As summer sets in, gardeners start to think about cutting stems from our beds and borders to bring inside. Everyone loves to see a gorgeous vase of blooms sitting on the kitchen table. But knowing when the right time of day is to cut those flowers—and how to prep them so they last as long as possible—is a bit of a mystery.

In this video from the experts at Gardeners’ World (available on Britbox.com), you’ll learn exactly how and when to snip specific blooms and what to do to make sure they truly shine for days in a vessel.

Here is a sampling of advice the master florist in this video:

Tips on Cutting Flowers

1. Try to cut early in the morning, because that’s when the plant cells are full of water.
2. Put the stems straight into a clean bucket of cool water.
3. Store the bucket of blooms for a few hours in a cool spot. This will give the blooms a chance to take up as much water as possible before you start creating any arrangements.

Tips on Arranging Flowers

1. Select a sturdy vase that won’t easily tip over under the weight of the flowers.
2. Use chicken wire to support the stems instead of synthetic floral foam.
3. Fill the vase with water and add a splash of vinegar, which helps prevent the stem ends from getting slimy. This enables the flowers to last longer.

Read more about cutting and arranging garden flowers here.

Click here to watch Gardeners’ World on BritBox with a seven-day free trial.