New Growth - Last Season’s Garden
The vision I had for 2020 was a lot different than it turned out to be. For starters, I was taking courses at the local university to work towards finishing my degree and everything stopped. Classes were cancelled and the transition to online classes took place.
I was unsure of what the next few weeks, months and year would look like. I had applied for a teaching position in France which would be starting October 2020 but with this new reality of a pandemic, the future already looked so distant and uncertain.
After experiencing several breakdowns of panic and uncertainty, I was determined to take the summer off of classes, since most of them were cancelled anyways, and rediscover passions I had not been able to devote time to while finishing my degree. Thus, Ethereal Floral Farm was born.
Cue the start of May...
At this point I had convinced my mom that I was really going to do this and I was going to do it now. Yes, I freaked her out and she has told me herself that she worried I was loosing sight of finishing my degree and other career plans. With a bit of persuasion and after many nights talking it through together, she agreed to help me in my journey of establishing my own cut flower garden, on the condition that I create beds to make the property look pretty. Starting out with two beds, I eagerly purchased peonies, dusty miller, sunflower seeds, baby's breath, veronica's and eucalyptus, unsure of how successful they would be but optimistic.
As the months past by, I starting envisioning this becoming a full time aspect of my life - why was I waiting until I had a secure teaching job in which I could pursue florals and growing a garden solely during the summer months?
I applied to the Floral Design Certification program on top of my remaining French studies at University of the Fraser Valley in September 2020. Luckily, the floral courses would be occurring online, providing an immersive experience in which students would be able to actively learn this new trade. Angela Henderson, a knowledgeable and well experienced florist who has created florals for Princess Diana to name one event, was the professor. Thus far, my experience and passion of florals has only continued to grow and develop immensely. I have added on to my skillset and learned new techniques with the help of my teacher and fellow local florists. Notably, the staff at Quiks Flower Shop has been essential in encouraging this growth and supporting my journey.
This past January, I eagerly purchased thousands of seed packets for the summer garden. Currently, I have spent my time between classes and finishing my degree starting these seeds, preparing them for transplant to the garden once the temperature warms up. I am so excited to share several different flower varieties that will be grown in the garden and I am even more excited to share what is to come.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope you continue to stop by, get inspired, read a little, and maybe learn a thing or two about floral design and farming!
