Sunday 9 March 2014

The Cut Flower Patch

I've been following and enjoying Wellywoman blog for a long time now, so when Louise announced that she was writing a book, I was keen to know more. It was some time before we were told what the subject of the book would be, but I couldn't have been more pleased as I've been procrastinating about growing flowers for cutting myself for a long time.


The Cut Flower Patch by Louise Curley, published by Frances Lincoln (www.franceslincoln.com , @Frances_Lincoln), is a beautiful book. Louise's Wellywoman blog is written with such passion and in such a way that you want to read more, so I had high hopes for the book, and it doesn't disappoint.

As you can see from the contents, it's a comprehensive guide to growing your own flowers for cutting. It takes you right the way from the planning stages through to arranging your flowers.


I particularly like the planting plans. There's diagrams of how to plant up the bed, with a shopping list of which plants you'll need. This will certainly take away the daunting aspect of planning everything out and wondering if you're using the space wisely if you're anything like me.


A section is devoted to cut flowers which Louise recommends, information is given about each plant with hints and tips and reasons for growing it. I love the fact that Louise adds so many aspects to each chapter too. Take Choosing The Right Plant, Louise prompts us to think about wildlife when making our choices, as well as reminding us that not all plants are safe and that precautions should be taken around children and pets. Everything has been thought out very well and so much information is included as well as many hints and tips.


The book contains so much excellent advice. I can see that when I do start my own cutting patch, I will be referring back to it time and time again.





As someone without any artistic flair, I usually end up plonking any flowers I'm bringing in to the house in a vase or jug and letting them do their own thing. The Arranging Your Flowers chapter will certainly set me on the right lines when it comes to showing off the flowers I've grown. Louise shows us all sorts of wonderful ways to display them, including some great ideas on containers to use as a vase.


The photography in the book is by the very talented Jason Ingram. I've spent such a lot of time just flicking through, looking at all the wonderful pictures.


I should say that Louise has also included some images of her own, and they're just as beautiful. Take a look at these.


A sowing and planting calendar and cutting patch calendar is also included. These give an at a glance guide to what you should be doing when.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone interested in creating their own cutting patch. There's so much information contained in it that I haven't yet read it from cover to cover, but I will, it's a book which I can see me delving in to on a regular basis.

The publishers are offering a copy of this beautiful book as a giveaway prize, so if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning it, just leave a comment on this post by twelve noon on Sunday the 23rd of March 2014, after which, a name will be drawn at random. Please note that this giveaway is open to UK/EU only and that I will be passing on the winner's name and address details to the publishing company in order for them to send out your prize.

This is a fabulous prize so good luck to everyone who enters. Of course, Mother's Day is on the 30th of March so you could always drop some subtle hints, or why not treat yourself as the publishers are offering The Cut Flower Patch with the following offer:-

To order The Cut Flower Patch at the discounted price of £16.00 including p&p* (RRP: £16.00), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG101. 

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to: 
LBS Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3RB. 

Please quote the offer code APG101 and include your name and address details. 

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

42 comments:

  1. A good post about an excellent book. As I've just commented elsewhere this looks to be the book of choice for cut flowers. Flighty xx

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    1. I don't think anyone would need to refer to any other book about growing flowers for cutting if they had this book, it contains so much information.

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  2. It looks like a wonderful book, great to look over plus very useful and informative too. I wish I had room for a cut flower patch.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. It is a wonderful book, I can see it being one I use often. I'm hoping to pinch a bit of my allotment to use for cut flowers, I've been wanting to do it for a long time but this book might just give me the push I need.

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  3. Ooh yes I'd love a copy :)

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    1. I've popped your name in the hat. Good luck.

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  4. I don't need a copy because I live with the author. But I'm so glad you like the book :)

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    1. It's a beautiful book, I've enjoyed reading it very much and it's a book which will get plenty of use.

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  5. This looks a fabulous book - I'd love to win a copy!

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    1. It's a beautiful book. You're name's in the hat, good luck.

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  6. Interesting book! I should have this one. I grow so many flowers in my home garden. But I really hate to pick it up. In my hot tropics climate, the cut flowers can't stand longer on a vase. So, I let the flowers on their plants.

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    1. I don't cut flowers from my garden for the house, I much prefer to see them flowering where they grow. I have my allotment though, and I won't mind growing them for cutting there.

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  7. I loved everything about this book and can say from experience that the advice given is very sound. This is another good review for Louise, and a lovely book for you to keep! I have my own copy as you know so won't be entering the giveaway - good luck to the entrants!

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    1. It's such a beautiful book, isn't it? It will definitely inspire me to crack on with my own cut flower patch.

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  8. It looks a lovely book.. please pop my name in the hat for a chance to win a copy..thank you :o)

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    1. It really is a beautiful book. I've popped your name in the hat, good luck.

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  9. It looks like a wonderful book with really useful information. I'm aiming to grow more flowers this year, and hopefully we'll get some bees and butterflies. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. The book contains so much information, it's a comprehensive guide to creating your own cut flower patch. I've seen my first bee and butterfly of the year over the weekend, the lovely weather must have woken them up from their slumber.

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  10. What great looking book and the photos are stunning. I love to see the flowers all blooming in the garden. This year I think I need to put a little extra effort in as my chucks like munching everything they see.

    X x

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    1. The book is illustrated beautifully, I keep picking it up just to flick through and look at all the gorgeous photos.

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  11. I've already entered a draw to win a copy so I won't enter your draw. I want this book so much, probably because I'm not allowed to buy any books until the end of April your pictures are making me want it even more. Mike has promised me a copy for Mothers day but it feels like the days are dragging.

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    1. Don't be silly, the more giveaways you enter, the more chance you have of winning. I'm sure this book will be on lots of people's Mother's Day wish list, it would make a fantastic present.

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  12. I'm a veg grower and a smallholder, but I've been thinking about growing my own cut flowers for a while now. They cheer the place up so much but I really don't like the air miles and the big business side of it. This book might just be the inspiration I need to start a new project.

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    1. Flowers really do cheer a place up. I don't like cutting flowers from the garden, but I'd like to create a cutting patch at the allotment. I won't mind cutting them from there as much.

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  13. It sounds and looks an inspirational book and informative book Jo and I would appreciate it if you would enter me in the draw. I've one bed set aside at the allotment for growing flowers although I have to try and avoid self seeders :)

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    1. I haven't worked a flower bed in to my allotment plans as yet. I think I'll see how the space works out this year and see where I can fit one in ready for next year. Your name's in the hat, good luck.

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  14. I've read lots of great reviews about this book which unfortunately wasn't one i got to review. After my last book review I think I'm on a blacklist!

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    1. It's a lovely book. I don't know how the publishers choose who they want to review the books, but I wouldn't have thought that you're on any blacklist. Look on the bright side, you've got that lovely raised bed, which I'm coveting, yet to review. I've never been asked to review anything like that.

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    2. I wasn't asked - I was cheeky and offered

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    3. Well, you know what they say, you don't get anything if you don't ask for it.

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  15. I have often thought how lovely it would be to have a cutting garden, but I'm not sure that I would be able to bear to cut the flowers! Also, I always thought that you would need lots of space, so it is interesting to see that you can really start with a relatively small patch! Hope that you enjoy your planting and cutting! xx

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    1. I'm the same, I don't cut flowers from the garden, but having a cutting patch at the allotment would be a good compromise. It does look as though you can start off quite small, it will be fun trying out all the planting plans.

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  16. This looks a fabulous book. I don't grow too many flowers would love to do more. I went to one lesson once about flower arranging and that is it every time I get flowers! xxx

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    1. I think this book will be invaluable when I finally get my act together and decide to make a cutting patch. I'm useless when it comes to arranging flowers, but this book even shows different ways to display them.

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  17. I have this book to review too Jo, so don't need to go into the hat. I haven't had the time to read it through yet but it does look wonderful.xxx

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    1. It does take some reading because there's just so much content. It's a book I shall definitely dip in and out of in the future.

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  18. Hi Jo, Thanks for such a lovely review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book and hope you get to enjoy your own cut flowers this year.

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    1. You're welcome. Congratulations on the book, it's absolutely beautiful and I've enjoyed reading it very much.

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  19. It looks a brilliant book, I'm definitely growing more flowers on my plot this year. A great review.

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    1. I haven't really planned for a cutting patch this year so I think I'll glean as much information as I can from the book and go all out next year. I'm looking forward to it.

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  20. I d just love this book, have always fancied a cut flower garden this could be all the inspiration I need

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    1. It's inspiring me to give it a go. I'll pop your name in the hat.

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