size. These incredible blooms are not only showstoppers in the garden but also the perfect stars of the show for mixed bouquets. Whether you're arranging for your own enjoyment or creating a gift for someone special, dahlias bring vibrancy and joy to any floral arrangement.

Sunset Glow

Capture the warmth of an unforgettable summer evening with a bouquet that matches the hues of a magical sunset. Combine hot pink, coral and orange dahlias with complementary blooms like pink cosmos, red celosia, and snapdragons. Add texture with a few stems of blue salvia for an unexpected pop of blue to set off this radiant arrangement. This bouquet is perfect for brightening up a kitchen table or gifting to a friend in need of a little sunshine.

Autumn Abundance

Celebrate the harvest season with a bouquet that showcases all of fall's warm, rich hues. Pair warm-toned dahlias in shades of orange, rust, peach, and yellow with dark foliage like nine bark, and bright celosias.

These beautiful bouquets feature dahlias: Ferncliff Spice, Robinhood, Chewy, Hillcrest Suffusion, and Ivanetti.

Bold + Beautiful

For those who love a punch of color, mix jewel-toned dahlias like deep burgundy, magenta, and purple with hot pink zinnias, blue delphinium, and lime-green amaranth. This eye-catching bouquet is a conversation starter, making it an excellent choice for celebrations or as a bold gift for a daring friend.

Dahlias featured in these bright beauties are: Isabel, Caitlin’s Joy, Beatrice, and Ivanetti.

Soft + Romantic

Create a soft and dreamy bouquet with pink and other pastel colored dahlias. Pair pink and creamy white dahlias with soft foliage, light colored lisianthus, and blush spiked celosia. The result is a romantic arrangement perfect for weddings, anniversaries.

Dahlias shown: 20th Avenue Old Major, Pink Sylvia.

Electric Avenue

Turn up the vibrancy with a bouquet of shockingly bright, electric-colored blooms. Combine neon pink, coral and vivid orange zinnias, bright flowers like blue salvia, and bright pink dahlias. This arrangement is perfect for making a bold statement or energizing any space.

Dahlias shown: Pink Sylvia, Caitlin’s Joy, and Isabel.

Our Best Tips for Using Dahlias in Bouquets

Pick fresh blooms: Dahlias are best cut early in the morning when they are well-hydrated. Use sharp scissors or floral snips to make a clean cut.

Condition the stems: Place the freshly cut dahlias into a bucket of water immediately and let them hydrate for a few hours before arranging, keeping them in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Pair with complementary textures: Dahlias bold form pairs well with delicate blooms, feathery textures, and structured greenery. It’s good to mix them up!

Change water regularly: Dahlias are thirsty flowers, so keep the water clean and fresh to extend their vase life. Always re-trim the bottom of the stems when you take them out of water to clean.

A mixed bouquet of dahlias and other flowers isn’t just a gift of decoration to have sitting in your home—it’s a gift of joy, beauty, and wellness. Whether you’re creating an arrangement for your home or sharing it with someone you love, these stunning combinations are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Be creative and use the beauty of flowers to add joy into the world!

SET YOUR REMINDERS FOR OUR DAHLIA TUBER ONLINE SHOP JANUARY 1ST AT 9AM CENTRAL

or join our Patreon group for early access beginning December 31st at 6PM Central

2024 Holiday Style Guide

YAY! It's the time of year to turn our farm spaces into a cozy, wonderful winter wonderland. The best way to do it is by adding the natural beauty of fresh greenery, natural accents, with pretty, muted accent colors. This holiday season, plan on decorating with nature's gifts to craft a festive and welcoming atmosphere that feels warm and looks stunning.

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year! We love decorating for the holiday season at the farm with lots of natural materials. This year we decided to decorate the exterior of our spaces with the color combinations of soft, muted tones such as sage green, terracotta, brick red and metallic colors such as bronze and muted gold tones. So very pretty! We love the way it elevates the look of our pretty flower cottage. Unassuming, simple, yet elegant.

Power of Pink

Pops of soft pink strategically placed throughout your decor add a touch of modern elegance to the effect of simple greenery. What can you use? Think about pretty pink velvet or satin ribbons, carefully tied bows, non-traditional ways to add pink to your decor like pretty dried flower ornaments, or dried gomphrena wreaths (shown below) and clusters of shiny ornaments.

Bows are super IN right now so add as many as your heart desires! There also seems to be a trend this year more towards large velvet bows, so the bigger, the better. You can put a bow on just about anything your heart desires and it’s pretty much guaranteed to look wonderful.

Wall tree created as a pretty backdrop for photos on the farm for visiting guests

Nature’s Elegance

Start by bringing the outdoors in with fresh greenery. Noble fir branches, cedar, and pine not only infuse your home with the invigorating scent of the season but also serve as a canvas for holiday creativity. Drape garlands along stair railings, mantels, and doorways, allowing the vibrant green hues to set the stage for a festive atmosphere.

A well-crafted wreath speaks volumes. Starting with fresh greenery for your wreath, add unexpected dried flower accents, such as gomphrena, statice and strawflower to your front door. From pine cones, cinnamon sticks to velvet and satin bows, create a warm and inviting welcome for guests.

Elevated Ideas

Elevate your holiday decor with a unique twist by using starburst lights as indoor decorations. While typically reserved for adorning porches, we took a creative approach by suspending these beauties from the rafters inside our event barn. The result? A striking design statement that infuses the space with a touch of holiday magic. Picture the awe-inspiring sight of these twinkling lights gracefully hanging from the rafters, their magical sparkle lights casting a breathtaking glow throughout the room. It's a simple yet impactful way to bring the spirit of the season indoors with a touch of whimsy and elegance.

Oldies but Goodies

Can you ever have too many bottlebrush trees? Every year we seem to add more to our collection. In year’s past, we’ve collected many different colors, but this year, we chose a simple green color that looks simple, but pretty in our space. Add a little ‘snow’ from stuffing and twinkle lights and you have a ready made Christmas Village.It’s the easiest, most pretty holiday decoration idea.

As the holiday season approaches in 2024, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas for how to decorate your homes with warmth and festive cheer. Gather inspiration, let your imagination run wild, and make this 2024 holiday season truly unforgettable. Happy decorating & hosting for the season!

XX Jenn and Adam