The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic grower
Music has woven itself into the fabric of our society. At times it moves us to tears. At others, it makes us smile, always capable of taking us through the whole gambit of emotions. It can connect us to our moods and get us in touch with everything we feel at a given moment. Music …
Walking into the stores this time of year, you can’t help but notice all the heart-shaped décor, cards, candy, and other gifts in shades of pink and red. Valentine’s Day is here, and it’s the holiday where we profess our affection for our significant others, family, and friends. Chocolates, teddy bears, and bouquets of roses …
Continue reading "Not So Rosy: The Real Cost of Imported Valentine’s Day Roses"
Lying flat on my back, looking up at the beautiful blue sky with its fluffy white clouds, I started to dream. The tall grass surrounding me danced in the breeze while bees flew lazily to and fro, drunk on the abundant nectar. I closed my eyes and listened to the birds chirping, the breeze blowing, …
It’s time to give another plant the spotlight, sing its praises, and discuss its drawbacks. This week I chose gomphrena, or globe amaranth, as it is also known. You may remember that I included gomphrena as one of my favorite cut flowers in my Playing Favorites post in August, and I thought it was time …
So, what do farmers and gardeners in colder growing zones do in the winter? Without fields of flowers or vegetables to plant and harvest, they must enjoy months of relaxation, right? After all, when the farm or garden is resting, so should we. Well, yes and no. There is a more relaxed pace in these …
Happy New Year, we made it to 2023! It’s that time of year when people take a moment to reflect on the past twelve months and decide to make changes. People typically resolve to wipe away regrets and make promises that will make their lives better. A new year means a clean slate, and we …
It's been a while since I've shared a Plant Spotlight post, and I realized as seed packets are arriving in the mailbox, poppies are one of the varieties I'm most excited to grow in 2023. Back in elementary school, I remember vividly that each year we celebrated National Poppy Day when learning about the significance …
For some, it's stamps, cards, knick-knacks, or memorabilia from their travels, but for me, it's always seeds. I have been collecting seeds for over twenty years, and my passion for collecting has only increased in that time. I love everything about seeds. I admire the diversity in their shape, size, and color in every rainbow …
It is the season for feeling thankful, and I am incredibly grateful this year. Of course, for important things like family and health, but also for all the little things like watching my son play soccer or performing in a concert, a purring cat on my lap on a cold night, or preparing a new …
Continue reading "Reflections on Our First Season at Whistling Bee Farm"
One of the questions I've been asked in my first season as a commercial cut flower grower is, "What's the difference between your flowers and those I can buy at the grocery store?" or "Why is buying local flowers important?" I know it can seem like these flowers are the same, but several key differences …
THISTLE BE THE DAY 