Oh flowers....will you be there?

Heading out to see if there is enough flowers to bring to market Sat. They are the main thing we sell there, so when they are done......so are we.

I have already ordered some terrific new asiatic & longiflorium lilies for next years bouquets. Also, some bulb plants like wild hyacinth that I will sell as potted plants for your garden next year. I am anxious to see this pale lime green asiatic lily (shown below) hope it's as good looking in person as it is on my computer screen.

Wild hyacinth

Asiatic - 'Landini' (nearly black)

Asiatic - Pearl Jennifer

Rain, rain.

I think we have gotten the monthly allotment already, and it only the 16th. St. Peter got hail, but we were missed, good. Hope it dries enough to pick flowers Friday for the market. It seems like this summer has flown by, but when I was working on those 100+ heat index days....felt it would never be over. Looking forward to the partial break the 'off' season brings. By this time of year I am already focusing and planning on next years changes, to-do list, new products etc.

Dried Floral Class

Last push for class sign-ups. Class is at the St. Peter Community Center from 6:30-8:30, Sept., 21. Call to sign-up 934-3048. If I don't meet the minimum number to have it there, I will hold the class at my flower shop. A few folks have signed up already. Class is $28 at the Com Center.
$20 if I hold it here. I won't know until next Monday, the 20th where it will be held. If you sign up w/them they will give me the list. At the class, you will make 1-2 arrangments to take home and they'll look great for a year or more!

Summer flowers are a fadin'

So I DID end up working all afternoon yesterday, but now I have truck problems. The box truck has had an starting problem ALL year. Now my Chevy pick-up is dead in the field. (not the battery) Might have it towed today. So then what? Peddle veggies out of the Camaro? Think not. Tough to get things done/fixed when you farm alone all week. The flowers are fading fast. Some like snapdragons like the cool weather, but the zinnias & sunflowers don't like the shorter days.
Want some dried stuff for fall? Stop by I'll pick you some broom corn, corn stalks, gomphrena....

Too muddy

for me to work in the field, so serve yourself all day. I'll be out there if it dries up, but looks like more rain might be in our near future.

Self Serve

For the rest of the season at the field. We will still assist you when we are there, but as the season draws to an end, and weather gets colder & crappy....well you get the picture.
Call my if you need something special or have a question. I will still be there more than I am not there for the next 2 weeks. =) 507-382-9337
Thanks for your business this year!!!!

Oh the confusion.

A few words to clarify about what is 'organic.' A few questions came up this weekend about 'organically' growing food that maybe I can clear up for everyone. Organic growers CAN use chemicals. Yes.... it's true. As long as they are approved and are naturally found substances. There are acceptable pesticides and fungicides, powders & sprays but not much for herbicides except 'knock down' products. So when people ask 'you don't use chemicals' do you? Or you don't 'spray anything on your plants do you?' Like skim milk for a fungicide? Yes. I do spray, I spray what you dump on your cereal in the morning.....milk!!!! =) It's more than a simple yes or no answer as there is soooooo much confusion. Synthetic (human made) products are not approved for 'organic farming.' A good source for organic products is www.gardensalive.com also Drummers has a good selection in Mankato. I used to be 'Certified Organic' when I farmed in the Rochester area for several years. The process to be certified is expensive and they also take approx. 2% or more of your daily sales!!!!! Last year we were Certified Naturally Grown, same principles, cheaper program, but truthfully......nobody cared! We currently are following my principles of reasonable farming: use as little inputs as possible to achieve the goal: harvesting a crop.