What a season it has been! Fall is such a dynamic time in the PNW, and this year has been full of change and surprises. I began September with a long-dreamed-of trip to the UK, and I feel incredibly lucky to have finally made it happen. Two wonderful weeks were spent traveling from London to Inverness, down to Edinburgh, and then back home. We soaked in incredible historical sights, explored stunning landscapes, and truly had the best time. And of course, I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of flower shops and lovely gardens throughout London and Scotland! It was a beautiful reminder that wherever you go, we all connect with flowers the same way, and we’re so much more alike than we are different

Once home, there were just a few short weeks left to enjoy the final blooms of late summer and fall before putting the field to bed. We’re currently testing different ways to overwinter our dahlia tubers, with some carefully dug and stored, and others left in the ground beneath a protective layer of mulch. There’s also been no shortage of planting, preparing, and planning for next year. I’ve spent countless hours working through what new varieties we might add to the field, and I’m especially excited for spring. We have so many ranunculus, anemones, daffodils, and more tucked into the soil, patiently waiting for longer, warmer days. I truly can’t wait to create beautiful bouquets and arrangements for you all again.

This season also can’t be reflected on without acknowledging the storms and recent flooding in our region. So many families have been devastated by the record-breaking floods, and our hearts go out to everyone affected. While we’re grateful to be on a hilltop and outside the floodplain, we still experienced tremendous amounts of rain, and our delicate spring corms and bulbs were nearly washed away. Farmer Kris and I spent hours digging emergency drainage to redirect the water — and thankfully, it worked. A few days later, as I walked through the field checking on the plants, I paused to take in a soft watercolor sunset, blurred by the fog rolling in. Nature can be terrifying and destructive, but it also has a way of gifting us unexpected beauty.

Winter is a quieter season in the field, but I have a few projects up my sleeve and look forward to sharing them with you soon. There will be more planting and plenty of preparation for spring, which is really just a few short months away. Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s coming and to know when flowers are on the way.

Until next time!

Rachelle

Autumn Journal

Welcome!