Finally, our first blog post! It has been some time coming...but here it is. There has been much to talk about and much to share, but so little time. I hope to be sharing our stories semi-frequently lol, but time will tell.
The summer seems to have flown by for Michelle & I. We had some wonderful weddings to create for and, have also had the opportunity to event plan and support a few of the weddings as well. What a joy it has been to create! This summer's weather was completely opposite to last year (I am starting to see a trend!) and we continue to learn as we grow. With frequent rain and fluctuating temperatures, we have had to water MUCH less than last summer, but now, in the Fall, we have been having to water much MORE than last year. In reading and chatting with other flower farmers, I think we just have to learn to roll with it and know that things never stay the same. One thing that did remain the same was the dreaded Japanese Beetles (but that is another blog story)
If you have been following us on social media, you will see we have added some fun new blooms to our garden this year: Sweet Annie, Mountain Snow, Scabiosa, Craspedia and, our absolute FAVOURITE, Lisianthus, just to name a few.
In our first year of wedding bouquet design, we used lisianthus almost every time and we thought we should try to grow some on our own. These little lovelies are quite amazing, but we have had to be VERY patient with them. We purchased three varieties this year as plugs, and happily transplanted into trays in early April, nurtured them under lights inside, transplanted to the garden in early May, protected from frost, spent countless hours weeding and cultivating around them to promote a healthy root growth...and finally in late July they began to bloom. What it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!! We are still enjoying these stunning blooms and can't wait to grow them again next year. We are seeing a second round of buds again and just hope that we can fend off frost for a while to enjoy them into the end of October.
We have already purchased seeds for next year and have also ordered plugs. We know from some trial, (and mostly error) that lisianthus seeds take time to germinate and time to grow. So, we are hoping that we will have six different varieties to choose from next year, but time (much time) will tell.
Fall in the garden means that we are busy with continued deadheading, water and, sadly, taking out spent plants, harvesting seeds and prepping the beds for winter rest. We do, however, still have an abundance of blooms available for purchase: dahlias of many varieties, gladiolus, zinnias, chocolate dara, cosmos, lisianthus and the odd random stock.
Fall brings with it such stunning colours and arrangements. Feel free to drop us an email for order or via our website. At the end of next week, we will be busy creating for Thanksgiving and on Friday, October 6th, we will likely be having our last pop-up of the season (or..if frost stays away...we maybe will have another one). Check us out at Harris Farms at 3216 George Johnston Road in Springwater. Also, just because winter is coming and the garden will be tucked away for a rest, it doesn't mean that we won't be offering gorgeous blooms. We work with wholesalers year-round and can provide bouquets and arrangements throughout the entire year. Check out our website for all the details peonyandposy.ca
As we are nearing the season of Thanksgiving, we wanted to take the time to thank all of you for your endless support and encouragement. Starting a new business is full of anxiety and challenges, growing pains and seasons of joy! We have been blown away by the support of this community and give thanks for all of you!
Michelle and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and joy-filled Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Kathrin
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