This past season was hard for me.
In more ways than one.. but a big hardship was welcoming my guests onto a farm that didn’t yet feel like my own. It was so far from the vision..so far from my dream farm that I am working to create.. and this place wasn’t at all something I felt proud of yet!
For a better part of the season, the outbuildings were in great need of fixing up. And then once the “fixing up” began.. we were walking around giant disposal bins and piles of stones and equipment! At the start of each workshop I would apologize for the mess.. and explain the vision the best I could, with hopes everyone would return to see the magic.
Having said all of this.. Once we were in the flower field to create.. it was blissful. The freshly laid sod, the rows of blooming flowers, the lit torches and soft music.. Of course so special.. We just had to walk through the chaos to get here. So yes, it was painfully difficult for me and it was HUGE lesson in swallowing my pride. Luckily everyone seemed so happy to be among the flowers.. I really doubt the initial mess had any affect on their experience.
SO WHAT IS THE VISION OF OUR DREAM FARM?
Obviously a tidy and beautiful farm, but furthermore we are so inspired by English gardens and countryside farms. There is something so magical about how well planned symmetry marries so perfectly with the freedom of wild gardens. Broken stone walls, fountains, garden antiques, stone pathways and secret doorways opening into more quaint beauty. This is what my dreams are made of.. and what we are working hard to create. Take a peek at our Pinterest to get a sense of what we are after: https://www.pinterest.ca/augusttreeflowerfarm/our-farm-vision/
The reasons why I am so dedicated to this vision..
– I want to feel so proud when I welcome guests here. I want them to experience an escape from their everyday.. and a place to connect with friends and loved ones. A place to re-fuel. I honestly want this to be like no other farm they have visited (in Ontario!!)
– I also want to inspire myself! I am a floral designer who has learned from the garden herself. My very best guidance is in the way the flowers grow, bend, reach, sway.. and I want to surround myself in this and continue to be her student.
HOW FAR WE HAVE ALREADY COME
This past season we did the bulk of the farm clean up. It was a lot! But we also began working on little pockets of this giant farm. We configured the cut garden, painted sheds, completely renovated the interior and exteriors of our dwellings, proudly launched our airbnbs & began landscaping and planting our many perennials. We’ve accomplished a lot, however at times it felt we hadn’t even gotten far at all.. but this Winter we have been deep in reflection and we are more aware and feeling extremely proud and motivated to carry on.
AND IN THE COMING SEASON…
We will continue to reconfigure our farm to create more special gardens and spaces. It was a bit of an “Aha!” moment when I realized I can change whatever I want to change!! I mean, yes within reason, and yes with much work. But we could totally make this farm our own for the many years to come! For example.. The laneway from the road goes straight down the middle of the farm into the woods. It is completely a straight pathway, and not very inviting in my opinion. I am going to make the driveway curve and wind.. I am going to plant big trees along the drive. Yes they’ll take years to establish.. but I am here for that. It is something as simply as adding a bend in my road, that makes me feel like this farm is about to become something so special… really and truly our dream farm!
Also on the list this season is creating many special pockets…for private dining experiences, quiet walkways through an abundance of perennials and flowering shrubs and unique workshop spaces to gather. We will also be welcoming baby doll sheep to a pasture designed around The Flower Garden Farmhouse. We want this place to feel surreal.. like a little slice of heaven.
I AM PROUD AND SO READY TO SHARE THIS FARM
This Spring will be jam packed with farm projects to get this place into shape for our summer workshops and farm-stay guests. It is exciting as we are SO far ahead of where we were last season!! Of course it still won’t be perfect.. much will still need to be done.. and the many perennials we are planting will still be young. But I have a feeling I will be VERY proud! And although with my eyes I will see undone tasks and the need for improvement.. I would imagine our guests will be swept away by the beauty. This farm really feels like OURS now and I am already so proud.
And so I ask you to come and be a part of this journey in creating our “dream farm”! This year will be another stepping stone and we want to connect with you.. because YOU are why we are creating all of this and working so hard. “An Evening In The Garden” is our summer workshop series and our dates are now available. If you have a group celebrating a special occasion or simply celebrating time together consider a Private Garden Party. And add on a Farm-Stay to make your visit extra special. We can’t wait to host you!!!! It feels so RIGHT this season <3
