Navigation

60 More Flower Farmers & Counting….

By on October 1, 2014 in Blog, Floristry Courses

Our Flower Farming courses have proved very popular and we have been surprised by all the interest this year. There have been a wide range of people with hugely different life stories and dreams of growing flowers to make a living. We recently completed two days with great weather and lots of interest in the garden to show everyone what is possible (or maybe to show people what hard work it is!). We try and send out a short questionnaire a week or 2 before to focus everyone’s minds and to gauge where students are coming from before they arrive. The course handout now stretches to 30 pages……

 

IMG_0899

LOTS OF FLORISTRY JOBS TO DO BEFORE STUDENTS ARRIVE

 

IMG_0885

TOILET ADORNMENTS

 

IMG_0904

 VIOLET GETTING READY FOR A HARD DAY OF CONCENTRATION

 

After a short introductory session, Ashley took everyone outside to have a look at setting up your dream plot, covering protected cropping, layout, shelter, cultivation, machinery, fertility, weeding  and irrigation. After that lot, it was certainly time for a tea break, with some tea bread to go with it…

 

IMG_0561

 NEW TUNNEL JUST TAKEN OUT OF THE BOX

 

IMG_0585

HONDA FG205, AKA ‘THE TICKLER’

 

Rachel then took over to get down to the nitty gritty of discussing potential markets and the flower palette to grow for each, and the major pitfalls to avoid.

IMG_0566

FRIENDLY CATS ALWAYS GUARANTEED

 

IMG_0908

‘NINJA’ DATE SLICE FROM OUR NEW KONDITOR COOKBOOK

 

With all the abundance of September, Ashley used tomatoes and squash as the main ingredients of a hearty North African Stew. To avoid the post lunch lull, we were able to discuss other topics outside including adding value, branding, social media, continuity, pricing, costings and skill set required. We try and keep the groups small, so that we can ideally cover everything that people want to know and answer any burning questions.

 

IMG_0582

 

IMG_0583

 TALKING TOOLS

 

IMG_0910

 DELIVERIES FOR A BOOK LAUNCH IN THE AFTERNOON

 

Here is some lovely feedback we recieved from Clare Spiller at Garden and Wild.

“Thanks for this! I had such a lovely day, thank you to you both so much for making it so brilliant and being so free with your advice and information. The food was gorgeous too! I always feel so inspired when I come to you!”

 

Ashley and Rachel

 

3

Real Roses

By on August 1, 2014 in Blog, Cut flowers, Floristry, roses, Weddings

IMG_0383

I have just been working on a small wedding for tomorrow which has got me contemplating my roses. The bride wanted blush pink and apricot ones – this heat has all but stopped them in their tracks but I still managed to find just enough. ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ has proved to be the winner for repeat flowering with ‘Irish Hope’ coming a close second. Both seem incredibly heat resistant.

IMG_0380

Back in June when they were looking at their luscious loveliest, Clare West joined me for an afternoon shoot all about roses. It felt wonderfully decadent to pick these precious blooms and create ‘make believe’ bouquets and pedestals with them. But to have them captured by Clare’s beautiful photography was an opportunity I could not resist.

Green & Gorgeous - June 219

Photo by Clare West

We grow about 40 varieties here, mostly undercover in a Spanish tunnel. This not only protects their petals from the rain but increases stem length and reduces black spot. I think I managed to pick one of each variety for these pictures, out came the crystal vases and then I handed my fancy pen over to Clare who has much prettier writing than me. I decided to present the roses like this for my Rose Masterclass the following week. People were able to experience the blooms close up as I discussed planting, pruning, etc. and then we went outside to do some deadheading and to look at the growth habit of the different varieties.

Green & Gorgeous - June 206Photo by Clare West

All of our roses are scented, some more than others, I think ‘Chandos Beauty’ and ‘Margaret Merril’ are the strongest. Sniffing roses is like tasting wine, each has a unique perfume which enhances it’s character. They are like old friends to me and in the 5 years I have been growing them I have got to know their own little quirks and foibles.

Green & Gorgeous - June 218Photo by Clare West

Out of all the cut flowers I grow I think they are the most far removed from their soulless, imported cousins. All the more reason to grow roses and bring unrivalled beauty to your arrangements.

Green & Gorgeous - June 171
Photo by Clare West

An urn filled with Hornbeam, Jasmine, Campanula, Ammi and the Rose ‘Sweet Child of Mine’.

Green & Gorgeous - June 245
Photo by Clare West

A bridal bouquet with just the simplest addition of Jasmine and Apple Mint. Roses include ‘East park’, ‘Millie’s Rose’, ‘Queen of Sweden’,’ Warm Wishes’ and ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’.

Green & Gorgeous - June 231

Green & Gorgeous - June - 045
Photo by Clare West

Floral crown using patio rose ‘Sweet Dreams’.

IMG_0001

David Austin roses ‘Crown Princess Margareta’, ‘Port Sunlight’ and ‘Crocus rose’ accompanied by the lovely ‘Chris Beardshaw’.

Many thanks to Clare West for keeping up the good work with all the incredible images, her last blog covering June can be found here.

Hampton Court

By on July 11, 2014 in Blog, dahlias, Floristry, roses

lr5-0444

We were able to have a day off the farm yesterday and get off to Hampton Court Flower Show. Rachel was invited to do a floristry demonstration and we were able to help man the ‘Flowers From the Farm’ Stand.

The stand was very busy all day and was generating lots of interest, with people being incredibly supportive and keen to find out more and smell the fresh blooms. Claire Brown (Plantpassion) and Fiona Hesketh(Purple Dasiy) have both been putting a lot of time in manning the stand this week, as well as Emily Rae (Plants 4 Presents) organizing matters on the ground.

lr5-0424

lr5-0425

Lots of flyers were handed out and everyone commented on how they loved the display (special thanks to Martin & the Magpie, among many others).

lr5-0450

Next to us in the Floristry and Rose marquee were Pococks Roses, whom we sourced most of our stock from, so we were able to have a bit of a catch up with them. We were also able to see lots of our other favourite nurseries and pick up this new dahlia from Pheasant Acre called ‘Julie’, with distinctive, small heads.

lr5-0494

We had a quick stroll off into the calm of the grounds of the palace itself, before braving the throngs again.

lr5-0440

This was a WW1 show garden, showing how some horticulture did flourish behind the lines.

lr5-0437

At 5pm, Rachel took to the stage to arrange a large urn arrangement and talk all about growing the flowers themselves.

lr5-0468

lr5-0467

She used chicken wire inside the urn and some incredible showstoppers from the garden at the moment, Dahlia ‘Cafe au Lait’, Rose ‘Chandos Beauty’, Ammi majus, Snapdragons, Campanula, Nicotiana and hornbeam.

lr5-0490

Talking to some florists from the Academy of Flowers about British Grown Flowers, flower food and florist’s foam…..

 

Ash