There are as many different kinds of flower farms as there are flower farmers. Wivenhoe Flowers grow on many acres or pint-sized allotments, in polytunnels, or out in the elements. Sell at garden gates or send flowers to the most prestigious events and everything in between. What unites the farm is a passion for British flowers, and many of them are so excited to share this when they open growing spaces for the Flower Farmers Big Weekend on 5 -7 August.
The weekend is a great opportunity to see what goes into making bunches and bouquets, whether you are a gardener thinking about growing flowers for cutting, a flower lover looking to find out more about locally grown blooms, or if you just want to treat yourself to the unrivaled pleasure of picking own flowers from an abundant field.
This will be the fourth year of the Flower Farmers Big weekend, and flower farmers across the country are pouring their hearts into planning their events.
"This year will be my first time participating in the Big Weekend, so I will be starting small with just 6 guests joining me at the field to pick their flowers and create a vase arrangement to take home. I have been developing the Wivenhoe Flowers field for less than a year, as I started out growing on a small allotment, and I am simultaneously proud of what I have achieved and nervous that the field may not resemble the idyllic garden that my customers may be imagining. There are still a lot of thistles (top tip for visiting flower fields, wear closed-toed shoes!), and my poor shed, jokingly referred to as Wivenhoe Flowers HQ, still doesn't have windows," says Susie Ross of Wivenhoe Flowers.
"Still, I took the plunge to offer a workshop in the knowledge that summer flowers will be abundant and that I am full to bursting with knowledge about growing flowers sustainably, which I can't wait to share. I've invested in (by which I mean I panic bought) a new gazebo, and I'm hoping to sweet-talk my mother-in-law into making some bunting for the event. Add some homemade cake into the equation, and I'm confident that my guests will have a wonderful Big Weekend experience," she added.
To find Big Weekend events happening in your area, search the Events Finder page.
For more information:
Flowers from the Farm
www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk