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Showing posts with label California Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California Flowers. Show all posts

Aug 7, 2012

Licorice and Tulips

I was out for a walk through the Sun Valley greenhouses today, and the normal buzz of activity was noticeably missing. No blasting music from the Spanish station, no trains of carts streaming by dangerously close and most unusual, many of the greenhouses aren’t brimming with flowers.
Boots left after an Oriental Lily pick
This isn’t to say that there aren’t busy places on the farm right now. Teams are picking lilies, tulips, iris, brassica, gladiolas, hydrangeas and freesia, but today you just get a mellow summer vibe on the Farm. Many people may not realize that summer is the official slow time in the flower growing business. It is slow for obvious reasons. People can pick flowers in their own yard, people are spending more time outside in nature and also, people are taking vacations and traveling more so they break their normal routines.

This is a blessing for some of our employees, as they get a break from the long hours they put in from November through Mother’s Day. It is a time to recuperate and strategize for the next big season, which gets going in late August, as kids go back to school and people resume their shopping habits.

While the fields lay fallow, they are actually very photogenic as remaining crops bloom out and cover crops return nutrients to the soil.

A freesia hoop house, past its' prime.  We currently have a fresh freesia crop, ready to go.
This time does provide an interesting opportunity for flower growers. What do you do to keep your greenhouses full and your work force intact? At Sun Valley we do a few different things. We spend a lot of time and effort keeping our facilities up to date, doing maintenance and cleaning.

The inglorious but necessary task of power washing our numerous carts.
The other project we are exploring is growing some traditional vegetables, especially those with a quick life cycle, so our green houses and fields will be ready to plant floral crops for the holidays.

A cuke crop in the making.
This year we are bringing in a cucumber crop, featuring several popular varieties of cukes. These will be harvested and sold to regional vegetable wholesalers. I’ve been trying to convince Sun Valley CEO, Lane DeVries that we should get in the pickle business, but apparently the Dutch aren’t as enthusiastic about pickles as I am. I envision our greenhouses brimming with delicious crunchy pickling cucumbers, then being soaked in a brine of fresh dill, garlic and pepper. Mmmm, maybe next year.

You may ask, what are the Dutch enthusiastic about?  LICORICE and TULIPS.

LICORICE. More than enthusiastic…licorice fanatics! They have the highest per capita consumption of licorice of any country in the world, almost 4 ½ pounds per person, per year. This according to about.com, read the full story of the Dutch licorice addiction here. Check it out, banana flavored licorice. (weird!)

TULIPS. Growing tulips is more than just an agricultural pursuit for the Dutch, it is a cultural passion. The reason Sun Valley Floral Farm is based in Arcata, California, is because our climate is as close to Holland as anywhere else in the U.S.  Sun Valley is rooted in innovation, and we have sought to improve upon the Dutch tradition. Our Tulips average 14-20 inches and weigh 45 grams each, where a tulip grown in Holland averages a height of 11-15 inches with a weight of 18-22 grams. See a comparison.

Lane moved to the States thirty years ago, and in a classic American success story; the student now out shines the teacher as Lane and the Sun Valley growers produce the world’s best tulips. 365 days a year.

Sun Valley CEO Lane DeVries, with our "World's Favorite" tulip.
Another surprising crop we are growing are artichokes. They are a great match for us, because we harvest some for people to eat, and then we also harvest a portion as a great bouquet accent item. The unique texture of a small artichoke head and the edgy leaves make artichokes not only a yummy foodie delight, but a non-traditional green for bouquets, arrangements and other floral designs.


Well, I started out this post mentioning that the farm was slow. As I look out my window today in the late afternoon, I see many employees wrapping up their days and heading home, many carrying artichokes. I guess we aren’t really slow, it is just a different rhythm from the sheer madness of spring or the panic before Valentine’s Day. The goal is to enjoy each season's rhythm and realize that the flowers ebb and flow, but like the sea, they never stop.

Please share this post with all your flower friends. Connect with us on the web: Facebook, Pintrest, Twitter and Google+, or visit of website www.tsvg.com

-Lily
“The earth laughs in flowers.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson






Apr 23, 2012

Snowballs in Spring - Viburnum Snowballs, that is


Way back in July of last year, I took one of my first trips to the Willow Creek farm with Lane. During that trip, we saw Cotinus, Rosehip and Ilex crops, all in the early stages of their growing cycle. Part of that trip included a tour through Sun Valley's fields of Viburnum opulus, commonly called Snowballs, which we have in abundance right now.

Hoops and Fields

The Viburnum crops I saw on that sunny Sunday in July had been planted periodically over a four year period, some in open fields and some that would soon be covered within hoophouses. The crops in hoophouses "arrive" around three weeks earlier than their open field-grown counterparts, creating a longer season for this fabulous spring flower. Hoops are added to more of the field each year, so our farmers can keep the crops nice and warm, even during winter, when the outside air temperature hovers at a chilly 45 degrees. The warmth from the hoops contributes to a much faster growing rate, thus allowing for an earlier crop. Once Snowballs in hoophouses start to phase out, their neighboring Snowballs in open fields phase in.

In July, Snowballs grow in the open sun. Soon the farmers will stretch plastic
over these metal frames to create hoophouses.

Lane checks the growth progress in July

Lane's dog Mae Mae navigates around the crop

 

Harvest to Home

As I mentioned above, Viburnum harvesting has just begun. Willow Creek farmers cut them when their heads are nice and full. (You can see what I mean in the close-up picture below.) Freshly harvested Viburnum goes straight into buckets and into our Arcata farm coolers. From there, they make their way to our customers in wet hampers, which prevent dehydration.


Viburnum crops in hoophouses are being harvested now

Viburnum in the field will be harvested in a few weeks


Many Shades of Green

One of the most fun things about Viburnum is it's similarity to those hyper color t-shirts from the 80's! Right now, the crop is a charming green color, similar to that of Green Ball - an extra large variety of green dianthus we grow. Once the crop is bathed in a few days of good sunshine, it starts to turn a lovely shade of bridal white. We harvest Viburnum in all of its stages of color. It all makes for a nice floral complement in spring, Mother's Day and wedding arrangements!

Close-up of gorgeous green Viburnum taken a couple weeks ago
 
"In-betweener" Viburnum from a previous year's crop is changing
from green to white


Fully white Viburnum from a previous year's crop

Vibrant Sunrise Bouquet from Sun Pacific Bouquet - featuring Viburnum
  
Vibrant Sunset Bouquet from Sun Pacific Bouquet - also featuring Viburnum

The viburnum season typically lasts April through May, making it the quintessential spring flower. So, don't miss your chance to fill your buckets with the kind of Snowballs you won't want to throw!

As always, you can learn more information like crop standards and care tips for Viburnum by visiting our Flower Resource pages on our website. Here is the direct link: http://www.thesunvalleygroup.com/thesunvalleygroup/pdf/SV_RP_Viburnum.pdf

Mar 20, 2012

Springing Forward and Up

Today is the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox, meaning Earth's northern hemisphere is about to tilt towards the sun, thus prolonging daylight hours. In other words, we're leaving winter in our rear view mirror!

"Springing forward" brings on a few changes around our Sun Valley farms, as you might imagine. For example, longer daylight hours equate to less need for the use of growing lights in the greenhouses. More significantly, from today's Vernal Equinox to its counterpart (Autumnal Equinox), our core crops are essentially relocating from one California farm to the other.

Core crops are mostly grown in Arcata during the spring and summer
Over the next few months, our Arcata farm, nestled in the Pacific Northwest right in the heart of the Redwoods, will have an ideal climate for growing field, hoophouse and greenhouse crops, like Iris, Asiatic Lilies and Oriental Lilies respectively. Steady moderate temperatures, an abundance of moisture, and the right amount of sunlight are just what the farmer ordered this time of year!   

Most of the core crop production moves to Oxnard for the fall and winter
Alternately, the ever-warm and sunny - except for right now with the crazy weather patterns of late - Oxnard farm in southern California allows us to grow the flowers mentioned above during the winter, when Arcata tends to be under a constant blanket of rain clouds. Even with shorter days, the Oxnard farm gets plenty of sunlight and its winter climate is just right for crops that love a little warmth, like Freesia, Brassica and Dubium. (I'll be talking all about Freesia next week, so stay tuned!) 

Chasing the weather from our NorCal farm to the SoCal farm and back is one of the factors that allow us to grow our core crops year-round nearly seamlessly. (In case you're wondering, the other factors include ample cooler space and hardworking flower farmers!) Now that the days are getting longer than the nights, it's time for our flowers to head north!

(Note: the aerial pictures above are a little dated - I'll call them "vintage" - but they give you the general idea of our farms!)

Mar 16, 2012

The Luck of the Flower Farm

Gray skies over our Arcata farm

As luck would have it, while the rest of the country is basking in unseasonably HOT weather, we're finally getting those torrential winter downpours at our Arcata farm that were accustomed to... just in time for spring. With St. Patrick's Day a day away, one can't help but think of the rolling green hills of Ireland (and little "green" men). No place gets that green without A LOT of rain! Dark and stormy isn't always the best recipe for elation, yet the Irish still wholeheartedly believe in luck.

For our flower farms, rain doesn't hurt us per se, but heavy doses can delay field planting and they make everything just a bit muddier! Yet our farmers still believe in luck as well!

Why do they feel lucky? Some of our favorite spring field crops are about to make their debut, in spite of the rain!

Within the next few weeks, you should be on the lookout specifically for Viburnum (Snowball) and Dubium (Star of Bethlehem), which just so happen to be green and orange respectively when they first come in. (These are the official Irish colors, FYI.) 
Viburnum - Look for these early in April.

Orange Dubium - You'll see this popping up now.
Look for white in the next few weeks.

So, grab those brollies (umbrellas) and wellies (rain boots) and put a smile on your face. Despite the rain, we're in luck!

Feb 10, 2012

Fields of Blue


Day 10 of Valentine's Day shipping...

Yesterday was a particularly beautiful day at the Arcata farm, so it seemed an ideal time to get out to the fields and hoophouses, which tend to be a bit muddy when it rains. I wanted to get a closer look at iris, since we're closing in on Spring - one of the strongest seasons for iris.

The sun drenches the fields of our Arcata farm

Perfect day for a bike ride through the fields and hoophouses

First stop: Iris hoophouses. (Yes, my coffee came along for the ride!)

Bulbs have just been planted. Wire grid and drip tape are in place

Iris starts to peek out from the soil. This crop will be ready to bloom around early Mother's Day shipping
 
Baby irises are starting to sprout. These babies will be full grown in time for late Mother's Day shipping

Telstar just starting to come up. This iris crop will be ready for harvest mid-April

Telstar mid-growth. Expect to see the full blooms mid-March

Iris crops nearing harvest time. Soon their blooms will start to show color at the tips

Iris buds close-up. We pick iris and ship it when it is closed like this to prolong the vase life

White iris popping up in the Telstar hoophouse. We call this a "fence jumper" 

Granted, I have small hands, but Telstar Iris blooms are about the size of them!

Gorgeous day, gorgeous tour.

While the iris harvest is in full swing for several areas of the farm (in Arcata and Oxnard), many of the hoops are currently quiet and serene. I suppose those iris crops are waiting patiently for upcoming holidays. Until then, they make for a very pleasant bike ride! 


To learn more about any of our flowers, it's always a good idea to check out Sun Valley's Resource Pages. CLICK HERE for the one on Iris.






Feb 7, 2012

Sunshining Valentine's Day


Day 8 of Valentine's Day shipping...

During this two-week-or-so period we at Sun Valley like to call "Valentine's Day," I've been getting my boots dirty while traipsing around the Arcata farm trying to get a bird's eye view of the heightened holiday floral production. Last week, we took a tour of Tulipville in Arcata, so it seemed like a great idea to kick this week off with a tour of the Oxnard farm! So, I asked Melina, one of my Oxnard counterparts, to give us her own personalized tour of the crops at our sunny So Cal farm. Boy, am I glad she did. Her photographs are simply gorgeous... as are her subjects!

See for yourself...
Brassica (Kale)

An open field of Brassica

Brassica has been simply stunning this season! It's been a real crowd pleaser in the shops, and it's breathtaking to see growing in these lush, beautiful rows!

Carmine Lavender brassica
 
Green brassica


Asters - think pink.. and purple!

Pink Sea Star asters growing in a hoophouse

A hoophouse full of purple and pink Sea Star asters

Close-up of Sea Star asters
 
A row of hot pink Serenade asters, nearly ready for harvest

Pink and hot pink Matsumotos, getting ready for Valentine's Day!

Freshly harvested hot pink Matsumoto asters in buckets of water, bound for the coolers

Freshly harvested pink Matsumoto asters


Dianthus (Green Trick and Green Ball)

Green dianthus is one crop that is harvested green... and stays green!

I don't know about you, but these photos helped bring the sunshine in despite the rain and snow we've been having throughout the country. Imagine what the flowers will do in person!

A special thanks to Melina for giving us this visual delight of a tour!

If you want more information about any of the flowers you see here, check out our Flower Resource Pages on the TSVG website by clicking HERE.


Jan 30, 2012

The Return of the Iris

There comes a time - well, a few times - in every flower farmer's career when he finds one of his crops doesn't perform according to plan. Infinite factors, including a drought or a flood, weather that's too hot or too cold, or fluke problems with the crop itself, can have adverse effects on the flowers' well-being.

As many of you already know, this was recently the case with our iris production. A number or things didn't go quite right at exactly the same time, and we were left with little iris to show for it.

Well, my friends, spring is here in California and Iris is making a comeback! Here's a quick photo tour of the iris crops in Oxnard (taken last Thursday):







If you're ready for Iris, it's ready for you! Thanks for waiting!
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