FLORA Flowers

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FLORA Flowers

Artist turned Flower Farmer & Florist. Growing extraordinary flowers for local people to enjoy.
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07/11/2024

Our PYO patch is coming along beautifully...but there is always a hiccup or 2!

This year we have a couple of dahlia beds overcome with weeds. We grow our dahlias under plastic tunnels to get them off to an early start, but once it warms up, this also makes an ideal little environment for weeds to flourish. The tunnels also make it difficult to get in and hoe the weeds out before they become a problem.

It's not a big disaster - the dahlias are still hiding under there...we just have to spend a few hours weeding to find them!

I'm just about to plant 3 more beds of dahlias, and this time I will be laying wool matting strips along the edges and down the middle (these weedy beds only have a strip down the middle). This is how we start off most of our crops, and it really cuts down on weeding time. It is an extra cost, but I've done the maths and it's cheaper than paying for the weeding labour!

05/11/2024

This is how you spell LOVE in so many different languages...

04/11/2024

Ladies...what are you doing to look after yourself?

We're heading into that super busy time of year when the 'mental load' we seem to carry gets a bit crazy. We wear many hats and keep many balls in the air trying to make life good for all those we love...but do we do anything to nurture ourselves?

My challenge to you is to do one thing just for yourself before Christmas. It may feel selfish...it may seem like there is something better the time or money could be used for...or it may seem hard to find a space in the calendar. But I encourage you to just do it!

And in total honesty...doing something for myself is not something I am good at. My personal challenge is to find something non-flower-related so that I can give myself a total break from thinking about work. But I've found it! I've booked myself in for a one-day wellness retreat with Wicked Wellbeing in Auckland. I've always wanted to do one of her weekend retreats, but sadly I am a snorer so sharing a room with someone was not going to work! I'm so looking forward to my special day.

And I'd love to hear what you decide to do. It doesn't have to be big or elaborate or expensive...but it does have to be all about YOU.

01/11/2024

I love my yearly trip down memory lane while doing the Senior Prizegiving flower arrangements at Mahurangi College.

It's so nice to still have a small connection with my own college, which is also the college my 3 kids attended. Between us we have 27 years there!

And instead of leaving the arrangements to decay on stage, I go back the next day and deconstruct them and use the flowers to make bunches that the school can use.

Such a good re-use of flowers if I do say so myself! I hope lots of other florists offer this service....

29/10/2024

Once again you'll have the opportunity for some Flower Therapy when we offer PYO flower events this Summer at our Flower Farm near Matakana.

Our PYO is a little different to other PYO's, so here are the main things you need to know...

🌻 We run ticketed events rather than being open for customers to come whenever they want to. Tickets will be released on our website in stages as we set dates (while keeping an eye on the weather forecast). Sign up on the PYO page of our website to be notified when we release dates.

🌻 Our events are only run early morning and early evening - because it's all about the flowers, and flowers should not be picked at any other time of the day! (and it's an absolutely beautiful time to be outside)

🌻 You'll be given a 1-hour window to arrive within. Picking usually takes about 30-45 mins

🌻 We limit our ticket numbers at each event so it never feels crowded, and there are always plenty of flowers to choose from.

🌻 Your ticket allows you to pick 20 flowers. It also allows you to bring another person for free (they can either help you pick or hold your bucket!)

🌻 You'll be picking into a bucket of water - because water is kind of crucial for flowers! We will provide the picking bucket, but you'll need to bring a bucket to take your flowers home in.

🌻 Lisa (or occasionally our worker Jody) will be there to give you a few tips on harvesting the flowers at their peak time.

It really is a wonderful experience to have, either by yourself or with a friend or family member. If you have any more questions about how our PYO works, please comment below 👇

24/10/2024

Yes we do - and we’re proud of it!

Sunflowers are not a popular main crop for most small seasonal flower farmers. I think mainly because they are thought of as 'common', they are not very 'dainty', and their colours are quite bold (not your typical wedding colours!)

But I just love them and get such a buzz from growing them, so they are staying on my grow list! We try to have them consistently from October to May – growing approx. 6000 each year.

And why do I love them? They are simply satisfying to grow, satisfying to harvest, and amazing to give to people to make them smile! I grow them in excess so that I always have plenty to give away.

If you've been following my journey, you might remember that for the last 2 years we’ve grown a batch of social sunflowers (specifically to give away). We're planning to do that again this year, and we're working on a way to include you in our social sunflower project. So stay tuned for details as I figure it out 😊

15/10/2024

Our Summer PYO flower season is fast approaching - at this stage it looks like we are on track to start holding our PYO events from early December.

And this Summer we are trying a few new ideas - like our private PYO parties.

Just imagine having exclusive access to our PYO field with your group. Perhaps for a hens' party, a girls' day out, an extended family activity, or as part of an end-of-year work outing.

Get in touch to discuss the possibilities. There are limited spots for private events, and all bookings must be confirmed before mid-November so that we can then set the dates for our general PYO events.

And don't forget that you can sign up for our PYO mailing list on the website to be the first to know when our event tickets are available.

13/10/2024

Have you ever heard of a flower frog?

As you can see in the photo, it's a weighted base with close-set sharp nail spikes. They come in various sizes and are used to secure blooms in low vases and bowls.

Flower frogs have been used by florists for more than 100 years to help arrange flowers, but the invention of floral foam has seen their use almost disappear.

I find them quite therapeutic to work with ... and I feel a demo coming on! Stay tuned...

And sorry, I have no idea why they are called frogs! 🐸

09/10/2024

If you like straight rows, then you'll appreciate this glimpse of one of our recently planted sunflower beds.

I'm a bit of a 'she'll be right' planter, and I tend to eyeball my rows and get them straight enough. But my worker Jody has developed the knack of getting perfectly straight rows, and I must admit they are a thing of beauty!

I must have some hidden OCD tendencies....

03/10/2024

The countdown is on for our Summer season of Pick-Your-Own Flower events!

This year we've doubled the size of our picking area, and we're planning to start the first weekend of December.

Most of our events were sell-outs last year, so if you think a PYO experience sounds like your thing, then head over to my website and sign up for my PYO email list. Then you will be the first to know when our tickets are released for our events.

We're so excited about this PYO season - I am sure it will be the highlight of my flower year to see so many people experiencing the joy of being outside picking flowers!

01/10/2024

It's looking pretty green around here at the moment.

We're making the most of our short lull in flower production by getting thousands of seedlings planting into our expanded Pick Your Own area.

Come December we'll be open for your PYO pleasure! It really is such a special experience, and an amazing little mental wellness treat for yourself.

The best way to keep up to date with all the details is to sign up to our email waiting list (found on the PYO page of our website) - then you'll be the first to know when our events are loaded onto the website. Tickets sold out really fast last season...just saying!

Pictured are Zinnias (returning for a repeat performance) and Asters (new in the PYO this season)

29/09/2024

Every year it happens...

Just as everyone has got back into the habit of buying bunches of flowers, we have a lull in production. I like to think of it as an awkward pause.

And here at the FLORA farm, we have just hit that pause (in our climate it is usually the first 2-3 weeks of October). All the early spring crops (anemones, ranunculus, freesias, iceland poppies, tulips) have pretty much done their dash as they don't like our warm weather. All the late spring crops (snapgragons, larkspur, campanula, bupluerum, cornflowers) are not quite ready yet. What we DO have is sunflowers 🌻

So what does this mean for you our customers. After we have supplied all our regular orders, there's not too much left over, so if you are wanting a bunch of flowers for a specific date in the next 3 weeks, pre-ordering as far ahead as possible is recommended.

I'll still be stocking my roadside stall (The Joy Dispensary) and Charlies Gelato with my flowers, although it is likely to be shorter posies.

And while this lull in harvesting is here, we'll be using our extra time to plant out thousands of seedings for our upcoming Pick Your Own season...it's getting close, and I can't wait to share the joy of picking flowers with you.

23/09/2024

I've ticked off the first wellness experience on my Mental Wellness Bingo!

Seed sowing...and not even flower seeds. These are basil seeds and 100% for our herb garden. My favourite variety is one called 'Emerald Towers' which pretty much doesn't flower (which with basil is a good thing!)

And how about this for a little bit of total authenticity for you. This is the current state of my hands when they are clean - like fully scrubbed clean. Sometimes I feel a little embarrassed by them, but then I remember that these hands help grow the flowers that create a lot of joy. So I'm comfortable with their evidence of hard work!

And with it being Mental Health Awareness week, I think we should all challenge ourselves to be showing our authentic side on social media. Who else agrees?

22/09/2024

Once again it's Mental Health Awareness week here in New Zealand.

I find this week is a great reminder to do a quick assessment of where I feel I am with my mental wellness, and I also try to identify things that fill my tank!

I'm quite aware that I'm fortunate that my chosen profession puts me in an ideal position to feed my soul on a regular basis. (it's not all sunshine and roses though - and maybe we'll talk about that later in the week!)

I've made up a little Bingo sheet of simple things that I know I find uplifting, and I'm going to be intentional about enjoying and ticking them all off this week.

You are most welcome to join me...or make your own little list of mental wellness moments to treat yourself with this week. I'd love to hear what you're doing :)

17/09/2024

I am an expert!

An expert at making excuses about 'showing up' on social media.

Excuse #1 ... My phone is not fancy enough to take good videos
Excuse #2 ... I don't have a tripod to hold my phone
Excuse #3 ... If I'm outside recording the wind will ruin the sound
Excuse #4 ... I didn't even brush my hair this morning
Excuse #5 ... I'm not wearing clothes that are my brand colours
Excuse #6 ... I'm covered in dirt
Excuse #7 ... I don't have any makeup on so I'll look all washed out
Excuse #8 ... I don't like the sound of my own voice
Excuse #9 ... It would be easier if I had someone to video for me
Excuse #10 ... I don't have time to edit the videos properly
and on and on!

Who can relate?

I'm thinking that this has got to change. I'm sure you don't mind too much about the quality of the video clip or how I am looking when I take it (and if you do mind, then you are probably in the wrong place). And we are all about being authentic here - and that includes me.

So the new phone is ordered, and I'm investigating tripods, and I will try to brush my hair every morning from now on!

You'll see me soon :)

16/09/2024

Something New!

I've been indulging myself in a personal project growing and trialing pansies this year. These brand new to NZ varieties caught my eye, and I am looking forward to seeing them flower. While pansies are not usually cut flowers, these were included in the cut flower section of the catalogue, indicating that given the right conditions (usually a bit of light shade and crowding), they may have long enough stems for picking....but we shall see.

So who wants to be part of my pansy trial? You will be one of the first people in NZ to grow these beauties. I have mixed 12-packs available to purchase from my website, via the 'Buy Plants' page.

These are suitable for colder climates as well as our local climate.

floraflowers.co.nz

15/09/2024

Have you ever heard of the adopters curve?

It's a bell curve model that describes how different people react to, adopt, and accept new innovative products.

So do you think you're an innovator, an early adopter, an early majority, a late majority or a laggard (I love that word!)

I'll be releasing something new this week (once my selling technology catches up with my growing schedule), so if you are an early adopter, keep an eye out!

13/09/2024

Phew - we have almost made it through tulip season.

As much as I love tulips and the early Spring joy they bring, they are quite a commitment - and that has been more pronounced that usual this year with a badly timed mini heat wave. They need to be picked at least once a day, and dealt with straight away.

I'm pretty pleased with my variety selection this year - out of the 15 varieties I grew, there's only one that I won't be growing again next season. My favourites as always were the fringed tulips - which in my opinion are also the best behaved!

So no tulip season would be complete without a little explanation about the tulip 'season'. A flowers true 'season' is when it naturally flowers outdoors, with no manipulation from the grower. For me in my climate, my season runs from approx. mid August to Mid September. The further south you go in NZ, the later the season is.

So what about those tulips you see in the supermarket and in the florist shops from around May. Well those are grown from imported bulbs which are forced in all sorts of ways to flower at an unnatural time. I don't think they ever get to experience rain, sun or bees! I know which tulips I would prefer to buy...

And this year we trailed a tulip PYO experience - such great fun. Thanks to all those who came and experienced what a joy these flowers are to pick (or rather pull!). It's something I will definitely be re-looking at doing next season, with a few small changes. If you missed out this year, we suggest you sign up for our PYO notification email on our website. www.floraflowers.co.nz

Address

42 Viv Davie-Martin Drive
Warkworth
0984

Website

http://www.floraflowers.co.nz/

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Videos

Local Flower lovers - a bit of a cyclone SOS here! The florist I supply has closed due to a power outage, so my bumper harvest destined for her shop needs to be redirected. So today I have $40 bunches and $60 DIY mixed buckets. Pick up from Warkworth today, or I will be doing a delivery run around the Warkworth urban area (including Summerset Falls) later this afternoon. Message me to purchase - thanks 🙏

Here come the sunflowers…this year I’ve managed to get them flowering 3 weeks earlier than last year ( despite the cold blast we had). There will be about 1200 flowering between now and Christmas, so get in touch if you’re a sunflower fan and want to book in a bunch.

A quick walk through todays harvest buckets. Tulips, sweet William, freesias, blossom, bluebells, snapdragons, hellebores and even some tall stemmed marigolds (a successful winter trial 🙂). And a little box of seeet pea seedlings for the girls at Twig + Bloom Floral Botanical Stylist & Gift Store Matakana

Some of the gorgeous tulips I’ve just dropped off to Charlies Gelato Garden. These guys look totally different when they open up! My tulips will probably only be around for another week…just saying!

Still finding enough blooms on the farm for a few bunches for the weekend (including the unusual ornamental cabbages!) Available until sold out at Charlies Gelato Garden

A little DIY wedding order that went out yesterday. Yes I was out harvesting in the thunder, lightening and torrential rain (very scary!) … because there were orders to fill and deadlines to meet. Lots of damage out in the fields, so there will be a lot of kinky stems for the next few weeks. Todays weather was not the best for getting married, but hopefully they found a bright spot in the day for the outside part! And thanks to fellow flower farmer Organic Herbs & Seedlings for topping up this selection with a bucket of beauties.

Lots and lots of fresh lovelies for the locals, today at Charlies Gelato Garden!

For some reason the dahlias have gone nuts today! Must be all that sunshine we’ve been enjoying. Lots of bunches of these beauties heading to Charlies Gelato Garden today

The last bucket of blooms picked each harvest day is always the most interesting - full of all the little bits and pieces I grow in smaller quantities.

A couple of wedding orders coming together! Any day of the week is good for a wedding at the moment!

Shortcuts

Flowers with creative flair

FLORA Flower Studio is my home-based florist business in Warkworth. I’m very excited to be able to combine my background in both art and horticulture to bring you flowers with creative flair, and I’m currently obsessed with growing a collection of foliage and flowers sustainably so that I can provide you with some ‘grown-not-flown’ flora in your purchases. I’m available for pre-ordered bouquets, wedding flowers, funeral flowers and flowers for any other special occasion (or just because you deserve a treat!). My farm fresh flowers are also available at Charlie Gelato Garden during their strawberry season (approx last week Sept - Christmas)