I’ve got flowers on the brain.
Despite the fact that snow is on the forecast this week…I’m thinking Spring. Desperately hoping/wishing/dreaming of Spring.
It began last week as I wandered through the halls of the Portland Museum of Art for their annual exhibit, Art in Bloom. For four days in March each year, the museum suddenly smells divine and exquisite floral work from designers, artists, farmers, and florists are scattered throughout the floors. Each piece is inspired by artwork from the museum’s collection. If you missed the short window for this year, mark your calendar to check it out next March.
The exhibit led me to fall down a major flower rabbit hole.
🌸 To start: have you heard of Backyard Blooms?
Jason Aucoin and Kate Hanavan Ross were childhood friends from a small town in New Hampshire. As it often goes, life took them in different directions after high school and they inevitably fell out of touch. Cut to 2015: Jason and his husband are now living in Portland, Maine when suddenly the house next door welcomes new owners. You guessed it: it’s Kate and her husband, much to the complete and utter surprise/delight from the couples.
As if this story wasn’t sweet enough: the pair decided to join their yards to create an urban flower farm. Their expansive conjoined space features raised beds, perennial gardens and fruit trees. Their joint business, Backyard Blooms, offers a roadside honor system stand in Portland (most Saturdays from May-October) filled with freshly cut flowers - plus, they offer a flower CSA, workshops and flower shop (the Dahlia Tuber Sale is happening now!)
I love this story so, so much. And while we can’t all be lucky enough to have a best bud move in next door/plant a glorious shared garden - there are so many ways to welcome some fresh blooms into our homes and support our community of growers.
To help get us through the final mud-season slog (and inspire those in need of Mother’s Day ideas…) - turn on the Miley Cyrus hit and join me below in all things flowers. Most CSAs will begin in May or June, with sign-ups usually ending sometime in April. Use this guide as an inspiration - but check your local farms too!
Flower Delivery Subscriptions
🌺 Deep Creek Flower Farm (Cumberland, Maine)
Receive 5 bouquet vases, delivered to you the first week of each month, May-September! PS: use code “SPRINGCHEER24” for 20% off your subscription! Must use by today (April 1st!)
🌺 Leafsong Family Farm (Belmont, Maine)
Choose from a Spring, Winter or Year-Long delivery of fresh blooms!
Flower CSAs
🌺 Ferris Farm (Buxton, Maine)
They offer a monthly, Spring and Fall Flower CSA.
🌺 Fresh Pickins (Cape Elizabeth, Maine)
Many different options to find the right fit.
🌺 Eden Street Flowers (Hulls Cove, Maine)
Many different options - including a Tulip CSA.
🌺 Broadturn Farm (Scarborough, Maine)
The peony CSA has my eye! As do the other options.
PYO Flowers
🌺 Treworgy Orchards (Levant, Maine)
Opening for the season May 1st!
🌺 Little River Flower Farm (Buxton, Maine)
Begins in June!
🌺 U-Pick Tulips at Chipman Farm (Poland, Maine)
A favorite of mine (wrote about it below) - opens in May.
Honor System Flower Stands
🌺 Stalk & Pistil (Waterford, Maine)
Usually opens in May!
🌺 Swell Farm (Rockland, Maine)
Opens in mid-April with fancy tulips!
PYO Flower & Herbs for FREE (alongside a Produce CSA purchase)
Many CSAs offer their subscribers the opportunity to pick their own flowers and herbs for free throughout the growing season! It’s a great bonus and something fun to look forward to each time you pick up your fruits & veggies.
🌺 Ripley Farm (Dover-Foxcraft, Maine)
🌺 Frith Farm (Scarborough, Maine)