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You might think that winter is the time where all flower farmers have nothing to do and I am here to tell you that is incorrect.

It can be just as busy and exciting as the summer!

The winter is the time where we get to plan and dream of the beauty that will come in just a few short months. One of the most crucial times for a flower farmer starts when its negative degrees and nothing is alive in the field. Crazy right?!

Here in Ohio, I will start seeding some of our flowers as early as February. Some places might even start before that. While we aren’t outside weeding, watering or harvesting, we are still working just as hard. I have come up with the three most important jobs flower farmers do during the winter.

1. Plan. When you are planning a garden or planning to grow anything for that matter, you have to plan ahead. All plants, in order to grow to their full potential, need to be grown at the right time so they can thrive with the season that best fits their needs. In the winter, I plan when to plant all the cool season flowers, hardy annuals and the perennials all down to the exact week/day they need to be started. We have to figure out where they will be planted in the field, what nutrients they need to grow and how many we need to seed or how much space they will take up. So much time and thought goes into planning our fields, so you and I can enjoy the harvest come summer.
2. Learn. Since we do get a short break from attending farmers markets or making dozens of bouquets weekly, we get the chance to learn more about growing flowers to make the next year better than the last. Not only do we want to become more educated on the flowers we are growing, but we also need to become more knowledgeable about the business we are running. Lots of podcasts, videos, seminars or conferences help someone, like me, who is new to owning a business. I will take all the help I can get! As a business owner of any kind, you are always learning. During the winter, I can finally find the time to read all the books I have bought over the months and continue to gain more knowledge.
3. Rest. I would be lying if I said that all we do is work in the winter. The business flower farmers run means nonstop for over half of the year and the few short months we get to slow down are greatly appreciated. For me, that means I squeeze in as many trips as I can before the busy season kicks in, or work on big projects like renovating our barn! When summer comes, we are well rested and ready to go!

This list doesn’t even contain everything that happens at the farm in the winter. Every farm is different and there is always something to do no matter what season.

If you are planning to grow a garden, NOW is the time to start getting ready. You should plan out what seeds you want to buy, how many you want to plant, where you want to plant them and how they need to be planted. Spring will be here before you know it!

Thanks for reading this blog!

~Cait at The Watering Can

For decades now, flower farms have become more and more popular all across the world with the assumption that many will continue to pop up for years to come. So, what is so great about them?

Flower farms offer communities the chance to obtain locally grown flowers. Wouldn’t you prefer to buy your veggies or fruits from a local farm rather than something that has been shipped across the country? If yes, then buying locally grown flowers is right up your ally. When something is grown locally, you more than likely know how it is grown, who may have grown it and the best of all, it is fresh! Who doesn’t like fresh? Especially with flowers and knowing that they could have been harvested days or even weeks before reaching the store where you are buying them from.

Many flower farms also offer a one-of-a-kind experience, whether that is with u-picks or different events where you can come and visit their farm. Millions of people do not have the opportunity or space to see how certain crops are grown and it creates such a unique moment to enjoy.

A lot of hard work, planning, organizing and research goes into running a flower farm. Next time you visit a farm, remember that it is more than just planting a few seeds in the ground. It is months and months of preparation to create such a beautiful experience. When you look at the flowers, think of the love and passion that has been poured into that single stem and enjoy the freshness that they offer.

Fresh cut flower farms are great because of the thousands of great people that grow them for you!

Cait ~ The Watering Can Flower Farm