Birch Farm Flowers

12/06/2025

📸 Just did a little photo shoot at , testing out a 10 year old Nikon DSLR on some fresh new growth here in Salford 🌱🌸
Loving how everything’s coming to life — it’s amazing what a good lens can pick up! Ladybirds are in town ladybird 🐞 .
Do you use a proper camera for your flowers, or just your phone? Would love to know what works best for you! 💐

15/04/2025

19/03/2025

Tomorrow is the Spring Equinox which marks the turning of the season—the point where day and night are perfectly balanced, and the world tilts towards the light. It’s a time of renewal, fresh starts, and getting our hands in the soil.

Margaret Atwood wrote, "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." And honestly, that feels like the best way to celebrate. To dig, plant, and embrace the messiness of growth.

If you’re looking for ways to mark the equinox, here are a few ideas:

Sow some seeds – The perfect way to honour this season of new beginnings. We’re spending this week sowing trays of flowers and planting out hardy annuals here on the farm.
Step outside – Feel the warmth on your skin, listen to the birdsong, notice how the world is waking up.
Light a candle – A simple ritual to welcome the returning light.
Set an intention – Whether it’s for the season ahead or something personal, this is a time to plant ideas as well as seeds.

The equinox reminds us that change happens gradually, but it always comes. A shift towards more warmth, more light, and more life.

How are you celebrating the Spring Equinox?

17/03/2025

It's been a while since I introduced myself on here and we have had quite a few new follows recently (thank you!).

I’m Elizabeth, the grower behind Birch Farm Flowers. A few years ago, I would never have imagined myself running a flower farm, but life has a way of leading you to the right place.

My journey started in the corporate world, then took me through running an event business before finally bringing me here, to a life surrounded by flowers, nature, and creativity. Birch Farm Flowers is built on seasonality, sustainability, and the simple joy of growing and sharing flowers.

Here’s a quick summary of what we do:

Flower Workshops – From seasonal wreath-making to pick-your-own flower sessions, my workshops are all about slowing down, connecting with nature, and creating something beautiful.
Florist’s Blooms – I grow unique, seasonal flowers for Manchester-based florists looking for something special.
DIY Wedding Flowers – For couples who want sustainable, homegrown flowers to arrange themselves.
Ready-Made Wreaths – Handcrafted, eco-friendly wreaths available seasonally.
Dried Flowers – Naturally dried, long-lasting blooms for home décor and arrangements.

You can read all about my journey to flower farming in this week’s journal. Whether you’re here for flowers, workshops, or just a little inspiration from life on the farm, I’m so glad to have you here as part of our community.

https://www.birchfarm.co.uk/post/how-i-became-a-flower-farmer

06/03/2025

Caring for Your Flowers: Growing, Supporting & Preserving

We’ve written our final article on growing cut flowers from seed. This week, we’re covering how to look after your plants as they grow—right through to harvesting and drying them. You can read the full article on our website, but here’s a handy summary of what we cover:

Feeding – Compost provides a great foundation, but a liquid feed mid-season can give annuals a boost. Foliar feeding can also help if plants show signs of stress.

Direct Sowing – Flowers like Nigella, Cornflowers, Cosmos, and Zinnias can be sown straight into the ground once the soil is warm. Keep an eye out for pests.

Supporting – Flowers need more support than you might think. Use jute twine, bamboo canes, or sturdy frames to keep them upright, especially in windy spots.

Saving Seeds – Let some flowers go to seed, then collect and store them in a cool, dry place for next year’s blooms.

Drying Flowers – Cut flowers at their peak, hang them in a dark, well-ventilated space, and store them carefully for wreaths and arrangements.

Cutting & Conditioning – Harvest in the morning, strip lower leaves, recut stems at an angle, and keep vases clean to extend vase life.

With a little care, your flowers will thrive and bring joy all season long.

We also have two other articles in this series, covering sowing seeds and potting on and planting out - everything you need to know to grow your own cut flowers. Have a read, you are just in time to start your own cutting garden, any questions please ask, we are always here to help!

04/03/2025

WHOLESALE FLOWERS - As the season begins, I’ve been thinking a lot about my wholesale offering. The other day, I realised there are a few free services I provide as standard - things that make a real difference to the florists I work with.

Creative Consultancy on Flower Choices – I don’t just supply seasonal flowers; I take the time to suggest combinations, advise on what’s at its best, and build relationships with florists to understand their style. This means I can curate buckets of flowers I know they’ll love, tailored to their designs and clients.

Cutting at the Right Stage for Each Occasion – Flowers for weddings are cut at just the right moment, so they’ll be open and at their best on the day. Flowers for bouquets are cut in bud to ensure the longest vase life. Every stem is carefully conditioned so they arrive in perfect shape, ready to arrange.

Quality Control – Every stem is checked, and only the best make it into the bucket. This means florists receive flowers that are fresh, long-lasting, and of the highest quality.

Lavishing Each Stem with Love, Care, and Attention – Lots of talking, plenty of pep talks, and a good dose of encouragement—because happy flowers make the best arrangements!

These little details make all the difference, helping florists create the best designs while ensuring they receive flowers that truly work for their needs.

If you’re a florist looking for fresh, seasonal, and thoughtfully curated flowers, get in touch - I’d love to work with you.

02/03/2025

So, what have we been up to this week?

We have had some very welcome blue skies and dry weather but the clear sky has also brought some cold nights and frosts, we were reminded that winter hasn’t loosened its grip just yet.

The cold nights have also slowed down my seed sowing, it is so easy to get carried away sowing lots and lots of trays early in the season, but the weather is still so unpredictable you then have to spend a lot of time looking after the seedlings, ventilating them, protecting them from frosts etc. I am still sowing but taking it easy, and reminding myself there are many weeks of sowing ahead.

Here is a little summary of our week in pictures.

Looking after our living wreath - regular sprays with water to keep the moss moist.

Planting the ranunculus in the tunnel - the next batch will go outside next week.

Dealing with pests 🐇 and 🐁

Frosty mornings mean we have been covering the seed trays in the greenhouse with fleece at night.

Spring cleaning the greenhouse and tunnel.

Enjoying some wonderful sunsets.

This weekend brings the start of meteorological spring and March is the month the clocks go forward and we have lovely long evenings. Lots of things to look forward to!

Have a lovely week everyone 🌷

17/02/2025

Following on from last week's post on seed sowing, we've just published a new article on nurturing your seedlings into thriving cut flowers.

From potting on to hardening off and planting out, we've got you covered. Head over to the blog on the website (link in bio) for the full article and to catch up on the seed sowing article from last week.

Here's a quick overview of what's included:

Potting On: Once your seedlings have multiple sets of true leaves and appear crowded, it's time to transfer them to larger pots with fresh compost to encourage healthy root development.

Hardening Off: Gradually acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions by exposing them to the elements over a week or two. This process strengthens them for the transition to the garden.

Planting Out: After hardening off, move your seedlings to their permanent outdoor spots, ensuring proper spacing and care to promote robust growth.

Look out for next week's article on plant care, harvesting, seed saving, and drying. Happy gardening!

14/02/2025

Experience the simple power of growing flowers and the joy they bring - join us on Saturday, March 15th or 29th, from 11 am to 1 pm, for a relaxing and informative Seed Sowing Workshop at our flower farm in Eccles, Salford.

We'll guide you through sowing a mix of hardy and half-hardy annual seeds that will provide you with beautiful blooms throughout the summer.

Enjoy a tour of our flower farm, where we'll discuss our plans for the 2025 season over a hot drink and homemade cake. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and take notes. At the end of the session, you'll take home your seed trays, confident in growing your own cut-and-come-again flowers.

All materials, including compost, seed trays, and a selection of seeds, will be provided.

If you are looking to spend more time outdoors and get active, growing your own flowers offers a wonderful way to connect with nature, enjoy some exercise in the fresh air. You are also rewarded with beautiful flowers for your home and garden.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today, visit our website (link in bio) and head to the Workshops & PYO section, or drop me a message and I will book you in.

26/01/2025

Our week on the farm in pictures.

Perennials overwintering- great habitat for birds and insects- we will cut than back next month.

Perennial seedlings sown in Autumn doing well - we spent some time sorting through them and checking they were healthy. They are all looking great, and we have lots of new perennials to plant out next month.

New plot layout being planned - we have extended the growing area significantly (lots more flowers!) we have also incorporated the seating area on the left which will be lovely for our PYO sessions.

Greenhouse tidy and sort

Potting shed tidy and sort

Wintery looking plot

Quiet moment and cup of tea in the potting shed

Planting last years bulbs in our pots and planters on the deck, can't wait to have some spring colour outside the kitchen.

24/01/2025

Start Your Cutting Garden This Spring

This March, we’re hosting our popular Seed Sowing Workshops, and we’d love for you to join us. These sessions are designed to give you the confidence to grow your own beautiful flowers, perfect for cutting and bringing into your home.

What you’ll gain:

Practical, hands-on guidance for sowing seeds like cosmos, zinnias, and sweet peas
A full copy of our Cut Flower Growing Guide
A tray of annual seeds to take home and start your garden
Our workshops are very welcoming and inclusive. We strive to create a warm, supportive space where you can feel comfortable, whatever your level of experience or ability.

Whether you’re new to gardening or simply want to expand your knowledge, these workshops are a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, try something new, and prepare for a season full of blooms.

Spaces are limited, so if you’d like to join us, be sure to book your place soon.
https://www.birchfarm.co.uk/service-page/spring-seed-sowing-workshop-2?referral=service_list_widget

We hope to see you there and can’t wait to share the joy of growing flowers with you!