Blog
Spring Preparations for 2024
Spring preparations, March plantings of Bell flowers and Stocks using low and caterpillar tunnels.
This season we are trying something new. March plantings of Stocks and Campanula outside under a 55’ caterpillar tunnel. The Campanula looks strong and is growing! The Stocks are not happy. A little too cold and perhaps they have been planted outside too early. Next year they will be planted out later in the calendar year..
Likewise, the overwintered plantings of Campanula, by the high tunnel, are doing well. It will be interesting to see if there is a difference of harvest timing between the caterpillar tunnel Campanula and the overwintered plantings. The overwintered bed of Bupleurum, also by the high tunnel, seems to be holding their own.
The goal is to see if we can have bouquet making materials for the beginning of June or even by the middle of May. Bell flowers (Campanula) and Stocks with Bupleurum as filler would make a nice bouquet!
This week (March 26) the Ranunculus will be transplanted out into a caterpillar tunnel with a June harvest goal.
Ranunculus
Next Snapdragons will be transplanted outside, and we have tons of them.
The High Tunnel is not finished. The plan is to have it done in the next two weeks.
Spring is always an unsettled weather time. One week of sun followed by days of rain or snow. 60 degree days followed by temperatures in the low 20’s or lower. It can be a gamble to plant early. Hopefully, caterpillar tunnels, low tunnels and the high tunnel can make a difference.
Season Three
Makima from Chainsaw Man helping with my Ramen noodles.
Season three is officially underway. Ranunculus are pre-sprouting. Seeds have been sowed and are under lights for the 2024 season. Plugs have arrived and have been transplanted and are just about ready to start growing in the ground.
The to-do list grows by the day and the biggest obstacle is my off season inertia. Boy I need to get going! Real fast!
This season we will be growing ~ 90 different varieties of the following floral perennials and annuals:
Floral varieties
Bells of Ireland
Amaranth
Snapdragons
lisianthus
yarrow
sunflowers perennial
rununculus
peonies
feverfew
mountain mint
centaurea
ornamental grass
dill
strawflowers
statice
oregano
Hawthorne
Ninebark
campanula
bupleurum
Viburnum
rudbeckia
gomphrena
marigolds
dara Daucus Carota
ammi
celosia
China Asters
Campanula Feb.28,2024
Under lights February 2024 Campanula, Snapdragons, Bupleurum, Eucalyptus and Stocks
Pre-sprouting ranunculus Feb. 2024
This season we are going to try growing ~700 ranunculus plants stating from corms. Colors include white, rose, pink, purple and a pastel mix.
Makima
Makima from Chainsaw man helping with my Ramen noodles.
Autumn Scenes
Autumn scenes. Scenes from the gardens 11.28.24.
Scenes from the gardens autumn 2023.
Autumn 2023 scenes from the gardens.
High Tunnel Fall 2023
High Tunnel project Nov. 2023
October 2023 we began the construction of a 20’x48’ high tunnel. The project would not be possible without a grant from the Ct. Dept. of Agriculture and the USDA. A high tunnel is an unheated simple constructed greenhouse by design. Its purpose is to be a more economical alternative than a heated greenhouse to extend the growing season. We hope with the help of the structure to allow us to have blooms earlier in spring and later into the fall, after a hard frost.
Growing in high tunnels will be a new experience for us. There will be lots to learn and mistakes made. But, we are excited about this new challenge and the future this new growing environment offers!
“This project was funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Transition Grant established by the Community Investment Act (C.G.S.Sec.22-26k).”
End of August
End of August 2023 celosia.
Unbelievably, August matched July in the amount of rainfall we received here in the middle of CT. Never experienced a summer with this much rain in my life. Its fascinating to observe the flowers that thrive in these conditions and the ones that don’t. Every week I learn have much I don’t know and how far I have to go to master the art of growing specialty cut flowers. Each failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. I do know that every growing season will not be like any previous season. Mother Nature has her on course to steer.
Mid summer August 2023 tour of the market gardens.
Eary Summer Tour
Sunrise over Zinnias beginning of July 2023.
Quick tour 1st week of July flower market garden, field #1
Spring 2023 Update
Spring 2023 update. Quick tour spring 2023
April, May, and the beginning of June. Lower field planted completely. Varieties include lisianthus, snapdragons, Zinnias, Amarnath, Shiso, baby breath, celosia, feverfew, Greek oregano, marigold.
The new upper field is 2/3 planted with room for succession plantings of gladiolus and sunflowers. Varieties planted include Rudbeckia, yarrow, scabiosa, gomphrena, ammi, false Queen Anne’s lace, dill, China Asters, gladiolus.
This spring we experimented with building two caterpillar tunnels for early plantings of snapdragons and ranunculus. Our timing for the ranunculus was poor, but the snapdragon tunnel is a huge success!
Eight days till our first farmers’ market in S. Windsor 6/17/23 on Saturday. We should have plenty of snapdragons, maybe, some Zinnias and baby breath. Perhaps, Apple of Peru and Shiso as fillers!
Ides of March
Ides of March- 7 days till spring
March 13 and 7 days till spring!
Prepping for the new season:
Sowing seeds and filling up the greenhouse.
Following Floret’s design(@floretflower). Bending conduit piping and gathering supplies to build two caterpillar tunnels for Ranunculus and Snapdragons. Hopefully they will be planted later this week. After Tuesday’s Nor'easter! Heavy wet snow predicted.
Arranging and confirming farmers’ makes for the season. So far- South Windsor, Borzah, and Old Saybrook. More information on additional markets coming down the line.
Starting to spread into the gardens 9 cu yards of organic compost that has just arrived.
Great news! Bouquets and Blueberry Gardens has been awarded a transition grant from CTAg and the USDA for a High Tunnel to be built during the upcoming season. (Acknowledgment of Funding “This project was funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Transition Grant established by the Community Investment Act )(C.G.S.Sec.22-26k).
That’s it for now, have to finish the caterpillar tunnels and get the wheelbarrow out and start spreading the compost.
40 days till spring…
Workshops and such
Middle of winter 2023 preparing for our second season. Removing fallen trees and opening up shade on some southern exposures. Placed occultation traps to prep gardens to double our growing space. Decided to spend time on workshops and classes this winter to try to further knowledge and experience I was lacking. Completed a cut flower production course with Cornell small farms extension. Half way through Floret’s 2023 Flower workshop and started an internship with Uconn’s Master Gardener Program. Even signed up with Barn2Door to see if they can offer insight or help with branding and marketing. The realization I am starting to see and feel success is going to happen from within. Not from pointers, advice from others, nor from sitting at a computer passively listening, but by bringing energy, passion to what ever the task is in front of me at that moment. Be focused and plan to fail. My failures teach me more, unfortunately than any workshop, or course I could ever take. Just, need to be able to survive, myself and work towards the goal. Working with nature and growing beautiful flowers and produce with honest intent for sustainability, to bring something to life for a community is what I can accomplish.
When I realized growing and selling flowers was the right choice.
The right choice. When I realized growing flowers was the right choice.
Last season at a farmers’ market that operated late afternoon into the early evening, a family stopped at our flower stand. The mother with three children stepped under the canopy. The husband and grandmother waited outside the canopy.
The mother asked the children to help pick out two bouquets- one for the kitchen and one for grandma. Today was grandma’s birthday.
Only the eldest daughter seemed interested in picking out bouquets. The younger two children were more concerned with who could bother the other the most.
On the table next to the cash box we kept a bucket of sunflowers to sell by the stem. The bucket caught the eye of the two teasing siblings. The youngest, a boy, quietly asked his mother if he could have a sunflower. As the mother was busy picking out bouquets with the eldest daughter, she did not hear him.
When the mother finished paying for the bouquets I told her to have the children pick out a sunflower for each of them.
The mother was surprised and asked if I was sure. Of course, I said, that's why they are here, to hand out. The two younger kids' eyes beamed with amazement. The three children left with their mother each holding a sunflower.
It was at this time the market became a witness to a small sublime moment.
The eldest daughter walked over towards her grandmother and gave her a sunflower. The grandmother, diminutive in stature and quiet, didn't have to say a word. Her appreciation and love for her granddaughter physically leapt outward for all to see. Her smile lit the market. The grandmother happened to be wearing a large bright yellow shawl that glorified the sunflower and exalted her humble joy. The grandmother held the sunflower prominently in front of the shawl. A trophy for all to see.
The granddaughter turned to her mother and said, “ Doesn’t Grandma look beautiful.”
Next to me on the right I overheard the vendors talking to each other, “Look, she is so stunning.”
Together the family toured the market. The two younger siblings tossed about their sunflowers at each other. A competition, who could be the most annoying. The mother carried the two bouquets in her shoulder bag. Father and eldest daughter walked together. The grandmother radiant, proudly and rigidly held the sunflower aloft as she trailed behind the family.
The woman who owned the stand to my left said, “ The grandmother is striking, so picturesque.”
Nobody failed to take note of the humble, quiet grandmother. She never said a word, her presence encompassed an aural that shouted happiness.
The family stopped and took her picture. A stranger came along and asked if he could take the grandmother’s photo. The family proudly stood to the side watching grandma be the center of attention.
Before leaving the family settled in at the playground located at one end of the market. The children ran about and loudly played as the husband and wife quietly sat on a bench. In between them sat the grandmother spiritedly with content holding the sunflower in front of her. The grandmother with her bright yellow shawl and staley yellow orange sunflower majestically illuminated the eventide.
I do not know if the sunflower was a door opened that allowed an entire market to see the love a family shared: or, if the sunflower was a vessel that allowed a family to enjoy a moment in time.
But, if growing, harvesting, and sharing a single sunflower allows the beauty of life and love to be revealed, manifested and experienced, this is something I can be a part of.
2023’s Journey begins now.
Winter’s best observed from a distance.
Wrestling with seed orders, courses, structure building, budget plans, production plans and the fear of spending too much, while always lurking is the possibility I don’t know what I am doing. And, of course, there’s winter. Well, here we go! The start of 2023!
One last look at the stars from last you.
December 2022 End of the Season
December 2022 End of our first season- Thank you
December 2022- The end of our first season
As the amount of available daylight dwindles and night overtakes daylights. Our first season officially comes to an end. Although goals and plans for the first season were modest, the production of our .25acre plot truly amazed us. The land, soil, and the beauty flowers exceeded our expectations.
In spite of our inexperience and considerable lack of knowledge, in ~ 15 weeks of production we harvested and arranged 1054 bouquets that were brought to 5 different famers markets. That’s an average of 70 bouquets a week. We never imagined those numbers.
Thanks to every single person who stopped at one of our stands whether or not they made a purchase. A positive comment or enthusiastic encouragement was always made. Thank you.
Seeing the smiles and happiness that many experienced when looking at our flowers was wonderful.
Thoughts for next year- Improve our networking, work at advocating for our flowers reach further into the community. Spread the beauty of nature, soil and flowers for many to enjoy.
Food for the soul.
Food for the soul
Hibiscus - Bouquets and Blueberry Gardens
"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."
Luther Burbank