A look back on the 2019 season

​When I started blogging my flower farm adventures this year I had big plans to share so much. Then the flower season kicked into full gear and those plans unintentionally went right out the window. To say this growing season was a whirlwind would be an understatement. At times it verged on insanity. I could have used 2 or 3 more of me quite a few times but somehow managed to get it all done.

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This season I learned so much, as I always do. Whether you grow on a small or large scale there are always problems and challenges to overcome. Ants, grasshoppers, fungus gnats, sparrows and slugs are the worst offenders this year. Throw in some powdery mildew and cabbage moth caterpillars and it seemed I was always fighting someone. It is very important to treat all problems gently so that the hummingbirds and bees who visit my flowers are able to do so safely and happily.

Next year I plan to be more proactive on a few fronts (hello praying mantis & sluggo) to work on building a happy healthy growing area. To be honest it might not be happy for the grasshoppers, I kinda hate them – actually I hate them a lot. But happy for the bees, birds and my praying mantis friends.

I am also working hard creating healthier soil for my beautiful flowers. We sit on a sand bed. It’s amazing anything grows here at all. It really is all sand on most of the property or if you dig down enough there is a  layer of ash from the eruption of Mount Saint Helens back in the 80s. Compost (thank you horse friends, benefits of country life) and cover crops have made a big difference and this will continue to be an area of focus in 2020.
 
I am so excited to share with you more projects around the farm over the winter and the spring, I’ve got big dreams and big plans. None of this would be possible without your support and there are no words for how grateful I am to have the opportunity to provide beautiful blooms to our community. ​