Tips to Make Fresh-Cut Flowers Last Longer

It's spring! If you love to garden and have flowers in your yard, you probably cut flowers and bring them inside. I love being able to have fresh flowers straight from the yard to decorate our home; I just wish they would last longer. I find I cut them and they are dead too soon.

Since I am cutting these from my own back yard, I don't have those nifty little packets that the florist gives you to extend the life of flowers, but I've come up with a few ideas that seem to work well. I wanted to share my ideas with you so we all can enjoy flowers and blossoms that last just a bit longer!

Here are a few tips to make fresh cut flowers last longer:

1) Before you put the flowers in water - cut off all leaves that will be submerged in the water. The leaves will eventually rot out being under the water and will shorten the life of the flowers. It's easy to peel or cut the leaves off that will go under the water. You can keep any leaves that are above your water line.

2) Cut flower stems on an angle so that it is easier for the flowers to drink. It also helps to get the flowers in water right after you cut them. The sooner they get water, the better!

3) Change the water in the flowers as often as you can and avoid putting the vase of flowers in direct heat or sunlight.

4) You could make your own flower preserver - similar to the one you would get from a florist. To do that mix: 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp bleach and 2 tsp's of lemon juice in warm water and add to your flower arrangement. I found this concoction a while ago on the Cottage Living Website - this site.It work's well! Or you buy those little packets of flower preserver stuff from a florist or craft store if you didn't want to make your own.

5) You could add an aspirin to the vase of flowers. It helps to prevent mold growth. You could also add pennies to the water. Both of these things will help the flowers to last longer.

I'm getting super excited about the spring. I have a cherry blossom tree that has buds on it, and my tulips and daffodils are sprouting up. I have crocus up already and came wait to see what else comes up! I hope my frugal flower tip has helped you.