My first blog!

what have i been up to during the 'slow' season.

Photo: Laura Szantos Photography

Winter in the garden often looks still from the outside, snow resting softly over sleeping beds, seed packets scattered across the kitchen table, and long evenings spent dreaming about colour and possibility. But behind the scenes, this season has been full of steady movement, learning, and laying the groundwork for the year ahead. I have also knitted a pointy hat and listened to 2 audiobooks, many a podcast and read 4 physical.

This winter has been about intention. I’ve been mapping out the field, working on bed layouts, and imagining how the space can continue to evolve while staying rooted in regenerative practices. A new growing area is beginning to take shape, something I’ve been quietly working toward creating more room for diversity in the garden and for the flowers to grow a little more wildly, just as they’re meant to.

One of the biggest milestones has been moving through a lease agreement with Young Agrarians and my incredible landowners. It’s been a smooth process, one that feels like an important step toward stability and stewardship of the land. There’s something grounding about knowing this next chapter is supported by a community that believes in new farmers and small-scale growing.

Winter has also been a season of learning and connection. I attended the Young Agrarians Bootcamp, joined WBC’s peer-to-peer business mentorship sessions, and spent time reflecting on how Mildly Wild Flowers can continue to grow in a way that feels sustainable, not just for the soil, but for my heart and the business dreams behind it. It has reminded me, inspired me and provided encouragement, fresh ideas, and the reminder that farming doesn’t have to be a solitary journey.

Alongside the planning, I applied to the Ministry of Agriculture’s New Entrant Accelerator Program, a hopeful step toward strengthening the business side of the farm while staying true to the values that shaped it from the beginning.

And somewhere between seed orders, field sketches, and winter walks, the website finally came to life. Updating it felt like opening a door, where the offerings, and the intention behind each stem can be shared more openly.

As the light slowly returns and the season begins to shift, I find myself thinking about everything waiting just beneath the soil: rows of dahlias ready to unfurl, bright snapdragons and calendula reaching toward the sun, and bouquets that will soon find their way into homes, gatherings, and quiet everyday moments.

Winter has been a time of preparation, of building structure while holding onto wonder. A gentle season of roots growing deeper before the blooms arrive. I’m feeling grateful for the community, the learning, and the small steady steps that are shaping the year ahead.

Thanks for reading the first Mildly Wild Flowers blog!