Cut Flower Farm

For two summers I grew an all natural, cut flower farm in Independence Minnesota.

At my childhood home I tore up sod, bartered for access to a greenhouse and planted a 100’ x 40‘ bed. This exploratory venture resulted in fresh flowers and bright bouquets sold to local Coops throughout the Twin Cities. Fun fact, I mulched the garden with compost created with milfoil from Lake Minnetonka and the neighbors horse manure.

I learned the ins and outs of flower farming working for Little Boy Flowers in Northern California the year prior. It was a joy spending my days nourishing and surrounded by these beautiful blooms. I was even written up in the Lake Minnetonka magazine!

Monica's Memorial Garden

Monica's son installed this garden, representing her loving and courageous nature.

Monica's Garden

1. Climbing Rose "Above and Beyond" - love & strength  2. Wild Lupine - happiness and a positive outlook, transplanted from her garden. 3. Echinacea - maintaining a strong sense of self, especially when challenged by stress or disease, transplanted from her garden. 4. Butterfly Weed - a bright orange, cheerful pollinator of monarchs.  5. Borage - buoyant courage & optimism. 6. Chicory & Prairie Blue Eyed Grass - selfless love given freely, honoring the individuality of others, emotional containment. 7. Plumonaria - a plant she kept in her garden.  8. Sage - growing from experience, appreciate life's lessons. 

Permaculture, Inspiration

Permaculture is the practice of mimicking nature.

Through observation we understand the relationships between soil, plants, the elements and seasons. These understandings become a the backbone in environmentally sound garden design.

Permaculture was created by Bill Mollison in the 1970's. He was inspired by the unifying practices shared by aboriginal societies all around the world. 

Examples of Permaculture are using companion plants that occupy separate niches in an ecosystem, while also working together forming symbiotic relationships, (ie, producing mulch, attracting beneficial birds and insects, creating shade and protection, fixing nitrogen)