I always find a stark beauty in Winter: bare branches dark against the sky; sunlight that is both softer {nowhere near as warm} and harsher {everything is so bright, especially if there is snow or ice}; stars that dance across the sky at night with greater brilliance.

And yet, when color starts to return, those first tentative blooms giving way to a riot of blossoms in the trees and on the ground? My heart sings. After a long dark season of hibernation and dreams, the time has come to make the world bloom once more.

If you’ve been around a little bit, you remember that I started flower farming after leaving my job at the Library. {And if you’re new: hi! I’m so glad you are here!} As I learn more about the flower farming process, as well as the vast array of possibilities, I am growing my empire {pun intended}. And I have big plans for the 2026 growing season!

We are starting things off with pansies again: 3 varieties of them, in fact. And y’all, they are so beautiful. I love walking outside and being greeted by a long row of profuse blooms. Local florists think they’re beautiful too: we’ve been cutting more pansies every week! I am already planning ahead, making note of what has worked this season and what I want to change and/or expand for next year. {It might seem early, but I’ll have to order the seeds in July and get them going again by September for overwintering – that’s the secret to getting such luscious, glorious blooms}.

Once pansy season ends, I’ve got quite a few plans for Summer blooms. And the common denominator is color. Yes, there is an elegance to white flowers, but I love the range of color available {and color has sold well for me in the past, hopefully that continues}.

I’ve got 3 different colors of cornflowers, aka Bachelor’s Buttons, growing. The blue version grows as a wildflower locally, so I’m hoping these intentionally planted ones thrive. And I’m very excited to see the pink and burgundy blooms! The one other time I grew these, I ended up with light purple in the mix, and that’s when I realized they come in colors!

Zinnias are, of course, a Summer must-have, and after dabbling in single color growth last year, I’ve returned to my mixed roots. There is something extra joyous about a large patch of brightly colored zinnias. The first set of seeds have been sown, and I love watching the germination sprouts pop up and start to form rows. I will stagger-plant more later, to help extend the cutting season.

When I won an Eden Brothers gift card last year, I purchased liatris bulbs and they did so well, despite being planted later than “should be”. I had high hopes for this year, but it would seem that there’s a mole/vole-creature who ate very, very well all winter. I do have some liatris greens emerging, but nowhere near what I planted. Depending on available space, I might throw more zinnia seeds in those beds – the more zinnias, the merrier.

The chocolate mint is ridiculously happy, as you can see. It is now much taller than in this picture, but still as dense and lush. I’ll be able to cut it soon!

Other growing plans for the Summer include several new things: pink poker statice and “sun balls“, most notably. I’ve also got decorative basil and will hopefully have better luck growing useable amaranth this year. {Lesson learned: amaranth does need to be pinched, or it will grow 9-foot tall. Oops.} Chances are also good I will try a late Summer/early Fall run of marigolds.

We also have several flowers in bloom that are not part of the farming project, but they’re so beautiful they need to be shared.

If the success of pansy season continues, this promises to be a beautiful – and busy – year of growing flowers. I can’t wait! And of course, I’ll be sharing the blooms with you along the way.

What is your favorite flower?
Do you prefer white or colored blooms?