The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic grower
In a previous blog post, I shared my journey toward becoming a novice dahlia hybridizer. A journey spanning several years, during which my love for working with dahlias has grown. I never thought I would have the chance to share one of my dahlias with gardeners across North America. Still, when I was selected to …
Continue reading "Field Trip: Triple Wren Farms in Ferndale, Washington"
It’s that time of year again when I sit and reflect on the past growing season and look forward to the next. Goals begin to emerge as I consider what I hope to accomplish in the coming year. Each new year, I set my gardening goals, which help me envision the season ahead and chart …
Here we are in November, already deep into the fall season. On the farm, most of the leaves have fallen, mornings are often dusted with frost, and cooler temperatures have moved in. We experienced our first hard frost a few weeks ago, which abruptly ended our fresh-cut flower season. Flower farmers call the first hard …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: October 2025"
The warmer temperatures this week make it seem like summer is holding on here in the Hudson Valley. For me, September is always a bittersweet month. I can see the flowers transitioning and know we are inching closer to the end of our growing season. While I miss the summer abundance, I also yearn for …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: Late Summer 2025"
I can’t hardly believe that Spring is coming to a close in a few short weeks, and summer will be ushered in. How time flies when you’re busy in the garden! May is perhaps the busiest month of the year on the farm as we continue to harvest the first flowers of the season and …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: May 2025"
Our 2024 dahlia season is officially over, and all the dahlias are (thankfully) dug, divided, and safely stored until next season. It was a very challenging growing year, as climate change brought early heatwaves and crippling drought, which took a toll on the farm flowers, especially our dahlias. We lost many plants to the heat; …
By the time October rolls around, most of our flowers have started to fade, and I have turned my attention to wrapping up the season. I collect seeds and harvest the final flowers for drying while the threat of a season-ending frost looms. However, a few flower exceptions have become quintessential fall blooms on the …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: October 2024"
Here it is, October, and fall has fully embraced the farm. I am so ready for my favorite season to begin. I am a sweater-weather girl through and through. I love the smell of freshly fallen leaves and how they crunch under your feet, the nip in the air, and nature’s beautiful fall color palette. …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: September 2024"
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 …
THISTLE BE THE DAY 