So far we have started the following seed babies; eucalyptus, stock, celosia, tweedia, craspedia, rudbekia, strawflower, foxglove. The studio is officially a grow op!
#startingseeds #petalsflowerco #shelburneflorist #dufferincountyflorist #farmerflorist #weddingflorist #localblooms #grownathome
This weekend we (Dad and I) converted the flower studio into our “grow op”. It will not be long before we are starting our seedlings for early spring planting. Our cooler is converted to a germination chamber which is heated so that the seeds will germinate faster. We then move into the studio space under lights to continue to grow before another move to a wagon or the hoophouse from hardening off. #neveradullmoment
This video is from March 2020.
#petalsflowerco #shelburneflorist #dufferincountyflorist #farmerflorist #weddingflorist #localblooms #grownathome
My favourite thing to do is to create beautiful arrangements from the field. The seasonal blooms in this arrangement are;
Thornless raspberry
Ninebark
Sweet peas
Bee Balm
Yarrow
Brome Grass
Eucalyptus
Astilbe
Stock
Lisianthus (Ontario grown but not ours, yet)
Nigella
Cherry caramel phlox
Can you identify all of the blooms?
Smiles,
Amber
#grownathome #weddingflorist #farmerflorist #petalsflowerco
Dufferin County eucalyptus...
#ourdufferin #weddingflorist #petalsflowerco #smellssodelicious
Pre-Orders are now available! If you would like to pre-order any of our centrepieces or the beautifully unique paperwhite garden, please head over to:
https://petals-flower-co.myshopify.com/collections/flowers
All centrepieces will be adorned with a few extra fabulous bit such as cinnamon sticks, clementines, pomegranates, etc!
In the notes section of your order, please be sure to indicate your pick up date, time and location.
Pick up dates, times and locations are as follows:
Saturday, December 1st - Petals Flower Farm: Open House - 10am - 2pm
Thursday, December 13th - Petals Flower Farm - 10am - 4pm
Tuesday, December 18th - The French Press Cafe, Orangeville - 4pm - 6pm
Thursday, December 20th - Cobwebs and Caviar, Shelburne - 4pm - 6pm
Friday, December 21st - Petals Flower Farm - 10am - 4pm
PINCHING – The Most Counterintuitive Practice at Petals!
Pinching is a term that describes the practice of cutting off the top of the flower stem prior to it blooming. Pinching is very difficult to do because as a grower you are so excited for every bloom. However, pinching can be used to increase yield and prolong the bloom of your annual crop. It is an important strategy here at Petals to maximize our yields.
The science behind pinching… When you pinch a plant it sends out new stems below the area that you cut. This essentially stimulates the plant to send out multiple new stems that will bloom at the same time. As with everything in life there is a slight trade off. An unpinched flower will have a single bloom, bloom earlier and have a longer stem then one that is pinched. However, the pinched flower will have more blooms but at a slightly later date. So depending on these considerations you may decide to pinch or not.
There are some flowers that should never be pinched – those that grow from a rosette of leaves. Some of the varieties that Petals grow that pinched include dahlias, cosmos, snapdragons, sweet peas, celosia and many more.
Have an awesome day flower friends!
Smiles,
Amber
#farmerflorist #shelburneflorist #petalsflowerco #ourdufferin #grownathome
PERSUADING the PEONY
How to cut and preserve your peonies for lasting blooms!
For all of you that have a secret stash of your own peonies… There is a way to harvest and care for them that will allow you to enjoy blooms for up to 3+ weeks. What you will need – refrigerator space, newspaper and good timing. As you know, your peonies will mature and often explode into bloom all in one afternoon. In order to capture these fragrant blossoms and have them for a couple of weeks as cut flowers do the following:
1. You must watch the peony patch frequently as the blooms get ready to explode. Feel the buds and when they are in a “marshmallow” state cut the stems.
2. Tightly wrap 5-10 stems together in newspaper. Place them in a refrigerator (not in water, they can lie at the back of the fridge).
3. A day prior to wanting the blooms in your home, take them out of the fridge. Dip the buds in warm water to remove the sugary coating the ants are usually taking off. Peel back the green guard petals so they are open. Cut the stems on an angle and place in warm water. The peony should open in the next 12-24 hours!
4. Peonies can be held in the fridge for a number of weeks. This allows you to maximize the peony goodness in your home from your own peony patch!
Enjoy flower friends!
Smiles,
Amber
#farmerflorist #shelburneflorist #petalsflowerco #ourdufferin #grownathome
**PETALS PROGRESS REPORT**
Hey flower friends!
I just thought I would let you know what we have been up to here at Petals. Over the winter my Dad built me a mulch layer?!?! I DO have the best Dad EVER!
What does that mean? For those of you that are new to following us, last year we laid thick landscape fabric and burnt holes in it to plant our flower seeds into. The landscape fabric is to help us control weeds. Last year's method was great but we were sure that we could improve the efficiency of planting by changing our practices (PROGRESS!). That is when we began investigating mulch layers and biodegradable fabric.
My Dad is super handy and thought that he could manufacture a unit to lay this biodegradable landscape fabric (for a huge cost savings to purchasing this piece of equipment). Which as you can see in this video is super effective! In terms of efficiency what does this mean for Petals?
Last year:
*a 60ft length of fabric would take 10mins to unroll and pin down
*it would take approximately 12mins to burn holes in the 60ft of landscape fabric
*it took extensive physical effort in the fall to pull up the landscape fabric and fold it
This year:
*we are laying 150ft of fabric in 1min per pass
*it takes us 5mins to cut the fabric and turn the tractor and setup for the next row
*today we had laid 14 rows of fabric in 2hours (there were some glitches to remedy)
*in the fall we will disc the biodegradable fabric into the soil so that it breaksdown over the winter
AMAZING improvements over last year. I cannot wait to get planting! Thanks for following along on this journey with us!!
Have a lovely evening!
Smiles,
Amber
#farmerflorist #shelburneflorist #ourdufferin #flowerplanting2018 #petalsflowerco #awesomedad
Mother's Day at Petals!
Good morning flower friends!
Check out what we have available at Petals today!! It is worth the drive to the flower farm!
We are here today from 9am until 7pm and as a reminder we take cash, VISA, Mastercard and etransfer. Please tag family and friends that may be interested or need ideas for Mother's Day!!
We would love if you would stop by!
Have a super Saturday!
Smiles,
Amber
#Mother'sDay2018 #momlove #shelburneflorist #petalsflowerco #ourdufferin #farmerflorist
Hoophouse Planting
Hey flower friends!
Hope that you all had a great day! We sure did! Check out what we accomplished! The hoophouse is officially planted!
Smiles,
Amber
#farmerflorist #livinthedream #shelburneflorist #grownathome #ourdufferin #petalsflowerco
Petals Narcissus
In the hoophouse Apr 23rd, hear the birds in the background?!? Beautiful!
Petals Winter Market Tour
Good morning flower friends!
**PETALS WINTER MARKET OPEN TODAY FROM 10-5pm**
We have cleared a path for you to the Petals Winter Market! Bring your family to check out all of the beauty and wonderful local creations the market has to offer! Only two more Saturday's before it is time for Christmas and the market is full of wonderful and unique treasures!
Local artisans include:
Jade's Junkyard Jems
Fiona's Funky Junk & Hats
Ann's Antique Finds
Lennox Farm 1988 Ltd
Landman Gardens and Bakery
Boris' Birdhouses
Meet us at the studio and take a stroll out to the market. Looking forward to seeing you!
Smiles,
Amber
#shelburneflorist #petalswintermarket #ourdufferin
Wreath Making
Hello flower friends!
I hope that you are having or have had a terrific Tuesday! I know I have! I would like to share with you this "behind the scenes" wreath making time lapse.
All of the winter arrangements created at Petals contain fir, cedar, balsam, hemlock and cones carefully foraged at our farm. Every wreath is made as you see here - quality hand crafted with fresh product and intention. Sure you could purchase your wreath at Walmert or Costco, it is convenient and it may even be cheaper. But we are so grateful to our customers that buy locally! They know that their money spent in their community stays in their community. Your patronage of this small flower farm allows us do what we LOVE - create beautiful things for you!! Thank you so much for your generosity and unwavering support. We appreciate you!!
This wreath was made today with love and intention for Jeff & Sarah. Hoping to see you guys soon!!
Smiles,
Amber
#petalsflowerco #shelburneflorist #buylocal #ourdufferin #petalswintermarket
Hello flower friends!
We are all setup and ready to see you today at the My Crafty Neighbour craft show! Find us at the Shelburne Legion from 10-3pm!
Smiles,
Amber
#petalsflowerco #shelburneflorist #slowchristmas #ourdufferin
Hello flower friends!
I hope that you all enjoyed the long weekend and that everyone had great first day of school! Such an exciting time!
I had an awesome day of harvesting for the upcoming Shelburne Farmer's Market and some fabulous anniversary arrangements. I did this time lapse video to give you an idea what bouquet building looks like for Petals when I prep on a Thursday morning!! Lovin' what I do! Livin' the dream!
Smiles,
Amber
#farmerflorist #shelburneflorist #ourdufferin #petalsflowerco.
Petals Dahlia Harvest
Hey there flower friends!
A sneak peak at the flowers coming to you tomorrow at the market! This morning's dazzling dahlia harvest! Farm fresh flowers!!
Smiles,
Amber
#shelburneflorist #ourdufferin #petalsflowerco #farmerflorist #shelburnemarket
Thank you! I am feeling grateful and overwhelmed by the support you have all shown our small flower farm and flower studio. Thanks to you our page hit over 400 followers this week!
We had over 100 likes and shares our Wednesday post and all of the names have been entered into a vase for our draw. Watch the video to see who has won the $45 vase arrangement for Mother's Day!
Thank you again for your help in spreading the word about Petals! It is truly appreciated!
Smiles,
Amber
