Month: August 2026

Now the Calendar says August…

It says August on the calendar, August 15th to be precise, but I swear it feels like mid September. Coolish days, low humidity and nighttime temperatures? Seriously? Low 50’s top high 40’s! Not that I am complaining one bit, but it does get me thinking about what is in our future weather-wise.

The flowers aren’t complaining. They are looking fantastic. I am noticing the marigolds are starting to liking these night temperatures and the dewey mornings, they are starting to go off, at least the foliage is, but who needs the foliage once the flower is cut, most of it is taken off anyway, so now all of it is removed. As long as the flowers look good I say.

The dahlias are coming in quite nicely. I’m not harvesting bucketfuls yet, but there are plenty to go around for everyone to have their share.

One of my flower people and I were talking the other day about how the colors are changing, we are now going into the jewel tones in the flower world, so I mentioned the 24 Japanese seasons. In a quick synopsis: the Japanese recognize 24 seasons, each about 15 days long noting subtle changes in the weather and agriculture.

I, as a flower farmer, notice it in what flowers are coming in and out of season. I am sure you remembers me saying that the iris are ready, and will be gone soon, or the roses are in season, but will be gone soon. The changes are very small, but if you spend enough time in the gardens, or at the flower shed you will also see it by what I have available. Some are short lived seasons, some are longer but they all have their season. And that is what makes locally grown flowers so magnificent because the truly speak of the season and of the time.

If you were to compare an arrangement from say May, to now, the container and mechanics are the same, but the flowers are completely different.

The May photo is not the one I wanted, but you get the gist. Every 15 day season is different. If I was to do another photo at the end of the month, you will see how different it would be.

But, I did take a lot of photos of Fridays arrangement, from all angles…

Sadie is telling me it’s time to do chores so she can have dinner so I will pass this off to Steve.

Until next week, Allie. I dream of flowers, do you?

The Days of August…

To be honest, I am starting to feel a little weary. August does that. It could be last week’s heat and humidity that slammed me, or just August. I’m certainly not bored, just weary. The gardens aren’t weary though. They are still going strong, as they should be.

Speaking of dahlias….they are on their way to your homes…

I didn’t note the variety names when I took the photos, but here they come!

Speaking of coming…I received notification from UPS that the 60 iris (10 of six varieties) that I ordered will be delivered tomorrow. No, I am not ready for them, but I will put them in the cooler for a week or two until I am. I am in the throes of ripping out plants that are not earning their space, grouping things together, moving things completely because of the voles… you know how it goes. Gardens are not static.

Rain, it is always a topic here. How much did we get this week? How dry is it? and so forth, I thought I would give you last Thursday’s drought map.

As you might remember, Steve and I are off to Austin TX for a whiskey class so the flower shed will be CLOSED on Tuesday. I will not be taking my laptop with me so I will not be able to send out a reminder that we will be closed. We WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAY though, but again, I won’t be able to send a reminder unless I send it out at 11:00 Thursday night. That will depend on my energy level. I will try to post something on Instagram but no promise.

Until next week, Allie. I dream of flowers do you?

Welcome August! Week 32

So here we are in August, the thick of summer for this flower farmer, and the flowers are coming in thick as well! Just check these out.

My flowers over-floweth! My most exciting news is I pick my first dahlia on Friday! I have a fair few buds coming on so I would say by the middle of August there will be many dahlias to be had. I am enjoying the first one. Miss Brandy I think she is. Don’t worry, you will be getting some soon.

During last week’s very beneficial rain I finished cleaning out the tunnel, making way for the chrysanthemum crates. You know my goal was to get the crates in by Aug 1 and I know its hard to believe but I accomplished that feat. Crates go in, checked for slugs, re-did the irrigation, or should I say replaced the irrigation but it is all set and they are looking good, I think. They need a feed but I can do that this week. I was also able to harvest a few handfuls of flowers which was a bit of a gift.

Now that they are in place I can put the netting back over them so the stems stay straight. I also need to and another layer of netting on the mums in the field, they are growing so fast. I haven’t checked for flower buds yet, but with the days getting shorter the flower bud initiation should be happening shortly.

Last night I ordered the last of the woodies that I want to grow here at the farm. I know, I know but really these are the last. I have no more space unless, like Steve and many of you say, I open up more space, but no. This is it for the woodies. Eight smoke bush quart pots, two varieties, a pink bloom and a red bloom, not that I am growing them for the blooms, more the foliage but I am very excited to add them.

Now I just need to top up my perennials, replacing some that the stink’n voles have eaten, and yes they are going in a different spot and I am pulling some out that are not good sellers and replacing them with what I hopefully think will be.

My biggest news, well, to me anyway is I finished broadforking the aisles between the peonies. Was that a job. Tomorrow getting the buckwheat down and work on getting the perennial rows sorted out before the new perennials, that I haven’t ordered yet by the way, arrive.

I am making note for you, but the week of August 10-13 the flower shed will be closed. I could possibly be open on Friday the 14th? but we don’t return form Austin until late Thursday night so I just don’t know. I will remind you for sure, but just starting to let you know now. All the more important to pay attention to the newsletter and instagram. Steve and I are getting away for a few days, learning about whiskey.

Speaking of Steve, I am going to pass this off to him for his editing and prologue, and I am going to hook up the water.

So until next week, Allie. I dream of flowers, do you?