As the new year dawns, a dedicated flower farmer meticulously plans the upcoming season, setting ambitious goals across personal well-being, family connections, business expansion, and creative ventures, including their blog. The previous year saw successful initiatives like the "Flower Focus" series and "The Farmer and The Florist" interviews, aimed at sharing cultivation insights and celebrating local floral artistry. This year, the focus narrows to projects promising significant long-term impact and profound personal satisfaction.
The farm, located in a mild Washington winter climate, bustles with activity even as colder days keep the author indoors for planning. Her partner, Chris, thrives in the outdoors, diligently completing crucial farm tasks. The commitment to extending the growing season is evident in the six hoop houses, brimming with ranunculus and Icelandic poppies, and new mini tunnels nurturing thousands of anemones. The team also successfully harvested the remaining dahlia tubers, offering them to a broader community of farmers and gardeners. A new venture into winter tulip cultivation, spearheaded by Chris and Jasper, brought early blooms and immense joy, especially after their first successful deliveries. The farm's chickens, after months of care and a clever trick to encourage laying, are now providing a steady supply of fresh eggs, adding another layer of charm to the vibrant farm life.
Setting Goals and Embracing Seasonal Rhythms on a Flower Farm
Each year commences with a comprehensive goal-setting process for a flower farmer, encompassing personal development, familial bonds, business objectives, and individual creative pursuits like maintaining a blog. The prior year's endeavors included launching the "Flower Focus" series, detailing cultivation methods for beloved flower varieties, and initiating "The Farmer and The Florist" interviews to highlight local growers and florists. These projects aimed to share valuable knowledge and foster a sense of community within the floral industry. For the current season, the farmer is refining her approach, prioritizing projects that promise substantial long-term benefits and bring the greatest personal fulfillment, signaling a shift towards more focused and impactful work.
The article delves into the thoughtful annual planning process undertaken by the flower farmer, which spans various facets of her life and business. Her previous year's initiatives, such as the "Flower Focus" series, provided practical guidance on cultivating diverse flower types, while "The Farmer and The Florist" interviews celebrated the contributions of local floral professionals. These successful projects underscore her commitment to enriching the floral community and sharing expertise. Looking ahead, the farmer is strategically narrowing her project scope to concentrate on endeavors that not only offer significant and lasting positive effects but also ignite deep personal joy, reflecting a deliberate effort to maximize impact and satisfaction in her work and personal life.
Cultivating Winter Blooms and Preparing for Spring's Arrival
Despite Washington's mild but often damp and grey winters, the flower farm remains a hub of activity. While the author dedicates her time to indoor planning, her partner, Chris, thrives outdoors, meticulously completing essential winter preparations. The farm’s commitment to extending its harvest season is evident in the six 100-foot hoop houses, where ranunculus and Icelandic poppies, planted in September, are thriving and anticipated to bloom by late March. Additionally, a new array of mini tunnels now shelters thousands of baby anemones, though planted later than planned, are hoped to catch up as daylight hours increase, signaling an ambitious push for earlier spring blooms.
The article provides a detailed look at the winter operations of the flower farm, set against the backdrop of Washington's characteristically mild yet often gloomy winter weather. The division of labor sees the author immersed in strategic planning indoors, while her partner, Chris, vigorously handles outdoor tasks, showcasing their complementary work styles. A key aspect of their strategy is the utilization of six expansive hoop houses, which are diligently cultivated with ranunculus and Icelandic poppies, planted months prior to ensure an early spring harvest. Furthermore, the introduction of numerous mini tunnels, housing young anemones, illustrates their proactive measures to extend the growing season and accelerate the arrival of vibrant spring flowers. The recent successful harvest and distribution of dahlia tubers, along with the unexpected success of winter-grown tulips, underline the farm's innovative spirit and dedication to continuous improvement. Even the farm's chickens contribute to this vibrant ecosystem, providing fresh eggs thanks to a clever lighting trick, bringing a touch of spring's bounty to the depths of winter.