April 2025 News from Galloway Flowers

    While working outside this week, there’s been no doubt it’s Spring! The soundtrack of Red Kites calling against the bluest sky, gently buzzing Bees & bleating Lambs on the hill. Colour returns to the flower farm beds. Finally, we’ve flowers to cut!
 
  One moment, I remove a gilet as I get too warm. Then turning a corner from the hedges shelter, I want that gilet back! The cold, easterly wind reminds me not to get carried away with warm weather. The nights are still cold. (Perfect for germinating tricky seeds, like Larkspur, stimulated by fluctuating temperatures btw.)

  It's so much easier to work here when it’s dry. Our days are long now, we know it will not last & must make the most of it.
 
  The cleanup after Storm Eowyn has been hard. We got off lightly, but it took time to see all the damage. So much mess to clear up. Several trees stayed upright, then collapsed without warning. Fortunately, nothing large or dangerous, but sad, nonetheless.  A couple of Conifers have been blasted, almost scorched looking. They look bare branched – I’m keeping fingers crossed for recovery. I’ve never seen that type of damage before so don’t know.
 
  Our old Alpine greenhouse took far more of a hit than we realised. After the Storm, there were a few visibly broken panes, easily fixed. We saw the back end was wonky. Only when Ken began repairs did we realise how much work was necessary. We considered taking it down completely, it’s over 35 years old.
 
  Instead, Ken spent 3 solid weeks (thank goodness for the dry weather) on repairs. Rotten wood frames replaced with new, much of the glass replaced with polycarbonate sheets. With luck & no more 70mph winds, it should see us through a few more years. It’s vital for overwintering tender plants & spring propagation, very expensive to replace.
 
  But the greenhouse reminds me of Triggers Broom from ‘Only Fools & Horses’. (Trigger the Road Sweeper claimed to have used the same broom for 20 years. He maintained it well, with 17 new heads & 14 new handles over that time! I googled the clip earlier & it still made me smile.) Sadly, our Alpine Greenhouse hadn’t received the same loving care all it's life…

  Our smaller Polytunnel is now full & ready to burst into flower by late May. Early Sweet Peas down the centre for June Weddings. A snowstorm of white, palest pink & lavender in the other borders. Many other plants are gradually being acclimatised to go outside but I’m careful. The strong, cold winds could set them back badly. But they'll need to be moved on soon as I must start the Dahlia tubers off. I was told recently all Flower Farmers are gamblers at heart. Maybe. I definitely think you need to be an optimist. And a weather forecaster.
 
  Over the years, I’ve made many arrangements for Funerals. I’ve used British-grown flowers & avoided floral foam & other plastics. Most arrangements are completely compostable. Last year, I joined the Farewell Flowers Directory with eco-minded Flower growers & Florists across the UK. Grown to over 200 members, it’s getting easier to find environmentally friendly funeral arrangements at a difficult time for grieving families.
  This year, Directory members are taking flowers to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May! This is the first time funeral flowers have been displayed at the Show. The stand will be in the main Pavilion. We want to demonstrate environmentally friendly options for funerals to a wider public. It’ll be a long & tiring trip but I’m so excited to do this, helping to put natural funeral flowers in the limelight.
 
  As I write this morning, I’m aware of the wild fire over at Glen Trool. The ground is dry & SEPA are already warning us of the abnormal lack of rain across South West Scotland. Wonderful weather for the Flower Farmer but tough on plants. If you’ve planted new Roses, Shrubs or trees over Winter, do keep them moist with a good soak. I’m giving my Tulips a good soak this evening as the stems will be shorter otherwise. Two more rain barrels are being set up to catch rain from the repaired greenhouse gutters.
 
What Can I Cut in April?
  Suddenly, the choice widens. Blossom is emerging – my Magnolia & Cherry are almost out, Amelanchier soon. All are lovely in a vase either alone or mixed with Tulips & Narcissi. The Tulips are ridiculously early. I plant mine late as I want them in late April & May. This weather is bringing them on fast! See below if you would like a bunch to arrange at home. Tiny treasures such as Fritillaria, Cowslips & other Primulas are lovely to cut now too & last a good week in a vase.

Upcoming Events 2025
Dates for the first workshops are live on the website now. I'll add more dates as wedding dates in July & August firm up.

• 'Cut Flowers from Your Garden' Sunday 27th April (only 1 place)
• 'Make A Hand Tied Bouquet'  Sunday 4th May (2 places)
• 'Arrange A Vase' Afternoon' Sunday 15th June (1 places)
• 'Arrange A Vase' Afternoon' Sunday 22nd June (3 places)

Jobs for April;

• Sow seeds! It’s better for cutting to sow small batches at 2-3 week intervals rather than the whole packet at once. Unless you’re planning a mass of bloom for a particular date (such as a wedding) this keeps your supply for cutting all summer long
• If you’ve planted new Shrubs. Trees or Roses, keep them generously watered so they can develop strong new roots. This dry spell is tough for anything new in the ground
• Keep on top of weeds, clear space around perennials pushing up shoots. Still a good time to spread a generous mulch of compost too
• Do you (or a friend) have a wood burner? If so, give a generous dollop of the wood ash (no coal/coke burned) to flowering shrubs such as Roses & Clematis. Raspberries, Blackcurrants & Strawberries would benefit from it too. It will encourage flowers & fruit
• Clean fresh water is a great help birds in this dry weather
• Dahlia tubers can be started now IF you have somewhere frost free, under cover

How To Buy Our Flowers;

• Deliveries or collections  Next Bouquet delivery will be on Good Friday 18th April
• Tulips – bunches (in 10’s) of our speciality Tulips available from Friday 11th for collection only. Message to book yours! These are tall, fancy varieties & very different to supermarket Tulips Order Online
• Regular Flower Subscriptions. Book yours for the 2025 season – choose the dates, & we’ll cut fresh for local delivery or collection Order Online
• Flowers will be available across a wide area through the Galloway Food Hub again this year. Thought we would make it for this week but now planning by end April
• Flowers for Funerals, weddings, parties available all year round using 100% British grown. Pre-booking essential
• Florists Wholesale. This year, we're opening up the opportunity for a few more Florists to buy our flowers regularly. Wholesale Flowers

   And you can, of course, telephone me on 01644 420407 or email if you prefer talking to a real person rather than ordering flowers online. Much of my work is 'bespoke' for House flowers, parties & funerals so doesn't really fit the neat boxes necessary for online ordering. 

 For now, the sun is shining & dry weather forecast for at least another week. Time to get out & sow more seeds!
 
  And the last word for this month?

"In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours."
Mark Twain, American Writer 1835 - 1910

Until next time, 
Rosie 
Galloway Flowers