2023 Season Recap
What an amazing season! Learned a lot, worried a lot and grew A LOT of flowers :) Dug up LOTS of rocks, grew several new varieties (cotton, glass corn) and made some new farmer friends along the way. In fact, with the Magnolia Farm (named this because it is located on Magnolia Street in Germantown) I almost doubled my growing space! Now that the new space is *mostly* set up, I'm hoping this spring will be much smoother. Of course there will be new beds to make and lots of planning and planting but the daunting task of setting the whole thing up is over. Phew!
I also invested in a proper irrigation system (b-Hyve) for the farm at my house. Now I have a Bluetooth operated 5 zone system set up. It's been VERY helpful!
Throughout the season I worked on drying flowers for the first time (with any kind of purpose) and am trying to extend the season by selling dried flower wreaths, dried bouquets and I even used dried flowers on the holiday wreaths along with dehydrated citrus. Its a way to keep the color of the season going until spring comes and there are fresh flowers again!
Additionally in February 2024 I'm teaching a Spring Dried Floral Wreath class at the Morris Arboretum. Its a way to use vibrant dried flowers to uplift us out of the final doldrums of winter.
Newsletter from 2/13/2024
Snow is falling outside but inside spring has begun.
Hello from inside my warm home in E. Mt. Airy!
About a month ago I started seeding for spring. I know it seems way too early for most of you (and if you are reading this and freaking out DON’T- you aren’t late to start seeds!) but some of the varieties of flowers I grow like it cold. Not FREEZING but cold. The picture above is of stock seedlings. They are in the Brassicaea family (otherwise known as the broccoli family) and if you have ever grown broccoli, you know that the plants tend to bolt when it gets too warm. Same with these flowers! They like the cold to beef up their roots and absorb nutrients from the soil so its able to form beautiful flowers with an earthy floral scent.
This past weekend I taught a dried flower wreath class at the Morris Arboretum! It was a wonderful group of people and they all added their own creative style to the wreaths they made. I like to partner with the local garden community when I can. This year will be my 3rd year volunteering with MALT (Mt. Airy Learning Tree) as well as working with The Morris Arboretum. Farming is a lot of work (physically and mentally) but I really enjoy all the other benefits that come with partnering with community organizations; wonderful likeminded people, fun projects, party planning and donations. I can’t possibly fit all groups into my schedule but when the timing works, it works and I’m happy to help. :)
I know New Year’s resolutions are usually already forgotten by February but this year, I am committed to sending a newsletter out once a month. There. I said it. Its part of my 2024 season goals- to connect with you (my biggest supporters!) here in your email. Keep you better updated on what is going on around the farm and to keep me writing- the more you do something the easier it gets right?
For now, stay warm and you’ll hear from me again in March.
Courtney
