Life on a Somerset flower farm

When you walk through a cut flower patch, in peak season, the noise from the insects, the textures, the explosion of colour and the sweet fragrance of seasonal blooms will engulf you. It is the most incredible, calming feeling, being amongst such natural beauty. This feeling, is just one of the things that drives our passion for growing sustainable British flowers. This particular blog post, is a very brief look into life on our Somerset flower farm, exploring both the joys and challenges of growing sustainably and what happens when you let nature and the seasons guide you.

The Early Days ~ Planting the Seeds of Passion

As the sun rises and the world starts to stir, our little flower farm awakens with bird song, the chickens cluck for their breakfast, there is the sound of rustling leaves as the nocturnal animals go to bed and the mischievous wild rabbits happily grazing on the grass (or young flowers!) The children stir, the dog whines for her breakfast and at the sight of the rabbits teasing her through the window. You start another day with lists of jobs to complete. Never enough time and always much to do.

Picture yourself standing in a field, where rows of flowers have been carefully planted. The act of sowing the seeds alone brings such anticipation. Each tiny seed holds the promise of growth. It goes beyond planting; it’s about nurturing aspirations.

As days go by, the responsibilities quickly multiply. You have to take on many roles to run a flower farm - and any small business for that matter. A lot of time involves being sat in front of a computer, doing admin, collecting data for spreadsheets, finances, creating websites, fixing websites, customer service, invoicing, understanding the world of social media, writing blog posts(!) - something we naively never expected!

Daily growing tasks like watering, pricking out, weeding, deadheading and caring for the delicate flowers become ingrained in life. You have to learn very quickly the unique needs of each plant. For instance, sunflowers thrive in full sunlight, while tulips prefer cooler weather and well drained soil. The joy of witnessing the first sprout emerge from the soil is unmatched - bringing childlike excitement every time.

Early May - The promise of exciting things to come.

The Beauty of Growing & Embracing Nature's Rhythms

Every flower tells a story, whether it's the lush foxgloves standing tall in late Spring, or the vibrant dahlias and bright sunflowers in late summer. As each flower develops, we become both caretaker and spectator, rarely getting the time to marvel at their beauty.

Understanding your soil health is crucial to healthy and productive plants. Healthy soil leads to resilient plants, which requires having to pay attention to the soil's needs. For example, if the soil pH is too acidic, regular testing and adjustments can enhance plant health. Clay soil drains poorly, heavy and hard to cultivate. Sandy soil tends to have low fertility and struggles to hold moisture. Enriching with good nutrient rich compost and manure is essential for improving drainage and producing healthy, strong flowers.

As each seasonal flower reaches its peak, the thrill escalates. Preparing for the harvest involves watching and waiting for the right moment to cut each flower - waking early or cutting at nightfall, a careful yet essential balance between freshness and a stem's longevity.

Harvesting Sweet Williams (Dianthus) in June

The Challenges: Weathering the Storms (literally!)

However, the journey of a grower isn't always filled with beauty; it definitely isn't like a lot of the lovely images you see on social media, it also has its share of challenges. The unpredictability of the weather can quickly change a sunny day into a stormy one. Pests, deer, rabbits, moles, voles, rats and mice can destroy whole batches of flowers in one night, worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Heavy rains can cause flooding, soil erosion and damage to the flowers, while unexpected early frosts can damage delicate blooms or tender seedlings. Droughts, like we have experienced this year, have meant rainwater supplies running out, and harvest windows are shortened. This constant shift means we have to cultivate not just flowers, but also resilience and adaptability.

Pest management is another significant concern. We only use natural pest control on this Somerset flower farm, becoming allies and encouraging the beneficial insects that help protect our flowers and foliage. For instance, ladybirds can reduce aphid populations by up to 80%, promoting healthier blooms without harsh chemicals.

Learning to embrace setbacks is vital. Not every seed germinates, not every plant flowers, but finding joy in the process and lessons learned shapes the essence of a flower farmer. Our sustainability promise is fundamental to everything we do here at Mendip Flower Company.

Building a community: From the flower field to your home

We have found one of the most fulfilling parts of flower farming is the connection you build with community. We have absolutely loved selling our flowers from the farm at local markets and events this year, meeting people, chatting about our passion. Our flower stall rich with colour, each bunch of flowers telling a story, showing customers what seasonal really means.

Seeing the joy on a customer's face when they buy flowers from us is so special. A gift bouquet symbolises love, hope and celebration, and it is so fulfilling to know they have contributed to someone's happiness.

Seasonal wedding bouquet in high summer, fresh from our flower farm. The fields of long grass, buzzing with noise from insects.

Being a flower farmer is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle that intertwines nature, community, and creativity. It is hard and exhausting, yet so rewarding. The process - from planting seeds to nurturing blooms, then being able to share them - is a beautiful dance with nature.

You quickly learn to appreciate every stage of the journey, however frustrating. From the tender seedlings pushing through the earth to stunning arrangements adorning dining tables, each phase tells a story filled with challenges and opportunities.

Ultimately, it’s about creating a world full of colour and fragrance, grown using ecological methods, and being able to share that beauty with others. Educating others about sustainability and how we can have beautiful seasonal cut flowers with low carbon footprints.

For context, the Carbon emissions from

• 5 Kenyan roses + 3 Dutch lily + 3 Kenyan gypsophila = 31.132 Kg Co2.

• Compared to a 15 stem mixed outdoor UK grown flowers, grown and sold locally = 1.71 Kg CO2

• A local outdoor grown bouquet of mixed garden flowers is estimated to have even lower CO2emissions, at around 5% of the Dutch or Kenyan bouquet.

  
  

Read more in this article about 'The carbon footprint of flowers', where Rebecca Swinn compares the carbon credentials of British grown and imported bouquets in this summary of her dissertation findings by Angela Coulton, Petal and Twig.

So, whether you are a flower farmer, gardener or a curious enthusiast, every plant that you grow and nurture carries a commitment to creating a wonderfully rewarding life, and that really is truly amazing!

Thank you for reading,

Maria xx