10 best practices for shopping at farmers markets
Farmers markets are a wonderful way to support local agriculture and build community. However, it’s important to approach farmers markets with some best practices in mind to ensure that you are getting the best experience and supporting local farmers to the fullest extent.
Growing Teddy Bear Sunflowers
Here are the directions for growing teddy bear sunflowers: Choose a location. Teddy bear sunflowers need full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The soil should be loose and fertile, with a...
Pro tips on how to cut and arrange daffodils (Narcissus)
Daffodils (aka Narcissus) have some unique characteristics that require special handling and care when you are cutting and arranging them. Get 6 pro tips.
How to start flower seeds under grow lights
Our Blue Gables Farm customers frequently ask how we get our seedlings started. We start about half of them under lights in our basement or in other local growers’ greenhouses (we don’t have one). Starting flowers from seed under grow lights is an easy way to get your flower garden going. Starting and then transplanting seedlings is a great way to make the best use of garden space, too.
February is for fencing
We never looked forward to January and February quite the way we do now that we’re flower farming. Yes, these tend to be cold, dark, bleak months, but they are when we slow down and catch our breaths, too. In contrast with July, it’s a time when we don’t have an...
Farming is a lifestyle
Farming is more of a way of life than an occupation. Most farmers love what they do. To quote one of our friends, “You’re never going to meet a happier group of poor people than a room full of flower farmers.” There is a sense of satisfaction from seeing the entire...
Apricity
Apricity isn’t just the name of our friend’s flower business, it also means bright sun in the middle of winter. Today, the day of our earliest sunset, we are grateful for the apricity that Apricity’s owner, Lisa, contributes to the world, in flowers and sunshine that brightens the lives of those around her.
Flower farming degree from YouTube University
We refer to YouTube for information and instruction so often we joke that we have degrees from YouTube University. A lot of what we know regarding our trade was gleaned by watching others demonstrate how they do things. We realize that without the myriad contributions by selfless individuals we might not be where we are. Thank you, kind strangers.
Get married before the first frost
Fall is a beautiful time to get married. The weather and flora are typically splendid. We understand the appeal of an autumn wedding — we were married in October on a beautiful, cloudless-blue day. As flower farmers, our advice is to pick a date before October 12, if possible. Most farmers in our area consider that day our fall frost date and if they are asked to price flowers in advance for a wedding, they may give a higher quote for dates after 12 October.