If you have been following me for any amount of time then you probably know that I have been adding more and more cut flowers to my backyard garden. I recently took my passion for gardening and flower arranging to the next level and started a small floral business. I have really focused on using homegrown or locally sourced flowers and greens. Most people may think they do not grow enough in their garden to be able to make a flower arrangement, but I have found that is not true. Follow along with me as I show you how to make an easy garden fresh flower arrangement with ingredients completely from your garden!

Below I have outlined exactly what I use from my garden and provide step by step instructions with pictures to help you create the perfect garden fresh flower arrangement!

Materials Needed...

Vase (I like to use milk bottles)
Water
Flower Food
3 stems of herbs (I used 2 kinds of basil and 1 stem of mint)
5 snapdragons (or any tall flower)
2 dahlias
4 zinnias

Creating Your Arrangement...

Fill Vase with Water and Flower Food...

Use fresh water and add one packet of flower food to it. Flower food is made up of sugar (food for flowers) and a tiny bit of bleach (to keep bacteria from growing in the vase). I highly recommend using it in any flower arrangement as it will help keep your flowers fresh.

Fill the vase only about 3/4 full. Too much water will cause the vase to overflow once flowers are added.

Add greens/herbs...

Since I don't have a lot of space I have to get really creative in what kind of greens I grow that I can use in my arrangements. I have a raised bed garden with a mix of flowers, vegetables and herbs. As I started to look for greens and fillers for my arrangements I realized that the herbs in my garden would be an amazing compliment to my flowers. So, I started using a mix of basil and mint to create some of my arrangements and it has been a huge hit! The herbs add a variety of color and textures to the arrangement plus they smell amazing!

Place the herbs at varying heights to make it more visually appealing. Have each herb going a different direction.

Place tall flowers in vase...

First, add a tall flower (snapdragon) that has a straight stem to the center of the vase. The flower should extend to about 2 times the size of the vase.

Next add the other four tall flowers (snapdragons). Place them at varying heights in between the center flower and the herbs. This will help to give your arrangement a shape.

Add Zinnias and Dahlias...

Zinnias and Dahlias are what florists call a mass flower; something larger and more round in shape. Any type of flowers could be used. I grow a variety of zinnias and dahlias so that is what I add to my arrangements.

Place the zinnias and dahlias at varying heights to fill in spaces between snapdragons. Some should be taller and some shorter and close to the rim of the vase. Remember to make sure the flowers are at a variety of heights. If everything is at the same height the arrangement loses its visual appeal.

Add any final touches...

Add any final flowers or additional greens to your arrangement. If needed you can always pull flowers out and move them around in the vase or cut to shorten the height.

Optional: Add a Bow...

A bow is totally optional, but I think it completes this arrangement! I love using raffia to make bows because it adds a little bit of a rustic look. Just take a few pieces and tie it around the neck of the vase!

Enjoy your Garden Fresh Flower Arrangement!

It is so much fun to create something completely out of ingredients from your garden! Be creative and think outside the box. Then, enjoy your homegrown and homemade arrangement!

For More Inspiration...

This post is a part of a Harvest Home Blog Tour! 29 other bloggers have posted all about home decor, outdoors, recipes and more that will inspire fun fall projects! Take some time and check out all of their amazing work!

I'm thrilled to be joining in today as 30 talented bloggers bring you the best of all things home! Please continue along this inspiring Harvest Home tour, and visit the other participants in each of the following categories.