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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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Sandra
Dec 12, 2021
Something I always tell people who are interested is just go for it. If you are super concerned about how to do it the best, it will be more stressful. Learn from the mistakes. Something didn’t grow quite well in specific area – understand why and then take that moving forward. There are no failures, just learning opportunities.
Rachel Krikke
Dec 12, 2021
I don’t think there is anything I wish I knew sooner. It’s all about growing. Growing as a gardener and growing in experience. I’ve always loved gardening. I have so many fond memories as a child in the family garden. Grow, grow, grow. Enjoy what you do and always leave lots of space for growing something you’ve never grown before!
Carla Wilson
Dec 12, 2021
Something I always tell new gardeners is to take time to notice that as we care for, feed and nourish our gardens, it feeds and nourishes us tenfold. That the act of gardening is an act of hope, of looking to the future. And I ALWAYS say – gardening is the best therapy
Cindy
Dec 12, 2021
Success is dramatically increased if you plant what is suited to your conditions. I now have blazing, hot, hot conditions with full sun. My previous home was much shadier and cooler. Try as I might some of my earlier favourites just don’t thrive so I have had to adjust my plantings.