My dear flower friends,
As I put the garden to bed for the winter, I began to reflect upon what a busy fall it was and my first season as a flower farmer! Together we accomplished many things:
On August 24, we had our first bouquet making station at the Dudley Farm Farmer’s Market!
Thanks to all who came to support my #bouquet making event! @benincasacommunity credit for picture
On September 4, 2024, Mena’s Garden welcomed 13 Seniors from the Guilford Parks and Recreation Program to the farm for a flower-picking event!
On September 7, Mena's Garden provided 24 custom bouquets for our the Town of Guilford's first ever Music Porchfest! Each homeowner and organization that donated their porch to the event received a bouquet! We received so many compliments about the bouquets. We loved helping our community in this way!
On September 9, we had our official ribbon cutting ceremony—where our business is introduced to the Shoreline Chamber business community that serves Guilford, Branford and North Branford followed by a brief write up in the local shoreline papers!
On October 7, we installed our first high tunnel, thanks to a $2400 Climate Smart grant from the University of Connecticut Solid Ground Program and support from Whole Earth LLC for the installation!
The tunnel will help us to extend the season in the spring and fall by about 1-2months. For example, we will be able to plant our cold loving annuals (like ranunculus, sweet peas, and anemones) in the ground in March, as opposed to April or May, and plant successions of fall flower seeds and bulbs through August to bloom in October and November. More flowers mean that we can have beautiful bouquets for you, dear flower friend, earlier and later in the season.
On October 20, we had our first birthday party on the farm. The guests brought a cake for the birthday girl, and I provided drinks. After flower-picking on the farm, we went inside and sang ‘happy birthday’ to the guest of honor. Afterwards, we toured my 1840 farmhouse while I explained why it’s on the state registry of historic homes in Guilford.
On November 19, Mena’s Garden LLC received a $1000 Property Enhancement grant from the Town of Guilford to restore the windows and roof of one of our barns which will become a future flower stand!
I created this video on Instagram to share photos from the events above. If the link does not work, go to our Instagram page @menasgarden to see the reel or cut and paste the link in your bio!
Our Mena's Garden Fall newsletter is here! Check out the newsletter link in our bio! Learn about how to get a Mena's Garden gift card or mug this holiday season!!
The first season is always trial and error. I learned what works and does not work for me and how to best use my time and energy. Next season, I will focus more on selling flowers on weekends on my own farm stand, doing pop flower stands at local businesses & festivals, taking more custom bouquet orders and running different-themed flower-picking events for individuals, groups or organizations--even bridal parties who want to pick their own bouquets for a wedding the next day! I am starting to cultivate spaces on the farm with seeds, bulbs, plants and trees on where these events will be held. I am also looking for collaborators (chefs, event planners, florists, nonprofit and community organizations, local businesses and restaurants). If you have any ideas on flower-picking events or potential collaborators, please send me an email at info@menasgarden.com!
I could not have made it through my first season without the support of you dear flower friends. I am so grateful for your kindness, wisdom, connections and financial support.
While we are closed for the winter, we still need your help. I am trying to raise $2000 in revenue to pay for some needed equipment and materials to renovate our barn into a farm stand. You can help in this effort by purchasing a Mena’s Garden LLC gift card. I created digital Mena’s Garden LLC gift cards that you can purchase on www.menasgarden.com for family, friends, co-workers, colleagues and that can be used to purchase bouquets, and tickets to attend farm events!
Here's the link and if this doesn't work you can go to www.menasgarden.com, look at the tabs and hit more, then gift card: https://www.menasgarden.com/gift-card
We also have Mena’s Garden LLC mugs for purchase that have our logo on the front and “Flower Power in Guilford CT” on the back that can be purchased for $16 and picked up locally or mailed for an additional fee (email info@menasgarden.com to discuss shipping costs before purchasing the mug).
Here's the direct website https://www.menasgarden.com/product-page/mena-s-garden-llc-custom-mugs: If the link doesn't work, go www.menasgarden.com and look under custom flowers:
Thanks again for your support! What will I be doing during the winter? Doctor stuff--seeing patients, healing the sick-- as well as planting seeds and planning the garden for the spring!
Sincerely your flower doctor,
XOXO
Dr. Mena
Comments