Flower Farming In Nova Scotia

Several years ago we decided to pursue a new adventure, and expanded our garden. We developed a little flower farm, which we called Celtic Roots Farm.

The Celtic Roots reference includes our own Celtic roots, both Scottish and Irish, as well as the roots of all the plants, growing in the soil that we are nurturing year after year, with our farming practices.

We have met some wonderful community members along the way, sharing the joy and beauty of the flowers.

There has been so much support in our small community. The joy of flowers really seems to bring everyone together, regardless of the occasion. 

We grow many varieties of cut flowers suitable for our zone 5 climate. Each year we discover what works best, which flowers are easiest to grow and flourish, and which flowers people just absolutely love!

Our top favourites include dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias and celosia. We are also trying our hand at growing lavender from seed this winter, and hopefully will develop a lavender patch this summer!

We are starting to plant some of our seeds already, and these seedlings will be transplanted out this spring and summer, after all the snow melts away.

Spring is on the horizon, and looking forward to another season on the flower farm here in Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

Pumpkins

The pumpkins were ripe for the picking several weeks age at River Breeze Farm Market in Truro Nova Scotia. The children were thoroughly entertained by all of the activities available at the farm.They have an amazing corn maze, and a pumpkin patch for picking just the right pumpkin to bring home with us. Sometimes the choice is a bit difficult:).




The corn maze was fabulous, and yes, we got lost. Fortunately there are large structures built throughout the maze that you can climb and regain your sense of direction:).

Happy Halloween

The Trick Or Treaters are almost done for another year. Hope everyone had a safe and spooktacular Halloween:).

Merigomish Harvest

It will soon be harvest time in the cornfield. It's a golden harvest, and the golden stalks crackle as they sway back and forth in the breezes of the Merigomish Harbor.The ducks and geese are having a hay day with the bountiful harvest of corn. It is such a spiritual place, this rolling cornfield against the ocean.

Hemerocallis

Daylily Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is one of my favorite pink daylilies. It displayed a spectacular wonky first bloom this season. Although far removed from it's usual regal appearance, this daylily flower was very impressive none the less. Hemerocallis blooms last only one day, so future blooms on this plant will most likely normalize to their usual appearance.

Daylilies and Iris

The daylilies and iris are in bloom, after a long season of anticipation. We got several cultivars of Iris from Red Lane Daylilies last year, and placed them in the middle of the daylily rows. The colors are spectacular, and set each other off. The daylilies, or hemerocallis, are wonderful shades of yellow, orange, and pink. The intense purple and blues of the iris beckons from afar.
Love the harbour in the background behind the flowers. The Merigomish Harbour provides a lot of moisture for the fields in summer, and an extremely harsh climate in winter, ensuring only the hardiest of daylilies for Alloa Farm:).
Iris bearded collection of 6 - 6 Plants

Hollyhock

An old fashioned biennial accent plant reminiscent of heirloom gardens and the cottage garden, the hollyhock, alcea rosea, is a beautiful addition to the back of a sunny perennial border. Hollyhocks are short lived herbaceous biennials, however often remain in the flower garden due to the common occurrence of self sewn seedlings. I love the tissue paper texture of the beautiful hollyhock blooms, and the striking height of the plants, which usually range from 5 to 8 feet at maturity.

Starfish Bounty

Look at who we caught while fishing off the wharf last summer!
The kids were amazed with what I believe is a common starfish, pulled out of the harbour at the Merigomish Marina.
The starfish was alive and mobile, and a curious creature to observe. The children were fascinated by his form, and his appearance made up for the lack of fish caught that day:).
Caught and released. Package of 30 Real Starfish

Peonies~ A Little Piece Of Family History

This gorgeous peony flower is from last summers garden. This peony grows every year as it has for probably generations. Planted by grandparents or possibly great grandparents, it remains undisturbed to provide sustenance for the soul for all the generations that have followed. The children are proud of their heritage, right down to the beautiful plantings that continue to poke up through the soil year after year.

Antique Shed Doors

These antique shed doors were recently removed from the daylily shed. Built several generations ago by my partners grandfather, they sparkled with intricate layers of peeling paint, and reminded me of large pieces of outdoor art.
An old rusty horseshoe hung on one of the doors.