This is about my attempts to start a micro growing business in the urban heartlands of Leeds. Headingley is a busy suburb, populated by a good mix of local long term residents, like our selves, students, and young working people, all from a wide ethnic mix. I am a tutor / trainer, but gardening and growing is a passion of mine, and to start my own 'nursery' a bit of a dream. Cut flowers are lovel
y, but I only really started to appreciate their worth when my mum became ill, and is now pretty housebound. She always used to be out in the garden, but now having flowers in the room is one of her remaining links with the outside she loves. There is a bit of a movement out there to promote British grown cut flowers, and to encourage small scale artisan cut flower growers, and I felt inspired to action after attending a workshop run by 'Flowers From the Farm' It is crazy to think of all those air miles that the majority of those flowers in the supermarket are notching up. The majority of flowers need to go to Amsterdam wholesalers before being distributed back across the globe. It is going to be amazing to grow a wide range of flowers from cottage garden classics, to herbs, grasses, and to try out a few weird and wonderful characters as well. The diversity and originality will hopefully prove a bit of an eye catcher. This face book page will chart the evolution of my micro business, from the first planting out to harvest and hopefully sales. I am hoping to sell at the local deli market at Kirkstal Abbey, but also may have a mobile flower shop attached to the back of my bike ! This year 'Back Garden Blooms' is literally in a back garden ! But with 8 raised beds created there should be plenty of flower power. Part of my ethos is to be as sustainable as possible. I am using composted wood chip as the main basis for potting mixes, and re cycling and re-using materials where possible. Even the manure is local ! Deliveries will be pedal powered as well. The aim this year is to build up a network of contacts for markets / businesses who want seasonal flowers, and to get the word out to locals who want flowers for special occasions, or just want flowers ! I am a grower more than a florist, so happy to supply the flowers from the plot, but if you want special arrangements you may need someone else to do that ! But 'D I Y' flowers have got to be good for the budget ! So follow this page to keep an eye on progress and developments, and for when I do have flowers there may be a bit of a launch party to celebrate !
