September Newsletter from Galloway Flowers

​  With Summer officially over, I feel extra lucky the coming week brings the warmest, sunniest days we've enjoyed here for a while! Very welcome it is too, especially as this is a busy 3 wedding week ahead for us.

  But Autumn feels close despite the sunshine. Abundant hedgerow Blackberries, Hips & Haws, laden Apple trees & already golden tips on the Bracken & Beech. The misty mornings have a distinct cool feel, with Swallows lining up on the wires. I know their time with us is nearly over for another year...

  And for us, there's a sense of relief the flower season is coming to a close. We've plenty of flowers of course, many such as the Roses are giving a second flush of flowers. The Sweet Peas didn't like the cool weather in August but are having a resurgence. And the Dahlias are pumping out blooms by the bucket.

  But it's no secret it's been a difficult year for growers. Beginning with heavy losses after hard winter weather, I started on the back foot. Unsure which plants might bounce back (many did) or if I should just take the hit & start from scratch. Most of our Grasses & many Agapanthus (previously Hardy for years) were lost & really missed in July & August. With hindsight, I should have replaced earlier, as only now are the grasses abundant. But I learn... every year is different.

  Weeds - what a year for them! Partly a generous application of farmhouse manure brought in seeds galore & they thrived in wet July weather. I must get on top of them this month if possible to stop the seeding. What is it they say about 'One years seeding & Seven years weeding'? And some I suspect...

  While still fresh in my mind, I'm reflecting on the successes this year, in our growing conditions. Some flowers were popular with Customers, always remarked on, so I'll grow more. Others rarely were noticed or weren't productive so probably not be grown again. I've started ordering seeds & bulbs for next year so important to do this before I forget, seduced by the gorgeous photos in the catalogues.

  As the 2024 wedding calendar begins to fill, I note colours to grow more of - especially orange! Easy in some months (Spring Tulips for example, & August/September for Dahlias, Rudbeckia & Helenium) But June & July are going to require a bit more thought. So far I'm considering more Calendula, Alstroemeria, Geums & some more peachy/apricot Roses. Any of your orange favourites to suggest for those months?

  September is Mother Nature's time for sowing seed so I'm following her example. Both Perennials & Hardy Annuals can be sown this month, to form strong plants for a quick start in Springtime. Seed is expensive & I hate to say it, not always reliable! Several packets this year turned out not to be what had been promised. Very frustrating after nurturing in compost, giving space & time!

  So on dry days, I gather plenty of seed from our plants. I'll sow some into modules now & save the rest to sow in Spring. Lots of the easy ones such as Nigella, Calendula, Cerinthe, Viola & Ammi are worth trying. F1 Hybrid seed doesn't come 'true' but can still produce good flowers. I've been keeping Antirrhinum seeds for several years & while not the same pink as I started with, produce pretty stems at a very reasonable price! 

  As the fresh flower season begins to slow, Autumn bounty beckons. I've been steadily cutting & drying spare flowers so there's a wide variety to mix together for Autumn wreaths, bouquets etc.

• A 'Make A Dried Flower Wreath' workshop has been scheduled for Sunday 8th October & can be booked online
• My stash of dried flowers is being bunched up ready for sale. At the Farmers Market in Kirkcudbright last week these just flew out of the buckets! Similar wraps of mixed flowers will be sold through our website later this month & the Glenkens Food Hub (next order date opens on Friday 8th September for delivery on Friday 15th.) The Glenkens Food Hub delivers to  collection points in Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Gatehouse, Moniaive, Low Auldgirth, Dalry & Kirkcudbright
• We've 3 dried Flower weddings booked for this Autumn too. Message me if you would like a dried flower wedding!

  And as the Schools are back now, I'll risk mentioning Christmas. 'Make A Christmas Wreath' workshops are scheduled for the following dates;

• Friday 24th November 10.30am
• Saturday 25th November 2pm
• Sunday 26th November 2pm
• Saturday 2nd December 2pm
• Sunday 3rd December 10.30am

 The workshops will be here at the Flower Farm with a maximum of 4 attending. Booking Online here https://www.gallowayflowers.co.uk/christmaswreathworkshops-dumfries-galloway.html

  On a beautiful day like this it seems unimaginable that meteorological Summer has gone. The earliest frost I've experienced here was on September 13th. So after this busy wedding week, I'll be clearing the greenhouses ready to bring in tender plants. The horticultural fleece is on standby to protect my Dahlias. I find that if I can protect Dahlias through the first cold shock, usually warm weather returns & I can cut flowers for several more weeks. Here's hoping this year follows the pattern.

 Looking Ahead...

• 'Friday Flowers' & Regular Flower Subscription deliveries continue - order online or by telephone 01644 420407 for bouquets full of fresh, locally grown flowers. As our flowers slow, I'll bring flowers from growers further South - always 100% British, all year round. To do this, please give as much advance notice as you can to ensure flowers are available for those upcoming birthdays, anniversaries etc.
• The next 'Cut Flowers from Your Garden' workshop is on Sunday 14th April 2024
• 'Make A Dried Flower Wreath' is on Sunday 8th October
• Christmas Workshops booking open now

Jobs for September;

• Sow Hardy Annual seeds this week for an early start next year. Cornflowers, Ammi, Calendula & Nigella are my early season 'must have's'. All are easy, producing plenty of stems & worth growing  
• If you grow Dahlias & other tender plants, get the horticultural fleece ready, in case of an early frost
• Hyacinths for Christmas flowers need planting by about 25th of this month. My Blog post on how to grow bulbs in water is here Be sure to buy 'Prepared' bulbs or they'll not flower on time

For now, I'm hoping for a glorious 'Indian Summer' - just what's needed for working in the garden. Thinking ahead, I might just gather a few more grasses, leaves & cones to dry for wreaths though...

Until next time, 
Rosie Gray
Galloway Flowers

And the last word this month?
'All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today;
Indian Proverb