what one morning's flower harvest would have cost me at the store. 🌸

Part 2 of the cut flower garden vs store bought flowers breakdown. I took every stem I picked from my backyard flower farm to my local farm market and priced them one by one.

Zinnias $2.00/stem · marigolds $1.80 · cosmos ~$1.50 · celosia $1.40 · snapdragons $2.49 EACH · lisianthus $3.00 · gomphrena $1.20 · scabiosa $1.80 · sweet William $0.70 · statice $0.80 · eucalyptus $1.00

163 stems = $287 retail. I grew all of it from seed in a zone 5b Michigan garden, and every bouquet goes on my stand pay-what-you-can. If money's tight, take flowers anyway and pay it forward in kindness. 💛

Is growing your own flowers worth it? I think you have your answer. Did you guess close? 👇

#cutflowergarden #flowerfarmer #growyourownflowers #michiganflowerfarm #gardentok

@Maria Rising-Horses and Plants

18 hours agoEdited to

... Read moreGrowing your own cut flowers not only provides a significant cost advantage compared to buying from stores, but it also enriches your gardening experience and adds personal satisfaction. From seasonal flowers like zinnias and marigolds to unique varieties such as lisianthus and gomphrena, cultivating a diverse garden can yield hundreds of stems that you can use to brighten your home or even share with others. Taking inspiration from a zone 5b Michigan garden, many home flower growers start from seed, which is an affordable method and allows for greater control over flower quality and variety. While the initial effort may seem high, the rewards include fresh blooms that are free from long-distance shipping chemicals and have a longer vase life. In my personal experience, maintaining a flower garden has been a therapeutic and rewarding hobby. Each stem harvested reminds me of the care invested throughout its growth, from planting seeds to watering and nurturing. When bringing flowers to local markets or having a pay-what-you-can stand, it encourages a community spirit where kindness and generosity flourish alongside beauty. Additionally, growing your own flowers contributes to local biodiversity by attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, which benefits the surrounding ecosystem. Flowers such as snapdragons and sweet William offer vibrant colors that change with the seasons, keeping your garden visually appealing year-round. For anyone considering whether growing cut flowers is worth it, the answer lies not only in financial savings—like the $287 retail value obtained from 163 stems at local market prices—but also in the joy and connection to nature that comes with it. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, cultivating your backyard flower farm can enhance your lifestyle while adding sustainable beauty to your environment.