The summer slowdown
Greetings!
Our summer crops are in full bloom, but things are feeling pretty relaxed on the farm these days. We’re doing a fairly good job of checking things off our to-do lists, which is always a great feeling. We’ve planted many beds of sunflowers, lettuce, scabiosa, and amaranth in the past week, and we’ve managed to tackle a lot of weeding! July and Augest are the slowest months of the year for us flower farmers. It’s outside of the traditional “wedding season” and many of our customers take their summer vacations during this time. We’re taking full advantage of the slow stretch and catching up on things that fell to the bottom of our task lists during the spring rush, and in August, we’ll take vacations! In the meantime, we have an abundance of stunning flowers to harvest, and a few delicious vegetables coming in as well.
Finn made a rare appearance on the farm during the workday this week, and was a great help as Karen washed carrots
This week I’d like to introduce you to Dave, our longtime jack of all trades.
Dave first arrived at Two Boots in 2019 as a trainee in Future Harvest CASA’s Beginning Farmer Training Program. He’s been helping out at the farm ever since! Over the years he’s helped us with big planting pushes, pawpaw orchard management, big weeding projects, tree clearing, and so much more. This year Dave is on the farm more than ever before, eagerly chipping in wherever we need his assistance. He’s also in charge of managing our stall at the JFX market this year! For our market customers, Dave is the face of the farm.
Dave is such a wonderful person to have on the farm. He has an endlessly positive attitude, and is great fun to work alongside. Outside of his life at Two Boots, Dave is first and foremost a family man; a very proud father and husband. He’s also a professional tie-dyer, and a fantastic pickle maker. Dave has a background is in art and graphic design, but he’s also been an avid plant person for many years. At home, Dave grows a wide variety of fruiting perennials and he has extensive knowledge about lots of unusual crops. We’re so lucky to have Dave on the farm, and I encourage you to get to know him at the market!
Dave, showing off the massive pokeweed root he dug up on Thursday. A truly impressive feat!
We’ve got lots of big, bold blooms in season right now! We will be bringing many bouquets in multiple color schemes to market this week.
We’re back at the JFX market on Sunday from 7:00-12:00.
This week’s market stand will feature bouquets, foliage bunches, rudbeckia bunches, snapdragon bunches, sunflower bunches, yarrow bunches, edible flowers, carrots, celery, cucumbers, and spring mix.
The flowers are stunning right now, and summer produce is finally rolling in! Stop by your local farmers market this week and pay a visit to your farmers.
This Saturday we’re hosting a centerpiece workshop on the farm. Taught by Elisa, with assistance from Karen, this workshop is sure to be a delight. Participants will have the opportunity to harvest flowers, walk the fields, design a centerpiece with guidance from a professional, and enjoy snacks and beverages. The weather looks great, and since we have such an abundance of blooms we’ve opened up a few extra spots! Sign up on our website.
Wishing you well,
Amelia and the rest of the Two Boots crew
The fields look more lush with every passing day.
Elisa and Karen planting sunflowers, with Dave in the background.
The first hamari gold and sierra glow dahlias of the year. Absolute showstoppers.
Spooky the cat.
A bulk bucket order that went out this week. Don’t forget that you can order bulk buckets of flowers for diy design any week of the season!