The Firstfruits
So this week on the farm (and in the life of the farmer) things have been eventful.
When we left off last week I had pretty much lost the first crop of flowers (and also the 2nd). Giving them more water was not enough to save them and it seemed like the bugs had a predilection for the vanilla color of the white sunflowers. They started to wander over to the 3rd and 4th weeks but when I saw them I tried to knock them off by hand. I left the first bed alone: they could have that. But they needed to stay there. lol
I decided that as soon as I saw any color on a bud I would pick it (you’ll remember that because of the planting conditions weeks 1-4 starting blooming around the same time). They may not open, but at least I could make some use of them as filler. I also abandoned the idea that I could sell these to florists. I couldn’t harvest by type and provide a proper availability list. It was just a mad rush to get them before the bugs did.
I was pleasantly surprised to pick 60 sunflower stems – my first big harvest! It was so gratifying when I went through the drive-thru shortly afterwards to have the cashier say that they were perfect and ask where I bought them (proud blush*). I realized, as I sat munching my food, that this bucket of flowers represented my success, my victory – no matter how the business turned out. It was a small moment of joy – but so very important.
I was also gifted another surprise when all those barely cracked buds started to bloom – in full 0.0 This could be my first week of sales after all. I got what I could from my mom’s house – because I also plant a small garden there – and put together my bouquets. It was amazing. I have no doubt that this helped with my mental health at the end of that week. It’s so relaxing for an artist to practice their craft. I had 7 bouquets.
Delivering my first was thrilling and nerve-wracking. I learned some very helpful things about transporting bouquets – especially in kraft paper which can get creased so easily. I am so thankful to my friends who supported this week’s sale. I delivered my 4th this morning. Since all the blooms were tightly shut they still weren’t all the way open – which was great.
I ran a facebook ad – but that was a fiasco. Who knows if it ever worked! At first it was blocked. I confirmed my identity and then it went on to say it was “not delivering.” By that time I had done so many things that there was no brain power left to care.
…
It’s a very bad thing to wait till you have flowers to try to sell them but in the circumstances, having lost crops, what else could I do? In any case, I would say we made lemonade out of lemons – wouldn’t you?
While arranging the bouquets it made me so happy to think that I had grown them from seed. I don’t know if any gardener ever gets over the feeling of doubt, even if momentary, of whether putting this little thing in the ground, it’ll actually become a full-sized, healthy plant.
When I go back to the farm I know there will be more flowers waiting for me and that’s exciting. I have no doubt that other challenges will arise – but I hope that the bugs haven’t totally taken down what was left. I also had a tray of seeds not germinate a couple weeks ago. This translates to: 2 months from now not having a harvest for at least a week. 0.0 things are always happening. But I am so thankful for the things I have learned that have helped me to be prepared for that.
I am still hoping, and working for, a successful summer. And my hope is to be able to have enough left over to pay for Flower Farming School in October (www.thegardenersworkshop.com). I’m determined to go. In the meantime I am searching for land that I can lease so that I can scale up the farm next year. Truly, you can only scale - UP from 1000 sq. feet lol.
So check out the bouquets in the shop if you’re local! Thank you for all your support. See you next week!
Toodles!
Kerri.
