🌸 Mayhem & Magic: A Flower Farmer’s May Recap

Whew. May.

It never fails to be something, does it? This month felt like a whirlwind of dirt, wind, hope, and just a touch of panic. But somehow—despite the stubborn seeds, unpredictable weather, and my own moments of near-breakdown—it’s all in the ground. Or at least… most of it.

Behind the scenes: what got planted (and what didn’t)

Nearly everything is in now, which feels like a minor miracle considering how tough this May was. Some things went in weeks ago, some only just got planted, and a few are still giving me the side-eye from their trays like, “you sure about this?” Spoiler: I am not. But out they go!

Some seedlings took forever to start—like, glacial speed—and they’re still small, but I planted them anyway. I’m choosing to believe in miracles and microclimates. My poppies? Planted so many… and not a single sprout yet. If they ghost me completely, I might just overseed with zinnias over top. Empty rows are just sadness in dirt form. And if they end up coming up late, then I'll have beautiful rows of two different types of flowers!

Lesson of the month: The more pressure you put on plants, the less they perform. Those herbs I planted last year and didn't get around to pulling out in the fall…survived and I didn't need to plant any new ones!

This month taught me that I can plant in the cold, and I can plant in the wind—but I cannot plant when it’s both. Even corn, which usually forgives a lot because the seed is heavier, felt like a cruel joke in a wind tunnel.

I’m only about a week behind where I was last year. But most of the starts I’ve got left are big, healthy, and ready to catch up fast. So in the grand scheme of things, we’re doing just fine.

🪴 Garden Grit Checklist

A celebration of imperfect progress and stubborn joy.

For those of us who showed up in the garden this May—whether things went to plan or not—this one's for you:

✅ Planting Perseverance

• Planted something, even if it wasn’t on the list

• Direct sowed seeds that were definitely a gamble

• Eyeballed spacing and hoped for the best

• Battled wind, cold, and indecision

• Said “good enough” and moved on

• Filled empty rows just to avoid looking at them

📋 Reality Check Wins

• Took breaks instead of burning out

• Accepted that some things just won’t sprout

• Gave straggly seedlings a shot anyway

• Counted volunteer flowers as intentional

• Embraced a crooked row with pride

• Kept going, even when it was really tempting not to

🌸 Tiny Joys & Unexpected Magic

• Spotted a first bloom (and did a happy dance)

• Welcomed a furry/feathery visitor to the garden

• Caught a perfect patch of evening light on the rows

• Felt the wind finally calm down (briefly)

• Heard the frogs sing after a long day

• Laughed at something mildly ridiculous

How many of these can you check off your list for May!?

Favorite May Moments:

• BOTH Simon and Harold are earning their keep getting rid of rodents! Now if only they could figure out a way to stop the moles…

• Feeling the warm sunshine, and fixing some bad tan lines from a couple summers ago!

• Enjoying the green

• Finally hearing the frogs again

• That one moment I stopped, looked around, and thought: “Wow. I’m really doing this.”

Words of Wisdom I’m Taking Into June:

Sometimes it’s not about perfect timing or flawless beds—it’s about showing up. The flowers don’t care if your spacing was off or your rows are a little wobbly. They just want sun, soil, and a little faith. And honestly? So do I.

“Progress, not perfection. Dirt under your nails still counts as a win.”

Thanks for being here through the messy, magical start to the season. Whether you're growing flowers or just trying to keep your head above water this spring—I hope you find joy in the process, even when the petals are slow to show up.

Until the willows sway again,

Kaeley