Time of Year

Late spring through early fall is prime flower-harvesting season for most gardens. Specifically:

• Peak season: Late May through September, when most perennials and annuals are actively blooming
• Early morning of summer months offers the widest variety of blooms
• Many flowers have extended seasons if deadheaded regularly, giving you multiple harvest windows

Some flowers like tulips and daffodils are spring-only, while dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos peak in late summer to fall.

Time of Day

Early morning (just after dew dries, around 8-10 AM) is universally considered the best time:

• Flowers are fully hydrated after the cool night
• Stems are crisp and firm, at their peak turgidity
• Sugar content in stems is highest
• Blooms haven’t been stressed by midday heat
• This timing maximizes vase life—often adding several days

Second-best option: Early evening (around 6-8 PM) after the heat has passed and plants have recovered from the day’s stress.

Avoid: Midday harvesting when flowers are heat-stressed and wilted, with lowest water content.

Additional Tips

• Harvest flowers that are just opening or about halfway open—they’ll continue developing in the vase
• Bring a bucket of lukewarm water to the garden and plunge stems immediately after cutting
• Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors
• Cut stems at a 45-degree angle to maximize water uptake