March News from Galloway Flowers

​   And we’re off!
  Finally, days are long & warm enough to begin growing for 2020 in earnest! My fingers are crossed it’s dry enough too – we lost so many days last month as even simple tasks like weeding were impossible to do well.

  Tasks are stacking up, all urgent, needing to be done NOW. And of course, they can’t be. So I’m just doing a little bit of everything, keeping plates spinning as best I can. A bit of rose pruning here, some seed sowing there, potting up more Dahlias in between…

  If the weather is kind, I’ll lift & divide perennials such as Delphiniums, Phlox & Helenium planted in our long beds 3 years ago. It’s a big job essential to keep the plants healthy & pumping out plenty of quality stems for years to come.

  On top of the Spring workload, we’ve builders in. Of course, I’m pleased it’s finally started, but oh boy, what a mess! It started as a simple kitchen refurb, added a wall removal (Kirstie Allsop would be proud of me), then a few windows, the floor taken up (you don’t want to know) then the ceiling is being improved… well, you get the picture. It’ll be worth it but the dust will take a long time to clear up. Very glad I said ‘no’ to preparing any wedding flowers this month.

  And talking of weddings, we were delighted & thrilled to be awarded ‘Wedding Florist of The Year, Southern Region’ at the Scottish Wedding Awards last month. Thank you so very much to the couples who nominated us. Receiving an award is lovely but what matters most is knowing our work is appreciated enough to take time to nominate us. It isn’t always easy choosing only flowers & foliage grown in the British Isles, all year round – I hope though, we’re demonstrating it can be done well.

  So what’s coming up? As well as busy growing flowers now, we start regular flower visits at the Farmers Markets this week. Castle Douglas on Sunday 15th (Town Hall this month) & Kirkcudbright on Sunday 22nd. It was satisfying giving the workshop a thorough Spring Clean & filling it up with flowers again this weekend. I’m mostly using flowers from growers in Lincolnshire, Cornwall & the Scilly Isles but a few of ours (such as Hellebore) are appearing now too. Gorgeous colours & packed with delicious scents.

   Mother’s Day is of course the next big day in the Flower calendar. I’ll be making up bouquets for local delivery & collection on Saturday 21st March. I’ll be at the Kirkcudbright Farmers Market on Sunday 22nd March too. If you would like to order flowers (or drop the necessary hints) you can do so online now. Or give me a call on 01644 420407/send email if you prefer – building is making the phone a little challenging but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible (& can hear over the music!)

   A popular alternative to a bouquet is a regular flower delivery throughout the season – it keeps the Mother’s Day love coming for longer. I prep up a bunch of seasonal flowers every fortnight or month, always different & then either deliver locally or have them ready for collection. Flowers can be collected from me at the Farmers Market, Loch Arthur on a Friday or here at the Flower Farm. Details & online ordering here

  Bookings are coming in for the 'Cut Flowers from Your Garden' workshop on Sunday April 5th so don't forget to reserve your place if you're planning to come. 
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  Your Flowery Inspiration links;

• 'Cut Flowers from Your Garden' workshop Sunday April 5th. Full details & booking here
• 'Painting at the Flower Farm' workshops with Mary-Clare McCulloch. Full details & booking here
• Maybe I'm a bad influence BUT I saw this offer code from David Austin Roses - use code EYA at the checkout for a 15% discount on orders before 17th April. Other rose growers are out there, I don't get commission, just thought I should share in case you possibly need more roses.

   Well it’s a busy month in the garden for us all – do make the most of the dry, warmer days when they come.

  And keep a look out for the new season’s flowers as they appear – so many of the Spring treasures are tiny & delightful when they pop up aren’t they? After the ‘Bulb Lasagne’ workshop last Autumn I planted up a similar mix in an old bath tub by the gate – the first Crocus & Iris Reticulata started blooming this week. A lovely surprise as I had totally forgotten what went in there!

Until next time, 
Rosie Gray
Galloway Flowers