Warm Weather

I'm astounded by the unseasonably warm weather have had so far. Yesterday, December 10th, it was nearly 60 degrees! That is pretty crazy for Northern lower Michigan. Normally we are buried under a couple feet of snow this time of year, though last year was also unseasonably warm.

All this warm weather has been great for getting fall chores taken care of. A few more shrubs, bulbs and perennials to plant and I'll be done. I can't wait!

It's been awhile!

Wow, time flies when you are having fun.  Well, working, farming, working, and more farming.  I suppose I should share some photos of the action!  My brother Chris got married last month to his wonderful fiance Tonimaree.  I had the honor and pleasure of making her bridal bouquet.  It was my very first!  I went big on it as you can see.

 I filled it with lisianthus, tuberose, dahlias, pokeberry, eucalyptus, salvia leucantha, chasmanthium, and mint.

 I had to take bathroom shots as they had the best lighting in the house, ha ha!

 This is a centerpiece I made for a wedding last Sunday.

This is a bridal bouquet for last Sunday's wedding.  I never met or spoke with the bride, yikes!  I hope she was happy!

I have thousands of bulbs coming in a few weeks.  2000 tulips, hundreds of daffodils, allium, fritillaria, leucojum, brodiea, camassia, etc.  Plus, over 100 peonies, and a bunch of astilbe and white dicentra.  I'll be planting until it snows!

We are in the process of filling the front yard with hydrangea.  I didn't realize how many I had, wowza!  Around 12 varieties and easily over 100 shrubs.  They are worth the investment though as they are very commonly used in wedding work.  We also put in over 50 clematis vines in the backyard.

We just got a light frost last week but it didn't hurt much.  The next frost will be coming soon. I'm looking forward to clean up and getting back to planning for next year.  

It hasn't been the season I hoped or planned for but luckily every failure is a huge lesson.  I'll be an expert in no time!

Busy as a Bee

It's been a busy year, as it always is for a farmer. Things have not gone as planned and there are some sad days filled with disappointment but I snap out of it and forge ahead.

I have planted 650 dahlias, 2300 lisianthus, ornamental corn, sorghum, zinnias, snapdragons, ageratum, verbena, sunflowers, tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplant, peppers. Still more to plant! Weeds to pull. Irrigation to set up. A walk in cooler to build. And on and on.

Life's a garden, dig it! - Joe Dirt

Our Indiegogo Fundraiser for a New Cooler

Hello Everyone,

I just went live with our Indiegogo fundraiser.  We are in desperate need of a walk in cooler.  With our business expanding this season, we fear that not having a cooler would result in lots of waste in flowers and hard work.  Harvesting flowers is a lot of work and to watch it wither away is heartbreaking.  That can all be solved with a nice and chilly cooler for all of our beautiful blooms.

If you can donate, we will love you forever!  Plus, there are perks to being a donor.  Just follow this link, Walk-in Cooler Fundraiser.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out our fundraiser!  We appreciate you whether you can donate or not.  Also, please share the link to our campaign, if you can.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michelle and Andrew Shackelford
Perbellus Flower Farm