Winter on the farm is quiet.
The flower fields rest under a blanket of fluffy snow, the air is cold and still, and the pace of life slows in a way that only winter can bring. It is one of the most peaceful seasons here at Middleton Neadow Farm.
While the flowers sleep beneath the snow, winter becomes a season for reflection.
This year, the quiet months were filled with rest, family time, and a few new hobbies. I spent time learning how to sew and quilt, something that had always interested me but never seemed to fit into the busy growing season. I also found myself returning to church and taking time to reflect on how to work smarter—not harder—as someone who runs a small farm while also working full time off the farm.
Winter is also when the planning begins.
Even though the fields look quiet, there is still a surprising amount of work that happens behind the scenes. Buildings and equipment need maintenance, animals need care, and plans for the coming season slowly take shape. Garden maps are drawn, seed catalogs are studied, and ideas begin to form for what the next season might hold.
Eventually, the first true sign of spring arrives.
For me, it is always the March thaw and the first tiny blades of green grass pushing their way through the melting snow. It is a small change, but it signals that another growing season is about to begin.
One of the first tasks of the season is selecting the varieties that will grow in the fields. Gladiolus, lilies, and dahlias are chosen carefully, each one bringing its own color and personality to the summer garden.
Seed starting also begins around this time.
If I am being honest, seed starting is not my favorite part of flower farming. It is a task that requires patience and precision—two things that I am still learning in this line of work. But every tray of seeds represents something hopeful. Each tiny seed holds the promise of a flower that will eventually make its way into someone’s home.
Thankfully, this year brings a special new collaboration.
My friend Sylvia has been my mentor since the very beginning of my flower-growing journey. When we first met, she told me one of her favorite parts of flower farming was seed starting. I quickly admitted it was my least favorite.
After more than 30 years in the industry, Sylvia retired last fall and recently started a new venture called Sylvia’s Specialty Seedlings. When she shared her plans, my secret dream came true. There is no one I would trust more to start the seedlings for Middleton Neadow Farm. Sylvia’s passion, experience, and attention to quality make her the perfect partner for this part of the growing process.
This season will also bring some exciting changes to the farm.
We are expanding into new growing fields, introducing pumpkins to the farm, and focusing on planting more perennials—including peonies, which I am especially excited about. We are also planning a series of small on-farm events that will allow visitors to experience the beauty of the fields in a new way.
Beyond the farm, I will also be traveling on what feels like a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
This spring I will be visiting the Amsterdam Tulip Festival. For a flower farmer, this feels almost surreal. The Netherlands has long been the heart of the global flower industry, and the opportunity to see the spring bulb displays, visit working farms, and experience the famous flower parade is incredibly exciting.
One of the things I am most looking forward to is the possibility of volunteering to help assemble the flower parade floats—massive works of art made entirely from real flowers.
I hope to return home with inspiration for how we might share the breathtaking beauty of Dutch spring bulbs here at our own small farm.
Closer to home, one of the places that continues to mean the most to me is the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market.
The market is truly the hub of our community during the summer months. It is deeply personal for me to have the opportunity to share flowers with the community where I grew up and with the many visitors who discover this special place each year.
This spring we will once again participate in the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market Spring Fling, where we will introduce a few new offerings including dried flower wreaths, sewing projects created over the winter, and the launch of our 2026 flower subscriptions.
Subscriptions have become one of my favorite parts of the farm. They allow customers to reserve their bouquets in advance and ensure they never miss out on a week of fresh flowers. Subscribers often tell me how much they enjoy the variety of blooms each week and how long the locally grown flowers last in their homes.
That is one of the greatest gifts of local flowers.
They are fresher, stronger, and often far more unique than what you might find in a grocery store. The local flower movement reminds us that flowers do not have to be reserved for special occasions or perceived as a luxury. They can be enjoyed regularly, bringing beauty and joy into everyday life.
Flower farming has taught me many lessons over the years, especially about patience.
I am not naturally a patient person, but flowers have a way of reminding you that growth cannot be rushed. You must trust the process and accept that the seasons cannot be controlled. Mother Nature ultimately decides when and how things grow.
As we look ahead to the coming months, I am especially excited about the opportunity to host on-farm events and share more of the growing season with our community.
Through this blog and through our social media pages, I hope to share the entire journey—the successes, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way.
When you visit Middleton Neadow Farm in the middle of summer, I hope the first thing you notice is the love and passion that goes into every bloom.
Because behind every flower grown, there is a deep appreciation for the land, the seasons, and the community that makes this farm possible.
Another season is beginning…
And I am so glad you are here to share it with us.
❤️Amanda
