Sunflowers & Devastating Storm: Why I Stopped Flower Farming
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 21 июл 2024
- n this captivating video, witness the extraordinary journey of a flower farmer as thousands of sunflowers bloom prematurely, painting a mesmerizing landscape. The anticipation of a bountiful harvest for the farmers' market fills the air. However, fate takes a cruel turn when a devastating storm threatens to wipe out these vibrant blooms. Join me as I recount the emotional rollercoaster of managing a flower farm, the heartbreak of nearly losing it all, and the ultimate decision to bid farewell to flower farming this year. Discover the powerful connection between sunflowers, the farmer's market, and the resilience of a determined farmer in the face of nature's challenges.
SUPPORT THE FARM
Buy Me A Coffee.com Farm get's 95% of Donations!
www.buymeacoffee.com/livingon...
MERCHANDISE! SUPPORT THE FARM! Click link below!
shop.spreadshirt.com/living-o...
Amazon Wish List
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
Square Software Systems!
squareup.com/i/LIVINGONA4
I use Square Software for all my sales! I absoultey love how it lets me roll in the tax, or easily adds in for me. I'm able to run reports and see what sold the best, or how much I made at each market!! I use my square contactless reader which conects to my phone via bluetooth and works great!
Visist My website!
www.livingonaprayerflowerfarm.com
Try AMAZON PRIME FREE for 30 days! *affiliate link
amzn.to/3BU8K22
Try Amazon Audible!!
amzn.to/37KFX54
Other Amazon Affiliate Links for Products I use:
Other Amazon Affiliate Links for Products I use:
Camera: amzn.to/37lkmAJ
Tri-pod to hold phone or Camera: amzn.to/3voAyJn
shotgun Mic: amzn.to/3EsVnXX
Power Planter Auger amzn.to/3qegeJB
Felco Prunning Sheers: amzn.to/2UeV54j
Dewalt Drill Kit: amzn.to/3uwLNjM
Cool Flowers Book : amzn.to/3qL5i53
Craft Paper for Bouquets: amzn.to/3zcRP8r
Black Plastic to kill Grass: amzn.to/36M2zPe
Dewitt Landscape Fabric: amzn.to/2WrrVQq
Pink Light Set Up: amzn.to/3vYzkDS
A Cut Flower Garden by Floret Farms: amzn.to/3c0YZ5U
A Year in Flowers by Floret amzn.to/3rmA3MA
Discovering Dalhias: amzn.to/3kJmbta
Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer: amzn.to/37vCXGY
Stretch Table Clothes: amzn.to/3JqmxzB
Cool Flowers Book : amzn.to/3qL5i53
Craft Paper for Bouquets: amzn.to/3zcRP8r
Black Plastic to kill Grass: amzn.to/36M2zPe
Dewitt Landscape Fabric: amzn.to/2WrrVQq
Pink Light Set Up: amzn.to/3vYzkDS
A Cut Flower Garden by Floret Farms: amzn.to/3c0YZ5U
A Year in Flowers by Floret amzn.to/3rmA3MA
Discovering Dalhias: amzn.to/3kJmbta
Hi Jessie, I've been quietly watching you over the years, and I am sorry for all the burdens you've been having to deal with. Growing flowers is supposed to bring you joy, even though it's a lot of hard work. I'm glad that you are not quiting all together. I honestly think scaling back to a more manageable size is a great idea. Especially with you by yourself and a full-time job and being mom and wife. I've watched you grow as a flower farmer, and in turn, watched you grow as a person. My assessment: you're doing remarkably! Just heads up, and one day at a time. Until October, enjoy your time off! Much love from Arkansas
What a roller coaster! I will say that I would be thrilled to have that much garden space to grow all of those big flowers 👊🏻🌻👊🏻
It is nice have so much space! I just over did it. 1😅
Jess, it's all gonna be OK! You're one tough cookie!
Don't feel bad about this! I know so many farmers who have had a rough year. I live in Alabama and I stopped EVERYTHING because of the heat. I just couldn't stand out there watering with a hose. I let everything just fend for itself. A lot of it died, looks brown, etc. And it's OK! I learned that next year I will do my best to have my drip irrigation completely in place and I don't want to spend as much money on plants so I plan to do more flowers from cheap seeds. It's OK! You lead a very busy life. I love your transparency! We can't do it all. Sometimes we have to take a step back to re-evaluate what's actually best for us. If you are like me, I go BIG on my passions, but I have to reel it back in eventually because I'm only one person who cannot do all that I would love to do. You are learning and growing and that's important!
Jessie, thank you so much for the update! You have been on my mind this summer, hoping you were doing ok. I think your plan going forward for the immediate future is a great idea. Just know that you have helped me so much since I found your channel, and I look forward to catching up with how you are doing with your next one. One word of advice, don't rush back. We will patiently wait for your beautiful flowers and your next video whenever you are ready 💚💚💚
Those bouquets are so beautiful!
I had wondered what had happened to you! I've missed your videos. I don't blame you for just taking a step back! Flower farming is so hard, and I've realized I can't keep doing it, so this is my last year of selling. I'll still grow flowers and have a couple of bouquet bars next summer, but it was a hard year for so many of us! We all need to take inventory of our lives and make sure we aren't making our lives harder than they need to be. Good luck to you!!!
It sounds like a tough time - I hope your change is just the ticket!
I can’t imagine the disappointment. Especially after working so hard. It’s good you know what you need which for the moment is checking out. I know you will be back and with a better plan that works for you. Hugs from Georgia!!!
I feel for you Jessie🥲 It’s so hard being a large scale farmer of anything with the crazy weather these days!!
Here in Australia we have had torrential winds and rain for 3 days straight😡
Taking time out is vital for health and mental health. You had a lot on your plate, just do what you can. All the best for your flower comeback lovely🌸🌻 xx Cathi xx 😘
Good plan. I'm with you! No rain, 28 days straight of 100+ degrees. Everything burnt, drought cracks 2-3 feet deep.
Just like others have commented, I've really missed your videos, so was excited to see one pop up this morning here in New Zealand. But my heart went out to you 😢. Thank you for filling us in as to why we haven't seen you. Its not just your flowers, but your personality and humour that I've missed. By the way, I dry my sunflowers for winter dried bouquets, goes well with purple statice ❤. So if you ever in same situation, dry every flower you can, including zinnias. Dried are my biggest seller and profit.. All the best to you and your family x
I’m glad to see another video from you! It’s so wonderful and inspiring you’re not giving up after such a huge setback. Live and learn. It will only make you stronger. Best wishes for the fall, you can do it!
It's been a crazy year for sure. We lost all of our spring planted suns to deer. We replanted and it took forever for ours to grow. Late start on the warmth, no rain, then too much rain. Just as they were getting ready to harvest, storms flattened everything! We're a you pick and had to close early for the season. Next year will be better! Mother nature is a tough partner.
I loved seeing you again. You make me smile and laugh. We can all only do what time allows. Take care of yourself. 😊
Hey girl, you got this! Everything is going to be okay! Glad to see you back and hoping all is good with you! ❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻🫵💪🙏
I am so sorry! Give yourself grace!! Your flowers still blessed the world. I think it is a good idea to reevaluate with your family so that you can enjoy your life and them.😊
I've been following you since you were on with Ian and Serena (You can't eat the grass), and have been rooting for you since then. I'm so sorry that this was such a hard year for you, and hope you have better weather conditions this fall and next year. ❤ God, has you even when it feels like everything is too much.🙏🙏
Jessie, I have also been watching you for a long time and your positivity / great outlook in life is inspiring. Honestly, its OK to take a break. I think everyone has had a rough go of things this season, but you've got a handle on things and the shrinking your crops down is a great plan. A couple things I noticed that might help to make your production days shorter.
1. If its for my local market I will pick and bunch in the field ( this is only if I'm making like 20-30 arrangements) spiral them in field and rubber band and then let those sit to condition and then pop a wrapper on them.
2. Set up a table pop-up table if you are doing more and have the set recipe with all the flowers laid out. I really do find having to search for them in the buckets sooooo time consuming.
3. Get A-roo sleeves. They are pre done so you just have to slide flowers into them. I didn't realize how much time I took cutting and stapling paper.
Much love,
Heather
My goodness, I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties, Jessie! So heartbroken so see your spirit get broken! I am so sorry, my dear! You have been doing so well, but what can you do in the face of all this crazy, unpredictable weather? You have done your best, you have put all your heart and hard work work, and you have put so much time of your time and resources into your dreams. All you should know is that you are loved! Have you thought of doing a U-pick farm? It’s so hard to see all those beautiful sunflowers and flowers just getting overgrown in the fields. Besides, with U-pick, people are paying you for doing your work!
Jessie- This growing season has been an absolute hot mess!! I grew sunflowers for a wedding and I succession planted so I could be 100% sure I would have enough sunflowers for the date of the wedding. They all bloomed at once, well before the wedding. Thankfully I had some branching types that still had enough sunflowers to help fill the quota. My dahlias have looked sad, and so many of my other flowers were small this season.
Farming- You win some, you lose some. Some seasons you feel like quitting. I work two jobs as you do, because I cannot control the weather. It is so frustrating.
Jesse, I'm so glad you've had this time for yourself. Sorry it's been such a tough year, the weather in Alabama has been a killer as well. Do what you can at the pace you are comfortable with. You are real and I bet more people than you think understand your feelings. It's great to see a new video from you!!!
Stay safe this holiday weekend 🙏! More rough weather coming to LA this holiday 😢
so happy to see your video again! :) I am sorry about what happened... but yeah, welcome back, Jessie!
Yay, so happy to see you! When life is too challenging I check out too! As Ive gotten older I give myself that permission and not feel guilty for one second! The beauty of farming is there is always next year and you can always put things to bed and let it be for years if need be... until inspiration arrives again!
So good to see you back here again even if it is to share the struggles you’ve been through. You’re keeping it real, flower friend, and that’s the best way to be. Keep your chin up. You have so much knowledge after these years of flower farming that you know what’s best for you and your farm (and of course, your family). Keep on keeping on! 🌸
You have got a plan that is a long term home run - and flower farming will just have to flex to what YOU need! You deserve to grow and thrive as much as your beautiful flowers, and then some. Thanks - as always! - for the inspiration!
I did the same thing. This year was horrible for my farm. I called it quits also. Maybe next year.
Ohhh I'm so sorry about the sunflowers!! Farming is sometimes the worst. It's okay to take a break! I'm so glad you are still coming back though. Going back to the basics that's the best decision ever! Lisa Z. is honing in on a much smaller growing space this year so it is fun to follow along and see how much you can really grow in a backyard setting.
I love the new phrase you came up with: "but here we are, sunflowering" 😅
Thanks!!
Take you time. You have to care for yourself. I will be here when you get back. You will make it through this. You seem to be a strong woman! Next year should be fab!
It is so beautiful
Hey Jess I just started watching you today and I live in Bastrop La and I would to connect with you! Your videos are so motivating! Please Please don’t quit just when I found someone close who I could really learn from. You are doing an amazing job! I want to know more about tulips.😊
Just one step at a time hope you get your goals
That was such a hard summer and I don't blame you for taking a break! Have missed your videos like all the rest but mostly just glad you're taking care of yourself and your family. Your farm will evolve and you will find your jive. Sending hugs ❤
Hi, Jess, Glad to see you.
I hope things are well with you.
Keep at it girl! Love your spunk, keeping it real and creativity. I've had many set backs too this year. Next year I'm scaling back and taking more time for myself. You can do anything you put your mind to. Love your channel and looking forward to more videos!
Jess, good for you for taking the step back and having a moment to rebalance and reassess ❤. Your sweet personality and fun videos have always been something I enjoy ( I usually watch your videos while I sew or listen while I garden). Hang in there and take your time. We will all be here for whenever it's the right time for your next video.
No shame I called it quits this year and I also made the decision to only sell flowers early spring through June and then cut everything down and cover crop and then plant fall flowers. This season July and August kicked my bit and took away the joy from flower farming. Lucky I have a full time job and do not depend on flowers for my livelihood and I’m able to grow the flower that I truly love when I want!
Hey Jessie, great to see you lovely! I completely understand your feelings of overwhelm… it’s very wise to take time out to replenish. I’ve been flowerfarming for almost 3 years and every season we have had some weather event create chaos 😖 it really is hard to keep going when it’s one thing after another. I don’t know what this season will bring for us, I’m just recovering from surgery to remove cancer in my arm, I’m struggling to get back to things too. I think you just need to listen to your body and take time out if you need to. The farm will always be there… take care of yourself lovely, Anita xx 🌷💐💕
*hugs*
So Glad your okay. Missed for happy face.
These times are so crazy... You do you❤
You're so blessed with helpful children:))) Please take care of yourself, your family, health before all. Stress is a trigger for so many bad things. Warm hugs from the other side of the world:))))
Never forget that you are amazing! Hang in there, take care of yourself, the flowers will be there when you’re ready. ❤
From one Jess to another… hang in there! It’s okay to scale back or take needed time off. It is not the moments that seemingly break us that define who we are, but how we handle those situations. You’ll come out of this wiser and prepared to try again until you succeed. Sending big flower friend hugs! ❤
No matter what, you can't stop MOTHER NATURE! SHE'S GOT HER OWN AGENDA. Mine did same, 2 feet to 8 feet overnight and blooms!
I'm so sorry Jessie. I understand needing to take some time for your mental health. I know when you're ready you'll come back stronger than ever.
So so so happy to see your videos
Those sunflowers are beautiful and the zinnias too!!
They would surely brighten the old tired eyes and hearts in the nursing home and the sick in the hospital.😊🌻💝
Take everything to the Lord in prayer... What a Friend we have in Jesus...He is willing to work all things together for good if we will but ask and surrender to trust Him. He is able to turn what seems like a disaster into a bright and beautiful blessing.
He cares about everything.🙏💞
You can do this 👍
Hi! New subscriber here. I hope you have gathered some well needed energy for your 2024 garden season. I´m starting with cut flowers this year, but as you mention, I´m not having too many varieties. I´m also going to concentrate on perennials and sunflowers. I´m aiming for mostly selling bunches since I´m not the florist type 🙂 I hope to post my successes and mistakes on my channel.
Jessie so glad to see you! You have been on my mind so much. Sad about your farm but I can’t wait to see the farm next year. You are my favorite of all flower farmers. I don’t grow anything but love yo watch you.
💐 luv that yer back, stinks about the weather, nobody wins em all, good luck 💐
You rock. Take time to get things in order. Your well being takes precedence!
I’ve been wondering about you too! In fact, I looked to see if you had a new video out just yesterday. Good luck with your planing and all of your farming tasks. Take care.
Growing sunflowers- succession plant every week with the same seed so you can have flowers all summer. It works!
wow that is a site to behold. all of those amazing flowers wow!!!! I'm so sorry that happened. farming is no joke. I've been wondering where you had gone.
Glad to hear from you again . Love your spirit . ❤ think shrinking and only doing what you can comfortably fit in is a good plan . 👌 I only have a micro farm but really cram alot in and is easier yo sell it all wishing you good fortune
Hi Jessie. What a shame about those stunning sunflowers. Your bouquets looked gorgeous. You have had it so tough, so you just look after yourself, rest and reboot. You make your decisions about the farm. What we want to see on here is not important, just take care. All the best. ❤
Jess, I was thinking about you the other day. I noticed I hadn’t seen any videos. Like you we’ve had crazy weather. Too cold, too wet, too hot, a hail storm, strange Asian beetles damaging nearly all of my Lillie’s, the death of one of my siblings and last but not least I had a ruptured appendix 3 weeks ago. I’m not ready yet for any major work yet and my field is full of blooms! The farm is 30 minutes from here. I too have decided to shrink my farm. I don’t have enthusiastic family help so it was my idea and I need to try and do it myself. Let’s hold hands with others and go into next season with a more efficient plan. I love your videos!!❤
This is exactly what happened to me!Unfortunately we can not control the Weather,but only Plow true it!I started baking and it was a big success!
Hi Jessie, wow those sunflowers so beautiful! What a sight to behold Have been thinking of you a over the summer and missed your smiling face on your videos We had to drive to Ruston the other day for my son's move in day at Louisiana Tech and I was thinking of you again hoping you were doing. So happy to see you! Hugs from Suzi at Bynog's Flower Farm
I’ve missed you !
Maybe flower diversification would help. I have been starting different types of echinacea, black eyed susans, and zinnias. The zinnias provided the best cut flowers this past summer. My favorites were from 2$ packets of seed…
If you plan on some destruction of your “crop” from something, then you wont feel so devastated or overwhelmed when it does happen. Those flower farmers who have diversified their crops seemed to have done the best.
It’s all part of the journey. If it was easy it wouldn’t be as interesting to you - you’re clearly a person who loves a challenge and you’re absolutely going to be OK no matter what you decide to do with regards to the flowers. Thank you for being so genuine and vulnerable. ❤
I’m so sorry honey. I remember one of the flower podcasts I listened to had talked about the burn-out that happens to new flower farmers that do too much in the beginning. I know that’s what I would do, and it would get too overwhelming. Hang in there!
I missed you
I am a new Sub. But I told understand. My husband said I was obsessed with the garden. What I didn't say in my first comment it wasn't just wildlife good my neighbor was pouring plant or weed killer over the fence, and over 2-3 ft. And I have no idea but something chemical was used on my potatoes. When I ripped into my garden we didn't know what had been sprayed on the gone what was left after the wildlife. In my own mind it said you are free. But God always has his plan. Or I put some seeds just to finish out the seeds and the walking paths they took I have I have ornamental squash I had zinnias, I am one small watermelon. That's because I got it behind a fabric weed wall. So when everything goes right it is so nice to have color in your yard. I wonder did anybody have a problem with their Zinnias, my Andrew every witch Way first then they started to grow up. I'm really contemplating a while going to do next year definitely not going to put out a gardenhere because I'm 65 I got up from recliner on this one and shoveled out a pretty good-sized garden. Not I don't know at 66 it's all still have that same strength. well look forward to your videos and everything's going to work out alright besides Jesus to help you, and he will because he loves you.
Very sorry to know.
You can't be a flower farmer without support netting - corralling doesn't work ! Keep going...
Do multiple succession plantings, not so many for each planting, and grow shorter versions.
I have been thinking about you wondering if you are gearing up for a new season this year? I hope you have been able to recharge and have some new ideas on how you can keep growing your flowers.:)
Thank you Julie. 😊 2023 was a very challenging year and 2024 first half is too. But I'm still planning on at least selling daffodils this year at the farmers market. I would love to grow more summer flowers as well.
I found that with sunflowers the best succession method is to plant them every other week until mid August. They seem to be like tulips (early, mid, late)... unless they are a 90+ day, maturity the times are all pretty similar once in the ground.
So sorry about your misfortune. I was wondering where you were. Mother Nature does what she wants to do. Don't give up girl! Bonny
Hi,…I am new to your channel , great videos,………, you are quite amazing, wishing you all the best …..⭐️⭐️👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Where is your farm located?
Ruston Louisiana
My sunflowers was eating by a unknown animal until we caught it in the act. I live in a city that should not be here,
The woodchuck or groundhog whichever one called it, Mow my baby sunflowers down. I wouldn't like between rabbits ,birds, I had really no green beans to pick. I got so mad I just ripped up the okra. And unbeknownst to me I had petunias growing in the grass that was stealing in my garden. And I have these flowers and what they were but they were white flowers cosmos zinnins. Not all but most of these flowers I mention, is all down the groundhog Belly. I did get to enjoy some colorful flowersHertz of course my stuff is not for sale it's for me to enjoy and also to do some exercise. It's just been one of these yearsthey're pretty sure they've got a groundhog. It's just one of these years just salvage what you can rest up nourish your soil for the fall and winter and just wait spring is a coming. I'll tell you one day jump thing I will have my sunflowers I will have any flowers, I learned that the fabric thing, you put in the garden to keep the weeds ,from coming up ,you make a wall of it, if they don't see it doesn't seem like they mess with it.
What you don’t think you can sell you could donate to a nursing home or school. Weird that they all bloomed at the same time.
Did you invite any photographers out by appointment? That’s one way to make quick money on them without cutting them!
:)