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Continue ShoppingOne of the most intriguing bridges in Toronto, spans the Don River on Queen Street. The Queen Street Viaduct as it is more commonly known is famous for its large welded inscription, “This river I step in, is not the river I stand in”.
Pretty philosophical for a bridge, but the Heraclitus paraphrase rings very true; you really can not step in the same river twice.
I feel the same way about my garden. No, not the part about stepping in it, but the idea that my garden is always changing, flowing or becoming. My photos are the only real slice of still life my garden knows. It is never the same garden twice. Minute to minute or even second to second its life above and below the soil creates an ever in motion piece of art.
Learning to grow flowers and vegetables then means understanding this motion and always striving to understand the flux and how to champion the seeds that grow there. It stands to reason then why there are so many gardening books in bookstores. The human mind is so thirsty for knowledge about growing; we are all guilty of wanting more and more understanding. This is why we want to share an author that we think has something spectacular for everyone.
Our Day 10 of 24 Days of Giveaways is a package combining a great new book, a cool pair of socks and the best Gardener’s Soap.
Growing Flowers, Everything You Need to Know About Planting, Tending, Harvesting and Arranging Beautiful Blooms by Niki Irving, is one of our new favourites. Nicki runs Flourish Flower Farm in Asheville North Carolina and has taken the time to detail all the steps you would need to know to become a flower farmer. And this advice is even more valuable for dedicated gardeners who are looking for a how-to book from someone who has been there and done that. From knowing your climate to preparing and planning what to plant all the way to harvesting and arranging. A straight forward read with plenty of photos to help you visualize especially the arranging part.
A pair of whimsical Pick Flowers, Not Fights socks. And a bar of Gardener’s Soap from Mud & Otis. A combination of natural elements and oils to get the dirt off and yet leave you fresh. We will add a $30 Gift Certificate for Stems Flower Farm as well so you can put your new knowledge to use.
For a chance to win leave a comment below. In your message, share that one tidbit of knowledge that you wished you would have known earlier in your gardening adventure. Or the one thing you always pass on to other growers, anything really, as long as it puts a smile on everybody’s face. EASY. This giveaway is open to anyone with a Canadian shipping address. This Giveaway is open until Sunday night December 12th at Midnight PT.
UPDATE: Congratulations to our winner, Lee Ann L
Of course, if you know someone who would be inspired by browsing our selection of giftables, please share!
Learn more and connect with Stems Flower Farm
Instagram: Stems Flower Farm
Instagram: Flourish Flower Farm
Instagram: Mud and Otis
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Caitlyn
Dec 14, 2021
I wish I had of known – or done better research about when to trim back lilac bushes! I’m afraid I’ve trimmed mine too late in the season and won’t have blooms again for two springs!
Jude
Dec 13, 2021
Gardening is a learning curve. I’ve learned that every year no matter what you will likely have a fail of something. Whether it is zucchini that doesn’t grow, who can’t grow those! Or it is seeds that don’t germinate. They are all lessons for the next year.
Leeann Sweers
Dec 13, 2021
I wish I knew about placing plants in drifts in a flower bed for a bigger statement.
Kirsten
Dec 12, 2021
Don’t be afraid to kill it or give it away if it doesn’t work for you or your yard. I’ve kept plants I’ve hated just because someone put it there or because I paid for it. I no longer keep shrubs or perennials, or plant annuals that I don’t love. There are always more plants to try. Same goes for food. Only plant things you want to/love to eat!!