The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic grower
June was a beautiful and eventful month on the farm. We saw the end of the spring blooms and the beginning of the heat-loving annuals, a transition that never fails to inspire awe. It is a month of transition, and we are soaking in every moment, appreciating the beauty of nature's cycles. Thanks to Mother …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: June 2024"
Spring has officially arrived! At least according to the calendar. However, I don’t think Mother Nature got the memo because this week, we are dipping well below freezing each night. With the unusually warm winter, many of our fall-planted bulbs are weeks ahead of schedule, and now I’m rushing to protect them from the freezing …
For years, I avoided succulents. Despite my fascination with them and affinity for how they look, with their fleshy, water-storing stems and leaves, they stood no chance of surviving in my household. I am loathe to admit that I have killed many a cactus in my day. When it comes to succulents such as cacti, …
As I’m working on my seed inventory and dreaming of the season to come, I love to flip through the seed packets surveying the beautiful photographs and reading the information printed on the packets. I’m looking forward to growing many varieties this season, some new and others annual favorites. One of the groups of flowers …
Ahh, dahlias. The queen of the garden herself. Coming in seemingly infinite colors, sizes, and forms, she is the star of the fall garden. In our northern (5b) growing zone, she can be a bit of a diva and becomes quite the labor of love to produce. I plant them out in late spring; they …
I’ve always been drawn to flowers. Their colors, textures, fragrances, and unique way that they beautify the landscape drew me in. And I love watching the interactions between blooms and bees; they share that delicate dance. It is a seemingly simple relationship that benefits them both and yet holds the planet and the life contained …
When I decided to turn my passion for growing into a business, I had a lot of decisions to make. Was I going to sell retail? Wholesale? To florists? Did I want to concentrate my sales on a farmstand? A CSA? On events and workshops? There were so many options that my head was spinning …
The temperatures are getting warmer, and signs of the impending summer season are all around us. The growing season is marching right along as we begin to say goodbye to the spring blooms and wait patiently for the summer flowers. May was busy, highlighted by abundant planting, strange weather, and beautiful blooms. I can hardly …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: May 2023"
Spring is just under twenty days away, and I couldn’t be more excited! Are you looking forward to spring and missing flowers as much as I am? It seems like a long wait since the last flower bloomed all those months ago. Although I’ve kept busy during these long winter months planning our bed layouts, …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: February 2023"
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"
THISTLE BE THE DAY 