September

September was a month of flat out, foot slammed down on the pedal work. Late nights, not much sleep, and fast paced working hours- and as always, the beauty of the flowers made it immeasurably easier.

Christmas shoots (yes Christmas) and the return of weddings opened the month in a joyful, and tireless week of harvesting, delivering, installing, take-downs, and well wishes. It was so special to work in the name of love again, albeit for a few short-lived weeks.

The seed shop opened on the first on the month and sold out in less than 24 hours. You guys are amazing. My little printer slowly chuffed out the designs over the course of a week, I filled the packets with seeds, and got them shipped out to you. As they started arriving, I got the loveliest messages and it was worth every little bit of work, every late night, and every bit of time spent planning.

Perhaps it was because I was over tired, or perhaps it was that the worry over my small business not surviving this pandemic, retreated for a moment, but your appetite for my seeds made me cry heart-filled to the brim tears. The sale of them covered a large chunk of the seed and bulb costs for next year- which is a real help to be able to carry on into the unknown; you’ve given me another shot at growing flowers for a living for another year- so thank you. Really, truly. Thank you.

Garden bouquets continued to go out through September, as well as bridal bouquets by post! It’s been 6 months of the nationwide bouquet deliveries now- and this feels like a bit of a milestone, especially since this was not the plan for 2020, but it’s been an amazing experience weaving the flowers together for your loved ones. It’s hard not to be moved by your messages of strength, courage, and luck and love- it feels like a special thing to be party to.

We were joined mid-month by Stella the lurcher (don’t ask me why I thought bringing the chaos of another puppy into an already full-on work/life schedule was a good idea, but I’m pretty certain it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.) She’s gentle, shy, and loves a hug. When she wants something, she makes a sassy little ‘humph’ sounds. I now no longer go anywhere alone.

The colours in the field noticeably shifted in September to Autumnal. The rains came, the mists fell, and the cold returned. The Amaranthus shot up fast, making the field look spectacular and full, catching the morning light in sublime architectural drama, the dahlias that survived the tree falling on the polytunnel last month began to get seriously into their stride, and the zinnias have been a favourite for design work this season with colours in buttercup and burgundy.

Mid month, a day was given to opening up more growing space. I planted a third of it with bearded Iris, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like in the springs to come. In the meantime, I’m soaking up all the autumnal colours that are here right now.

Big news. My picture was printed in a newspaper. This is a first. I’ve never been in print before, and I’m wearing my slippers in the picture. I feel surprisingly good about this; I think it makes me look like a more relaxed person than I actually am, and a relaxed person is really the person I want to be. It was also just thrilling that another person wanted to know what my favourite spring bulbs are; a subject I would happily discuss for hours given the opportunity.

The cosmos were harvested by the armful in September- they’re still coming thick and fast now, and I’m writing this in mid October. It is, undoubtedly, the most generous flower of the year. They softened the news of weddings guests being restricted once again for at least the next 6 months. My brides that had already postponed this year, one by one began to get in touch to full out cancel. It was shattering. My heart goes out to them all, a difficult decision for them to have made, and not what they had planned for their special day. On this side of things the loss of income is vast, but I feel lucky enough to be a small enough business to try and pivot around it and make ends meets regardless. And so, the pivoting continues, and will continue for who knows how long.