Behind the Scenes of Spring
Spring on a flower farm is nothing short of a beautifully chaotic symphony. In Episode 55 of The Flower Files, we pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes hustle that brings those vibrant spring blooms to life in what happens in a day in the life of a flower farmer.
From early-morning chills to muddy tulip pulls, this episode is a full-sensory dive into one of the busiest and most exhilarating seasons on the farm.
The Spring Hustle Starts Early
The day begins around 5:30 AM (with a few snooze-button variations). While the world is still quiet, the team is already making their way out to the barn or greenhouses to assess what’s blooming, what’s wilting, and what orders need to be prepped. Lizzie prefers a slower morning with food and a hot shower, while Kenley kicks things off by checking emails and spreadsheets. Yes—spreadsheets are a flower farmer's best friend.
Liza puts it best: “Spring is the time when all of our hard work turns into amazingness.”
Spreadsheets, Seeds, and Sore Shoulders
Planning is everything. Kenley shares how the planting calendar is broken down by weeks of the year, meticulously organizing what gets planted when, and where. But that means constant monitoring—checking for germination rates, pests, and damage from the occasional rogue rabbit or accidental hose mishap.
As a farm, we aren’t yet big enough to fully automate seed planting, which means hours spent hand-sowing hundreds of trays—shoulder pain included. But the reward? Watching zinnias, snapdragons, and tulips burst into color is all worth it.
Want a deeper dive into our seed planting process? Check out Episode 54: Seed Planting 101.
The Joy (and Mess) of Harvesting
Harvest begins as soon as the morning air starts to warm. Tulips, daffodils, and hellebores are among the first signs of the season—and also some of the messiest to process. Tulips, in particular, are a muddy endeavor, pulled bulb and all to maximize stem length.
Some crops, like snapdragons, are more cooperative—unless you ask Lizzie, who dreads removing their stubborn little leaf stems. Still, even the messiest flowers are celebrated, as they signal the return of color, texture, and life to the fields.
Flower Farming Is Farming, After All
There’s weeding. There’s broken equipment. There’s wind that arrives just in time to foil your fabric-laying plans. And there's always the unpredictable hand of Mother Nature.
Despite all this, our team maintains a rhythm of prepping beds, rotating crops, checking irrigation, and planning for farmers markets and weddings. The afternoons are often filled with farm maintenance—cutting back blooms, resetting beds, and prepping for future plantings. It’s exhausting, fulfilling work that requires grit, flexibility, and passion.
Life Outside the Field
After long days on the farm, Lizzie hits the gym, while Kenley either cooks dinner or collapses on the couch—depending on how intense the day was. Dinner is a team event too, and whether it’s cereal or beer-battered chicken, it’s a time to recharge.
And yes, stress is a given. But we wouldn’t trade our chaotic spring days for anything! As Lizzie says, “Spring sets up the entire season—if it’s off, we’re playing catch-up the rest of the year.”
Let’s Hear from You!
What does spring look like in your garden or on your farm? Whether you’re harvesting hellebores or just starting seeds in your backyard, we’d love to hear about your own seasonal rhythms. Tag us on Instagram or reply to our newsletter!
