The Farm Journal · Zone 3 Growing Guide
Growing cut flowers in zone 3
Yes, you can grow beautiful cut flowers in zone 3. You just have less time, so every date counts. In our flower field in Charlie Lake, BC, the last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 15. Everything on this page counts forward or back from those two dates, and every date is one we've lived.
By Cory Franklin, Franklin & Co. Flower Farm
Start here
Where do I start?
Not sure where to start? I wasn't either. Take these four steps in order and you'll have the bones of a plan before the snow melts.
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Find your frost dates
Ours are May 15 and September 15. Look up yours in Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Climate Normals.
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Count back to start seeds
Cool flowers like snapdragons start first. Hot flowers like zinnias and cosmos wait until April and May. Our seed starting dates
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Protect your short season
A low tunnel over a row of tulips can bring them into bloom 3 to 4 weeks early. Frost cloth and a high tunnel help too. Season extension in zone 3
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Plant bulbs in the ground
About 2 weeks after your first fall frost, 6 to 8 inches deep. Not in tall raised beds. We learned that one the hard way. The tulip story
Our zone 3 season
When do flowers bloom in zone 3?
Our first stems are tulips in mid May, under a low tunnel. Most flowers start in mid June, about 4 weeks after our last frost, and lisianthus is last, in late August. Here's our season, flower by flower.
Show these dates as a table
| Flower | First stems | Weeks after last frost | Still picking until (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulips (low tunnel) | Mid May | At last frost | Early June |
| Ranunculus | Early June | About 3 | Early July |
| Stock (high tunnel) | Early June | About 3 | Early July |
| Annual baby's breath | Mid June | About 4 | |
| Iceland poppy | Mid June | About 4 | |
| Calendula | Mid June | About 4 | Early August |
| Bachelor's button | Mid to late June | 4 to 6 | |
| Spring snapdragons | June 27 | 6 | |
| Sweet peas | Late June | About 6 | |
| Feverfew | Early July | About 7 | End of August |
| Strawflower | July 10 | About 8 | End of September |
| Larkspur | Mid July | 8 to 9 | |
| Statice | Mid July | About 9 | End of September |
| Zinnias | End of July | 10 to 11 | |
| Cosmos | End of July | 10 to 11 | |
| Ammi | Early August | 11 to 12 | |
| Dahlias | Mid August | About 13 | End of September |
| Sunflowers | Mid August | About 13 | End of September |
| Orlaya | Mid August | About 13 | End of September |
| Lisianthus | Late August | 14 to 15 |
The lesson that cost us
What happened to our 8,000 tulips?
8,000 planted.
1 came up.
In October 2024 we planted 8,000 tulip bulbs in 24 inch raised beds with tin sides. In spring, one came up. The next fall we planted 5,000 straight into the ground, and spring 2026 was a great harvest.
That's the thing about growing advice. It's usually right for somewhere. It just might not be right for you.
Every guide in one place
Our zone 3 guides, by season
Pick the season you're in and start there.
Plan · Winter
Grow · Summer
Bulbs and tubers · Fall
Short answers
Questions growers ask
Can you grow cut flowers in zone 3?
Yes. We grow them in Charlie Lake, BC, where the last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 15. The season is short, so timing matters more than anything else.
When should I start cut flower seeds in zone 3?
Count back from your last spring frost. Cool flowers like snapdragons and lisianthus start first, because they can go out before that date with frost cloth ready. Hot flowers like cosmos and zinnias start later, in April and May.
What cut flowers grow well in zone 3?
In our flower field, dahlias, zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers, strawflower and cosmos are the summer stars. Feverfew, bachelor's buttons, Iceland poppies, larkspur, calendula, orlaya, statice and ammi are the quiet workhorses.
When do cut flowers bloom in zone 3?
Tulips under a low tunnel come first, in mid May. Most flowers start in mid June, about 4 weeks after our last frost. Dahlias, sunflowers and orlaya start in mid August, and lisianthus comes last, in late August.
Can I grow tulips in raised beds in zone 3?
In our flower field, no. We planted 8,000 in 24 inch raised beds with tin sides and one came up. The 5,000 we planted in the ground the next year did great.
Quick check
Did it stick?
Three questions, no marks. Tap to see the answer.
Raised beds or the ground for tulips in zone 3?Show the answer
The ground. Our 8,000 in raised beds gave us 1 tulip.
How deep do tulip bulbs go for long stems?Show the answer
6 to 8 inches. Shallow bulbs give short stems.
How many weeks after the last frost do zinnias give their first stems?Show the answer
10 to 11 weeks. In our flower field that's the end of July.
Your dates won't be ours.
This guide is built on our frost dates. Stemwise builds a cut flower plan from yours, for growers of any size, from one bed to a whole flower field.
About Cory
Cory Franklin is a retired RN who had never grown a flower before she started Franklin & Co. Flower Farm, a zone 3 u-pick flower farm in Charlie Lake, BC. She shares what really happens in her flower field, real dates and all, so you can grow with less guessing.
Where do you grow, and when is your last frost? I'd love to hear. Come say hi on Instagram at @franklinandcoflowerfarm.
– Cory
