Evanston Lands

10/05/2023

We will be closed Friday 10/6 and Saturday 10/7 for a little family getaway 😊

10/04/2023

We grow the flowers ✅ ...
We arrange the flowers ✅ ...
We even deliver the flowers ✅ ...
And we are very grateful that this lovely Autumn keeps giving us flowers! 🌞

10/01/2023

Having fun at the market slangin’ blooms with . Thanks to for helping us and compost and divert tons of waste from the landfill 👊 🌸 Photo by

09/13/2023

Thanks for the ❤️ Grandmafannies … Right back at ya

08/20/2023

We pulled out the trusty microscope last week … fearful that something ominous was eating the dahlias. We had a few blooms with chomped buds… could it be the feared tarnished plant bug??? ………………..
Honestly, it could have been, though we didn’t see any. What saw were amazing little Pirate Bugs! They eat Leaf Hoppers and Aphids, among other things. It is nearly always the case that when you discover an insect “problem,” you should simply wait it out. Something will show up that wants to eat that problematic bug, thus solving the crisis and continuing the cycle of the ecosystem.
If we had sprayed at the first indication of a “bad” bug, well then we would have killed the “good” bugs too.
Take care of your ecosystem and it will take care of itself, and you💚

02/17/2023

We are skipping town for the long weekend - see you next week. Have a great one!

02/08/2023

Sunshine and tulip magnolia buds popping this am 🌞🌸 …
Pretty nice way to start a February day ! Link I. Profile if you would like to enjoy some flowering branches

01/23/2023

A week of finalizing the seed starting schedule, the 2023 workshops and the plant sale…and doing flowers for a big event on the 28th 😬😬😬Anyone else feel calmed by spreadsheets, manila folders and washi tape?! Happy Monday! 💚

01/05/2023

Popping in to say hey from an Insta break and Covid quarantine (!) ...

Way back on Dec.23 I escaped the menacing weather and drove to New Mexico with my fam. Loved NM! Highlights: beautiful time with my people, the beautiful Taos ski valley, the dogs in Taos, driving through open country and seeing the horizon, the magpies, Georgia O's style ...

Somewhere along the way, Covid happened. Feeling OK though and my family is in the clear. So, basically, it just means I am finishing up the seed buying and getting the website ready for our biggest plant sale yet! ...

Super excited to be able to offer so many types of flowers, herbs and veg! Check your email and Insta for opening dates (should be late Jan. or early Feb.)

Happy 2023 y'all. Hope it's a great one
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12/21/2022

CLOSING FOR THE YEAR 💃🏻 With snow on the way and travel plans in jeopardy, we are closing up shop early this year. So, Wednesday we will be here until 6:00 and Thursday 9-12. We have gorgeous amaryllis cuts that look amazing on a Christmas table, a few new bulb gardens and stocking stuffers for your favorite flower lover. Message us to place an order or stop on by- love to see you and wish ya happy holidays and all that. Or

11/25/2022

We're here all weekend. The amaryllis are blooming and the wreaths smell great! Come say hey

11/12/2022

In 2020, I started following Andy Robledo as he built his business ⁠
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To be honest, I was first drawn in by videos of him and his dog, Gerald, delivering plants in an awesome pickup with hip hop blasting (I felt seen).⁠
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But as the months wore on and his business boomed, I was awed by the way Andy got his boots on the ground to help the houseless in his neighborhood and around Chicago.⁠
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He does the work.⁠
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Food, warm clothes, hotel stays on frigid nights and, now, he is buying and building ice fishing tents (sturdy, warm, big) for folks that have found themselves in Chicago's tent cities.⁠
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He's making a difference.⁠
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Now, he has started a 501c3, , to further the mission.⁠ He also rescued another dog, Jolene⁠ :)
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To support Andy's work, we will be donating 100% of sales of our Signature Evergreen Wreaths to his non-profit ⁠
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So, grab a beautiful, handmade wreath and help keep some folks warm this winter. Thx for reading and thanks for your continued support 🌿

11/02/2022

Not the most alluring photos but hear me out: these are photos of my fall ranunculus trial, inspired by 1. Climate change and 2. The incredible info shared by Heather on the Sustainable Flowers podcast.
These are pretty crappy, small corms leftover from the Spring so ignore style and color lol.
But! It worked really well! Because space in late August/early September is non-existent around here, we interplanted the ranunculus with our Lisianthus, figuring they might benefit from the shade of the vigorous Lisianthus plants and why not? Love trying things out. And I am loving having Lisianthus, Dahlias and Ranunculus all blooming together (all are blooming STILL on November 2).
Next year I am planning on putting in a small batch of spring ranunculus but the bulk will be saved for a late summer planting.

11/01/2022

Help if you can!

09/01/2022

The sunflowers are sooooo good this year, and I am usually pretty meh on sunnies. Favorites included in this pic are Black Beauty, Gypsy Charmer, Sparky, Rouge Royale & Shock-o-lat 🌞

07/13/2022

Last season, my first to really try and make a go of my business, I worked and worked virtually every minute of every day, both exhilarated and terrified. The drive to "succeed" seemed to push me through every waking moment. I was left pretty burned out but also confused - why am I doing this? Why am I not seeing my family or valuing my health?⁠
BUT! As I took stock this past winter and considered the path forward, I realized two really important things. ⁠
First ... ⁠
the simple fact is that, for us, late June/July is a very "in-between" time for our flowers. There is fun textural stuff and certainly enough to make a few stunning bouquets for subscribers but not a ton of focal flowers. If you don't buy in roses or imported stuff (or have a greenhouse), you are in a holding pattern until the lisianthus and dahlias show up. Ding, ding, ding ... TAKE TIME OFF IN WINTER & MID-SUMMER!⁠
Second ...⁠
I devoured the book 'The Day the World Stopped Shopping' after listening to an episode of the Sustainable Flowers Podcast featuring .and.thicket ⁠
There is much to discuss and chew on in this book but one thing that stuck with me was a visit the author made to a business in Japan that has been in the same family since 718 (not a typo).⁠
Suffice to say, their goals are NOT constant growth to fuel bigger profits. Instead, they value slow growth, their role in the community, their role as an employer etc. etc. Ding, ding, ding ... THIS IS THE PATH OF A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS.⁠
Doing all the things for everybody in every way possible was not necessary, and was probably detrimental to the business. The world, the country, our city doesn't need another flower business. But I think it does need small acts of connection and spots of beauty now and again. ⁠
So, I am back in the rows, cursing the rabbits and pulling the weeds, my heart full after a little downtime with my family & friends. Looking forward to connecting and sharing with y'all soon.

07/02/2022

The OG Farm Jar ... found!! Many of you may not know that we started our business by selling jars of homegrown flowers as a a benefit for ⁠
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Two years later, much has changed and we have grown so much. But, at heart, we are simply about a pretty spot of nature on your table and doing whatever we can to support our community.⁠
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SO! The farm jar is back, baby. We have some cuties ready to go for the long weekend. Great host gifts or perfect for your own gathering. Nothing fancy here, just super fresh, fragrant & smile worthy.⁠
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Jars are $25 and ALL PROCEEDS go to Connections for the Homeless.⁠ Limit 3 per person please.⁠
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Pickups only; tomorrow (July 2) from 9-3.⁠
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They will go fast so reserve yours on our website and we will hold one for ya. Or stop in to grab and go.

06/30/2022

Some flowers just stand alone! The many colors and forms of Dahlias are at their best en masse and that is our favorite way to display them.

This year, with over 50 varieties planted, we are crazy excited to offer you the chance to receive the best of our Dahlias, at the height of their season.

Our share will include 5 lush bouquets of freshly picked Dahlias, in varied colors, shapes and sizes. Everything from huge dinnerplates to tiny ponpons will be included.

The share will begin on September 1-3 and run for 5 consecutive weeks.

Dahlias can be picked up at our corner farm on Thursday evening or Saturday morning. We can also deliver them on Friday afternoons for a small fee.

Dahlia Shares make a great gift for any flower lover. Please include your information at checkout and we can either email you a printable dahlia share gift card or we can mail the card directly to the recipient.

Quantities are limited!

06/25/2022

06/25/2022

How about some needle felting therapy (i.e. stabbing with needles while also making something while also drinking wine) to support Planned Parenthood? Join us on Saturday, July 16 at 4:00 for all of the above!

So grateful to have Rachel Nador in our studio to teach us how to needle felt our very own handmaid!

Rachel is an exceptionally talented artist (check out ), a wonderful teacher, and all around good human.

Our comfortable and spacious space allows us to spread out and relax. We will provide all the materials needed for your very own handmaid, plus some light snacks, wine & lemonade. 100% of proceeds will go to !
Link in profile 👆

06/11/2022

June has its very own colors and forms …

05/26/2022

When the world feels heavy and my heart is hurting, I often turn to a creative, tactile project. The brain-body connection that happens always brings about some small bit of clarity and calm.⁠
Most often, I am drawn to wreath making. I have heard countless tales of what wreaths symbolize - usually around themes of unity, infinity and hope. All of them seem apt now.⁠
So, in the midst of the busy planting season, I am clearing space and dragging out all the dried material and the tools so that we can find calm in these troubled times and send out our own small message of unity and hope.⁠
Please join me on June 18 at 4:30 for an everlasting wreath workshop at our corner farm. We will create, laugh, drink and snack. And at the end of the evening, you will have a lovely wreath all your own, plus the knowledge you need to make them again and again. Limited to 6 participants.⁠
100% of the proceeds will be donated to Moms Demand Action to help with their fight against gun violence in all our communities.⁠
https://www.evanstonlands.com/workshops

05/16/2022

05/12/2022

We are harvesting as fast as we can! :)
We are OPEN until 6:00 today. Come and grab this fab peachy purple combo, inspired by my friend

05/07/2022

Come see us for flowers and pie at a Hoosier Mama on Chicago Ave! We will be here until 1:00 or until we sell out. And enjoy this beautiful day 🌞

05/06/2022

We are busy wrapping bunches of tulips today 🌷and dreaming of sunny skies tomorrow. We will be open at the corner farm (2594 Gross Point) today and tomorrow from 9-3 AND we will be at Hoosier Mama Pie Co. (1618 Chicago Ave) both Saturday and Sunday from 10-1. Stop by to grab a bundle and say hi!

05/04/2022

Handfuls of Spring goodness! It feels good to be wrapping flowers again. It's a very satisfying task and the flowers look so good in plain ol' Kraft paper, am I right?⁠
We will have bunches of double peony-style tulips, parrot tulips and ruffly Daffodils on the patio at Hoosier Mama this weekend! Saturday & Sunday from 10-1 or until they sell out. ⁠
We will be the ones with the little wooden table, stuffing our faces with Raspberry Lemonade Pie

05/03/2022

The flowers say it's Spring no matter what the thermometer says! So I am listening and letting the bright colors and cheerful petals work their magic. Do you need some of this homegrown beauty? We have tulips and narcissus and a very special arrangement that would make an excellent gift for your Mom, yourself ... well, anyone.⁠
AND! AND! We will be popping up this Saturday & Sunday from 10-1. So, flowers & pie. Who needs sun? ⁠
If you order on the website, you can pick up from either the corner farm or Hoosier Mama. We can also deliver. ;)

04/23/2022

We are closed today (Saturday April 23) for the first game of the Evanston Lands baseball team!

We are very proud to sponsor the Evanston Baseball & Softball Association, a non-profit that continuously provides great experiences for Evanston youth.

https://www.evanstonbaseball.com/?fbclid=IwAR3-2rLVmAbVWa08xAZ1SDOE_54FkVu0Ob4W2c2c0ty5q5RJo3zlSOfZoI8

04/20/2022

If you would like to pre-order any of our plant starts, the deadline is Friday!
There are some goodies left including this amazing perennial Scabiosa (pictured), Globe Thistles, unique varieties of annuals and just a few Peaches 'n Cream Dahlias.
We will have a ton of interesting plants at our Open House on May 14 but if you want to lock in a certain variety (and early pricing), visit our website. Thanks and happy planting!

04/11/2022

Feeding day! Seedlings get a hearty meal of worm casting tea, humid acid, kelp, fish emulsion and bat guano. The plants need the nutrition and so does the microbiology. The backpack sprayer makes it pretty quick. Schlepping the trays around takes the most time ;)

04/07/2022

Pre-order Passover& Easter bouquets available 👆link in profile

04/05/2022

WHY a flower farm? Why here?⁠
Obviously I get this question a lot and, honestly, I ask myself many days. ⁠
It is incredibly hard work to grow quality cut flowers, especially if you choose to do it without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. And wouldn't it make more sense to do it on a larger plot with more space. Do I really love flowers that much?⁠
Yes and no.⁠
I love the ephemeral beauty that they bring to our busy corner, and to many tables around town. And I love having a small business in our wonderful city.⁠
But most of all I love how we are regenerating the land and enticing the birds, bees, wasps and butterflies to return here to feed. ⁠
How we help our friends and neighbors see alternatives to traditional lawns and landscaping.⁠
After all, this land, once so contaminated by chemical dumping, is being transformed. We are actively rebuilding the lifeless soil with microbiology and nutritious cover crops. In a few short years, this little lot will be healthy enough even to grow food.⁠
Ultimately, it is like a tiny yard in the city. One that seems insignificant in the general scheme of things. But if we all claim our tiny yards as mechanisms of change, it means A LOT ... to the city and climate change in general.⁠
*It means a lot to replace some of the turf grass with native plants that sustain the caterpillars that sustain the birds that sustain the food web.⁠
*It means a lot to avoid chemicals and pesticides that destroy all the insect life in our yards and then drain away to pollute the lake.⁠
*It means a lot to cover our city with as much diverse plant life as possible since plants have the superpower to photosynthesize the carbon from the atmosphere and sequester it in the soil (!).⁠
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Oh, and the flowers are pretty, after all ;). If you got this far, thanks for reading. Come visit us soon. 💚

03/31/2022

Our newsletter went out yesterday (finally! 🙃) and it announced lots of good stuff. Did you get yours? If you are interested, you can sign up here https://www.evanstonlands.com

03/21/2022

Happy Spring and happy Monday! Between the birds and the sun, It is downright lovely outside. Hope you get a few minutes to enjoy it today.
Here is a peek at our two batches of tulips- one forced inside and the others taking their time outside. The inside batch of Salmon Parrots look like they are almost ready. I can’t wait to have fresh bouquets soon … next week we will post our Mother’s Day offer including special arrangements and a workshop! Xo.