August News from the Flower Farm

  The colours of the Flower Farm are changing.. the golds & browns of Rudbeckia & Heleniums add a new bold, richness to bouquets after the pale, pink & white froth of early Summer. Dahlias are at last beginning to be cut in numbers this week – I’ve really missed them. Having delayed planting because I couldn’t see any market for them back in May, now as bouquet orders increase, I’m using every stem. Gorgeous blue & white Agapanthus added drama to July bouquets, now it’s time for firework colours to take over.
  The cutting beds are voluptuously full to bursting – their string-sided corsets aren’t enough to hold everything in. Early morning cutting is inevitably a soaking-wet-on-my-legs experience.
  But this year, I’m just letting it be. Visitors are rare so nobody else gets wet. Underneath it all, the frogs are loving their hideaway home & I trust keeping the slugs under control for me. Definitely a fair exchange of a home for their help.
  More of a worry is the speed weeds are growing! Recent rain is resulting in triffid sized nettles & grass is seeding where it definitely shouldn’t. Trying to be very Zen about it as I can only do what I can do, it’s going to be a big effort this Autumn. The ‘one years seeding & seven years weeding' adage is sadly very true…
  Weddings, albeit small scale, are back & I’m enjoying the creative work again. The couples hastily rearranged events at home & scaled their florals to fit. Lots of buckets of flowers have been collected for arranging at home by family & friends, & I’ve been making bouquets, buttonholes & flower crowns. (The detail above was a bouquet made for Rebecca last week) A pretty & popular alternative to the traditional Bridesmaid bouquet have been flowery Wrist Corsages. These suit an informal party, worn & enjoyed all day. It’s been so uplifting for us to see people celebrating, excited & happy, determined to find their own way through a tough situation.
  Yesterday afternoon I ran out of steam after a relentless couple of weeks – several weddings, back at Loch Arthur Farm Shop on a Friday, early starts & late finishes to my days. Sometimes you just have to stop don’t you & I admit to not being good at it.
  So I sat down at the picnic table & just looked at the cutting beds in the bottom field. I rarely do this. 5 years ago it was just long, unmown grass. Now, it’s certainly not perfect, or even completely tidy. But it's very productive, pumping out thousands of stems each season. And it could be much better so it's time to plan how to improve. I think I’ll remember but rarely do! These are some of my notes;

• Do more; grasses (not the weedy sort!) – this year I failed to plant out my usual selection. I missed their dainty movement in the wind & how they float above flowers in a bouquet. And more lemon yellow in early Summer as this is recurring as a popular wedding colour for next year. The mystery cherry red Sweet Peas in a packet of ballet shoe pink seed have been glorious & surprisingly useful colour. Although very little scent, I’m looking for a similar variety to add next year. A happy accident.
• Do Less; Aster (Michaelmas Daisies) I invested in many new ones a couple of years ago to boost my late Summer/Autumn selection. They love the conditions & grown into big clumps in need of division this year. And I don’t need them all…
• Do Different; Poppies – I grew Icelandic Poppies for the first time this year & found them to be tougher than they look, prolific & last better than I expected in bouquets. But the colours were not the soft pastel peaches, whites & lemons promised on the seed packet. Rather acid oranges & yellows, not easily blending with other colours. A different seed source required…
• How about you – what will you do differently next year?

  The new polytunnel (meant for Roses & Sweet Peas) is producing delicious little ‘Sungold’ Cherry Tomatoes now. Giant ‘Costoluto Florentino’ & Cucumbers aren’t far off. And yes, I knew that was too many Courgette plants in May & planted them anyway. Plenty of homemade Ratatouille in the freezer for this winter.
  We planned to reopen for private Afternoon Tea visits this month but as Corona Virus makes a comeback, decided to delay until next year. I’ll put dates up for the ‘Plant A Bulb Lasagne’ shortly. It’ll be early November & we can work outside (like last year) if weather is dry or in the polytunnel if not, keeping a safe distance.
  The ‘Flower Farmers Big Weekend’ event is August 14th-16th & it's going digital! Last year we opened our gates to visitors, enjoying it immensely despite the rain. This year we’ll be closed but I’ll post more pictures than usual on our Instagram & Facebook accounts. There are also going to be virtual flower farm tours, talks & demonstrations from other ‘Flowers From The Farm’ members around the UK on the website here;
https://www.flowerfarmersbigweekend.co.uk/whats-on-2020/?fbclid=IwAR08ZKO8g5uQjcdzhDaWW4jnTAtBPcv3w3bBd0VcsIKQ91nUh7zoXcFDlBA
Fingers crossed, next year we’ll be open again.
  While still busy cutting & delivering flowers ready now, my head is moving a season ahead. Dawn is noticeably later, the field full of dew-spangled cobwebs & autumn tints on a few trees & patches of bracken, Sorry about the ‘A’ word but it’s coming... The Swallow chicks nesting under our porch fledged last week so will be building up strength for their long flight to Africa. I went to clean underneath the nest & was dive bombed by the parents – I think they’re going for another brood. I admire their optimism!
  I’ll be bringing flowers on Friday 14th to Loch Arthur again (1-3pm) & Kirkcudbright Producers Market on the 23rd. And of course, you’re welcome to pre-order flowers for collection from here or at these 2 venues. Deliveries continue in our extended area on limited days of the week too. Ken is helping so I can make bouquets & he delivers to the doorstep. Let me know if you would like a flowery treat for yourself or a friend. Links below.
  Jobs for the month ahead? Summer days only need be as hard as you want them to be. This year I’m cutting myself some slack. It’s allowed. Collect seed of favourites you want more of, are expensive or to share. Cut seedheads & flowers for drying & enjoyment over winter. Deadhead Sweet Peas & keep your display going.
  Above all, enjoy being in the fresh air, surrounded by flowers, in nature. It’s officially good for us, you know.
Until next time, 
Rosie 
Galloway Flowers
 
Your Flowery Inspiration links;

• Virtual Flower Farm Tours, talks & demo's Flower Farmers Big Weekend https://www.flowerfarmersbigweekend.co.uk/whats-on-2020/?fbclid=IwAR08ZKO8g5uQjcdzhDaWW4jnTAtBPcv3w3bBd0VcsIKQ91nUh7zoXcFDlBA
• ‘Friday Flowers’ for local delivery or Contactless collection can be ordered online or by telephone 01644 420407. I group deliveries on Fridays as it tends to be the most popular day & means I still have essential time for growing.Please note, in August only, flowers will be delivered on a Thursday so I can go to Loch Arthur & prep weddings. Maybe Thursday Treats?
• And here's a pretty garden wedding for you...https://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/garden-for-wedding/