Waning Summer on Our Cape May Flower Farm

Summer is shifting, and so are we.

Here on our Cape May flower farm, we are working steadily transitioning from peak summer abundance to preparing for fall’s richness.

Rows that once exploded with spring’s pastel blooms are being cleared, composted, or cover-cropped. We’re already growing what’s next: flowering cabbage, stock, and snapdragons in rich autumn tones bringing warmth to cooler days.

We’re also carving out space for a small planting of pole beans, carrots, radishes, and lettuce. That is, if we can outsmart the rabbits before they feast on the tender seedlings – I lost that competition this summer. It’s a challenge but I plan to win this time. I’ve got plans. Do you want me to share if they worked? :)

This month’s weather hasn’t made things easy. With all the rain, high heat, and humidity, the weeds have gone into overdrive – growing what feels like a foot overnight. But we’re staying on it, cutting back, clearing out, and staying focused.

As I’ve learned, working on it a little at a time daily starts to produce results – the power of incrementalism.

Meanwhile, the summer blooms are putting on their best show yet. Zinnias and celosia are towering over five feet tall, and our succession-planted dahlias are right on track to carry us through the first frosts. Stock, snapdragons, heirloom mums, dahlias, celosia, eucalyptus, flowering cabbage, late blooming zinnias are what our Fall Flower Subscribers can expect beginning in late August (only a couple more weeks to sign up, if you’re interested).

The heirloom mums are making strong progress – so strong, in fact, we’ll be netting them this week to keep them upright. We did our final pinch in early July, and from here on out, it’s all about upward growth. Some will top six feet by bloom time – yes, they are cut flower varieties with long stems and not the round potted ones that are ubiquitous in fall.

One of the most exciting developments?

The eucalyptus is beginning to harden off. That means harvest is on the horizon – I project in a week or two  – perfect timing for our last 2 Flower Arranging Workshop in August.

We’ve been watching these rows all summer, and now those delicate stems are firming up and getting woody – sign that they can be harvested without wilting. We can already picture the bundles hanging to dry in the studio, filling the air with their fresh, clean scent.

And in true flower-farming fashion, there’s always a twist. Did I ever talk about those mystery plants I almost pulled?

They popped up in early spring – just green stems, no buds – and looked suspiciously like weeds.

I hovered with my clippers more than once throughout the summer. What stopped me from ripping them out was my plant ID app whispering “brown-eyed Susan,” so I gave them a chance.

Now, nearly six feet tall, they’re finally showing flower buds and I am beginning to believe my app was correct after all! Jury is still out, but now that they’re maturing, I think I’ll have a bumper crop of these flowers.

Please tell me I’m not wrong – better yet, if you know what this plant is, please share!

Being a Cape May farmer florist, i’ve learned that patience pays off, and hopefully, I’ll be proven right with this one.

I learn something new every season as a flower farmer and I’m  here for it – muddy boots, early mornings, and all.

Thanks for being part of the journey and for supporting locally grown flowers, one bouquet at a time. 💕