Next time you bring home a bouquet from the grocery store or florist or you cut a bunch of blooms from you garden, before arranging the flowers in a vase, cut their stems on a diagonal. Why? that increases the surface area available to suck up water into the rest of the stem. So your flowers will be able to drink more easily.

Also, be sure you’re using a sharp knife. A dull blade can mash stems and prevent them from getting all the H2O they need.

Get more tips for getting the most out of your spring blooms.