tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881875386357389132024-03-15T18:10:15.388-07:00deborah jean's DANDELION HOUSE and GARDEN Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.comBlogger767125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-33085899334277841562018-01-03T11:59:00.000-08:002018-01-03T11:59:53.694-08:00Magical Milestones of 2017 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Brand New Year, friends! The year is so very young and I'm feeling somewhat tentative and excited all at the same time for everything that's to come in 2018. I've been working on my book, (as <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2017/01/fearless-flower-farming-plans-goals-and.html#gpluscomments">mentioned in my New Year's post in 2017</a>) but I'm not as far along as I'd like to be.</div>
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I took off down a few new and unexpected rabbit holes this year and that put me a wee bit behind but these cold, dark days will be perfect to keep me grounded enough to finish in 2018. I'll be posting on Facebook and Instagram along the way to get you all primed and ready for the release date! </div>
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I'm happy to report that I did indeed stand by my 2017 touchstone word <a href="http://I'm happy to report that I did indeed stand by my touchstone word ( Fearless) in all of 2017 ">( Fearless)</a> and because of that it was a year filled with many magical milestones. I kept my promise to get out from behind the flowers and make some in the flesh connections last year and boy did I! </div>
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None of which I would have accomplished without the help of my sweet hubby. He's always behind me in everything I do. When I panic, he's my rock. When I'm overwhelmed, he picks up the pieces, and when I DREAM BIG, he digs in with me to make it all happen. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the man behind my dreams and the camera.</td></tr>
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The flowers led us to wonderful places<i> and </i>people last year! </div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">EVENTS.... EVENTS.... EVENTS.... EVENTS.... EVENTS.... EVENTS.... EVENTS.... </span></div>
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In March <i>and</i> November, I organized and co-hosted two gatherings for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Farmer </a>Florist Connection. A Facebook group I founded for flower farmers and florists in the New England Region. Both gatherings were filled with energy and passion. Flower Farmers and Florists gathered to network and collaborate to grow the <a href="http://slowflowers.com/">slow flowers </a>movement here in New England. </div>
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You can read about both amazing days, <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2017/03/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/13525">here</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debra Prinzing, Semia Dunne, Me, and Monica Tavaras</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">COMMUNITY.... COMMUNITY..... COMMUNITY...... COMMUNITY..... COMMUNITY.... </span></div>
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I am a proud member of these Sustainable Flower Organizations</div>
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<a href="http://slowflowers.com/listing/dandelion-house-flower-farm.html">Slow Flowers Directory </a></div>
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<a href="https://members.ascfg.org/">Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers </a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Floral Exchange attendees at <a href="https://www.flowersbysemia.com/">Flowers by Semia,</a> Studio. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"> SPEAKING....SPEAKING.... SPEAKING.... SPEAKING.... SPEAKING.... SPEAKING.... </span></div>
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April brought more fun challenges and new experiences. My husband and I were invited by a dear friend of ours to speak at a Woman's Club Meeting about Creative Living. Neither of us had ever done something like that so it was fun to work on it together. It was a 35 minute talk with some Q and A time at the end. I'm not gonna lie. I was TERRIFIED before the talk, but once we got inside the room and started talking to all the nice people my nerves took a back seat and we just had a good time talking about creativity of all kinds, including growing and designing with flowers of course. Phew. I was relived and elated when it was over!</div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">TEACHING ...TEACHING.... TEACHING.... TEACHING.... TEACHING..... TEACHING....</span><br />
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In June I hosted a floral workshop on my backyard flower farm for a group of the sweetest retired ladies. This event was organized by my friend, author, speaker and gardener, Betsy Williams. This time our son was behind the camera while I talked with the attendees and my hubby was on yard detail making sure it was all perfect for the ladies, and me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV8iPTT_GaEVeL8dT8I-jrdRS7IXpRw4ZWVgMB9p0HGt5MK6vBfMC50q6u82cMqbzTB2offtUquiWli914OGIrBCSK0F-3w20Oo12wBNgTNpjzAz_ez0u2sFY8grQYZWl_3UNs1WLHg/s1600/20882004_1537918809564605_6372084308286589880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV8iPTT_GaEVeL8dT8I-jrdRS7IXpRw4ZWVgMB9p0HGt5MK6vBfMC50q6u82cMqbzTB2offtUquiWli914OGIrBCSK0F-3w20Oo12wBNgTNpjzAz_ez0u2sFY8grQYZWl_3UNs1WLHg/s640/20882004_1537918809564605_6372084308286589880_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I wrote a blog about how to host a Garden to Vase workshop of your own, <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/host-garden-to-vase-floral-workshop.html">here</a>. And, I'm planning more for 2018! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZJc1iDUZK258vynaWUeFBy37fxe8mczADYzuwk1iSYfbcfwfZLmGrY1woA7Kx_NcK5LaB9AQeHaBHV6eG778fh323s5wvRUKLBkSqDS268HiM3aDGxivAq68xbOHNVlSOxTNtvD6Xg/s1600/2017-08-15+12.50.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZJc1iDUZK258vynaWUeFBy37fxe8mczADYzuwk1iSYfbcfwfZLmGrY1woA7Kx_NcK5LaB9AQeHaBHV6eG778fh323s5wvRUKLBkSqDS268HiM3aDGxivAq68xbOHNVlSOxTNtvD6Xg/s640/2017-08-15+12.50.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"> FLOWERING... FLOWERING... FLOWERING.... FLOWERING.... FLOWERING.... FLOWER</span></div>
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July and August kept me busy in the cutting gardens and making arrangements for luncheons, charity events. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball Jar Bouquets</td></tr>
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My ball jar bouquets graced the tables of several luncheons and events this summer. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">IN THE PRESS.... IN THE PRESS.... IN THE PRESS.... IN THE PRESS.... IN THE PRESS...IN </span></div>
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Dandelion House Garden was featured in the <i>Country Cottage</i> Issue of the <a href="http://www.hoffmanmediastore.com/the-cottage-journal-country-cottage-2017.html">Cottage Journal Magazine </a>this summer. It was our second time being featured in this wonderful magazine and it was just so exciting! Maybe you saw us!? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34KCt2wyvTbTUTEMWeryLm-xlMuIM64vNOzLI4A_ecDWVcaveB2lGDmwz6RSwgRsw-B8Xp_5nfmnAX3ZsSTZF3YuyMN7PYV2QpLnnRMGgj4NDvSEL4-toliw6BfaqxCSeNQ24LjhABA/s1600/CJS-sip4-CountryCottage2-s-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34KCt2wyvTbTUTEMWeryLm-xlMuIM64vNOzLI4A_ecDWVcaveB2lGDmwz6RSwgRsw-B8Xp_5nfmnAX3ZsSTZF3YuyMN7PYV2QpLnnRMGgj4NDvSEL4-toliw6BfaqxCSeNQ24LjhABA/s1600/CJS-sip4-CountryCottage2-s-225x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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We were also featured in Johnny's Seeds " Fifth Season Floral Design Elements" newsletter article <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/slow-flowers-fifth-season-regional-design-elements.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LFBuGHmsYd46anyhNfnVlANGqzHKgr_Q43VJngzjK_KMUEGTsaWAiOwy2SBReSeOOSxmWsooK1BM7MPguwlkPfwB6Imx7JvWI9usTF8nCyTZlD96wQcAPBnurAGfKzMLo3PwsWO7Og/s1600/2016-10-027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LFBuGHmsYd46anyhNfnVlANGqzHKgr_Q43VJngzjK_KMUEGTsaWAiOwy2SBReSeOOSxmWsooK1BM7MPguwlkPfwB6Imx7JvWI9usTF8nCyTZlD96wQcAPBnurAGfKzMLo3PwsWO7Og/s320/2016-10-027.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">WEDDINGS... WEDDINGS... WEDDINGS... WEDDINGS... WEDDINGS.... WEDDINGS.... WED</span></div>
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Photography Credit: @liztracyphotography</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Glam ( November )</td></tr>
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I had the honor of flowering two beautiful fall weddings in 2017. I can't express in words what it feels like to be apart of these special milestones, but I can say that I simply love every part of creating beautiful designs for weddings and events. I'm so excited for more opportunities in 2018 that I created a <a href="https://www.dandelionhousefloral.com/">website</a> just for weddings and events. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9JvPSd9G_evbhhmf7KxgM1z6viu7_gEJG52IAxsWL_hBYlIfBK0Dvw9qGDvhY9qwrjfkgmOFIacCbPjoHtL2rH4vsRMBJ45_4qgFTbtB6U2CjMvThOybqaJ8ZiwJ4q6d-cSebk1ORw/s1600/IMG_9265+Mike+and+Meaghan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9JvPSd9G_evbhhmf7KxgM1z6viu7_gEJG52IAxsWL_hBYlIfBK0Dvw9qGDvhY9qwrjfkgmOFIacCbPjoHtL2rH4vsRMBJ45_4qgFTbtB6U2CjMvThOybqaJ8ZiwJ4q6d-cSebk1ORw/s1600/IMG_9265+Mike+and+Meaghan.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Look " Old World meets Vintage Romance" Red Lion Inn, Cohassett, MA. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Photography Credit: @theshannongrant</div>
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I will stay true to sourcing local material from my own cut flower gardens, and other local flower farmers in season. And when the gardens are sleeping here in New England, I'll buy beautiful American Grown product and Dutch Blooms for my floral work. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My helpful guy's.</td></tr>
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We managed to get away to the beach this summer for some much needed R and R and to celebrate my hubby's 60th birthday. Well, 60 is the new 40, right? That's what I keep telling him so he'll keep up with me! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC9yaLsKVp9x9T0Y7HoDXf4rmO9cRNTRm8V_We-i7arvkgpsuvPvwINYPxa4R2dESw-gzJepk1V3w6G5pqvxKeXvFF2SbcFAJouYTrfMD1jmAuX7zhXDnBiies9TbwtJfV8jA4MmJOg/s1600/18952695_1474332389256581_8231195508076347372_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC9yaLsKVp9x9T0Y7HoDXf4rmO9cRNTRm8V_We-i7arvkgpsuvPvwINYPxa4R2dESw-gzJepk1V3w6G5pqvxKeXvFF2SbcFAJouYTrfMD1jmAuX7zhXDnBiies9TbwtJfV8jA4MmJOg/s640/18952695_1474332389256581_8231195508076347372_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My year of being " fearless" taught me to have faith and courage and to continue on this path laden with beautiful flowers and lovely people. So, I declare COURAGE my touchstone word for 2018! </div>
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The skies the limit! </div>
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Have you chosen yours yet? </div>
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Blessings in the coming year from all of us at Dandelion House. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Deb ( and Boz )</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-81597072531164734982017-09-26T07:49:00.000-07:002017-09-26T07:49:26.022-07:00 Dahlia Season is Here! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdPejEgp7Sxap14UkDZjMMJe3hKkxfb5wTAe7AeBEThh4uvE0nnaKSg63G9eu7tSYBr2hMgNKj6loBpT-X__HhqZ0WE15hPZ4N0GkhVj4Kfe47tNxtdLm9S6kBDgt4m1osKoaiNhHUQ/s1600/2017-09-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1141" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdPejEgp7Sxap14UkDZjMMJe3hKkxfb5wTAe7AeBEThh4uvE0nnaKSg63G9eu7tSYBr2hMgNKj6loBpT-X__HhqZ0WE15hPZ4N0GkhVj4Kfe47tNxtdLm9S6kBDgt4m1osKoaiNhHUQ/s640/2017-09-024.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Dawn and Semi-Cactus Dahlia ( Magic Moment)</td></tr>
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Happy Fall Ya''ll! As we transition from late summer to autumn my heart is happy. Dahlias season is here ( FINALLY). At the same time, my heart is also heavy for those who have been effected by the recent hurricanes in the south and the Caribbean. I pray they will get the supplies, relief and care that is needed to rebuild their communities, and ultimately their lives. The human spirit always prevails in times like these and it does my heart good to see all the outreach that is happening for those who are suffering such great losses right now. </div>
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Because of these storms, many florists have had to scurry to find flowers for weddings and events due orders from wholesalers being cancelled. The upside is that more florists are reaching out to their local flower farmer to source flowers and making new connections for the future. I've been able to personally help a few florists out this past week and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Farmer Florist </a>Connection Facebook group has been great for helping florists in the network find flowers in a pinch. </div>
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Here in coastal New England, we have been on a tropical storm warning for several days from hurricane Maria. We've had high surf and minimal beach erosion and not much flooding. Compared to the destruction that has happened elsewhere, it's hardly worth mentioning, but it has had an effect on the dahlias. Just when peak bloom time hit, the rain and wind arrived too! Gr. </div>
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I've been harvesting like mad to save them! I have some </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9oOSL0gReb28ZeLFU0veXA69vlA2sZqlPNQYFSbA6kxLs-z3_mlF73b3xDjYgj57JQ7ZeyhT18OlrvOZV5KxqXhsUxrwFd927A2FwAVAdgV6ucHqwsTQXFvCHtKLb9rmRFLEgmC2Uw/s1600/21686153_1569485763074576_6045013410620368433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9oOSL0gReb28ZeLFU0veXA69vlA2sZqlPNQYFSbA6kxLs-z3_mlF73b3xDjYgj57JQ7ZeyhT18OlrvOZV5KxqXhsUxrwFd927A2FwAVAdgV6ucHqwsTQXFvCHtKLb9rmRFLEgmC2Uw/s640/21686153_1569485763074576_6045013410620368433_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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new varieties to share with you that are perfect for cutting and floral design. </div>
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Let me introduce you to American Dawn. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQso0QoLsT4zD3a5sZWEzRlSoAokPRDrJ68_UnrNcKa4390joS6IUVnuftgIvPNLCu-AIMc-mXR-ViZ014vLKUzGzjWWQQP_-Cr5LUXeY1qPu9lx9EJm65PfsUwPmWvAsgSqCdbuP8kQ/s1600/2017-09-14+17.46.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQso0QoLsT4zD3a5sZWEzRlSoAokPRDrJ68_UnrNcKa4390joS6IUVnuftgIvPNLCu-AIMc-mXR-ViZ014vLKUzGzjWWQQP_-Cr5LUXeY1qPu9lx9EJm65PfsUwPmWvAsgSqCdbuP8kQ/s640/2017-09-14+17.46.58.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Dawn </td></tr>
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She's the most beautiful shade of soft coral with pink and purple undertones, making her a lovely companion to deep purples, light pink, yellow and deep burgundy reds too. She's no wall flower either. She throws out blooms right and left. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxDA0fyeoRxr1kyE7K0UgXnO6Qk3UNR8y-cYPTfCqZCpK56LJngfsk48oCmo9bqOrK0kYTNxvfTLnIBwJG0NrZ_KhRRwshQj1lNToylNnOdjuLHbigO_4mwMiXh9jv34RcWPu47ZhvA/s1600/2017-09-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxDA0fyeoRxr1kyE7K0UgXnO6Qk3UNR8y-cYPTfCqZCpK56LJngfsk48oCmo9bqOrK0kYTNxvfTLnIBwJG0NrZ_KhRRwshQj1lNToylNnOdjuLHbigO_4mwMiXh9jv34RcWPu47ZhvA/s640/2017-09-015.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
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I found last year that I didn't have enough yellow in the garden for cut flowers.To me, there's nothing that says summer more than a big yellow flower in a bouquet. Sunflowers are a natural, but they only bloom once and in a small scale growing situation I've learned it's just not a wise use of space when you're going for maximum blooms. </div>
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Dahlias are very giving sending out bloom after bloom until the first frost. If you're growing for weddings or selling to floral designers, you may not sell out of a bright yellow but this little lady is great in arrangements and farmers market mixes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTotpzphocUaAJhZBOIrmvO06qWkbQ2X3cYutB5aRyfYO2137o6dagkBiTt9XpgCkzgwO6NkkFOwC61cGRZM-SzDnmVd-U_S5Im7V_NUo8dJ8J0SVhqOPiNZW_f2s9SV_C73G_G0JcQ/s1600/2017-09-14+17.45.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTotpzphocUaAJhZBOIrmvO06qWkbQ2X3cYutB5aRyfYO2137o6dagkBiTt9XpgCkzgwO6NkkFOwC61cGRZM-SzDnmVd-U_S5Im7V_NUo8dJ8J0SVhqOPiNZW_f2s9SV_C73G_G0JcQ/s640/2017-09-14+17.45.33.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Sun </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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American Sun has long and strong stems making her ideal for cut flowers. I'm kind of in love with this pink and yellow theme. Yellow is like the sun. It makes everything near it shine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vPjx5X6bbDdzwMx0fZN67MaKneyfU_BcDdRlylIViSNHYuqo-GID8KVEZuj5ZbH-svPXzxisaSNRAOKQptF75pbF3DeUScMw8nZV6Ojw82Qh8qEhfqLK9n1OVOtzncYcE56ePj1xrg/s1600/2017-09-018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vPjx5X6bbDdzwMx0fZN67MaKneyfU_BcDdRlylIViSNHYuqo-GID8KVEZuj5ZbH-svPXzxisaSNRAOKQptF75pbF3DeUScMw8nZV6Ojw82Qh8qEhfqLK9n1OVOtzncYcE56ePj1xrg/s640/2017-09-018.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Boom Boom Red ( below ) is the perkiest little pom pom dahlia ever! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC8fus17aORjbnE7a1opKMoEJAqXQ5OgohwuNvEL58wduh4yqxYzlYqVN7_vvGTX0zN92SefaA-hFSxvkZIRsTWIoigIgFCZ1Nxmf1LRv3Ic0MzyG5RVH0KnCQEIwDg-utwoeMI3LMQ/s1600/2017-09-14+17.31.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC8fus17aORjbnE7a1opKMoEJAqXQ5OgohwuNvEL58wduh4yqxYzlYqVN7_vvGTX0zN92SefaA-hFSxvkZIRsTWIoigIgFCZ1Nxmf1LRv3Ic0MzyG5RVH0KnCQEIwDg-utwoeMI3LMQ/s640/2017-09-14+17.31.27.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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She just fires out blooms left and right. I can hardly keep up with it! </div>
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If I was growing on a larger scale I would definitely include this one. It comes in yellow as well. While red and yellow aren't currently popular wedding colors, the long stems and mid-sized blooms make this variety ideal for market bouquets or event work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gN425m7PVamxXH9a_0uPYP0O4Xqu51qDz5gmtI9PBndF7i96N1gpZ6b-sABd7SmkxZF6AlQWw1qlTZxgM4f968t0960fgg5DqSi4T24xv0AZZfXVkmC21yLC2IXPM1fsBHmiH3pn1g/s1600/2017-09-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gN425m7PVamxXH9a_0uPYP0O4Xqu51qDz5gmtI9PBndF7i96N1gpZ6b-sABd7SmkxZF6AlQWw1qlTZxgM4f968t0960fgg5DqSi4T24xv0AZZfXVkmC21yLC2IXPM1fsBHmiH3pn1g/s640/2017-09-009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These easy ball jar bouquets went to a ladies fundraiser luncheon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EaKg4H8FjxaVRLLVMXrQzirozXimfCh1G1h-su49RYB-XWF7G6bspExygR3Pl-xEI6EtmnVZ2JD8FHIFt3X64tzwjJAALuRxE6qX8-7DC_CyY_d7m4wCxYC4FeoTqCI9dOncalXI7w/s1600/21752457_1563522783670874_3993672330880884138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EaKg4H8FjxaVRLLVMXrQzirozXimfCh1G1h-su49RYB-XWF7G6bspExygR3Pl-xEI6EtmnVZ2JD8FHIFt3X64tzwjJAALuRxE6qX8-7DC_CyY_d7m4wCxYC4FeoTqCI9dOncalXI7w/s640/21752457_1563522783670874_3993672330880884138_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Lastly, I created this mock bridal bouquet with white dinner plate dahlias ( Fleurel ), Magic Moment, Semi Cactus, Arabian Night ( burgundy) yellow lisianthus, white lisianthus, sedum joy, forsythia foliage and fern leaf pine scented geranium. Kinda made me want to say, I do all over again! </div>
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I hope you all enjoy this turn of the seasons. It's always bittersweet for me, but spring is only six months away and I'm already planning for next years cut flower gardens.</div>
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Stay tuned for my next posting. We have some fun things in the works for Farmer~ Florists here in New England! </div>
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Love,</div>
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Deb </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-12585589769831003852017-08-22T17:17:00.001-07:002017-08-23T19:26:32.550-07:00 Host A Garden-to-Vase Floral Workshop With Seasonal Flowers <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you ever dreamt of hosting a garden-to-vase floral workshop in your own backyard? It's something I've had on my goals list for a while now and it finally happened last Tuesday right here at Dandelion House! I'm so excited to share the day with you and give you some tips on how you can host your own. </div>
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I was fortunate to have some help with promoting my event from <a href="http://betsywilliams.com/classes/">Betsy Williams</a>, author, garden writer, teacher and speaker. We met at the <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2017/03/new-england-farm-and-floral-spring-meet.html">New England Farm and Floral Meet and Greet</a> in March. Betsy was so inspired by all the energy around the slow flowers moment that she reached out to me afterwords to see if I'd be interested in hosting a garden tour and floral workshop for a group trip made up of gardeners, floral designers and other creative gals from a retirement community. I jumped at the chance to make it happen and Betsy took care of sign-ups and collecting monies from the retirement community coordinator. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Micayla and Ben at Bramhall's Country Store in Plymouth, MA. </td></tr>
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My zinnias weren't quite ready for harvesting on the day of the workshop so I purchased some from a local flower farmer at <a href="http://www.bramhallscountrystore.com/#home-section">Bramhall's</a> Country Store in Plymouth. Ben and Micayla are in their first year flower farming and very excited to grow things they can turn into food to sell at their farm stand. Their zinnias stole the show at my workshop giving us just the pop of summer color we needed. </div>
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Before the workshop I gave a short walking tour of the gardens and cut flower raised beds and answered questions. Then we took a short break for some cool lemonade before getting busy at the table.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3efEydcxLU6yvRuYD-dP0QRikaOPb26wC07pJm0qvh0lieeYRQvmJ-jlwNmOz4bo5wHqMK-Bw9X1EWRGNz1BocPMaFGQxtVfnVM6uzVOEKcOVnpuh7LCU1stjpsRS5Ubl0Xe6RUZCYA/s1600/2017-08-15+12.50.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3efEydcxLU6yvRuYD-dP0QRikaOPb26wC07pJm0qvh0lieeYRQvmJ-jlwNmOz4bo5wHqMK-Bw9X1EWRGNz1BocPMaFGQxtVfnVM6uzVOEKcOVnpuh7LCU1stjpsRS5Ubl0Xe6RUZCYA/s640/2017-08-15+12.50.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first class. They were first class ladies! </td></tr>
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We limited the number of participants to 10 and that was a good number. With Betsy's help we were both able to assist the ladies during the design process. I honestly can't say that I instructed them all that much. I prepared a flower bar of flowers for them to choose from and they just dove in and had fun. I labeled the buckets and jars with the flowers name on it with post it notes for reference. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeVObaMQLmvrBF-at7sDP4fyUIyUQLzR6kkLVsupiRL586xb67zF395S_ky0k9Ru3M-vaQiqaJkZSFXRrdUpGRM9xEYzBDh4mfe_kUb-c7XoXp1WdlPCq8qOJl-eJ0lblHg_8rVgJEg/s1600/20914622_1537918786231274_2111151945331830148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeVObaMQLmvrBF-at7sDP4fyUIyUQLzR6kkLVsupiRL586xb67zF395S_ky0k9Ru3M-vaQiqaJkZSFXRrdUpGRM9xEYzBDh4mfe_kUb-c7XoXp1WdlPCq8qOJl-eJ0lblHg_8rVgJEg/s640/20914622_1537918786231274_2111151945331830148_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My new flower cart came in handy for holding extra jars, buckets, flowers and greenery. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEdWacxShS47_725t_9q6IP2gtn8Q_3CHwuomrUOVLBkYzbYryZYL3tztN-V50VE58JPPFqCuJTX_oOmteU3qu9VYPv8jrS_-VY2gRJXhI-mWdYup6HFNu0n9BHznGxZ4KcBwD_jWcQ/s1600/20882004_1537918809564605_6372084308286589880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEdWacxShS47_725t_9q6IP2gtn8Q_3CHwuomrUOVLBkYzbYryZYL3tztN-V50VE58JPPFqCuJTX_oOmteU3qu9VYPv8jrS_-VY2gRJXhI-mWdYup6HFNu0n9BHznGxZ4KcBwD_jWcQ/s640/20882004_1537918809564605_6372084308286589880_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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These ladies came with energy, smiles and were ready to create! </div>
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They really inspired me. Some day, I'll be this age too. I can only hope I'll be as gracious, wise and FUN as they are. We only had a short hour and a half together. I wished we could have had more time to sit down and visit. I would have loved to hear their life stories. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bimk3tJJnCc_oQQz4BqqzdQCmoShWjwcYjL3sNdSxRfm6G-C-bxJQEG9tkYUuPzGbVioFtuoSaJjMtzeWLX-nVpuMv896LJjsANcPyGsVoJoYXqC8RQrqJsaGLY4cP3-07l_8ugG8A/s1600/20882250_1537918759564610_7312005057854732353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bimk3tJJnCc_oQQz4BqqzdQCmoShWjwcYjL3sNdSxRfm6G-C-bxJQEG9tkYUuPzGbVioFtuoSaJjMtzeWLX-nVpuMv896LJjsANcPyGsVoJoYXqC8RQrqJsaGLY4cP3-07l_8ugG8A/s640/20882250_1537918759564610_7312005057854732353_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here are a couple more bouquets from the workshop. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQGMfKf68OQWhOHvb22GqYVMP6jiVLvCK2YD2MtL2FgSV134Go-0hEfwpxAyIDSBkZuOUc_0fEQTOLCoJPayinWqCqQn4NcEZb-_r9WFqcluveqwMb1sizDJXWLG3mLvO5bIKBZQrKw/s1600/2017-08-018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQGMfKf68OQWhOHvb22GqYVMP6jiVLvCK2YD2MtL2FgSV134Go-0hEfwpxAyIDSBkZuOUc_0fEQTOLCoJPayinWqCqQn4NcEZb-_r9WFqcluveqwMb1sizDJXWLG3mLvO5bIKBZQrKw/s640/2017-08-018.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Betsy had the idea to have each person study their arrangement on a table set apart from the other bouquets to look for structure, balance, texture and color. This exercise helped the participants see if and where they wanted to make any changes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj049dpvb9-3Xp5e_73n9oabHr8OasijSFLZTyzzD-qUpkqeRAwVXlC8iI6ncwlKIpro-6gxqZLkAsqAw5l569ijPJTHQp713iBTaCPJmhduVjg9KwwlQEB7AM8_rtEIAVgs8KNNF8ByA/s1600/2017-08-016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj049dpvb9-3Xp5e_73n9oabHr8OasijSFLZTyzzD-qUpkqeRAwVXlC8iI6ncwlKIpro-6gxqZLkAsqAw5l569ijPJTHQp713iBTaCPJmhduVjg9KwwlQEB7AM8_rtEIAVgs8KNNF8ByA/s640/2017-08-016.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I think they did a beautiful job, don't you? </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Garden to Vase Floral Workshop Supplies</span></span> </div>
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<li>fresh local flowers ( from your own farm or garden or sourced locally if possible)</li>
<li>buckets ( plastic or galvanized )</li>
<li>vases ( I used wide mouth mason jars )</li>
<li>scissors ( medium sized ) </li>
<li>name tags </li>
<li>business cards</li>
<li>tables/benches</li>
<li>burlap runner </li>
<li>camera </li>
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I provided only locally grown seasonal flowers from the garden. Zinnias, black-eyed susan's, apple blossom snapdragons, lisianthus, sedum, hydrangea foliage, forsythia foliage. <br />
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I was able to find a large selection of colorful plastic buckets at the dollar store. I also picked up name tags, small scissors, plates, napkins and drinking cups. It's canning season and mason jars can be found at your local grocery store, feed store, or craft store. I chose mason jars because the ladies arrived on a bus and I needed something simple for them to carry home flowers in, but any type of vase would be fun at a floral workshop. You could use vintage pitchers, vases, tea pots, pewter, milk glass, etc.<br />
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I also purchased 9 feet of burlap for 4 dollars to cover the plywood tables we put over sawhorses. I say " we " because my husband and our son helped me with the set up and our son also took some of the great photos in this blog post! With a short event like this you don't need to go crazy with food. Offer something refreshing to drink like, citrus water, or lemonade and put out some cheese and crackers, grapes, and cookies. <br />
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The idea behind a garden to vase floral workshop is to have fun while educating your guests about the benefits of growing flowers and supporting local flower farms when ever possible. Once they step foot into your beautiful garden they'll never look at a grocery store bouquet the same way ever again! <br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=788187538635738913" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/Client%20Blog%20Design/Signatures/DandelionHouse-Sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-16413905751029964302017-08-17T07:49:00.002-07:002017-08-22T17:59:43.725-07:00I'm in Lisi Love ( Lisianthus) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVuY-N11L3RkLU2Ofql8eIduROCx9ms34zqpFrtfCzBE6FMW68mEYB1n11gYC50RMcdd174N3QeIlRUmitDUnGn0KImnXAL6PznbjRf1V7U8yUsOJAvHg-aXDanqau7Jw7raKHG6dKw/s1600/August+2017+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVuY-N11L3RkLU2Ofql8eIduROCx9ms34zqpFrtfCzBE6FMW68mEYB1n11gYC50RMcdd174N3QeIlRUmitDUnGn0KImnXAL6PznbjRf1V7U8yUsOJAvHg-aXDanqau7Jw7raKHG6dKw/s640/August+2017+232.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
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You know that feeling when you first fall in love? Yeah, it happens with flowers too. Oh yes. It's real. The REAL DEAL! I'm in Lisi love! I get all giddy and nervous inside with first season flowers. Every thing's a mystery and there's so much to learn when you trial a new flower. Anticipations and expectations are high in the beginning until the doubts set in. Will this new addition grow deep roots with my love and care or will it not? In other words, how will this relationship end? We only have a short time to get acquainted after all. We're either going to get on or, we're not. </div>
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I'd never tried growing Lisianthus because I always thought our coastal New England season was too short and I'm not set up for starting seeds properly so I did what every flower farming, love-sick Lisi lover does. I bought plugs. (<a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2017/07/july-in-jar.html"> wrote about it here</a>) and prayed they would take root and grow outside in my raised beds. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Rose Lisianthus with apple blossom snaps in the background.</td></tr>
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And they did just that! They are tricky little flowers though. They form buds that stay small and tight for a few weeks then it takes about another week for them to finally unfurl, but when they do it's heavenly. The Rose pink were the first to bloom. Stay tuned for white and pale yellow! </div>
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I was so anxious to design with them once they were fully opened but I didn't have much else blooming at the time except for the apple blossom snapdragons which couldn't have been more perfect with their creamy white and pale pink petals. They are the sweetest smelling flowers too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Blossom Snapdragons</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Bouquet Recipe: </b></span> Hydrangea foliage, early budding sedum, nine bark, deep burgundy dahlia, and dusty miller, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCq1JtJC9kxpKdg6SvQxKulxNG3n75joVFHvvBVzsm3FeSJMwOafB9RfrjcFNlb7UZWHUCwc8dhmo63gz0hP3Cb9-HdM-WV_cwS_tKDrUQM2nt7pPyw8GKOf8WEM-dQsMv2StRHd4mg/s1600/20597101_1980907258807292_55460534939157732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCq1JtJC9kxpKdg6SvQxKulxNG3n75joVFHvvBVzsm3FeSJMwOafB9RfrjcFNlb7UZWHUCwc8dhmo63gz0hP3Cb9-HdM-WV_cwS_tKDrUQM2nt7pPyw8GKOf8WEM-dQsMv2StRHd4mg/s640/20597101_1980907258807292_55460534939157732_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The greens off the pale pinks set my heart a thumping and the deep burgundy picks up on the deep red center of the Lisi which adds drama and elegance to the over all pallet. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5uvcIvj-2hpPk17Y9D3vnbJZlKF5vUr4T8rrDKJvuQViBrBQ1xPcm9K195yGcBnt4ptnMkHGVMFhErYHPgm7JlPh7JoA-S3KvmhjdSSEO6DfJASbjCWY5k1OIrAmGqZI-PLUIW-Zw/s1600/20525478_1980907298807288_1625564572355255643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5uvcIvj-2hpPk17Y9D3vnbJZlKF5vUr4T8rrDKJvuQViBrBQ1xPcm9K195yGcBnt4ptnMkHGVMFhErYHPgm7JlPh7JoA-S3KvmhjdSSEO6DfJASbjCWY5k1OIrAmGqZI-PLUIW-Zw/s640/20525478_1980907298807288_1625564572355255643_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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But don't let those delicate paper-thin petals fool you into thinking she's a delicate flower though. These beauties can take a light rain and still stay looking fresh. They get an A+ for vase life too.<br />
It was well over a week before they finally started to droop a little.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCifHAc6LH4SGhkqg8tFCrMPCOsTY0_KgSLD1ou4sOAmdgAtACLs-y3clkxjBfga4TGJkvwIEeZ7KiCEYFxCk-LRKvA8BhMidkX3GOKo4Wrr5ZXsj7NluD6aJ2vckfxsxlR96-HrMRKg/s1600/20620886_1980907282140623_982628107387033652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCifHAc6LH4SGhkqg8tFCrMPCOsTY0_KgSLD1ou4sOAmdgAtACLs-y3clkxjBfga4TGJkvwIEeZ7KiCEYFxCk-LRKvA8BhMidkX3GOKo4Wrr5ZXsj7NluD6aJ2vckfxsxlR96-HrMRKg/s640/20620886_1980907282140623_982628107387033652_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
We enjoyed them on the dining room table while they lasted. And I took a few mason jar arrangements into Crystal Lake Garden Shop where I <strike>work </strike>play part time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaf6jJGZX3SwuAEGx_vFEW1HWmr9P4sLWDfSg3Z0PEljgU9VwpBMX5Zfaoj2c-_tY4B9RfslzhVzgbTeviUngUPqiRVdXnp1u-o19nvdM-k997v2KK277ih-GgRFO3P_2OsShFw-ZWg/s1600/20663721_1531794596843693_7984682729634211013_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaf6jJGZX3SwuAEGx_vFEW1HWmr9P4sLWDfSg3Z0PEljgU9VwpBMX5Zfaoj2c-_tY4B9RfslzhVzgbTeviUngUPqiRVdXnp1u-o19nvdM-k997v2KK277ih-GgRFO3P_2OsShFw-ZWg/s640/20663721_1531794596843693_7984682729634211013_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I absolutely adore Lisi's even more than I thought I would. I can't wait to try some of the other shades and varieties next season. <br />
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Here's what I learned about my first season growing Lisianthus. <br />
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<b>Planting: </b> Lisi plugs can be planted very close together. I planted mine at 5 inches apart and I'll go even closer next season for more blooms and so they'll lean into each other as they get tall. Some varieties can get up to 28 inches. You can net them so they'll stay upright as well. It's a personal choice. Some flower farmers are huge fans of netting while others find it difficult to harvest around.<br />
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They are slow growers and bloomers. They like consistent watering especially during the early growth period right after planting. This helps them grow strong, tall stems that are great for cutting later. <br />
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<b> Designing:</b> Lisi's are very popular for weddings and make a great substitute for roses. They're all the rage for the garden fresh, organic flower styling that's trending today. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa2ua34h8FsNX_mlQv5CHw4W2VdYdS4CJElSU5_iixopYv6A1ed_wDbWgHWYi2PXdmk5fYmtxKtpt0ex-_Gz0j4CCPJe-SJQrgxrmLlSdeJkCMGHIvh_uLy40OnaQZe4z_Rs4OFyvfA/s1600/20663631_1531794606843692_4726515476602778820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa2ua34h8FsNX_mlQv5CHw4W2VdYdS4CJElSU5_iixopYv6A1ed_wDbWgHWYi2PXdmk5fYmtxKtpt0ex-_Gz0j4CCPJe-SJQrgxrmLlSdeJkCMGHIvh_uLy40OnaQZe4z_Rs4OFyvfA/s640/20663631_1531794606843692_4726515476602778820_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Over all they are slow but fairly easy to grow and I had no issues with disease or pests. Weeds love to grow right near the flower stock so be careful when weeding that you don't pull the plug right out along with the weeds. I've also read that if you plant them out as early as April ( even in colder climates) you may enjoy a second flowering in September. I don't think I'll be that lucky this season as I planted the first week of June but, there's always next year! <br />
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I encourage flower growers of all levels to try Lisianthus. <br />
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Visit Farmer Bailey <a href="https://farmerbailey.com/">Plugs</a> for a beautiful selection of Lisianthus for your farm or cutting garden. Order early for best selection and I bet you'll fall in Lisi love too!<br />
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Stay tuned for my next post about my first floral workshop here at Dandelion House!<br />
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Put down some roots and BLOOM~<br />
Deb <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-10398684218935510692017-07-25T18:32:00.000-07:002017-07-27T10:14:31.930-07:00July in a Jar <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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How is July almost over already? July is my favorite month for flowering perennials and this month everyone is putting on a show. </div>
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This jar is filled with endless summer hydrangea, fire and ice hydrangea, day-lily's, cone flower and scented geranium.</div>
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The cut flower beds are lush and green and the dahlias, lisis and snap dragons are setting buds but it feels like it's taking forever for them to open up. I wonder if the 66 degree temperatures the last couple of days have anything to do with it? I mean, it is summer, right? </div>
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I planted a gazillion Amaranth seeds in one bed and they are doing quite well! I haven't decided it I'll thin them yet. Oh, I tucked some sunflowers in there too! They take up so much room on a bed of their own I figured I'd sew them in with something else. I'll keep you posted on how that experiment works out. </div>
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The lisianthus are almost ready to pop. I think they are anyway? You know what they say though, "A watched flower never blooms"... <br />
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I hope you're all enjoying some pretty blooms this summer and spending time with your loved ones.<br />
I'll be back soon with a farm update! I have a new flower cart on the way and some other exciting farm and floral news to share! Stay tuned!<br />
And if you're on Instagram follow me @dandelion_house for daily updates and news! <br />
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Love,<br />
Deb<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-29098251851920181142017-06-20T14:06:00.003-07:002017-06-20T14:13:24.116-07:00 Goodbye Soggy, Foggy Spring ( I hope )<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses, Knockout roses, sedum, lavender, winter berry shrubs and weeds. </td></tr>
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Howdy friends! As I titled this post I thought maybe I should call it the Dandelion House Quarterly, since that's the last time I posted. Forgive me? Spring, 2017 has got to be the soggiest, foggiest spring I can recall in all of my 16 years in Plymouth, MA. It's been a challenge to get everything in the ground around the cold temperatures and perpetual rain. </div>
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The top photo shows the sun shining, but it didn't last long. However, the perennial gardens are loving the cooler, misty weather we've been having. Me, not so much. May 31st is my cut off date for getting in the dahlia tubers and seeds. But, if it's too wet they can rot so I put it off another week and a half before finally planting them. It proceeded to rain for 4 of the following 7 days afterwards and it seemed like it took forever for green sprouts to pop up out of the soil. Now that I've gotten some planting done, I'm excited to share some progress, even if it's slow as molasses. My apologies for sounding like a whiny backyard flower farmer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1MqxbklCD1pxi89qrLAgky5Efw7H0gihxrfBClHh8o2DuRnmdeZJ-7X-2gmG95z9K31Q3zwa4RpAJHNodqpo_SiUgUgpfAT7YBGOSBcs62OFzVtCwC-36Na4b8xzIDO9Izq6vH0diQ/s1600/19275331_1482476851775468_4425950414814072804_n-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="627" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1MqxbklCD1pxi89qrLAgky5Efw7H0gihxrfBClHh8o2DuRnmdeZJ-7X-2gmG95z9K31Q3zwa4RpAJHNodqpo_SiUgUgpfAT7YBGOSBcs62OFzVtCwC-36Na4b8xzIDO9Izq6vH0diQ/s640/19275331_1482476851775468_4425950414814072804_n-002.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I planted 120 tubers all in one day. They are beginning to poke through in their own sweet time but one raised bed filled with Cafe Au Lait dahlias all broke through the soil at the same time and appear to be growing at the very same speed! It's like they choreographed it that way. Five, six, seven ,eight, and GROW! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7vM9PkaQC6dYp0I2L2NBW7b061cpjb5EJNb5MdxRNmpYBNXtUTnhcLeh544Pl8otaEvO_oFGaEpiqsU3Q7vMfcBtqEKuzF6mYhyphenhyphenB3RNpWsoEFjN0nhMOOhP5OwwfAlmRc4QuDsqxRw/s1600/2015-08-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1221" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7vM9PkaQC6dYp0I2L2NBW7b061cpjb5EJNb5MdxRNmpYBNXtUTnhcLeh544Pl8otaEvO_oFGaEpiqsU3Q7vMfcBtqEKuzF6mYhyphenhyphenB3RNpWsoEFjN0nhMOOhP5OwwfAlmRc4QuDsqxRw/s640/2015-08-017.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Au Lait's plays well with brighter flowers as well as similar pale tones. </td></tr>
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I also ordered in some new varieties of Chrysanthemums from Kings Mums. </div>
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this year. I like to space them a couple of feet apart. Once they're about 12 inches tall, I'll cut them back to encourage more growth and buds for late summer and early fall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr37RI3Bg3u0eAaTw4qKxFWHyIDPPP9CqNDnqNOLCahHOHBpO0335qIcuWqxzhTAQ5A8nuVwSK9POUC9deqAwUXLu2hlWJ-LzDaQbRC5j-UrvWkc3qaba7i5nRFHDowFSyZMFQhnKWA/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="741" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr37RI3Bg3u0eAaTw4qKxFWHyIDPPP9CqNDnqNOLCahHOHBpO0335qIcuWqxzhTAQ5A8nuVwSK9POUC9deqAwUXLu2hlWJ-LzDaQbRC5j-UrvWkc3qaba7i5nRFHDowFSyZMFQhnKWA/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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They come in as healthy plugs with at least 4- 5 inches of growth on them. You can specify your delivery date when you order so they arrive when it's safe to plant in your zone. </div>
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You
can order them in early and pot them up in small pots, then plant them
out after they harden off. </div>
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Or, you can throw them to the wolves like I do
and just plant them straight out into the garden after the danger of last frost. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUYJESosVkxAN0EyPFRdScA11ELrMmEWTl25UrScua1M6_KPzvkp2w-RoS6SFqTRlLdy7w-VgY9f-pcxpWF2m_uoBg6K4K4HmeeWrf46yOgR8MB51QOG8-jj6mv3EuaVRrYhqtpT5mw/s1600/19366483_1482476821775471_4212208217054259539_n-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUYJESosVkxAN0EyPFRdScA11ELrMmEWTl25UrScua1M6_KPzvkp2w-RoS6SFqTRlLdy7w-VgY9f-pcxpWF2m_uoBg6K4K4HmeeWrf46yOgR8MB51QOG8-jj6mv3EuaVRrYhqtpT5mw/s640/19366483_1482476821775471_4212208217054259539_n-001.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Most mums are October and November bloomers which I just love because they truly extend the growing season in a beautiful way. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgqn1RMTtU1V_XeTI9zHGBGn8CgfPvzsw0zKq84XPz17I8fjCm6zw7CAToDQNnPObg9fPYYszxOOEMJP2tj8gGwm6n-CTYrVn4f3jjOSmMt39gbOz5qHk2FcqexPSo4ISR6JO-BTVXQ/s1600/IMG_6295.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgqn1RMTtU1V_XeTI9zHGBGn8CgfPvzsw0zKq84XPz17I8fjCm6zw7CAToDQNnPObg9fPYYszxOOEMJP2tj8gGwm6n-CTYrVn4f3jjOSmMt39gbOz5qHk2FcqexPSo4ISR6JO-BTVXQ/s640/IMG_6295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Girl, Coral charm, Seton's J Dore, Seton's, Ashleigh. </td></tr>
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They don't look like much right now, but these cute little Apple Blossom Snapdragon plugs will be lovely in about 6 weeks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK28RFhbdeQVjCBrtpd7LwVaZgUAZCi5oFJapzVUTVBvYoi2k8cE5C_SSlE8yH9q9AQOITVl1MWj9wsMD69PbVVu5seNaGe6LZH1Lsa-WcdcIZHlFAZGlJSQ8YVsKcyYmHpAmy4UxTw/s1600/19275283_1482476888442131_4625284346602984742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK28RFhbdeQVjCBrtpd7LwVaZgUAZCi5oFJapzVUTVBvYoi2k8cE5C_SSlE8yH9q9AQOITVl1MWj9wsMD69PbVVu5seNaGe6LZH1Lsa-WcdcIZHlFAZGlJSQ8YVsKcyYmHpAmy4UxTw/s640/19275283_1482476888442131_4625284346602984742_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The same goes for the Lisianthus plugs below. I'm excited to see how it goes with them especially with the cool spring we've had. Fingers crossed! My friend, Monica of <a href="https://nantucketdaffodil.blogspot.com/">Prince Snow Farm </a>Blog and I shared a plug order from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/farmerbaileyplugs/">@farmerbaileyplugs. </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcb77qnLh2tm9WPrOPX8ENzlpfjlvYrc7HgTtM328ZGRNuS-x2Rs8cNG6eoLrYZFx2MqPW9ks5WfyWHvM6aqNttWlf7uoT_r_7OZ2t6kfjVzVQz6iW7c_r7cexxAceIlPLCoFITVyVA/s1600/Apple-Blossom-Snapdragon-fl911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcb77qnLh2tm9WPrOPX8ENzlpfjlvYrc7HgTtM328ZGRNuS-x2Rs8cNG6eoLrYZFx2MqPW9ks5WfyWHvM6aqNttWlf7uoT_r_7OZ2t6kfjVzVQz6iW7c_r7cexxAceIlPLCoFITVyVA/s400/Apple-Blossom-Snapdragon-fl911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/apple-blossom-snapdragon/">Rare Seeds </a>also sells seeds for Apple Blossom Snapdragons. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xwsd1ifzv3qGETAJj_BlhU0QdkncQqB3ccQXbyeP65B7lmQg7sMshYmZwNoOgYEzJXjswJcZcio6K0ijWqquNG4f3zeIHeKwGi_lVdkFOBWxPWnmWU9vuPuXOmNAbUbfjvOf-EkJ3A/s640/19396837_1482476891775464_1332949924047452229_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisianthis Seedlings.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVrqzADutCYhFHAn6xfiHij0MsWK2wN-7GB7-53Ho_45-Ke5MtTE6EWGl56Rs9TVwbmysFPACbow16AaM0BbgUSeynsGXlPwux6C9RhfN3O8_nuFtOTmcpgaLpj2gouGf2NsDGwMt_g/s1600/3741p_01_doublinirosepink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="387" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVrqzADutCYhFHAn6xfiHij0MsWK2wN-7GB7-53Ho_45-Ke5MtTE6EWGl56Rs9TVwbmysFPACbow16AaM0BbgUSeynsGXlPwux6C9RhfN3O8_nuFtOTmcpgaLpj2gouGf2NsDGwMt_g/s400/3741p_01_doublinirosepink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Lisianthus <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/flowers/lisianthus/">Johnny's Selected Seeds</a></td></tr>
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I have some messy trees nearby and with all the wind we've been having things are a bit messy </div>
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looking but I'll get it all shaped up eventually! Needless to say, I have lots of weeding to do still in the larger gardens as well. </div>
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No wonder I feel so soggy, foggy and behind this spring! </div>
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Here's to brighter days and blooms this summer! </div>
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In other news, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Farmer Florist Facebook Group</a> has grown by 100 members since our first meet and greet in March. Stop by and say howdy! And join if you like. While the focus is on New England growers and designers, we enjoy all types of flower connections. :) </div>
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I hope your flower farming endeavors are coming along. Every season
brings new challenges, whether it be the weather, garden pests or
diseases, or slow sales. Spending <i>time in the flowers</i> in never a waste of time. Pray for sunshine and warmer days ahead. The flowers and I need it! </div>
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Put down some roots in bloom! </div>
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Deb </div>
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Resources: <a href="https://www.kingsmums.com/">Kings Mums, </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/"> Eden Brothers </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.longfield-gardens.com/"> Longfield Gardens </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I don't receive any compensation for including links to these wonderful flower websites. I've ordered from all of them and they all have great product and wonderful service. I'm happy to share.</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-48661769589984909592017-03-27T15:26:00.001-07:002017-03-28T11:47:59.615-07:00 New England Farm and Floral " SPRING " Meet and Greet <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSus2ZbHeR6kuz-OpOvucTd0AfhSrBMHrHH_8prbn1m6edNbi7CwRFVcJyd0T8x_iTv8gFTOwa7dNHSXVOFncTsNc_vg1zePmKY1JphyphenhyphennkMgM-LuPzqOLM6Fukwsu3ACjUk8kKoTp3Q/s1600/new+england+flower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSus2ZbHeR6kuz-OpOvucTd0AfhSrBMHrHH_8prbn1m6edNbi7CwRFVcJyd0T8x_iTv8gFTOwa7dNHSXVOFncTsNc_vg1zePmKY1JphyphenhyphennkMgM-LuPzqOLM6Fukwsu3ACjUk8kKoTp3Q/s640/new+england+flower.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Spring, friends! I hope this note finds you in good spirits and feeling happy about the promise of a new season. March has been filled with lots of activity here at Dandelion House. Preparations for a new season of backyard flower farming are under way and moving full throttle ahead which is very exciting. Even though I've done absolutely nothing in the way of actual physical preparations outside yet, my seed orders are completed; tubers and plugs are ordered and I've already quoted a few weddings for 2017/18. What I'm most excited about sharing with you as March comes to a close is the amazing response we got for our New England Farm and Floral Meet and Greet event which took place March, 25th at Salted Root Farm, home of <a href="http://www.beachplumfloral.com/">Beach Plum Floral Design</a>, here on the south shore of MA. You may recall my mentioning the event in my <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/2017/02/22/episode-285-dandelion-house-farms-debbie-bosworth-and-the-new-england-farmer-florist-connection/">podcast </a>with Debra Prinzing last month. Debra was instrumental in helping us get as much exposure for our event as possible. What surprised me ( and my lovely co-hostesses, Jill Landry of <a href="http://www.beachplumfloral.com/">Beach Plum Floral Design,</a> Monica Tavares of<br />
<a href="https://nantucketdaffodil.blogspot.com/">Prince Snow Farm</a> and AJ Kocon of <a href="http://littlestateflowerco.com/">Little State Flower Co</a>, was the overwhelming interest in our event from our regional flower farmers and floral designers. All of us are tuned in to the Slow Flowers Movement and are committed to doing our small part to educate others on the benefits of growing and using locally grown cut flowers, but we had no idea how thirsty our NE flower farmers and floral designers were to meet face to face to begin the conversation about how they can work together to provide local flowers to their clients and support each others businesses. Let me just say, next time we're gonna need a bigger barn! We were busting at the seems with over 60 extremely eager guests and unfortunately, had to shut down registration due to the venue being filled to the brim. Every New England state was represented as well as New Jersey. As a result of the event, new connections and friendships have formed and I have no doubt there will be many more NE Farmer/Florist events in the future. I cannot wait to see where this new family of flower farmers and floral designers takes the slow flowers movement both regionally and nationally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_Hqj-ApRzwHYr1MTS7Wp8Wu7oVwXlzd2y8Y1hXIf2F8a1jPmuIXzs8FeRAbbINiiY_BYzoO_5DSTSpyd7sgdH2aiuH0b7_KFVBNBDebAGi_VxGfg9XCJnWFuvAtn5J8DWugANxmzEg/s1600/17499272_1440319105986279_7547117617620093239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_Hqj-ApRzwHYr1MTS7Wp8Wu7oVwXlzd2y8Y1hXIf2F8a1jPmuIXzs8FeRAbbINiiY_BYzoO_5DSTSpyd7sgdH2aiuH0b7_KFVBNBDebAGi_VxGfg9XCJnWFuvAtn5J8DWugANxmzEg/s640/17499272_1440319105986279_7547117617620093239_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below is a shot of Monica and me. Monica is a mom and full-time 6th grade teacher who's approaching retirement and has a love for flowers too. She farms her small acreage, Prince Snow Farm just a short 30 minutes from where we live. We met on the NE Farmer/Florist Facebook Group I founded last year and we've been following each other's backyard flower farming adventures. When I had the idea to host an event like this my intuition told me to reach out to her to see if she might be interested in helping out, and it was right. Monica got busy right away procuring donations for our raffle. She sent
out over 40 emails to farm and garden businesses and vendors which resulted in some amazing gifts for our
attendees. Monica was my creative co-conspirator in crime on this event and we both had so
much fun with the planning and executing. Her husband, Kevin helped with getting us a projector and screen for the guest speakers. Fun Fact! We also
learned that our son's share the same birth date ( different years) and
the last four digits of our land lines are exactly the same. You can
read all about Monica's flower farming and floral design endeavors at<a href="https://nantucketdaffodil.blogspot.com/"> her beautiful blog Prince Snow Farm. </a><br />
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Monica also created these adorable parting gifts for each of our attendees. It was a mad dash to get the fresh pansies for the berry baskets. She tried three places before she finally found some the day before the event! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkELxmw-oAMFacFdjxygyMw2Wa7TNGvgT0u7cVSxEYkA-ZfsRtao_Z7EQI5GTXEF70UfEWq1KtBfUo_yIjY-hYl32xTOAp14_sp0nPoYrYdmTS-2H-ib-od4xjHz2wnVRUMP2toTncQ/s1600/17555514_1403237909699363_2086180513_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkELxmw-oAMFacFdjxygyMw2Wa7TNGvgT0u7cVSxEYkA-ZfsRtao_Z7EQI5GTXEF70UfEWq1KtBfUo_yIjY-hYl32xTOAp14_sp0nPoYrYdmTS-2H-ib-od4xjHz2wnVRUMP2toTncQ/s640/17555514_1403237909699363_2086180513_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Each one included one of these darling stickers from Sticker Fiend on Etsy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGsdGqrDubPBLYvZuPRnQtLOP8PttQiugel5Kam4gzKkYlINX7XT2K02VXYe5zEHvqMR-swBrwGeLE-8IexI_cY7eEd28pZcS0cearNso53FREuz7fBqG8AOytnPQBcYJXDlju9bvpw/s1600/17580006_1403236959699458_546219177_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGsdGqrDubPBLYvZuPRnQtLOP8PttQiugel5Kam4gzKkYlINX7XT2K02VXYe5zEHvqMR-swBrwGeLE-8IexI_cY7eEd28pZcS0cearNso53FREuz7fBqG8AOytnPQBcYJXDlju9bvpw/s640/17580006_1403236959699458_546219177_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Our half-day program was simple. Sign in was at 1:00 sharp followed by some words by yours truly about growing the Slow Flowers movement in New England and how the event came to be etc, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mQ8tWGcMGFj7glBvwzskoBmpCCqOpRCwRyrGmWvTEMzFOxxlT4FT6nsVK131qIYH6CewAWf53NYA34JlkGufUGgY7cSaJKUZCIWgbLczXe3we1KlZj2a1kK5drJp0AI1NmUqx_g8mA/s1600/IMG_4585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mQ8tWGcMGFj7glBvwzskoBmpCCqOpRCwRyrGmWvTEMzFOxxlT4FT6nsVK131qIYH6CewAWf53NYA34JlkGufUGgY7cSaJKUZCIWgbLczXe3we1KlZj2a1kK5drJp0AI1NmUqx_g8mA/s640/IMG_4585.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
Our daughter came along to help me out with checking people in and handing out raffle tickets for the array of items that were generously donated by various businesses. And when it got to her turn to introduce herself she said some very sweet things about her momma and made the attendees cry. Me too. <br />
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Then we did that horrible thing speakers do and asked our guests to
stand up and introduce themselves one by one. I know.
Pretty cheesy of us but, it<i> was </i>a meet and greet after all. Then it was time for a break and things got loud very quickly. People were beyond excited to finally have a chance to connect. Just look at those faces! I wish I could convey the buzz in the room everyone heard and felt that day. I know it's something none of us will soon forget. It was kind of like the Beatles were in town but the Farmer/Florists were the Beatles <i>and </i>the guests all at the same time, except no one fainted. For whatever reason my phone only captured a loud ringing sound with no audible voices. In a way, that's exactly what it sounded like only in the best of ways!<br />
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We put out some refreshments for everyone to enjoy. Keurig coffee and tea, cookies, cupcakes, cheese and crackers and some fresh grapes with plenty of bottled water. And, fresh spring tulips of course!<br />
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After the break Anna Jane Kocon, of Little State Flower Co. <span style="font-size: small;">gave an informative, realistic and fun presentation about how she started her specialty cut flower farm and what her vision and goals are moving forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>"Little State Flower Company is a 5 acre specialty-cut flower farm
based on Aquidneck Island in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Little
State focuses on sustainable, environmentally-friendly growing practices
in an effort to create local, healthy options for the wedding and event
industry in and around Rhode Island.Their flowers find their way into the design studios of some of the
most progressive and local minded florists with a strong desire to
benefit their community and environment by supporting locally grown
flowers. "</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> After Anna's wonderful presentation Jill Landry, Owner/Lead designer <a href="http://www.beachplumfloral.com/">Beach Plum Floral Design</a> presented the Floral Designer side of working and creating with flowers. She shared the ins and outs of working with brides to create their dream wedding and how having access to local flowers is changing the way she consults with her clients by offering them a local flowers option. This year Jill and her team will create and deliver over 100 weddings in the Boston/South Shore area. Dahlias are a high demand flower among brides and a favorite among floral designers, but any floral designer will tell you that they don't ship well. This is an opportunity for any flower farmer who can grow dahlias in their region. We are fortunate that dahlias love our southern New England climate and flower farmers are adding to their dahlia stock every year as demand increases. Jill placed her entire 4000 stem dahlia order with one lucky local flower farmer for the first time ever this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Flower Farmers take heed! Floral designers <i>want</i> to buy your flowers and they<i> want </i>to be loyal to you. Grow a beautiful product, grow plenty of it and make shopping convenient by setting up your website with a simple pick and click ordering system. List your flowers by the season to further the selection process and you'll be well on your way to increasing your relationships with more local floral designers and fattening up your bottom line to boot. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill Landry Beach Plum Floral Design</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Meet Jill </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"My craft began at a very young age when I returned from a walk in the
woods with a large bunch of Lady Slippers and handed them to my Mother.
Yes, these stems are indeed endangered but even at the age of six, I
could not resist the urge to pick them. From here, you could find me
picking from our acres of farm gardens or trimming fresh pine and holly
berry for holiday swags. I can still smell the lilacs before they are
seen, stare at a peony for hours and feel a connection to all things
rooted. Never did I believe I could take this love and create it into an
actual career! You are supposed to dislike your jobs and complain about
them, right? Truth being, there is something incredibly rewarding about
meeting a client for the first time, listening to their newborn ideas,
becoming familiar with their own uniqueness and within minutes create
sketches of their dream day. Seeing the sudden comfort and trust on a
brides face after a few photos and brainstorming sessions is
remarkable. Creating a sense of ease and growing a personal connection
with my clients is important to me. Listening to their ideas and
turning them into concepts is the art. The true magic of my job is to
create them with my own hands and watch the tears of joy and giant
smiles on their day. It never grows old."</i></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill Landry, Beach Plum Floral Design</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Jill created this beautiful Beach Plum spring arrangement and donated it to the raffle. Wouldn't you have loved to be the winner? <br />
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Having our event hosted in Jill's beautiful finished barn was so perfect. We couldn't have asked for a more ideal location for what turned out to be the perfect<i> meeting of the minds</i> we had hoped it would be. We can't wait to meet and greet again with our NE Farm and Floral tribe soon! I promise to keep you posted as more events unfold.<br />
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Put Down Some Roots and Bloom! <br />
Deb <br />
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Generous Donors: NE Farm and Floral Meet and Greet<br />
Debra Prinzing~ Slow Flowers ( www.slowflowers.com )<br />
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds ( www.kitchengardenseeds.com )<br />
Floret ( www.floretflowers.com )<br />
Field Notes ( www.fieldnotesbrand.com)<br />
Thimblepress ( www.thimblepress.com )<br />
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds ( www.rareseeds.com)<br />
A-Roo Company Floral Packaging ( www.a-roo.com)<br />
Neptune's Harvest ( www.neptunesharvest.com)<br />
Renee's Garden Seeds ( www.reneesgarden.com)<br />
Pith and Vigor Newspaper ( www.pithandvigor.com)<br />
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Sellers/Vendors:<br />
Berrybaskets:wwwsecondsunhdro.com<br />
Pencils: Express Pencils LLC on Etsy<br />
Journals: Beach Tree Paper on Etsy<br />
Farmer Stickers: Sticker Fiend on Etsy<br />
Fresh Flowers Tags :folkcity on Etsy<br />
Chair Rental: New England Country Rentals ( www.newenglandcountryrentals.com )<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-46787163140644222932017-02-24T12:25:00.000-08:002017-03-27T12:09:12.844-07:00 Slow Flowers Podcast with Debra Prinzing <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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February has been cold, wet and snowy here in New England. Just the kind of weather I like to get down and dirty on clarifying my goals for the upcoming growing season. I'm so excited to get started in the gardens again. There's plenty of cleanup to do and planting lists to complete. The good news is that we are about 10 - 12 weeks away from being able to sow seeds outdoors. To keep busy I've been networking and making plans with my flower peeps from near and far to keep me blooming on the inside until planting time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debra Prinzing </td></tr>
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Last week one of my dreams came true when I sat down for a Skype interview with Debra Prinzing, ( author and founder of the <a href="http://slowflowers.com/">Slow Flowers Movement</a>). You may recall my interview with Debra <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/search?q=debra+prinzing">here</a> in February, 2016. If you haven't tuned in to Debra's podcasts you should really put it on your calendar to have a listen. Whether you're a hobby gardener, master gardener, budding flower farmer/floral designer you'll learn first hand what's happening in the changing floral landscape around the cut flower industry in America. It's revolutionary on every level.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Debra asked me about my brand, and my writing, my cut flower gardens and floral designs and she was especially interested in sharing with her listeners some exciting news about an event I am co-hosting with three other farmer/florists in Massachusetts in March. The New England Farm and Floral Meet and Greet in MA.</span></div>
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I founded the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Farmer Florist Connection Facebook Group</a> in March of 2016 with the idea that farmer/florists in the New England region needed a place to connect and share their growing experiences online. In the back of my mind, ( okay, not so much in the back) I also dreamt that one day we might meet in person to network and find new ways to help one another in our farm and floral endeavors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMr_mhYfBPga1qRTtAqXxntDZcoCkfCTd6bNY-v0BtiwADtRt6BXOXN3OfBp8RB6KBnt-528omcFi8tKfn9u7OQTSfUR_7YAdLKBdUqoBesYGOGU_eJ5IsHs3YcHPhduUC7RkVVO2cA/s1600/14390765_1220572727965883_5493158220073992963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMr_mhYfBPga1qRTtAqXxntDZcoCkfCTd6bNY-v0BtiwADtRt6BXOXN3OfBp8RB6KBnt-528omcFi8tKfn9u7OQTSfUR_7YAdLKBdUqoBesYGOGU_eJ5IsHs3YcHPhduUC7RkVVO2cA/s640/14390765_1220572727965883_5493158220073992963_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's happening!!! On March 25th, Flower Farmers and Floral designers are traveling from Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to meet face to face and I couldn't be more thrilled that my instincts were right.<br />
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I'll introduce my talented co-hosts in an upcoming blog post and share more about our dream location for the event. In the meantime, please have a listen to my <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/category/slow-flowers-podcast/">podcast</a> with Debra Prinzing to learn more! Every episode is educational and inspiring as well as FREE! Stay tuned!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOMmJv_QfrkIsM-eW5p-M6bDr5539RA4aoWYah_PfTbOb58VwDbUn2NZBcVs5H_MTMcQe7gHTIJOcZVaX07xyBNY7xjvsWYN8hoBzjs5l44p_NLejW7DG-d4C2xjB3dSsTgGBnJJb1w/s1600/021+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOMmJv_QfrkIsM-eW5p-M6bDr5539RA4aoWYah_PfTbOb58VwDbUn2NZBcVs5H_MTMcQe7gHTIJOcZVaX07xyBNY7xjvsWYN8hoBzjs5l44p_NLejW7DG-d4C2xjB3dSsTgGBnJJb1w/s640/021+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, remember. Whatever you dream you can do, you CAN do!<br />
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Put down some roots and BLOOM!<br />
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Deb<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-51549442575907639832017-01-10T16:52:00.000-08:002017-01-10T16:52:50.029-08:00FEARLESS Flower Farming ( plans, goals and dreams 2017 ) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom</i>. </span></span>Elizabeth Appell<br />
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Happy New Year, friends! Are you one of those people who chooses a word that inspires you at the start of every new year? A word that will help you stay true to your path? I love the anticipation of claiming a word that motivates me to get moving in the directions of my dreams, even if it means not playing it safe. I don't mean diving in with reckless abandon and ignoring important priorities in life for the sake of success alone. I'm talking about puzzling your way through <i>how</i> to bring your plans, goals and dreams into fruition and plowing through the fear one small step at a time.<br />
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I often think we make things much harder than they need to be so we sit on ideas much to long before taking action in exchange for waiting for the perfect time to start something new or finish something old. I have been guilty of this, but heck, I'm 55 now and I don't have that kinda time anymore. That's why I chose the word FEARLESS for my touchstone word for 2017 and I meant to hold myself accountable. Here's how I'm gonna do it. Every time I have an idea I'm going to write it down, then I'm going to puzzle out how I can make it happen with pen and paper right then and there instead of waiting an thinking, and thinking and waiting. I'll make a short list of steps I can take to get the ball rolling<i>.</i> I'm a firm believer that we all have the power to work in unison with the universe to manifest whatever it is we desire in life but it takes practice and practical application to get results. We must be dedicated, passionate, AND FEARLESS! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpU1Xn8ItzZhRZQq2XQ3wT5KtPxhvMQEFDa8esjNOZRMj2OZisKy91Mtx9NOfPQ9HnVv_aFEb16YQdFXK2FEJEraLB7bu7NUR4_VHqYzKCkeFYRtD5gs8Fj6DFxwG-Z2Kot_mjs7owQ/s1600/2016-10-026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpU1Xn8ItzZhRZQq2XQ3wT5KtPxhvMQEFDa8esjNOZRMj2OZisKy91Mtx9NOfPQ9HnVv_aFEb16YQdFXK2FEJEraLB7bu7NUR4_VHqYzKCkeFYRtD5gs8Fj6DFxwG-Z2Kot_mjs7owQ/s640/2016-10-026.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Here are a few things I plan to be 100% fearless about in 2017.<br />
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First of all, I'm going to continue to listen to my flowers. You read that right. I LISTEN to my flowers. When I trust the direction they take me in I always feel as if I'm being true to my path even if it's scary because I'm trying something for the first time. There's a bit of thrill in throwing yourself into the unknown which I admit I kind of like sometimes.<br />
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WRITING~ I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm writing a book about my backyard flower farm. I've queried (and been politely rejected) by some of the top book publishers in sustainable farming and gardening genre's. It's frustrating to be rejected over and over especially when you believe you have something you want to share and you know others will benefit from it. So I'm just gonna self-publish the darned thing because I believe in it that much. So, my first " Fearless Flower Farming act will be to take action on completing and publishing my first book.<br />
I'll share how I started farming my backyard in 2012 with lots of nitty-gritty info to get you started on your way to an ever expanding cutting garden for your own personal enjoyment and steer you into small scale backyard flower farming for profit. My hope is that you'll find it to be an inspirational, useful guide in your gardening endeavors for years to come. What topics would be of specific interest to you? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dlnME-DdkcnitltRj078ZR4ZjmN8bnGXizatYjQYdE8b_CBAhjFbM2f6fj0RbrRKb0-iM4FTxKKjZmnZ5S-fBJHIF0nqpK0wC6Myu6InndA1fj9sNdawOZhm0X7sEF0nEa-CLkEdBw/s1600/2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dlnME-DdkcnitltRj078ZR4ZjmN8bnGXizatYjQYdE8b_CBAhjFbM2f6fj0RbrRKb0-iM4FTxKKjZmnZ5S-fBJHIF0nqpK0wC6Myu6InndA1fj9sNdawOZhm0X7sEF0nEa-CLkEdBw/s640/2567.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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DESIGNING~Make that two little secrets. I've had the urge to dabble in painting my flowers for some years now, but just hadn't gotten around to buckling down and making it happen. I've always thought it would be neat to design products for home and garden use. The world is your oyster when it comes to mediums for creating art and how you blend them to make it your own. I've discovered a fun way to paint flowers like I've always wanted to.<br />
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This is one of my all time favorite images of an arrangement I made one afternoon while just playing around with different vases and flowers. In this image I was experimenting with using a vintage glass flower frogs for stabilizing flowers with shorter stems.<br />
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And the finished acrylic painting of the same image below. I can't tell you how gratifying it was to get that out of my system! Now I'm ready for the next one and the next one after that! I can see this on the cover of garden journals, paper goods, fabric, scarves, stationary, note cards. Some of my facebook friends suggested tote bags and bed linens too! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprg8BfSDWwIvGianrx5gY9Es-KqmYIz4unr5ugtPtE2R7jcqQT61XmKJ8rful1KVhpAfXuiUCh2vFlLIKPWdxJ-owptz2pe5KxDvLsj9LeLvXx5Gm3ud-o3lGF0cqcGnseF0hUpxP-A/s1600/15894979_1324487067574448_1867849134633606467_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprg8BfSDWwIvGianrx5gY9Es-KqmYIz4unr5ugtPtE2R7jcqQT61XmKJ8rful1KVhpAfXuiUCh2vFlLIKPWdxJ-owptz2pe5KxDvLsj9LeLvXx5Gm3ud-o3lGF0cqcGnseF0hUpxP-A/s640/15894979_1324487067574448_1867849134633606467_n.jpg" width="512" /></a><br />
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TEACHING~ For me, the growing part of flower farming is easy. I love to be outside amongst the flowers wearing God knows what, no makeup, sweating up a storm without a care in the world. I'm happiest that way, but there's a part of me that longs for sharing what I've learned and helping others achieve their dreams too. No more hiding behind the flowers! No more waiting for the perfect place or time.This is the year I'll really start my workshop series. Plans are in the works for a series of workshops here on the farm in my newly constructed studio. I'll be recruiting some local flower farmers and floral designers to co-host with me. Interested in collaborating? Drop me an email!<br />
debbiejbosworth@gmail.com <br />
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Backyard Flower Farming 101, Dahlia Days, Mums and Me Workshop, and one or two more if I can squeeze them in. ( fingers crossed it's up and ready by the first of June). If not, we'll put up an Easy-up tent and do it anyway! I'll keep you posted on dates and times. <br />
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GROWING~<br />
Naturally I'll be trying new varieties of cut flowers this coming season and I'm anxious to share my planting list with you in my next post!<br />
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In the meantime, go out there and be fearless in the pursuit of your dreams!<br />
Put down some roots and BLOOM! <br />
Love,<br />
Deb <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-68270438364947621612016-12-18T18:13:00.001-08:002016-12-18T18:13:09.070-08:00Living Gifts for Christmas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Howdy friends. I'm popping in for a short farm update and to share some great last minute " living gift" ideas with you. Some of you may remember that I went to work part-time at a local nursery back in April. It's been a great compliment to my own flower farming endeavors and quite an education to go through the growing season from a garden center's perspective. </div>
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One of my favorite things about this time of the year at the garden shop is still being surrounded by seasonal living plants. Paper whites and Amaryllis bulbs are some of the easiest bulbs to force. Paper whites will grow in pots, jars, tubs, bowls, soup tureens, what ever you have on hand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ELw84d2PhXbHrSgzkA79tew-hId4XtfDdbFLKFO6a-Sqj5bs6PzBRdUAjtrpyJdHrmXqmtI1xLxDKew7o1TEze0WpJ9WWPv_o4CRCfzk2Xg81XDtxg6S-wOwZDXJI5s4ySwRyWQqA/s1600/IMG_4077-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ELw84d2PhXbHrSgzkA79tew-hId4XtfDdbFLKFO6a-Sqj5bs6PzBRdUAjtrpyJdHrmXqmtI1xLxDKew7o1TEze0WpJ9WWPv_o4CRCfzk2Xg81XDtxg6S-wOwZDXJI5s4ySwRyWQqA/s640/IMG_4077-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Amaryllis bulbs take about 8 weeks from planting to bloom time and make a lovely, bold impression indoors during the holidays. Once dormant you can store them away until the following year and start all over again! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ7KRtlJ8cfYWv-0z3o0UNKXM8PNlpkPJgSWjR17uXDBRk3tCR-kCehl2rb297ZOm3EGKj6Gnrji_xPNencXRSN-X0ZTxfcS8raqUlBr9QhHY9PnVhg5N0XMDxhRAtHIuyv3Na9fN5A/s1600/15578868_1304540556235766_4002282418164069262_n-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ7KRtlJ8cfYWv-0z3o0UNKXM8PNlpkPJgSWjR17uXDBRk3tCR-kCehl2rb297ZOm3EGKj6Gnrji_xPNencXRSN-X0ZTxfcS8raqUlBr9QhHY9PnVhg5N0XMDxhRAtHIuyv3Na9fN5A/s640/15578868_1304540556235766_4002282418164069262_n-001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I may be showing my age here, but do you recall the taste of Wintergreen gum? Did you know that it's the Tea Berry that gives it that wonderful sweet flavor? You can taste it immediately after popping one in your mouth. They are darling in a small container inside until the ground thaws then they can be planted outside after the danger of the last frost in your garden zone to be enjoyed year after year in your garden.</div>
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Christmas Cactus is always the perfect living gift for indoor gardeners. This winter flowering plant comes in a variety of bright tropical colors and will brighten a windowsill like no other plant can. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWNUHrNDtih2giwwVlN7ox4nLrT0gNG0dA3IhEE8sG1vt3mMLDtp06v2-x7fP1JOBHUwu1GHWaFmmovfoPdGMxr918k123biLUq3-c1X7edy3iM33CiGyq2kR6_GR9rassRzvC1-hvA/s1600/15578876_1304540542902434_5911953110400084228_n-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWNUHrNDtih2giwwVlN7ox4nLrT0gNG0dA3IhEE8sG1vt3mMLDtp06v2-x7fP1JOBHUwu1GHWaFmmovfoPdGMxr918k123biLUq3-c1X7edy3iM33CiGyq2kR6_GR9rassRzvC1-hvA/s640/15578876_1304540542902434_5911953110400084228_n-001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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They are happiest placed in indirect sunlight with temps between 60 -70 degrees. Christmas Cactus are easy to propagate which makes them a great plant to grow and share.</div>
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Working at garden shop has opened my eyes to the other side of the growing industry making me all the more grateful and passionate about my backyard flower farm endeavors. I love guiding customers in the early design stage of planning their gardens and assisting them with plant choices and you can bet your last pack of zinnia seeds there will be more of that happening in the coming year. </div>
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That said, I'm so ready to go inward now that my own little farm has been put to bed. </div>
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I'm excited to have some quiet time to plot out what's next for Dandelion House 2017. </div>
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Please stay tuned! In between blog posts you can find me on Instagram @dandelion_house</div>
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Merry Christmas and thank you all for growing with me! </div>
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Put down some roots and BLOOM.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-18915003325708601002016-11-29T10:23:00.000-08:002016-11-29T11:34:23.813-08:00November's Flower <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrIfXlpF7ObYHD7Zmzj1q3Jt42N14Vz9RND5IQR_h6edWPxQ4cubpIi5kc2h3TVcJap2el3t6HihfJnQ0Rqer5N2BO45rUZ0cN3rxmMfUktRl1LdYLUB4SdDUxLYtNqF9lUov_AMhXA/s400/IMG_6295.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysanthemums</td></tr>
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Back in <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2016/03/mums-word-kings-mums.html">March </a>I blogged about starting a new romance with the old-fashioned, Chrysanthemum and I'm here to report that for a first year romance there were very few bumps and blips with plenty of beautiful moments in the sun. This infatuation with November's Flower of mine isn't going away anytime soon! In fact, I think I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with these late fall bloomers. </div>
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I first noticed them on the covers of vintage seed packets like this one from Pinterest, below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEts609CWYwPLLW7MWtbGJyKWh7LRpwLBgBfObZBwbAi7luS3Tp_y9VaZqchugAsB0NKk0jBlPkvShQpmBZ2-SjzdJPh_VzYjBtlcZTGBLYH5IFAJx3GkqycCmHOFXiBNY78EsVe2Zwg/s1600/f0ddece38a7b6a06e654a48b8383483d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEts609CWYwPLLW7MWtbGJyKWh7LRpwLBgBfObZBwbAi7luS3Tp_y9VaZqchugAsB0NKk0jBlPkvShQpmBZ2-SjzdJPh_VzYjBtlcZTGBLYH5IFAJx3GkqycCmHOFXiBNY78EsVe2Zwg/s640/f0ddece38a7b6a06e654a48b8383483d.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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I absolutely adore vintage seed packet and botanical prints. They provide the perfect visual as to how I feel about flowers in general. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn2ykIowytBn9I8cYZcRRHJlu5qt06B2QIjnzY9ANZwNc5zVXJVCwxcyLPlOG4w_tc68MYF2RnbVLGGmh1OVmw_cpn5FoxAZBN0BtlNzy0P6TXKTt870IzyNvXlqpYOljoVV7-1ZKIA/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn2ykIowytBn9I8cYZcRRHJlu5qt06B2QIjnzY9ANZwNc5zVXJVCwxcyLPlOG4w_tc68MYF2RnbVLGGmh1OVmw_cpn5FoxAZBN0BtlNzy0P6TXKTt870IzyNvXlqpYOljoVV7-1ZKIA/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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I started with an order of about 12 plants ( 5 varieties ) from <a href="https://www.kingsmums.com/phpapps/km_showCultivars.php?subgrp=PPP&subgrpdesc=Publications">Kings Mums</a> to plant outside in one of my 4 x 12 raised beds. The plugs arrive about 5 inches tall. I planted them in late May after the danger of the last frost. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_tWrv9qBLPEeiIyvdt4UFkxKRSSGgqapv4uKwllFKUkuM_-0Tkd46IpcVOjL_s0yOH7S4JQMefEXm5K-FtQo3yWR26LdjSHBPWtSmA1fxgSZSMTpbemR57MUcE83K22nfdv2p4o7Ag/s1600/2016-09-16+18.40.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_tWrv9qBLPEeiIyvdt4UFkxKRSSGgqapv4uKwllFKUkuM_-0Tkd46IpcVOjL_s0yOH7S4JQMefEXm5K-FtQo3yWR26LdjSHBPWtSmA1fxgSZSMTpbemR57MUcE83K22nfdv2p4o7Ag/s640/2016-09-16+18.40.30.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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By late August they had grown quite a bit and were starting to set buds. I didn't cut them back before hand, nor did I pinch or dis bud any of the plants. I just let them be this first go round. Next season, I'll cut them back in July to about 8- 12 inches in height before they set buds. This will make the plant fuller with more buds as it continues to grow. They do need staking as they get quite tall! Next year I'll bring out the 5 footers.</div>
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Mums aren't like other flowers that set buds and bloom soon afterwards. They set buds when the plant is fairly short and continues to grow taller sending out side branches with more buds.They didn't actually bloom until October and November, which is their true bloom time. Fast forward to November and they are blooming like crazy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEQB514ndj4oBU6SNnpJDFzx755geeVW0MHg3q0KOuh41YjuSikcj90EKKyLStoEQ0K4GI7qEFIuTZfmgUxv7MRpQn8Oc_UcBppJneWkcRb8RqMn3uZcK8ns8013ADzNVLxkXinLSRQ/s1600/2016-10-033+resize+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEQB514ndj4oBU6SNnpJDFzx755geeVW0MHg3q0KOuh41YjuSikcj90EKKyLStoEQ0K4GI7qEFIuTZfmgUxv7MRpQn8Oc_UcBppJneWkcRb8RqMn3uZcK8ns8013ADzNVLxkXinLSRQ/s640/2016-10-033+resize+edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here's a sampling of what I harvested last week. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ9h76XP1UrOh-Wo0f9itKjwQSp2eLuOUVkoeRSs6Tk_7TedKecyiGnBbirQZ1dX9j7qd6cocJKW4rSlT_HAQEen2XW7Em6bBtW3lZaPfx8HIPv-Mu6bPq2nn3ZPxq-gQXTjLLRMYCw/s1600/2016-11-043.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ9h76XP1UrOh-Wo0f9itKjwQSp2eLuOUVkoeRSs6Tk_7TedKecyiGnBbirQZ1dX9j7qd6cocJKW4rSlT_HAQEen2XW7Em6bBtW3lZaPfx8HIPv-Mu6bPq2nn3ZPxq-gQXTjLLRMYCw/s640/2016-11-043.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze, obsession, seatons j dore, seatons ashleigh and seatons ruby </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF-ppl8Z11A3XP5RG2ZMyPQEc6jockvti8FtsBCIImqlLb5kLJad64QCDlXcRtuan5GOXiM6L7rYsBqAjau3qrwIrxhyphenhyphenq9VE3tbg050O2g_2K8aAjEVuPVYGTUSIHqfcznW7Fw8B3OA/s1600/2016-11-24+16.06.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF-ppl8Z11A3XP5RG2ZMyPQEc6jockvti8FtsBCIImqlLb5kLJad64QCDlXcRtuan5GOXiM6L7rYsBqAjau3qrwIrxhyphenhyphenq9VE3tbg050O2g_2K8aAjEVuPVYGTUSIHqfcznW7Fw8B3OA/s640/2016-11-24+16.06.06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I decided to use some of my vintage milk glass to make some simple backyard
bouquets. I think it shows off the mums beautifully. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o7d8mRKP9T63JOWZD0oOHbEwGpMKomdUHWRgOheZAPfzpDtEgZxwWoS6iZbZIH_b2z2Dmwj8Z5hzZjcs1x0LQlGKVUkPfxf9sEP5l2aYyNT7d70fHiB0oqXepDaXK64UfNKT5MzJBg/s1600/2016-11-027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o7d8mRKP9T63JOWZD0oOHbEwGpMKomdUHWRgOheZAPfzpDtEgZxwWoS6iZbZIH_b2z2Dmwj8Z5hzZjcs1x0LQlGKVUkPfxf9sEP5l2aYyNT7d70fHiB0oqXepDaXK64UfNKT5MzJBg/s640/2016-11-027.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
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I love that they overlap with the bloom time of dahlias and I'm crazy about the fact that they extend my growing season by 4 weeks. I don't have much in the way of seasonal flowers for sale fro, April - July. New England spring weather is very fickle and I just don't have the space to devote to finicky early bloomers but I can see making room for more mums in the future. Besides being hardy plants, the amount of blooms per stem is off the hook, making them perfect for garden bunches, farmers markets, farm stands and wedding work. I'll have the confidence to make it known that I have mums next season, for sure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLJUsPZpUMrMwY4SuHncYK4ROogq3GM8ND06W9p5t6nKY4fgt3fYfaPEYPkDNfTEWFr305jdBVNvPT-kOG9UY0MOWTqxpB2UQSrnZ944dNfPl1i6ArW_r9qJX-HeBms77siBL2DTJIA/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLJUsPZpUMrMwY4SuHncYK4ROogq3GM8ND06W9p5t6nKY4fgt3fYfaPEYPkDNfTEWFr305jdBVNvPT-kOG9UY0MOWTqxpB2UQSrnZ944dNfPl1i6ArW_r9qJX-HeBms77siBL2DTJIA/s640/IMG_6345.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYurYUea6iQ9JuxFIzauavl1odB3ERIAy9JF-79aird9ZTXEwmB_86qeDPOdFBf_cCB5FMpYZe3oEdkpsCcR9UUjLXuvVStyNfJLmstWUagzgnYZPTCSFyZT3UUu0U6g_qRF1eTtJTIA/s1600/2016-11-24+16.14.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYurYUea6iQ9JuxFIzauavl1odB3ERIAy9JF-79aird9ZTXEwmB_86qeDPOdFBf_cCB5FMpYZe3oEdkpsCcR9UUjLXuvVStyNfJLmstWUagzgnYZPTCSFyZT3UUu0U6g_qRF1eTtJTIA/s640/2016-11-24+16.14.56.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65tQUoM1tZ81dbtrEISF1mdVNjxHQ-UZ49g7mmy-c7dIPG5_Pbtk2GZ511xyV-GPhcHPtR0k5Jkk2l5DQQ0i-E3ZUBgV9TUuenVhzPyIujqyMaQnIUdVkS7THWIMuezXrbslYN8iKQ/s1600/2016-10-032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65tQUoM1tZ81dbtrEISF1mdVNjxHQ-UZ49g7mmy-c7dIPG5_Pbtk2GZ511xyV-GPhcHPtR0k5Jkk2l5DQQ0i-E3ZUBgV9TUuenVhzPyIujqyMaQnIUdVkS7THWIMuezXrbslYN8iKQ/s640/2016-10-032.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Girl </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVajhnj4rI9sw-aB3YJW4g1FsZ_kLw-WQ6WUYEbCKXXVpRFfeuIrjCT1fE8cgaKT84sd4Tbl5Pjg0_PKS234HCN-4PFRtqLt1020QeaUDyYOBWB5Q010WOZg-kUtcLRYCtHnMQ69v6JQ/s1600/2016-10-31+13.24.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVajhnj4rI9sw-aB3YJW4g1FsZ_kLw-WQ6WUYEbCKXXVpRFfeuIrjCT1fE8cgaKT84sd4Tbl5Pjg0_PKS234HCN-4PFRtqLt1020QeaUDyYOBWB5Q010WOZg-kUtcLRYCtHnMQ69v6JQ/s640/2016-10-31+13.24.21.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral Charm </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmvyAxV8-2eppeRqK18SQaNwO8aQV7MlP5sGfFmA657u_3yqhA95aSDgk-sZhXpUXEShBTclUe2Q-FGwi5WaHS1S2o-EQAw8q7TnZS6ARZ7xYQc0KjZS01pWtbR4uuZ2aOqiD7mPzpQ/s1600/2016-11-032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmvyAxV8-2eppeRqK18SQaNwO8aQV7MlP5sGfFmA657u_3yqhA95aSDgk-sZhXpUXEShBTclUe2Q-FGwi5WaHS1S2o-EQAw8q7TnZS6ARZ7xYQc0KjZS01pWtbR4uuZ2aOqiD7mPzpQ/s640/2016-11-032.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral Charm </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy9wwC4aRykTf9AKGCI00ke-B_gsMV9ajQvotT6F4dtkpoyplc8D6OSV7_zyR5yObjIj-ncWSYcWYVDEAA1ZT_kZQT7AC0JzA-WQ7szINTQNzBSS49o0CrZ1skW72a75o8YQxjD7LKA/s1600/2016-11-035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy9wwC4aRykTf9AKGCI00ke-B_gsMV9ajQvotT6F4dtkpoyplc8D6OSV7_zyR5yObjIj-ncWSYcWYVDEAA1ZT_kZQT7AC0JzA-WQ7szINTQNzBSS49o0CrZ1skW72a75o8YQxjD7LKA/s640/2016-11-035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seatons J Dore </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsId-G_ooc3mjyIFTtsENIj14Khpt-ppecRWn2pYosb_-746cUpl7Ypy5K8zBGKacGTxFs5lYLY_AVHFwkXX0VCicZDlig1m0Ebu9MS_v0BCKMFvmhoQE_VOulvy1u_Lmx4kvWIzf_RQ/s1600/2016-11-034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsId-G_ooc3mjyIFTtsENIj14Khpt-ppecRWn2pYosb_-746cUpl7Ypy5K8zBGKacGTxFs5lYLY_AVHFwkXX0VCicZDlig1m0Ebu9MS_v0BCKMFvmhoQE_VOulvy1u_Lmx4kvWIzf_RQ/s640/2016-11-034.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaton's J Dore </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXYJPVVWJ6-_WWEcwneEGwRbcxvXz46qq-PeF48XONc3aprUDe75tR4aR8dYVv1R2Be-FB1W5g3Z7etqGisKDS9PMHQrBNiz0GqG8RyE1B2M5Fupvll9_sug7TXSrWXFcIhA9xF0llQ/s1600/2016-11-24+16.30.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXYJPVVWJ6-_WWEcwneEGwRbcxvXz46qq-PeF48XONc3aprUDe75tR4aR8dYVv1R2Be-FB1W5g3Z7etqGisKDS9PMHQrBNiz0GqG8RyE1B2M5Fupvll9_sug7TXSrWXFcIhA9xF0llQ/s640/2016-11-24+16.30.05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seatons Ruby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K-bDDxAMPA1PlKQX6bALXK5jvibI6wibrhd4zvkCzkJnfk8sDYM-fKStnovcNZZBFbZEme34_NoHK72PlkZyXRX4W-YLM7ElruwjNs0uWfmgaJ6-lIAp1TvyoMrbRR000fON-O3D_A/s1600/2016-11-026+resize+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K-bDDxAMPA1PlKQX6bALXK5jvibI6wibrhd4zvkCzkJnfk8sDYM-fKStnovcNZZBFbZEme34_NoHK72PlkZyXRX4W-YLM7ElruwjNs0uWfmgaJ6-lIAp1TvyoMrbRR000fON-O3D_A/s640/2016-11-026+resize+edit.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seatons Ruby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SVXOsCU7Eaah2B5lP1y0pcSjsPF1ZZJMA_UZJybpdNPx1FegfjdFbmAYKoj2gdbYQ7LOr8GPiODvSVx0SfZKCmWJed0cHwJuolnBCPSBPXs2bp9J2esOHlpNubQ_i7lngbXvZhOZUg/s1600/2016-11-041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SVXOsCU7Eaah2B5lP1y0pcSjsPF1ZZJMA_UZJybpdNPx1FegfjdFbmAYKoj2gdbYQ7LOr8GPiODvSVx0SfZKCmWJed0cHwJuolnBCPSBPXs2bp9J2esOHlpNubQ_i7lngbXvZhOZUg/s640/2016-11-041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obsession </td></tr>
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What's not to love about mums? Whether you're growing one or two varieties in your garden or a field of them for masses of blooms to sell and design with nothing beats a vase of freshly cut mums on the table in late November. And did I mention they last forever? <br />
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<a href="https://www.kingsmums.com/phpapps/km_showCultivars.php?subgrp=PPP&subgrpdesc=Publications">Kings Mums </a>offers a wide range of books for every level of grower from amateurs to advanced gardeners and those who cultivate and show. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-24245347609446466182016-10-10T09:18:00.002-07:002016-10-14T10:28:04.647-07:00 Easy Succulent Centerpiece <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Friday, friends! Succulents are all the rage right now and with good reason.<br />
They're easy to plant, easy to care for and they make even the brownest thumb gardener feel successful inspiring a whole new generation of indoor gardeners. They're finding their way into bridal bouquets, driftwood planters, wall gardens, office buildings, and home and garden centers. Even our local grocery store is selling them.<br />
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The most important thing to remember when caring for succulents is not to over water. They store water in their leaves not their roots so don't drown them or they'll wilt, shrivel, then die. They love lots of natural light too.<br />
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Do you shop at Savers? I love scavenging there for interesting vessels
for floral arrangements and centerpieces. They always seem to have a good selection of vintage silver plated platters, bowls, tea pots and candy dishes for low cost. My nursery manager picked up this pretty footed bowl a while back and it's been calling my name for months! I personally think vessels with an aged silver patina are perfect for the softer, more muted greens and grays of succulents and cactus. This footed candy/compote dish was crying out for something fun and we just happened to have some left over succulents at the garden shop to play with.<br />
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The pretty scalloped edges of the dish inspired me to select succulents with similar shapes and texture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb10GAlz-q9c3AF56K4SnJGwTtUv48jW91xTDimzsr9IYhPhLjQQ-h64AMwCqK6FOin0RmyEd2MgcftsZUeaqc7jQ3gDo1so7cE2yj85b8sK3C9J-RJIy3tpfsvL0xQ6cjsYGdXDjTw/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb10GAlz-q9c3AF56K4SnJGwTtUv48jW91xTDimzsr9IYhPhLjQQ-h64AMwCqK6FOin0RmyEd2MgcftsZUeaqc7jQ3gDo1so7cE2yj85b8sK3C9J-RJIy3tpfsvL0xQ6cjsYGdXDjTw/s640/IMG_3597.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I like to use Horticultural Charcoal in the bottom of my succulent containers without drainage holes to aid in air circulation. <br />
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This footed dish isn't deep at all in the center which makes it perfect for succulents because they don't have a deep root system and they require very little water on a weekly basis. Just a mist every week or so is all they need to keep them happy.<br />
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You can use regular potting soil to plant succulents but I prefer Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix because it's lighter and provides the proper drainage and nutritional needs that are specific to succulents and cacti. <br />
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Once you cover the charcoal bits in soil you can start placing your succulents.</div>
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I only filled the center of the dish, leaving plenty of space for design flexibility.<br />
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Starting with the largest succulent, remove some of the excess soil from the bottom of the plant and lay it on it's side where you want it to go. Build your design with the remaining succulents and cactus in this fashion ( removing soil as needed and tweaking the placement) until you like the finished design. You'll find as you finish edging the dish with plants there will be a hole in the center of the arrangement. This is a perfect place to add something taller. A little bit of height in a low centerpiece creates drama and interest. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvnihFH7mxmuZY0mK6h95IUZ1fz1VxGJDvh2bJ-S5GlT_D-LjLzBNCHv0SoJ979soI27i3EkHR7TpWkwEas0YpaVpe7v92skroWhTlCKLvFnqgwuOJAsIbb66tYOmXLrx8sVkvQo3yQ/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvnihFH7mxmuZY0mK6h95IUZ1fz1VxGJDvh2bJ-S5GlT_D-LjLzBNCHv0SoJ979soI27i3EkHR7TpWkwEas0YpaVpe7v92skroWhTlCKLvFnqgwuOJAsIbb66tYOmXLrx8sVkvQo3yQ/s640/IMG_3611.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulent Centerpiece</td></tr>
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See how it stands up just a smidgen higher than the others? Once you have your placement completed, fill in around the plants with soil a little at a time until the plant base is covered. Dust off any remaining soil with a pastry brush or small paint brush<br />
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For a centerpiece this size water with about 1/4 cup of water at the soil level then give it a fine mist with a spray bottle. Ta DA!<br />
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Now go raid your basement, grannies attic or local Savers for some fun vases and vessels.<br />
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Oh, and you can read my other post about succulents,<a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2016/05/sassy-succulants.html"> here</a>.<br />
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Just keep growing...<br />
Love,<br />
Deb <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-25339901071013474452016-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:002016-10-10T11:05:56.509-07:00The Rusty, Dusty Blogger <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2VAKkWadBzRW2JfyAvmZ6nga50dyE1bzKlXDHjoH7vnAcUFTIz-xy6A58A_FzmE4q0F-7GifOwvjP8f2TjF2Mnz75Et_YDbM16NMR3iVoOq14DitSx-TW09ZTSIsgcQUtrJ5kt536A/s400/13938448_1803115409919812_5114237732092369748_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> ( 54 year old me) Dahlia Diva and Late Bloomer </td></tr>
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Howdy friends! How on earth has it been three months since my last posting? Isn't that equal to an eternity in blog land? In all honesty, I think that having an Instagram account ( @dandelion_house ) has made a lazy blogger ( and blog reader ) of me and I miss it! I love IG, but it's time for me to dust off this online journal of mine and get my thoughts out to you in words AND pictures! </div>
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Each growing season teaches me something new and as always, I'm excited to share it with you. I hope ( and pray) you're still there dear friends, for fall and winter are upon us and we have loads to catch up on! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yr3POjpSaXkbp-8OlNhxUaM5flPcrT8t7ihAJYLQq3ek_xNti7rnA3lAhVDdAAp3WSm3JmEnTcfMXSZUdS4-v-EdSiKnn2oWJ2iPDap1TKLMwmfLL3CLrq-YSmjMTAMdVPOvYOj9pA/s1600/2016-08-25+08.43.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yr3POjpSaXkbp-8OlNhxUaM5flPcrT8t7ihAJYLQq3ek_xNti7rnA3lAhVDdAAp3WSm3JmEnTcfMXSZUdS4-v-EdSiKnn2oWJ2iPDap1TKLMwmfLL3CLrq-YSmjMTAMdVPOvYOj9pA/s640/2016-08-25+08.43.16.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early August Zinnias</td></tr>
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Let's start with summer. I hope you were able to squeeze out some time
to make some fine summer memories with family, friends, and FLOWERS.
It's a fine balancing act I know! Our summer started slow with a cool
June that seemed to linger into mid-July. I got most of my tubers and
seeds in on Memorial Day Weekend and continued sowing seeds for few more
weeks with a late sowing of Sun Flowers and Cactus Zinnia at the end of
July. Hopeful as always for heaps of flowers, by late July reality set
in that we were experiencing an extreme drought in coastal
Massachusetts. A water ban went into effect for anyone on town water. We
have a well, but that didn't make it any easier. I still felt it was
necessary to be conservative, but if you grow dahlias ( and most other
cut flowers) you know they need consistent watering to set
blooms. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHAhJ9RxnPl3BQFJTtYMe1-ZlDK4o-lSoTD9QSVpeFUqW3Gnp26VkXYT8L-JRx78W-S4qA53WxJ58Awy9iuuUvmVbzR58B3kVCeS2aNvG-zzSMKkoVKOFgj7K073YtnYTrzT9i-Cj_Q/s1600/2016-08-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHAhJ9RxnPl3BQFJTtYMe1-ZlDK4o-lSoTD9QSVpeFUqW3Gnp26VkXYT8L-JRx78W-S4qA53WxJ58Awy9iuuUvmVbzR58B3kVCeS2aNvG-zzSMKkoVKOFgj7K073YtnYTrzT9i-Cj_Q/s640/2016-08-012.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Au Lait Dahlia ( <a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/dahlia-pastel-mix.html">Eden Brothers </a>)</td></tr>
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This was the year of the Pan-tone color pallet. Soft pinks and aged ivories reigned again for the top wedding colors. As the desire for local wedding flowers increases, I've added more of these soothing shades of dusty pink and white to my collection. The Cafe Au Lait dahlias rocked it as usual and they're still blooming. Bright yellows and solid whites with pretty true greens are coming in hot for 2017 which is a bold and exciting change, but as a grower first, my passion is about growing healthy plants that thrive in my zone. As farmer/florists we have an opportunity to introduce people to flowers and foliage's that are truly seasonal. Doing so helps us establish a signature style which reflects the region we live in. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/dahlia-pastel-mix.html">Bridal Bouquet Mix Eden Brothers </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPzyemmn5p8XUK3XmiJlZVapsMAPqb22AAscDg4fazo9BTR-s_2F_fNxyhhRwqcyR8Ckx0hhHwh12Mbdf9rXa0Ez6tbPlFpObuDRr3zoxJzm0J1-bOQoYvkIYYKK7Ej0Ss-f2Jc32Fw/s640/14117910_1200652569957899_4828595029111039376_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers for an August wedding.</td></tr>
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My kitchen island becomes a temporary floral studio the night before a wedding. Doing weddings are stressful. Not because growing and designing is so hard, but because so much is on the line. I only get one chance to get it right. Luckily I've had the pleasure of working with such sweet brides ( and mother of the brides). It's been my experience that people who choose local flowers understand there is a need for flexibility and seem to enjoy an element of surprise. After all, we growers are at the mercy of mother nature which only enhances our creativity. I thrive on that pressure. It often means running around my gardens finding interesting foliage and textures to add to the mix last minute. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy bride and mother of the bride. </td></tr>
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This was the first year I grew specific flowers for specific weddings.
Anna's romantic vintage inspired wedding called for a casual, loose
feeling with lots of soft pinks and greens with small pops of bright
pinks and corals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Q35UqH0AZIjG_Rslz30wyOxDqBYtcBrB3h4im4i6HiMdTxXlkQGs_AMiHF5NU6-f-RMdhPgFLuzLyjifigalocxv7-ncd9xnrdbmKu8kr0r63UeByw1Ud4U1d3cCp490E3Hh7ESeA/s1600/14102584_1200657533290736_4329036427532977252_n-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Q35UqH0AZIjG_Rslz30wyOxDqBYtcBrB3h4im4i6HiMdTxXlkQGs_AMiHF5NU6-f-RMdhPgFLuzLyjifigalocxv7-ncd9xnrdbmKu8kr0r63UeByw1Ud4U1d3cCp490E3Hh7ESeA/s640/14102584_1200657533290736_4329036427532977252_n-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridesmaids bouquets.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Dahlias and zinnias were the feature flowers paired with aged hydrangea, sedum, dusty miller and amaranth for texture. All sourced from my cut flower gardens and borders. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81HDLbzS9n4er1_BeFmmceI_zgoEfadJxc3EhNGdVedTYDdKRYAaAOTVGY9-MiZGvDnQbEHs3T8RuonRd8_qvvqz3IV7KpncL7apRS1VBwKQ3gsg8iDu0MtMJZPK7ZtEszXTuQ4mgwQ/s1600/14183739_1813700488861304_4711004478876771340_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81HDLbzS9n4er1_BeFmmceI_zgoEfadJxc3EhNGdVedTYDdKRYAaAOTVGY9-MiZGvDnQbEHs3T8RuonRd8_qvvqz3IV7KpncL7apRS1VBwKQ3gsg8iDu0MtMJZPK7ZtEszXTuQ4mgwQ/s640/14183739_1813700488861304_4711004478876771340_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetheart Table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZHD-dNN7V7fzqT9t51iMig05HU6W-_PLl6h4rfnFzU-r5PQboCRsNg_LJav5TkytkdrXGBe9-V7Q9JtoCjVx0OXIl11YAOjDOqntpzXew6fOM8Lb5OIKqblWF9-m3nvUwfAvEXoEfA/s1600/14080029_1813700528861300_4920405356322059469_n-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZHD-dNN7V7fzqT9t51iMig05HU6W-_PLl6h4rfnFzU-r5PQboCRsNg_LJav5TkytkdrXGBe9-V7Q9JtoCjVx0OXIl11YAOjDOqntpzXew6fOM8Lb5OIKqblWF9-m3nvUwfAvEXoEfA/s640/14080029_1813700528861300_4920405356322059469_n-001.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Jar Centerpieces </td></tr>
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I enjoy all the hard work that goes into growing and designing with flowers. But when the bride and motb cry at the "first look" of the flowers, that's when I know my flowers and I have done our job. My bucket run'th over!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-SsT_Jovsby9GDOv1_e4LPMp5qGpYLqTjsXbu3B5pJf26I3MXtYHjMR-lryA18OUYarjdpvayNUNuI_aYUCHasEBEbr1148-vh021qGQZ2MbWtDh7C34KIS2bhdcFlVzxBZVeeU5eA/s1600/14390765_1220572727965883_5493158220073992963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-SsT_Jovsby9GDOv1_e4LPMp5qGpYLqTjsXbu3B5pJf26I3MXtYHjMR-lryA18OUYarjdpvayNUNuI_aYUCHasEBEbr1148-vh021qGQZ2MbWtDh7C34KIS2bhdcFlVzxBZVeeU5eA/s640/14390765_1220572727965883_5493158220073992963_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love being part of the local flowers movement. I'm lucky that the <a href="http://crystallakegardenshop.com/">nursery</a> where I work part-time supports my efforts by letting me sell my grab n go mason jar bouquets there. The nursery has 18 greenhouses where they grow most of the garden shop inventory. These hardworking growers are passionate, hardworking folks who walk the local talk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOk2DVAm6xV6dSi4gqWBZLwMz-q5zY2f4RH07PBYpzqAc3mL0NgW9L10bpBZE4y8bDZeI7fCOJR_RSYLnMEmndveHrlyIwA5hV0sIrUtvPR_y6z7h17YcmQeNEmefaUhJFG-RrNDvxg/s1600/14192613_1818405321724154_5181141485786471143_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOk2DVAm6xV6dSi4gqWBZLwMz-q5zY2f4RH07PBYpzqAc3mL0NgW9L10bpBZE4y8bDZeI7fCOJR_RSYLnMEmndveHrlyIwA5hV0sIrUtvPR_y6z7h17YcmQeNEmefaUhJFG-RrNDvxg/s320/14192613_1818405321724154_5181141485786471143_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kati, the crafty DIY bride.</td></tr>
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My backyard blooms found their way to hospitals, nursing homes and were given as hostess gifts too. Another batch of early October blooms will appear in an article for Early Homes Magazine. We're getting around in a good way!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_80C6p79dhMlS4-XsIZsQZPz3gp75jRE-vtqhQs9piNufNfCS1IkjGDfxotH5IByweGWRBh5-nQiz3Eg0EXhkBMflTpb7YpZAmNaNrc7SSbOhWsyaSg5acvFrQz2A2p1DZUI0FkNRjw/s1600/14238287_1815783555319664_5965435248158134035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_80C6p79dhMlS4-XsIZsQZPz3gp75jRE-vtqhQs9piNufNfCS1IkjGDfxotH5IByweGWRBh5-nQiz3Eg0EXhkBMflTpb7YpZAmNaNrc7SSbOhWsyaSg5acvFrQz2A2p1DZUI0FkNRjw/s640/14238287_1815783555319664_5965435248158134035_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September Splendor! </td></tr>
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In between work at the nursery, tending my gardens here at home I try to find time to create bouquets just for fun. This arrangement was inspired by the splendor of September. It features dahlias, hydrangea, zinnias, amaranth, cone flower seed pods, ornamental grass plumes, cosmos, coleus, sunflowers, nine bark, and a pretty weed that I don't know the name of but I loved the texture. ( top left of the arrangement) Maybe you can identify it for me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIfuekRChxBT5Lj03sCiOfYP2MGgP7jt3yQ-ItpL8x0jkNgL_M7lKRhCByRDGpzJJpcedYfLlORLbLi3f-GTWk4khUkgk0bszkA6BauSZzDAeoHVcymfln22sX7kSQx4oLE8jScEPVQ/s1600/14523083_1226321260724363_7964184194223076026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIfuekRChxBT5Lj03sCiOfYP2MGgP7jt3yQ-ItpL8x0jkNgL_M7lKRhCByRDGpzJJpcedYfLlORLbLi3f-GTWk4khUkgk0bszkA6BauSZzDAeoHVcymfln22sX7kSQx4oLE8jScEPVQ/s640/14523083_1226321260724363_7964184194223076026_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August and September Blooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs2417a1tBu0e01OKaQ2ArOSzsaPvFIpgs3AXEORxsHB6OM5hg6W7E0VhPnuM86vZybaJaOwSWD38xH9F86WCdVyGKegbYnq1DwM6b-3pcZetZRZg81x7fDd_cgISwugZJEDqltTXKg/s1600/13902705_1803115453253141_9207346328932263989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs2417a1tBu0e01OKaQ2ArOSzsaPvFIpgs3AXEORxsHB6OM5hg6W7E0VhPnuM86vZybaJaOwSWD38xH9F86WCdVyGKegbYnq1DwM6b-3pcZetZRZg81x7fDd_cgISwugZJEDqltTXKg/s640/13902705_1803115453253141_9207346328932263989_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Raised cut flower beds in late July ( 2017) </td></tr>
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While I always love sharing my progress with you, it is my ultimate wish that you'll be inspired to start small just like me. If you're like I was in 2012 and have BIG DREAMS of being a flower farmer, but aren't planted on what you would consider your ideal plot, start small and get growing in your own backyard. I started with 8 4x12 raised beds and added 5 more last year. Think of it as your micro-flower farm experiment. Your backyard is the perfect training ground for when you put on your big flower farm-HER pants and move on up to field grown or hoop house flower production. </div>
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To sum up this season I'd like to say there were more happy surprises than set backs. From the farming aspect, I was able to keep pests at bay on the dahlias, but powdery mildew got the better of my zinnias after the first flowering. Good thing I planted a late crop of them for insurance. The long drought and heat stressed the dahlias but they didn't succumb. I hand watered them regularly, treated for pests, and harvested enough blooms to satisfy a variety of occasions and clients. I tried several new plants including, cleome, amaranth, scented geranium, several coleus varieties. I'm most excited about the <a href="https://www.kingsmums.com/">Kings Mums</a> I planted. They are finally beginning to bloom. I promise to share more as I learn more about them. The best part of this season are the wonderful people that I never would have met if it weren't for flowers. </div>
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There's so much inspiration out there to keep you juiced up. One of my favorite places to visit for motivation is Debra Prinzings <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/category/slow-flowers-podcast/">Slow Flowers Podcasts</a>.
I Love her live interviews with local growers. Each one unique and
inspiring. You'll hear direct from the farm about all things growing,
designing, and teaching with local flowers from talented established and
up and coming farmer/florists. </div>
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Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/category/slow-flowers-podcast/">Eden Brothers</a> for their preseason sale on seeds and tubers going on right now. </div>
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The Flower Farm Renaissance is here to stay and there's is room for everyone!<br />
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Here's a little flower-food for thought. </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>A flower does not thing to compete with the flower next to it, it just blooms.</i></b></span></span> ~ unknown<br />
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That's what I want you to do. Put down some roots and BLOOM! </div>
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Please stay tuned! I promise not to go away forever again! </div>
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Hugs and Happy Harvest Season. </div>
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Deb </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-74682756536538806362016-07-08T09:50:00.001-07:002016-10-10T09:31:08.135-07:00What Every Bride Should Know About Choosing Local Flowers <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x6qN5E_fZTpqwYQkxnS9EGPnZDkZyrc4HenevfLRTm-Vt6qFPhUK_AZcmSPUTzAFm35724w84kxgxkQMgra1NzFqMPGZYrrf2jiYQbUCcQL8rz0LmIuibbpgOP9HcQQR_YDqATZ1eA/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x6qN5E_fZTpqwYQkxnS9EGPnZDkZyrc4HenevfLRTm-Vt6qFPhUK_AZcmSPUTzAFm35724w84kxgxkQMgra1NzFqMPGZYrrf2jiYQbUCcQL8rz0LmIuibbpgOP9HcQQR_YDqATZ1eA/s640/IMG_2651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sweet husband
and I will celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary this year ( I still can't believe it's been that long). Every
time I meet with a new wedding client I can't help but be transported
back to our wedding day and all the planning we did to create a special day for ourselves and our guests. We chose a small country venue for our old-fashioned Vintage Victorian theme ( who knew we were ahead of the trend by about 25 years? ) If I was wearing a flower crown instead of a wide brimmed hat I just might pass for a modern vintage bride today. The roses for my bouquet were local ( but most likely not in season in September) but I do recall having simple small wild flower arrangements on the banquet tables. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily Married me! (circa 1991)</td></tr>
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The 2016 Wedding season is here and <i>locally sourced</i> wedding flowers are more popular than ever before. Whether you're going the DIY rt.or having your flowers designed by a farmer/florist there are a few things you should know about choosing local flowers for your wedding day. </div>
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<li>I recommend an in-person or at a minimum a phone consultation to find out what kind of farm/garden or other local sources your flowers will be coming from. This is also the best time for the farmer/florist to get to know you and find out about your venue, wedding theme, the types of flowers you would like as well as any personal details in the wedding flowers you wish to include. </li>
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<li>Local and seasonal flowers aren't always cheaper than imports. When comparing costs, remember that your local farmer/florist has been married ( so to speak) to your flowers since the day they placed their first corm/seed and tuber order for the season. From that moment on they are committed to bringing you fresh, lush and vibrant blooms for your special day. Local flowers are almost always 100% sustainably grown and have been given lots of TLC before they come to you, so they come with love and beauty.</li>
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<li> Seasonal flowers means, just that, seasonal. June, July, August and September are brimming with beautiful blooms so be sure to ask your farmer/florist what will be blooming the week of your wedding. Some may have pinterest boards, and/or websites with lists of the flowers they offer each month.</li>
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<li>It's always a good idea to visit the farm or garden where your flowers are coming from. I love to have couples over to see the flowers. This is a good time to bring any vases, ribbons, trays, etc that will be incorporated into any design work your florist will be doing for you. </li>
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<li>If you're working with a local florist and want to use local flowers, just ask. It's possible they have a network of local flower farmers to source seasonal flowers from. </li>
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<li>Some farmer/florists also deliver and set up a venue, others do not. Expect a delivery and set up fee to be added on to the cost of the flowers. Be sure to iron out those details from the very beginning. You don't want any extra stress tacked on to your wedding day. If the grower is also your designer, expect a design fee to be added to the cost of the flowers. </li>
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<li>Local flowers can also mean plants, trees and flowers from your local garden shop. Some nurseries offer design services which can be a great fit for romantic garden themed bridal showers and weddings.</li>
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Find local flower farmers, florists, and designers, on the <a href="http://slowflowers.com/">Slow Flowers Directory </a>Website.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSx3PJgr4qjcghrklqHr3JyhIYly6B4ZorJxYK2dTqyHIYrVRMNTK_08bMcK0WpGKIEsmEY6eA5I8JemnN3SAs8dgMo5VcXAQhrCnlvk4AJPDkqE4HdLGLsm7mXKIG5K-QCjdl_7KRA/s1600/12920414_10156690803485324_1935865369685908939_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSx3PJgr4qjcghrklqHr3JyhIYly6B4ZorJxYK2dTqyHIYrVRMNTK_08bMcK0WpGKIEsmEY6eA5I8JemnN3SAs8dgMo5VcXAQhrCnlvk4AJPDkqE4HdLGLsm7mXKIG5K-QCjdl_7KRA/s640/12920414_10156690803485324_1935865369685908939_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As always, thanks for reading! </div>
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I wish you a wonderful gardening ( and Wedding ) season. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsP535aSbkan3e3TRiB4vBzDuE8fh1cV64qr2Jo6OYNogGtiWBzYz2Z8P5kZtbvXlSaJ1jz4CsTxDOEWxW7lpLkHUPxaNmh4DcoDPCgwH8AWIyNUTKGfEG4kD4MCOxfJ4FTZxr6_xOA/s1600/005+resize+edit%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsP535aSbkan3e3TRiB4vBzDuE8fh1cV64qr2Jo6OYNogGtiWBzYz2Z8P5kZtbvXlSaJ1jz4CsTxDOEWxW7lpLkHUPxaNmh4DcoDPCgwH8AWIyNUTKGfEG4kD4MCOxfJ4FTZxr6_xOA/s640/005+resize+edit%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only ' natural ' green gasses were used to drive us to our reception hall. </td></tr>
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Put down some roots and BLOOM! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-36001305539404691842016-06-06T10:03:00.001-07:002016-06-06T10:14:51.519-07:00How to Plant Dahlia Tubers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Howdy friends! Happy June! I've missed you! How has it been nearly a month since my last post? I can assure you it's not for lack of good writing material. I've been getting my gardens and containers prepped for planting while waiting for the weather to warm up enough to plant my dahlia tubers and seeds. We've had a cool, wet spring so I've held off on planting anything outside until last week. I can't tell you how excited I am to have them in the ground finally! </div>
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At first sight a dahlia tuber can be a little intimidating to the new grower. It can be difficult to distinguish which end is up, or down. Honestly, how can anything this ugly make something so beautiful? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZIYAxc42aaDzrL-iSoXHEm6YSZxL4rTQLU7tGZR2d2Bldz301EetojQrIQ7vLwt0WmnbmU3QSshbmYQ_igxCYrSKMP38HSkppzA1-pKbMqpEQB8GFl1F9lYmwo92iXyqGQx9qa_m3w/s1600/12144883_1030026933687131_6777621305710593673_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZIYAxc42aaDzrL-iSoXHEm6YSZxL4rTQLU7tGZR2d2Bldz301EetojQrIQ7vLwt0WmnbmU3QSshbmYQ_igxCYrSKMP38HSkppzA1-pKbMqpEQB8GFl1F9lYmwo92iXyqGQx9qa_m3w/s640/12144883_1030026933687131_6777621305710593673_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tuber above is one that I dug up and over wintered from last season. It already had a new eye start on it before I stored it. You can see where the stem was cut off at the very top of the photo. When you plant dahlia tubers, plant them with the stem facing upwards and the tubers hanging below facing downwards in a six inch deep hole. Cover them and water in well but be careful not to soak them. You don't want to risk rotting the tubers before they get going!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>Give your dahlias nutrient rich soil with plenty of organic matter mixed in and a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day.</i></span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sFCVgPHIIvL5smCc226w80BCXk7AqDWK2y7zn3u6X5_gqtGghOj2GQTF_kRhTMwxtF3WJT96i6IHCXbAlSYRqKkagY_Bgd0NB9s5MYXoTYh7YdLjBOyZuKLX64ZXHe0SjkPJaxU-dA/s1600/11260703_1032339010122590_8139675889934961614_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sFCVgPHIIvL5smCc226w80BCXk7AqDWK2y7zn3u6X5_gqtGghOj2GQTF_kRhTMwxtF3WJT96i6IHCXbAlSYRqKkagY_Bgd0NB9s5MYXoTYh7YdLjBOyZuKLX64ZXHe0SjkPJaxU-dA/s640/11260703_1032339010122590_8139675889934961614_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I over wintered last seasons tubers in a plastic bin filled with pine shavings. This is how they looked when I uncovered them in April to check for mold or any rotted soft material on the tubers. Always check your tubers during storage to make sure they're not getting too moist. I also trimmed off all the dried scraggly roots from the tubers and then I placed them in fresh shavings until planting time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy5-p5Ax9D1ZqJuKqDTaxB51m2obra-NsqYAmsoIjpLJNsVgT9i583worVQo3uF2OTEKMRotBMUfHIiYD5Add8BVFpekqJZEPUT5Yay37OrnAdSOhETrue8qyYmC02QjKfUEqII6H9Q/s1600/2015-06-18+09.14.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy5-p5Ax9D1ZqJuKqDTaxB51m2obra-NsqYAmsoIjpLJNsVgT9i583worVQo3uF2OTEKMRotBMUfHIiYD5Add8BVFpekqJZEPUT5Yay37OrnAdSOhETrue8qyYmC02QjKfUEqII6H9Q/s640/2015-06-18+09.14.13.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Dahlias bloom on tall plants that can reach over 5" tall. They will fall to the ground if not supported correctly. I like to wait until they get several inches above ground before I stake them. That way I can be sure not to disturb or damage the tubers. Wooden stakes or bamboo garden stakes work well in a small operation where only one or two people tend the flowers. I tie them up with regular old garden twine. Have I mentioned how much I love twine? I L.O.V.E. TWINE! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NbstNaRUwaNnqVjHO6y4Nph3wM-gtPtAKdlFb7cHgVerJhD2x5S3F5GqI2jzwcse08VmpB0y3LkpneRBYzmJvb-Bq4Hy18_Sh3uuAchxFnvS13xkGK9dUcNZj6o9wZqdqLz8L5NAnQ/s1600/2015-08-10+16.13.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NbstNaRUwaNnqVjHO6y4Nph3wM-gtPtAKdlFb7cHgVerJhD2x5S3F5GqI2jzwcse08VmpB0y3LkpneRBYzmJvb-Bq4Hy18_Sh3uuAchxFnvS13xkGK9dUcNZj6o9wZqdqLz8L5NAnQ/s640/2015-08-10+16.13.31.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Dahlias growing tall and proud! </div>
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If you haven't tried dahlias in your garden or backyard flower farm yet I hope you'll give them a try this season. I love using them in my wedding work and I especially enjoy them on my dining room table, or anywhere for that matter! </div>
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I'm excited to see how the new Bridal Mix and Antique Anemone varieties I ordered from <a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/dahlia_bulbs.html">Eden Brothers </a>do this year! </div>
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Put down some roots and bloom!<br />
Deb <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-43102377007686101012016-05-10T16:12:00.001-07:002016-05-10T16:14:43.713-07:00Sassy Succulants <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just look at these sassy succulents! Have you gotten caught up in the succulent craze yet? </div>
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Succulents originate from desert areas and hold most of their water in their soft rubbery petals. They only need to be watered once a week and prefer a spot out of the sun. They require very little in the way of care but they give back in a big way. And, they're fun to plant up in different containers and vases. I snapped the top photo while visiting a booth at The Country Living Fair in Nashville recently. I just love how the bright green and purple play off of each other and the moss covering underneath the petals gives the whole container some pop! </div>
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I also spotted these darling vintage-style painted jars planted up with succulents there and had to give them a try once I got home. I already had the painted jars left over from a Christmas project from last year. You can read about that <a href="http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/244">here</a>. </div>
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I love all the different shapes, colors and textures succulents offer the home gardener and floral designer alike. <br />
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Cactus plants have very similar requirements and can be mixed with succulents for an interesting textual look. I've just barely touched the surface for designing with succulents but I'm looking forward to experimenting more with them. </div>
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Pinterest is loaded with gorgeous ideas for using them in your home and garden designs. I've started a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/db61/succulants/">Succulents</a> board to keep me inspired. And, my new <a href="http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/9731">part time job</a> at a local garden shop will surely keep me in good supply! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-64092177269867352652016-04-29T12:53:00.001-07:002016-05-10T15:09:09.128-07:00Perennials for the Farmer/Florists Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Knight Butterfly Bush, Cone flower, Knockout roses, and Prairie Sun.</td></tr>
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Today's bouquets are all about what's in season RIGHT NOW. Whether you're designing with your own flowers or, sourcing blooms locally it's all about finding and using things that are unique to your area, and more specifically to your garden site. Not sure what you want to plant? Take a visit ( or several, it's still early) to your local garden center and do a walk about. Talk to the nursery staff and tell them what you're day dreaming about. I like to get my plants in one gallon sizes or larger when I'm planting a new garden boarder with perennials and shrubs. I just don't have the patience to wait for them to fill out! </div>
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Here in southern New England there are several perennials that I love to grow and use in my design work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXlHJVnacaqpcfCu4natMhwAoWYhUgfPRWdgQQOWT5sqo2BA6c8uECWQAccULaQBHsA_22yO9Ie0tErFznIo4eDs2ti4ORY7tQeoErW-_I1ShVMuB9N4xPKIG1cxEIQBxPP0GlrqVYQ/s1600/007+resize+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXlHJVnacaqpcfCu4natMhwAoWYhUgfPRWdgQQOWT5sqo2BA6c8uECWQAccULaQBHsA_22yO9Ie0tErFznIo4eDs2ti4ORY7tQeoErW-_I1ShVMuB9N4xPKIG1cxEIQBxPP0GlrqVYQ/s640/007+resize+edit.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Here a Butterfly Bush blossom is right at home among some old fashioned zinnias.</div>
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Below I have Lemon Queen Sunflower ( pictured above) arranged with Black- Eyed Susan and annual sunflowers with grass plumes. </td></tr>
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This bucket of late spring flowers is a mix of herbs, perennials and Forsythia shrub branches.</div>
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Sedum and Ornamental Grasses are some of my favorite perennials to grow because you can use them all season long. Not only do they They add year round interest to the garden but<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR40u0ymgRev6ixBQw0yCJphGWBFQ2wSaxQRH8vkq2rNNexdC-_lf0K2dg0GS5ElTVOmF6s1ykjYeHcreyaT4dDRjGwKGPIP4-pb4IuclhvKtzn90ooJ-kGvPBJuxgaQfHMNd5rNoPw/s1600/2760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR40u0ymgRev6ixBQw0yCJphGWBFQ2wSaxQRH8vkq2rNNexdC-_lf0K2dg0GS5ElTVOmF6s1ykjYeHcreyaT4dDRjGwKGPIP4-pb4IuclhvKtzn90ooJ-kGvPBJuxgaQfHMNd5rNoPw/s640/2760.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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they add unique colors and textures to the bolder shades and shapes of summer annuals such as Dahlias and Zinnias. </div>
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The Shasta Daisy is such an early blooming flower that reminds of summer picnics and backyard BBQ's. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shasta Daisies </td></tr>
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The possibilities are truly endless and that's what makes growing and
designing so much fun. You'll never run out of color, textures and fun
shapes to work with and just by adding a handful of new plants to the
yard will give you new ideas and material to play with.</div>
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I hope you'll give these easy care, sun-loving perennials a try and experiment with them in flower arranging too! </div>
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Here's a little perennial planting tip:</div>
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Plant your perennials in groups for masses of color in one or two seasons.</div>
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Hint: Instead of planting three plants, plant 5 of the same variety and plant them closer together than recommended. You can always go in and thin them out in a few years and then you can pot some up to share with friends and neighbors too! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-63584583733210225322016-04-01T12:51:00.001-07:002016-04-01T12:54:15.486-07:00Flower Growers Fellowship and Membership<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehEEiQ9d__KuY4nOBG-buIYEA09Y98Wqf141PMbCgIBJqzgsLgWp2bYOvEUThLHp-I4MYJY2izJK8vMg3sHkjFOMMBOQUDP4mqaTF_HLYO02ukq1LhSRlhswTQRec0ZrMR2YBwH5nEQ/s640/memberlogo.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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Can I just tell you that I am NOT a good prankster. I'm just NOT. I have the worst poker face on the planet and I'm not good at coming up with ideas for pranks to play on people. It must be in my DNA because now that I think about it, no one in my family is good at it. I think the worst prank someone could play on me is to tell me I'm out of chocolate, coffee or potato chips. That would be all kinds of awful around here. Hmm...I'll be right back.</div>
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Okay, we're good. Still plenty of chocolate! See? I told ya. No pranks and everyone is home! What a boring bunch we are! Anyway, what I really want to share with you today is how excited I am about recently becoming a member of the <a href="http://www.ascfg.org/">Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers</a>. </div>
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Becoming a member and attending a conference has been on my "goals list " for a couple of years now and I can't wait to get my members packet and begin to learn, grow and share with this community of flower farmers, designers, educators, writers, speakers, propagators, and mentors. </div>
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I'm really looking forward to the m<a href="http://www.ascfg.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=487&Itemid=542">embers benefits </a>, fellowship that comes with it and the new people I'll meet along the way. </div>
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The association has seen a 60% increase in membership over the last five years. </div>
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Proof that the flower farming renaissance is alive and thriving. </div>
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It's an exciting time to be " in the flowers". </div>
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Tell me if you're a member and what you love most about it. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-87191390464772842502016-03-25T16:50:00.002-07:002016-03-26T14:24:31.749-07:00An EGGstraspecial GOOD Friday Giveaway! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHJDCUCN3JVLZgFFSe8Tt8KK1kmYpmHFiOGXQlG7mgvCbtq6bZKqqcb4xdqzxRGnIGNIZaACK2sPimrLxXdM7jkeb1RmB9cZIUDc6hQrS1uHjHbllbZwspgtjSYl3YGSDS_F7poLPpg/s1600/3125344_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHJDCUCN3JVLZgFFSe8Tt8KK1kmYpmHFiOGXQlG7mgvCbtq6bZKqqcb4xdqzxRGnIGNIZaACK2sPimrLxXdM7jkeb1RmB9cZIUDc6hQrS1uHjHbllbZwspgtjSYl3YGSDS_F7poLPpg/s640/3125344_orig.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Egg Collecting Apron with ten mini egg pockets.</td></tr>
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Howdy friends. I'm so glad you landed here on Easter weekend. </div>
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Have I got a GOOD Friday Giveaway for my chicken keeping friends, and friends of chicken keepers too. </div>
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I'm hosting an EGGstraspecial Spring Giveaway over on the <a href="http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/9626">Beach Farmgirl Blog</a> sponsored by Tara J.Grier, founder of <a href="https://www.fluffylayers.com/">Fluffy Layers</a>. Her company is<span style="font-size: medium;"> inspired by fun, fashionable prints and practical urban agriculture products. </span>Tara is giving away one or her fun and fashionable egg collecting
aprons to a lucky farmgirl!</div>
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Come on over to see more cute aprons and enter the giveaway for a chance to win.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">ENTER <a href="http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/category/beach_farmgirl">HERE </a></span> </div>
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A very Happy Easter to all of you. </div>
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Hugs! Deb </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-86286925616879458692016-03-22T12:06:00.001-07:002016-03-22T14:55:48.724-07:00Small Business Dedections for Your Backyard Farmer/ Florist Business <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWx6IL1zmTGa6BdM-loNinc55iezQT1tNktnsq8Hzv1B1FQcWPJlNgwssVm6PUdEVhgV_0qc6meJjk99qlI1c8R3safshRips0yoylmUa18jDaWdzK4cbyqa6g6QY2ebgQe6z-o5fzA/s1600/field-to-vase-dandelion-house-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWx6IL1zmTGa6BdM-loNinc55iezQT1tNktnsq8Hzv1B1FQcWPJlNgwssVm6PUdEVhgV_0qc6meJjk99qlI1c8R3safshRips0yoylmUa18jDaWdzK4cbyqa6g6QY2ebgQe6z-o5fzA/s640/field-to-vase-dandelion-house-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't you just love tax season? It gives my husband and I hives every year. </div>
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For years we've done our own using Turbo Tax but with the launch of <i>Dandelion House Flower's</i> last year we decided to hire an accountant knowing we could benefit from some small business deductions. We don't have employees ( yet ) so all I had to provide was a list of any additional business income that wasn't already reported on our 1099 forms and expenses. No additional documentation was needed other than providing the name of our business. </div>
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I thought I'd share the list we used this year. </div>
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<b>BUSINESS INCOME </b></div>
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Farmers markets, farm stand, event work, gift certificates/cards, weddings, wholesale, CSA subscriptions, consultations, speaking engagements, workshops,etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqV70JReKHZSXpH2AyQWY-ZrUgzltxmiNcrU-qmqk6g9jV150wQbQJB0YF-QiRS7-fmGrEADk5T2cxnkjDRoA2cDFTxVmQxS0zGXUXLQREgBilgBaCVRNAILbuDO8A23gREVgSVunQQ/s1600/2015-08-015-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqV70JReKHZSXpH2AyQWY-ZrUgzltxmiNcrU-qmqk6g9jV150wQbQJB0YF-QiRS7-fmGrEADk5T2cxnkjDRoA2cDFTxVmQxS0zGXUXLQREgBilgBaCVRNAILbuDO8A23gREVgSVunQQ/s640/2015-08-015-EFFECTS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfYQcmGpW_yY0EsATMuzrYGGeaRAZkXbQkwHeuWejjFRvmlK-tLe1MHBkZc04oONMeRl19PEF3AamKosv_uvZ2iJLTfIuq5KtIoL_BivA8dEU2tcJLbXj4UEQtMgv34wCk4ZeiD74ug/s1600/11141219_984701051553053_6579486204662857636_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<b>BUSINESS EXPENSES </b></div>
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<b> </b>Advertising, business cards, labels, stickers, signage, phone, Internet, printers, ink, fees for industry organizations/publications, ( yes, even those Wedding magazines you pick up at the grocery store count ) meals, shows, travel, office supplies,<b> </b>construction supplies, garden supplies, floral design supplies, tools, equipment, plants, shrubs, seeds, soil, irrigation, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboaQfEz_MlJ0RlEEyoFFJ5T549aloZsSXc7dvosNbKzVVhY5uTmxK_nCV0M_tW6xsxj1R61mZ0ZFfV_S1pl144QQHL6-4AZSc2DVc9dB9XSNBtqXbpwfvXyAEV3wilS7VD2-mNC_x2g/s1600/DandelionHouse_logos_v4-BaskervilleCream+edit+for+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboaQfEz_MlJ0RlEEyoFFJ5T549aloZsSXc7dvosNbKzVVhY5uTmxK_nCV0M_tW6xsxj1R61mZ0ZFfV_S1pl144QQHL6-4AZSc2DVc9dB9XSNBtqXbpwfvXyAEV3wilS7VD2-mNC_x2g/s640/DandelionHouse_logos_v4-BaskervilleCream+edit+for+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>DONATIONS</b></div>
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Charities, gift certificates, gift cards, and flower arrangement's.</div>
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( Did you donate flowers to a nursing home or hospital last year? )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIxTa-Ep4wh-qbTW3k3DjrYVqyU9HiFvlGXzb4BsskTG5ZCo1Nk1uewkSR3WAOxyJrU7DoPrZ5ZSz9ia_QFWSbz1UPSq423zs6h5LjzskPM8eykemPm2m7J2gSM9PZTnZJXGQDsloRw/s1600/11214380_974069385949553_9094412407251693004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIxTa-Ep4wh-qbTW3k3DjrYVqyU9HiFvlGXzb4BsskTG5ZCo1Nk1uewkSR3WAOxyJrU7DoPrZ5ZSz9ia_QFWSbz1UPSq423zs6h5LjzskPM8eykemPm2m7J2gSM9PZTnZJXGQDsloRw/s640/11214380_974069385949553_9094412407251693004_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>AUTO</b></div>
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Keep track of all mileage to and from client appointments, pick up and deliveries for events and weddings, meetings, speaking engagements, workshops, farm tours, meals, etc. I'm keeping track of my mileage with Mile IQ for I Phone for 2016! How easy is that? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOdBk_50Xy6RXJjRcwINYjgY6UdXo_iNBppcnNLdoxb0jjqTD6nbU5eHc7X0ipoowCFKTa9zV7fUAJ2Vru9AR0Z5xaZo0JgwtB2iPsnx-UMGiCbeXU1Fd6juv9xwpMishXTOhXi_Ltg/s1600/12033031_1017001931656298_7690488433955772400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOdBk_50Xy6RXJjRcwINYjgY6UdXo_iNBppcnNLdoxb0jjqTD6nbU5eHc7X0ipoowCFKTa9zV7fUAJ2Vru9AR0Z5xaZo0JgwtB2iPsnx-UMGiCbeXU1Fd6juv9xwpMishXTOhXi_Ltg/s640/12033031_1017001931656298_7690488433955772400_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Looking back at our last year in dollars and cents gave me true picture of what it cost to make it all happen!</div>
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<b>ORGANIZATION</b></div>
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This is key to keeping track of what's what from season to season. I confess, I'm not a spread sheet gal but I did pile all of my receipts into a wire basket throughout the growing season and put them away for the winter. When it came time to make my list, I knew right where to look. </div>
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I hope this helps those of you thinking about farming your garden into a small business some day. It's easy when you start small, right in your own backyard, and have a good accountant!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-26315179363146123512016-03-18T12:10:00.000-07:002016-03-18T12:33:09.343-07:00 MUM'S the Word ( King's Mums) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTidFP6QW6MKuFl-1pcOKh-tnFQW50gpCvZYi4AeWoDWrGJZAVox7TqeQZNorqWaLBRrQgSKa_qEjoAVjXJRTObTxKp1gJvYO4DdlpuHeqJxJKaInVjbPurflsPDfrRO5b7bedQKz3Q/s1600/frontcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTidFP6QW6MKuFl-1pcOKh-tnFQW50gpCvZYi4AeWoDWrGJZAVox7TqeQZNorqWaLBRrQgSKa_qEjoAVjXJRTObTxKp1gJvYO4DdlpuHeqJxJKaInVjbPurflsPDfrRO5b7bedQKz3Q/s640/frontcover.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kingsmums.com/index.php">King's Mums</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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One of the greatest gifts of gardening is knowing that there will always be new plants to discover and trial. I just clicked the "order " button over at King's Mums and I can't wait to begin a new romance with these gorgeous old fashioned blooms. These billowy, voluptuous, romantic blooms are finding their way back into home gardens and floral design and for good reason. They are simply sumptuous and bring an old fashioned charm to the garden. Did you know that Chrysanthemum is the flower for the month of November? I'm a November baby and I've been walking around with that fun fact in my brain for years. It's about time I planted some don't you think?<br />
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I'm just dipping my toes into the wonderful world of Chrysanthemums and you can be sure I won't be able to keep quiet about them once I see them in action and I'll be sure to share all growing tips as I get a grasp on how they do here in the south coast of New England.<br />
Something tells me that a life time wouldn't be long enough to learn everything there is to know about Chrysanthemums, though. <br />
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Cultivars are grouped by the <a href="http://www.mums.org/">National Chrysanthemum Society</a> bloom class number. There are 13 numbered classes that are divided into three lettered classes, A, B, and C. The letters that follow each number designate the cultivars size. I chose mostly tall varieties for cutting.<br />
I'm just sharing a snippet today... When the plugs come in I'll share planting tips! In the meantime, I encourage you to check out King's Mums website to learn more about these beauties and pick a few to trial in your garden this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2HDeMjZmKWktxA-Pjxuf6XlalUIrspIGyt2_CFjvfXhrJSJzOpepGorYzVC1XGB4d1VLUVuZ9uSYpJoSfbb5ejq2Pigh3YwOH5pRMQnkX6XgoES0GVMDm_sxGTIpl3jUtIz0eFXx4Q/s1600/S45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2HDeMjZmKWktxA-Pjxuf6XlalUIrspIGyt2_CFjvfXhrJSJzOpepGorYzVC1XGB4d1VLUVuZ9uSYpJoSfbb5ejq2Pigh3YwOH5pRMQnkX6XgoES0GVMDm_sxGTIpl3jUtIz0eFXx4Q/s640/S45.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seton's J Dore </td></tr>
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Isn't she lovely? Isn't she won-der-ful? I'm hoping ( praying ) she'll find her way into some design work this season. Heck, I'd settle for just seeing her in the garden too.<br />
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Are you digging into the unknown in your garden this year too? If any of you have experience with " mums" please share.<br />
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Put down some roots and BLOOM<br />
<br />
Deb<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-76348765538237479162016-03-10T15:56:00.001-08:002016-03-10T16:28:50.666-08:00 SNEAK PEEK 2016 Seed List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/">Edenbrothers</a></td></tr>
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With the arrival of spring just days away we are that much closer to the lushness of a new growing season. The spring crocus are up and the greening of stems on my rose bushes is proof that energy is surging up through the thawing earth. We are still in warm-up mode in New England which means we are about 6- 8 weeks away from sowing seeds for summer blooms. Yahoo!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 mid-summer dahlias and zinnias.</td></tr>
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With the addition of several more raised beds to our backyard flower
farm I'm feeling excited about expanding my flower inventory this year. I'm entering into my fifth year of growing cut flowers and I'm excited to branch out and try some new varieties. I order seeds from a variety of sources each year because I like to know who's seeds have a high germination rate. I'm new to <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-2-flower-seeds.aspx">Johnny's </a>Selected Seeds and <a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/flower_seeds.html">Edenbrother's</a>, but I've heard glowing reports from other growers so I'm feeling confident in my choices. If mother nature cooperates, I'll be golden! </div>
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Here's the rundown, the lowdown, the skinny, the scoop, the sneak peek for the </div>
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2016 Dandelion House Flower Farm season. </div>
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FLOWERS ( SEEDS)<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ammi DARA </li>
<li>Ammi GREEN MIST</li>
<li>Aster APRICOT</li>
<li>Aster WHITE</li>
<li>Aster MIX </li>
<li>Cleome MIX (<i> hassleriana</i>)</li>
<li>Cosmos VERSAILLES MIX</li>
<li>Gomphrena QUIS ORANGE</li>
<li>Phlox CHERRY CARAMEL</li>
<li>Sunflower BUTTERCREAM F1</li>
<li>Zinnia CORAL-GIANT DAHLIA FLOWERED</li>
<li>Zinnia BENARY'S GIANT WINE</li>
<li>Zinnia BENARY'S GIANT MIX</li>
<li>Zinnia BENARY'S GIANT SALMON ROSE</li>
<li>Zinnia UPROAR ROSE FI </li>
</ul>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"> FILLERS</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Amaranth CORAL FOUNTAIN</li>
<li>Amaranth LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING</li>
<li>Amaranth EMERALD TASSELS</li>
<li>Basil AROMATTO </li>
<li>Celosia PAMPAS PLUME</li>
<li>Celosia RUBY PARFAIT</li>
<li>Celosia SYLPHID</li>
<li>Gypsophila COVENT GARDEN MARKET </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Friendship Bouquet ( 2015) </td></tr>
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I'll be adding annual plugs such as coleus, dusty miller, snapdragons and no doubt some surprises I've yet to discover! Next time, my dahlia and mums list for 2016!</div>
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I hope you're feeling the growing anticipation of the arrival spring and feeling inspired to plant the garden of your dreams! </div>
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Tell me what you are planting for the first time! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-40250828548870459702016-03-07T16:45:00.000-08:002016-03-08T10:01:26.007-08:00 Monday Inspiration~ Every Bloom Matters ~<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The gardens are slowly coming out of dormancy and so am I! I feel like a kid at Christmas. The anticipation of winter clean up, sowing newly acquired seeds and seeing the farm in bloom again is nothing short of exhilarating. I should take up jogging or something to get rid of this nervous, giddy energy I'm feeling! While the ground ( and I ) continue to thaw there are plenty of things to tend to in order to get a new season off to a running good start. </div>
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PRUNING</div>
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Anything that grows on new wood can be cut back now. This goes for roses, some varieties of <a href="http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/pruning.html">hydrangeas</a>, perennials and ornamental grasses. The harder you cut them back the better.</div>
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It's also a great time to divide over crowded perennials and pot them up to share with friends or neighbors. My largest border is quite over-grown and over-due for some pruning and thinning. </div>
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One of the things I'm doing this season is adding some smaller raised beds in the bare spots of my large perennial borders so I can trial new varieties without giving up prime growing space in my raised cut flower beds. I'll keep you posted on the progress there. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Balm patch ready for thinning.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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COMPOST</div>
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Order in some organic compost to top off your raised beds and replenish your existing established borders.You'll be rewarded ten times over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgycTY0ndHTkdzdQB86qe26fRUsEIDM31OwyGKlkG-vMPpe7PaNx07TlO404yfgvlzy4gJgoJgyXxHMw1MR9L3guk-VtjNiXk4y1M3AxMpee3oPp5ntyeSbzOUJArNPojHBrMLzo8WLA/s1600/051-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgycTY0ndHTkdzdQB86qe26fRUsEIDM31OwyGKlkG-vMPpe7PaNx07TlO404yfgvlzy4gJgoJgyXxHMw1MR9L3guk-VtjNiXk4y1M3AxMpee3oPp5ntyeSbzOUJArNPojHBrMLzo8WLA/s640/051-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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The Little Red Hen House, bee balm ( Jacob Cline ) and Culvers Root ( tall purple spike plant)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjXLIryiWSrLa_rPQ0hGOdsbWDXrS9Fs2Qf0qgZyP35RKScndz8bqFsrQ178t6SB29PMZpwonKTTyjcD-QgUjYKYmNOQqIR9EXzGmqxza1wW2XbHEQ7UMjk2CB32Ta-pgVvX4OC9PsA/s1600/058-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjXLIryiWSrLa_rPQ0hGOdsbWDXrS9Fs2Qf0qgZyP35RKScndz8bqFsrQ178t6SB29PMZpwonKTTyjcD-QgUjYKYmNOQqIR9EXzGmqxza1wW2XbHEQ7UMjk2CB32Ta-pgVvX4OC9PsA/s640/058-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Lavender, Sunset Cone-flower, Butterfly Bush, ( Black Knight)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English lavender, yarrow, Russian sage and ornamental grass.</td></tr>
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There's nothing like good old fashioned cock a doodle do for the garden.
If you're fortunate enough to have a chicken run ( and coop) to shovel out a couple
of times a year then you won't have to order in as much compost. You
can also purchase it by the bag at your local nursery or agricultural
center.<br />
Chicken poo in the run composts quicker than the shavings
inside the coop. The compost I shovel out of the run can safely be
applied over the top of existing beds or turned in to new areas. Pine
shavings from inside the coop are best added to leaves, twigs and grass
clippings in a sunny spot where it can decompose a little longer before
adding it to the garden. Cleaning the coop is a given every spring and something I look forward to and so do the girls!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J9_dcTxcgz3dP48JLBIFuXHBvQRgtpT-99kPNwYhGFNB-WbjGwECt4Kc59VICzBYD22-f4KM6frt_0Yg2CDQZWRhoaWBAFAI2Gid3yVWtBUaLfN52xLJUOmLVO6asvvpKPgIYmynJw/s1600/006+resize+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J9_dcTxcgz3dP48JLBIFuXHBvQRgtpT-99kPNwYhGFNB-WbjGwECt4Kc59VICzBYD22-f4KM6frt_0Yg2CDQZWRhoaWBAFAI2Gid3yVWtBUaLfN52xLJUOmLVO6asvvpKPgIYmynJw/s400/006+resize+edit.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
There's nothing prettier than a healthy garden brimming with electric green foliage and beautiful colors. Having flower beds and borders in addition to annual cut flowers for cutting creates natural biodiversity in the garden and makes for some fun flower arranging opportunities!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers, hydrangea, sedum, dahlia and grass plume.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California poppies, ( front row) bachelor buttons, ( middle row) cosmos, ( back row ).</td></tr>
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It all starts with healthy soil. You wouldn't send you babies off to school or an important event without the proper nutrition and expect them to do their best. Your garden sprouts deserve the very best environment you can give them because <i>every bloom matters</i>.<br />
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How is your spring garden prep going? Share your plan and progress! <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-70257221420183065072016-02-25T16:41:00.000-08:002016-02-25T16:41:11.060-08:00We Have A Winner for THE BEE-FRIENDLY GARDEN BOOK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxl3XQ9CpkCgv3uwp4BSpBEZmFcUde9ljapWCL7_cdgpR7qjgRHP5eJwsW8iR1RLf0vGqOQ-Eo331zylJEpDMHXH4dMxXGGGkeJatebVoc1J0Q6WMyiAuzUI_pPn30_I6MjoAHo2LRQ/s1600/61v1k6b5D3L._SX411_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxl3XQ9CpkCgv3uwp4BSpBEZmFcUde9ljapWCL7_cdgpR7qjgRHP5eJwsW8iR1RLf0vGqOQ-Eo331zylJEpDMHXH4dMxXGGGkeJatebVoc1J0Q6WMyiAuzUI_pPn30_I6MjoAHo2LRQ/s400/61v1k6b5D3L._SX411_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="330" /> </a></div>
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It was great fun to host a giveaway for The bee-friendly Garden book, written by Sustainable Gardens designer and expert, <a href="http://freygardens.com/">Kate Frey</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gretchen-LeBuhn/e/B00E6YM66M/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_2">Professor Gretchen </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gretchen-LeBuhn/e/B00E6YM66M/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_2">Lebuhn,</a>
of San Francisco State University and co-author of Attracting Native
Pollinators and The Common Bees of California. What an honor to be in
such good company as these two dedicated women.</div>
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Congratulations to the winner, Linda Nelson! </div>
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If you haven't been to Linda's blog, <a href="http://www.createaerie.blogspot.com/">at the createaerie </a>you are in for a treat. Linda is always up to some nature-inspired crafting but to me her creations are more like little pieces of fine art. Go say howdy and tell her I sent ya! </div>
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Big thanks to all who entered! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12431126111383952372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788187538635738913.post-86094025628761897022016-02-20T09:46:00.000-08:002016-02-20T09:58:00.457-08:00How Many Dahlias Can You Squeeze into Your Backyard Flower Farm? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner Plate dahlia "Ice Cube"</td></tr>
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How many dahlias can you squeeze into your backyard flower farm? That's a question I ask myself about this time every year as I'm planning for the coming season. I've also had it come up in my Face book group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Flower Farmers Connection</a>, so I thought I would address it here for everyone too. ( You don't have to be New England-er to join ) </div>
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Who doesn't love dahlias? I fell in love with these garden stars quite by accident. I was at my local feed store picking up chicken feed when I spotted dahlia tubers not so discretely placed on the end cap of one of the isles in the store. I left with my chicken feed only that day, but I couldn't get those beautiful colors out of my head. I returned the following day and bought my first 40 tubers.</div>
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When I started farming my garden in 2012 I began with 8 4 x12 raised beds. I planted 40 dahlia tubers, 20 per bed. The rest of the beds were filled familiar heat loving annuals, like zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, gladiolus, bachelor buttons and just for fun a neat plant called Pumpkin on a Stick, or, ornamental eggplant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4x12 raised bed filled with dahlias.</td></tr>
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I had no idea what I was doing and I'm pretty sure I even planted some upside down. That was AFTER watching multiple YouTube videos on how to plant dahlias. What can I say, they are weird looking things and if you aren't familiar with them it's hard to tell which end is up or down. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia tuber from last years garden. sitting out to dry before winter storage. See the little eye? Next years blooms!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I always plant a mix of each variety in each bed because with limited growing space I want to grow as many of my favorites as I can. I always lay out the printed label where I've planted each tuber. Sometimes I stake as I go along. and sometimes I wait to see them come up then stake when they get about a foot high. Always careful not to disturb the tuber I place the stake at the topside of the tuber. Once I'm finished with one bed, I write down what I planted in each bed. I number the beds 1,2,3,4, and so on. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two dahlia beds.</td></tr>
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This year, I'm bumping up my dahlia production to 120 tubers so I'll be planting 6 of my 4x12 raised beds with dahlias only in hopes of having more flowers to play with for local weddings and events. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stored dahlias </td></tr>
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Soon it will be time to bring this tub of dahlias out of winter storage. I know many gardeners pot them up first for a head start, but I don't. I just wait until late May, early June and they take off with the summer heat and go like crazy until the first frost. I'll admit I often think about potting them up because I get impatient and think I should be getting a head-start, but for the purposes of my goals and my farm-coast climate it works!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my favorite dahlias from past seasons.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New additions to my collection this year... Anenome Dahlia mix from E<a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/anemone-mix-dahlia-bulbs.html">den Brothers</a>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single-Flower Bridal Bouquet featuring Cafe au Lait</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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When you are just starting out, it all seems like a big experiment. Honestly, every year feels like that, but each season teaches us something new about ourselves, our gardens and builds confidence along the way. Be gentle with yourself ( just like you are with your flowers) on this journey. There is a lot to learn for sure, but the most powerful lesson of all is following your heart. You can't rush destiny or a garden.<br />
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Please don't hesitate to drop me an email with more questions. I'll help if I can. And join the flower farmer /florist community on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564347030557823/">New England Flower Farmers Connection</a>. <br />
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Here are some quality dahlia sources: Time is winding down for getting a good selection so hurry! <br />
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<a href="http://www.ednieflowerbulb.com/common/accounts/login.aspx">Ednie Flower Bulbs</a><br />
<a href="http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/flower_bulbs.html">Eden Brothers </a><br />
<a href="http://www.dahlias.com/">Swan Island</a><br />
<a href="http://www.longfield-gardens.com/Dahlia">Longfield Gardens</a><br />
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*I don't get any compensation for recommending seed sources. I just share what I like and know to be good businesses. </div>
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