10 Highlights of 2021 to “Flower” Forward in the New Year#

I believe reviewing our flower farm from top to bottom yearly has been a crucial aspect to our success. Although its easy to get bogged down with what didn’t work. Like the fact, due to the weather we never reached full bloom or employee challenges and other personal stresses. I like to celebrate what did work. And boy what a hard, cold, dream come true season 2021 was.

We shared floral wellness in a bigger way, from our daily farm tasks, daily personal goals, to our events. Had budding interviews, fabulous photography and got to travel to the first floral conference since the pandemic started. Had beautiful flourishing sold-out events which included harvest tables, live music and a chef I’ve had my eye on from the beginning. At the end of the season, just in the nick of time before snow we where able to set the last build that will be refurbed into my floral design studio and flower processing space. Yay to l narrowing my daily foot print, meaning less steps for this body of mine.

But mostly I realized what kind of business I don’t want which is half the battle. This all equaled to best year we’ve ever had to date.

I invite you to come check out the floral highlights of 2021, I admit their pretty great.

We’ve grown tulips for a few years now. But I couldn’t resist this highlight shot with the rainbow and Pioneer Peak background. And then we have our first year growing anenomes. What a wonderful long lasting cut flower that never really wilts as it ages. It simply keeps opening and opening until the petals fall off. She’s a keeper.

We almost didn’t offer flower subscriptions last year. I’m sure glad we did though. As long as we have interest we will offer them. And as always our beloved Linda Pendergrass is not only a happy customer she’s one of our biggest fans for our local cut-flower gorgeousness. She’s more times than not the first one to pick up her flowers. She must run home and instantly post her arrangements. She has never missed a week in 3 years!

This was my second interview by Amy Pedit host of Ag Maters Radio. Its always an honor when I get the chance to share my knowledge about flowers.

She knows my story and believes in the blooming potential Floral Agriculture has here in Alaska. And Oh, did I mention she loves local flowers?

We love when she pops in for some flower magic.

Thank you Amy for such a fun interview and advocating for Agriculture!

Did you see the ASCFG local flowers.org did a plug up next?

Proud Member of Association of Specialty Cut Flowers Growers

Every season I always find myself marveling over our events and tours being so popular. Sharing flowers is easy, sharing my home a little more challenging when it comes to strangers every where. However I keep trusting nature to bring only people with the best of intentions wanting to experience an Alaskan Flower Farm in bloom over a great Alaska Grown meal. This year we offered 3 events. An in person Flower Farm School with a Garden Party, a Day of Flower mini 6 hour retreat and a Summers Eve Dinner Tour.

For season 2022 we have a 4 Event line-up that is sure to please.

Harvest Tables, Flowers and the one and only Chef “Delicious Dave” serving his take on
Alaska Grown Strawberry Shortcake!

Deliver flowers like we did in the beginning was the goal.

No it wasn’t like in the beginning, far from it. Instead of a phone call order its done all online freeing up my hands to do what I love to do most. Designing with the flowers I grow here on the farm.

Delivering with DoorDash as been a fun addition to our farm offerings. And along with our Flower Stand Market allows our local customers to easily get fresh cut, right off the farm flowers for family, friends or themselves. And what a beautiful drive for our Anchorage customers as well.

Our flowers went to places of business, graduations, for celebrations of promotion, and in sympathy. But I think my favorite of all are the just because I wanted flowers for my counter deliveries.

The flower forward for season 2022, you’ll have to wait and see, its gonna be awesome though.

Slow Flowers Summit 2021 at Filoli

I’m a firm believer of continued education and fostering our love and appreciation for the things we desire most, in my case as you know my love of all things flowers.

I had the ticket purchased for the Slow Flower Summit 2020 just before the pandemic hit and had to wait 12 long months to attend but I tell you it was so worth it. The morning I arrived at Filoli historic house and gardens gates I was greeted by a doe. With ears twitching in alert she peaked up over the side of the ditch as if she had been waiting for me all year. She let me video her from my phone as she walked slowly in front of my car her eyes never leaving mine. The atmosphere of the morning, picturesque as the sun reflecting against the mountain hills had the underbrush glowing. This set the flower graced stage for the next two days I was there. The Slow Flower Summit has been called the Ted Talk for flower lovers. I concur, it was such a dream and I have over 100 photographs and videos on my phone to prove it.

In two giants sections we moved a 90′ greenhouse onto our property. I’ve been dreaming of all the flower fun that we are sure to have. However, she won’t be in production until 2023 but boy do I have the flower dreams for this vintage 70’s greenhouse. Talk about flower forward. We will be setting her in place, then she’ll get a brand new skin and given a name over the summer.

And Now, The last highlight of the season 2021!

Last October I started writing another book about Flowers. Unlike my book, Flower Power, this one is a soul deep dive into ALL things flowers after my views and truths about what I know flowers to be were challenged by a modern day priestess sister, some floral professionals and my very own mother.

The process of writing has at times ripped my grief over my son wide open, I’ve faced many demons around my relationship with my late mother, I’ve basked in the remembrance of my life-long connections with flowers. I’ve shared all I know to be true about beauty, through the written word and photographs to convey why we need flowers now more than ever.

So without further ado I’m un-veiling for the very first time right here, the way I see the book when it gets published. However, the publisher might have different ideas but I’ve been birthing this very book for almost 52 years and wanted something more tangilble to see and dream into. I’m shooting for it to be fully published late fall of 2022, cross your fingers.