4.71

5

Aug 02, 2017

This gorgeous book was the perfect resource at the perfect time.

I've long wanted a cut flower garden, and have slowly implemented more and more plants. This book was everything I needed to know to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. Everything from how to keep the massive plants upright to keeping specific flowers alive longer in vases to the best strains or most vibrant colors. And not only flowers, there were sections on greenery and even appropriate vegetables.

The photos were beautiful, and This gorgeous book was the perfect resource at the perfect time.

I've long wanted a cut flower garden, and have slowly implemented more and more plants. This book was everything I needed to know to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. Everything from how to keep the massive plants upright to keeping specific flowers alive longer in vases to the best strains or most vibrant colors. And not only flowers, there were sections on greenery and even appropriate vegetables.

The photos were beautiful, and since I'm in the same general area as the author, every timing tip was spot on. I got this from the library but will definitely be purchasing a copy for continuing reference. ...more

5

Mar 09, 2017

Everyone's favorite flower farmer has a new book! It is full of beautiful photos and great tips on how to grow the cutting garden of your dreams. I'm a big fan of Floret/Erin's seeds, and I've grown several of her zinnias in my Oklahoma garden. Great book. Look for a giveaway next week on my blog.

3

May 2, 2018

Beautiful photos. A helpful starting point. Would have liked more details on cultivation for the beginner.

5

Mar 12, 2017

I love this book!!! If you have any interest in growing flowers for any reason it's a must have! I'm a novice gardener, this book has been so helpful. Such a great educational book! The photography is amazing! Such in inspiring book! Thank you Floret Team!!!!

4

Jan 17, 2019

Let me preface this with I adore Erin Benzakein as so many do. I mean - she alone has started a movement that is changing how America grows flowers and how people garden. I was one of her early followers who couldn't wait for this book. So while it might be said that I am not the average reviewer of this book ( for as many of you know I am deeply involved with Sweet Pea and dahlia culture and have been for years), the fact that this book didn't meet my crazy 5 star rating is personal, but it Let me preface this with I adore Erin Benzakein as so many do. I mean - she alone has started a movement that is changing how America grows flowers and how people garden. I was one of her early followers who couldn't wait for this book. So while it might be said that I am not the average reviewer of this book ( for as many of you know I am deeply involved with Sweet Pea and dahlia culture and have been for years), the fact that this book didn't meet my crazy 5 star rating is personal, but it should never, ever sway you from adding it to your library - my standards were just a bit unrealistic or something, but it just wasn't a book that I found useful. Yet, I am not the audience. You are, and you should invest in this book.

Naturally, for those familiar with Erin, this book is lovely. Visually it's a spectacular creation - a work of art really. So why not a 5 star read? All I can say is that for me, and maybe me alone, while this book is a beautiful one the content wasn't as helpful as I was hoping for. I turn to the book for its beauty, but never to research or as a sourcebook. This, however, should not discourage you or anyone from adding it to your bookshelf.

The many fans of Floret Farm won't be disappointed one bit. The publisher invested in the quality of this book. Excellent typography, an embossed cover and fine paper stock all adds up along with what may be the most lovely photography found in any gardening book. Better yet, this book inspires and surely has helped sales of both sweet peas farmers and dahlia growers, not to mention inspire future flower farmers. That it will do. It just won't be the bible for growers, more of a look book or an introduction to flower farming for a new generation - which is still a huge statement. Who'd have thought that chrysanthemums and sweet peas would ever make a comeback? A big part of this movement in being fueled by Erin and the Floret Farm movement.

If one is new to gardening, or just to dahlias, sweet peas, snapdragons or anemones - this book will be useful as no book guides or inspires one, compassing the home buyer towards the choicest varieties. One might have thought that Erin should have kept some of this information secret, but she thankfully doesn't, sharing the names of varieties with us all, as well as where to get them.

So If one is new to flower gardening this book certainly won't disappoint. If one is an experienced gardener this book will still offer value - but maybe for the real plant geeks, it may fall a bit short with the super-detailed info. Page count is page count though, so I certainly get it if an editor had to cut something, as that more toothy content would be the most likely thing to go.

In the end, this book provides much of the basic 101 information and it is never dumbed down so while the book doesn't really go into super-deep depth with 202 type guidelines, few will probably care.

And maybe this book didn't need to go that deep? And if one really wanted that info - the Floret Farm website has plenty of that information.


...more

3

May 31, 2019

This book was recommended by the teacher of a class on cutting gardens that I recently took at our local botanical gardens. It’s a lovely book but with some serious flaws. The information is good but is far less comprehensive than I expected. As beautiful as the photos are, I would have preferred more text. Especially given that the photos were not always particularly informative; for example, many of them lacked captions. The single most off-putting thing about this book was the number of This book was recommended by the teacher of a class on cutting gardens that I recently took at our local botanical gardens. It’s a lovely book but with some serious flaws. The information is good but is far less comprehensive than I expected. As beautiful as the photos are, I would have preferred more text. Especially given that the photos were not always particularly informative; for example, many of them lacked captions. The single most off-putting thing about this book was the number of photos of the author, often holding bouquets of flowers in various dreamy poses or working in her garden. These took up a lot of space that could have been used to much better purpose. For example, she suggests that it’s important to pick dahlias when they are almost fully open but not overly ripe. I would have preferred a photo of what that looks like rather the full-page one of the author picking dahlias in her garden. I would love to have seen examples of how she uses vegetables in her flower arrangements rather than just pictures of cherry tomatoes. And why was there a whole section on growing pumpkins (which have nothing to do with a cutting garden) when so many cutting flowers (stock, veronica, and scabiosa, for example) weren’t even included? I am happy that I have this book, and I did learn some wonderful tidbits from it and found it inspiring. But it fell far short of my expectations. ...more

5

Feb 03, 2018

I've followed Floret Farm on Instagram for some time now and I love seeing all of the beautiful photos they share there. I was curious about the book and I'm so glad I picked it up. I guess this might seem strange to some, but I love reading for information and learning just as much as getting lost in a novel. I enjoyed finding out more background about the lady behind the farm and I learned so much about flowers. I really want to try my hand at some new varieties this year. Great book!

5

Sep 20, 2017

One of the most beautiful book I've ever read. All the photos included in the book are breath-taking. The book includes probably all the details you'll ever want to know about starting your cut flower garden.

5

Mar 19, 2017

Beautiful photos, great advise, very enjoyable and highly recommended. If you love flowers like I do, this book is a must read.

5

Jan 24, 2018

This book is so gorgeous, I couldn't put it down. Looking through it had me dreaming of summer and it has inspired me to plant more flowers that I can bring inside throughout the year.

5

May 12, 2017

I've been following her Instagram for awhile now. Ranunculuses . Just the how to book I've been looking for. Love that it is set up seasonally. I've been following her Instagram for awhile now. Ranunculuses ????. Just the how to book I've been looking for. Love that it is set up seasonally. ...more

5

Mar 29, 2017

Great book. Lots of photos, recommended varieties, and tips for growing, harvesting, preserving, and arranging.

4

Jun 24, 2017

Excellent, excellent, excellent. The photography is gorgeous and her chapters by season are just right to give me a to-do list at the right time of year. She has resources and suggestions and shares how her garden grows. I love this book.

5

Jan 02, 2018

Gardening is my passion, we just purchased a new home, time to build a new garden after almost thirty years, I can barely sleep shaping up our new land. This book set me on fire, for twenty years I lived in my greenhouse, to start fresh is thrilling, everything she shared is how i once lived, I can't wait to make this place beautiful! Wonderful photos, great sound advice and seasonal tips, perfect for any garden enthusiast, novice to expert.

5

Nov 14, 2018

What a wonderful book! it's pretty and useful and easy to understand-- it ticks all the boxes! She starts you off from the basics of planning and starting seedlings, to dividing the year into seasonal tasks, blooms, and projects. Every aspect from fertilization to arranging is covered, and I couldn't be happier.

I also really love how the book paper is thick and substantial, and the fonts and dividers are almost formatted like a reference book in their clearness.

Sadly I live in an apartment, What a wonderful book! it's pretty and useful and easy to understand-- it ticks all the boxes! She starts you off from the basics of planning and starting seedlings, to dividing the year into seasonal tasks, blooms, and projects. Every aspect from fertilization to arranging is covered, and I couldn't be happier.

I also really love how the book paper is thick and substantial, and the fonts and dividers are almost formatted like a reference book in their clearness.

Sadly I live in an apartment, but the second I get space for a cutting garden I'm grabbing this book. ...more

3

Apr 23, 2018

I got this on Kindle for $1.80. Was it worth that? Yes. Am I glad I didn't buy the actual book? Yes. There are gorgeous pictures and suggestions for which flowers to grow, but as one who is considering a cut flower garden, I was left wanting more specifics. For instance, she mentioned netting for Zinnias but not where one would find said netting. On the other hand, I thought the designing arrangements sections were TOO specific... we were shown how to make specific arrangements, but I would have I got this on Kindle for $1.80. Was it worth that? Yes. Am I glad I didn't buy the actual book? Yes. There are gorgeous pictures and suggestions for which flowers to grow, but as one who is considering a cut flower garden, I was left wanting more specifics. For instance, she mentioned netting for Zinnias but not where one would find said netting. On the other hand, I thought the designing arrangements sections were TOO specific... we were shown how to make specific arrangements, but I would have liked more general design tips so that I can make beautiful bouquets with whatever flowers are available. ...more

5

Jul 19, 2017

This gardening book is delightful. It's one of the very few gardening books that I have read cover-to-cover. The book is divided into the four seasons; it provides just enough information for the home flower gardener to plant, grow and harvest their own spot of beauty. The author provides details on soil, growing, staking, specific varieties of numerous plants and even tells the reader how well the flowers do in the vase after picking. Abundant photos in glorious color make this a joy to read This gardening book is delightful. It's one of the very few gardening books that I have read cover-to-cover. The book is divided into the four seasons; it provides just enough information for the home flower gardener to plant, grow and harvest their own spot of beauty. The author provides details on soil, growing, staking, specific varieties of numerous plants and even tells the reader how well the flowers do in the vase after picking. Abundant photos in glorious color make this a joy to read and browse. ...more

4

Apr 14, 2018

The strength of this book really is the photos. Its also an absolutely amazing beginner's gardening book - super inspiring and leads you through all the varieties that the author has had great success with wrt cut flower gardening for her business. Who doesn't love a book that gets them excited for the next season of gardening? My very favorite, in depth books for gardening were written by Barbara Damrosch- the photos aren't as gorgeous but it is geared towards my climate (which is important, The strength of this book really is the photos. Its also an absolutely amazing beginner's gardening book - super inspiring and leads you through all the varieties that the author has had great success with wrt cut flower gardening for her business. Who doesn't love a book that gets them excited for the next season of gardening? My very favorite, in depth books for gardening were written by Barbara Damrosch- the photos aren't as gorgeous but it is geared towards my climate (which is important, too!) ...more

4

Nov 03, 2019

Honestly, in my urban home with my sunlight situation, I don't have the space for a full cut flower garden. However, I found this book useful for the things I can grow in the space that I do have. I'm somewhat of an intermediate gardener and would have liked to see more about incorporating cut flowers into existing beds for those who don't have an incredible amount of space. The task lists and variety suggestions are wonderful (I get so overwhelmed looking at my options!) But, like a couple Honestly, in my urban home with my sunlight situation, I don't have the space for a full cut flower garden. However, I found this book useful for the things I can grow in the space that I do have. I'm somewhat of an intermediate gardener and would have liked to see more about incorporating cut flowers into existing beds for those who don't have an incredible amount of space. The task lists and variety suggestions are wonderful (I get so overwhelmed looking at my options!) But, like a couple other reviewers said, would have preferred the seasonal projects were more generalized. ...more

4

Jul 23, 2017

Fantastic book! Packed with detailed information on flower gardening. Gorgeous photos [I wish that some of the photos had been labeled/captioned with more details about the types of tools shown]. This book focuses on techniques used on a huge garden dedicated to growing & selling many varieties of cut flowers; however there is plenty of good info that can be applied to tiny gardens. Also lots of flower craft ideas & instructions!

5

Jul 25, 2018

We've had more flowers in the house than usual this year, but I'd certainly love to make it a more regular occurrence! I love the way they brighten up a room and they way they make me feel. That's probably why I loved Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein so much. It's the most beautiful how-to book that teaches you how to grow, harvest, and arrange your own blooms in season. So naturally it looks like we're going to need room for my extensive flower beds in addition to all of the other plants and We've had more flowers in the house than usual this year, but I'd certainly love to make it a more regular occurrence! I love the way they brighten up a room and they way they make me feel. That's probably why I loved Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein so much. It's the most beautiful how-to book that teaches you how to grow, harvest, and arrange your own blooms in season. So naturally it looks like we're going to need room for my extensive flower beds in addition to all of the other plants and animals we've dreamed up for our Autumn Meadow Farm :)
I came across her book thanks to an article in the summer issue of The Magnolia Journal. Erin seemed like a girl after my own heart- she had an idea about growing flowers and went straight to the library to check out every book she could find about them. And the results of her research and hard work are absolutely stunning! She shares all of her secrets in her book AND you can even get seeds for the flowers you fall in love with through her website, Floret Flowers. Erin strikes me as someone who is curious and brave and kind. Reading her books makes you feel like you can be all of those things too and grow your own beautiful flower garden while you're at it. ...more

5

May 15, 2019

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars as I absolutely adored every page. Erin did a great job of making the information about these different flowers and foliages accessible. I read this all the way through and am excited to go back and look at the specific flowers that I'm hoping to grow. If you want a quick guide to some beautiful flower varieties this is a lovely starter book with beautiful photography.

4

Dec 23, 2018

A few years ago, a friend from California sent me a couple dozen dahlia tubers. (Her brother owned a dahlia business out there) So, thus, my sudden interest in dahlias! This book caught my attention because of the beautiful pictures & instructions for growing, not only dahlias, but many varieties of flowers. I got this book from my library about a year ago, renewed it all year – now I have to return it! But I’ll get it out again soon.

5

May 05, 2018

I loved this book. Besides the fact that it's beautiful, it was really informative. It was written in such a way that it divided the year into seasons, what to do each season, some crafts, and favorite flowers for each season. This is a book I will reference later when we get our garden going because it really is written in such a way that it makes anyone feel like they can grow a large flower garden in their yard. Lovely!!!

5

Jun 04, 2018

Recommended for: readers interested in growing and harvesting small or large amounts of flowering plants.
Remarks: this book is a great guide for new floral gardeners or gardeners that have failed in the past due to common gardening mistakes. I will certainly reread this book, particularly the detailed sections on prepping soil and nursing seeds before implantation. A wonderful read!