We have certainly seen strange weather this month. From record highs to extreme low temperatures. Our neighbors were buried in snow yet we had no snow. Last years mild winter and this years mild fall sure did spoil us. Surprisingly I am still cutting and designing from the gardens. While not quantities, I am still harvesting- that is the beauty of seasonal cool season crops. Last year I had many dahlia tubers overwinter in the ground, and a few eucalyptus too. This wasn't exactly one of my gardening experiments, rather I had too many dahlia tubers and no interest in digging them all. I was ready to let some go... boy was I surprised in May, that they had survived the winter with a simple leaf covering. I will be surprised if that happens again this yea with the early cold and no snow cover. Gardening is often an experiment and very weather related. Mid season is seldom a problem but early Spring and late fall blooms are very much based on the weather and climate. When I booked an October 26th wedding this past year I knew I would have flowers I just did not know what would be at peak from the gardens. As it turns out the mild falls are giving us more and more options! November was actually loaded with mums and cool season crops this year.
While I have been busy with evergreens I am actually dreaming of next years gardens !
I am not much of a shopper but the black Friday sales of gardening and seeds did entice me.
When I started cut flower gardening 32 years ago seeds were quite cheap compared to prices these days. Options have expanded a lot over the years too! I enjoy reading over my garden planner from all those years ago. Comparing notes as to what I was starting and when as well as weather conditions. My seed purchases , colors and when I start seeds is now based will be based on future weddings and events. I have a lot of ranunculus corms which I will start early in hopes of more blooms for Mother's Day. One of the hardest parts of going from a traditional Florist to a flower farmer/ florist is the holidays. Especially Valentines and Mother's Day... I am so used to the craziness of those Holidays after almost 40 years in the business. While I am Not looking to be that crazy again, February is such a nice time to receive flowers, too bad this is New York and we are usually buried in ice and cold! Heating prices make locally grown very difficult that time of the year. April/ May the local season slowly begins to wake-up. By late May the gardens become lush again.
12 Month of flowers subscriptions or the seasonal CSA ( community supported agriculture) are great ways to show your support for locally grown. All product is cut fresh and conditioned, and available for pick up at your convenience. You can choose weekly, biweekly or monthly pick ups. The CSA allows you to the best from the gardens as well as the variety of the seasons.
I am enjoying a series on U tube " The Victorian Garden". Very interesting how flowers were used back then and how appreciated they were!
Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas- now it is time to decorate my tree!
It may be cold but the sun is shining so it is a good day! Looking for a wreath , Christmas centerpiece or dried flower ornaments reach out to schedule a visit to the workshop. Westsidegardens4365@gmail.com or text or call , feel free to leave a message if I can’t pick up…
Comments