The Month the Flowers Tested Me

I’ve been learning a lot since I started this farm, but I think the past month has been the biggest crash course yet. There have been highs, lows, and plenty of feelings in between. And somehow, even after all of it, I’m already excited to do this all over again next year.

July was quiet on the sales front. Everyone was away on holidays or busy soaking up summer, and honestly—I get it. Who wants to buy flowers they won’t be around to enjoy? I probably wouldn’t either. Still, the slowness made me wonder if I should shift my planting dates, seed choices, or even what I offer. Maybe if I planned for a slower month, I could give myself a breather too. But the lull was so deep that one night, sitting at the kitchen table, I found myself questioning whether I should even be doing this at all.

Then came August. And with it—rain. And more rain. Then wind. Then hail. And just when I thought things couldn’t get more stressful, the forecast called for frost. The hailstorm hit especially hard. The stones were small, but they came in huge amounts, carried on by a howling wind. Walking the fields afterward was tough; every bent stem felt like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I wondered if I was being overly dramatic, but when Devone came home and confirmed just how bad it was, I knew it wasn’t just in my head. Add the looming frost warning, and I thought I might have a stroke.

But here’s where things shifted. The August Prairie Flower Market turned everything around. I was so nervous that day and brought everything I could salvage. Within the first hour, I was sold out—completely floored. What really struck me, though, was not just the support from customers (which was incredible), but the support from my fellow flower farmers. You’d think it would be competitive—especially in a place as small as Saskatoon—but it’s the opposite. Every month I look forward to seeing these women. Their encouragement, their stories, their generosity (including offering plants to help fill big orders!) reminded me that this little community is one of the best parts of farming.

We lost a lot this season, but the recent heat has been a blessing. If the frost holds off, there’s still plenty of harvesting ahead. To keep up with demand, I’ve been ordering from other farmers for fresh bouquets in the next couple of weeks, and I’ll be drying everything I can for later. That means some gorgeous everlasting bouquets will be coming your way soon.

Farming has tested me in every way this month—but it’s also reminded me why I love it. The flowers, the resilience, the people. Even when it’s hard, it feels worth it.