Did you know that Blue Goose Farm devotes a sizable portion of it's growing space to wildflowers cultivated by Farm owner Ashley McVey? In our opinion Ashley looks the most at ease walking through the flower field collecting the weekly blooms for our shop's fresh boquets! We can't help but feel her love for the flowers extend to our home through each arangement which is why we have asked her to help us with some tips on how to make that love last and what we can do with the blooms once thier time has passed.

1. Trim the Stems

When you first bring your bouquet home, provide your bouqet optimal stem care by trimming the stems under warm water at a 45-degree angle using sharp scissors or a shears. This increases the surface area for water absorption, helping the flowers stay hydrated. Trim the stems by about an inch, and repeat this process every few days to keep the flowers fresh.

2. Use Clean Water and a Vase

Always start with a clean vase to prevent bacteria from developing in the water. Fill the vase with fresh, cool water and change the water every two to three days.

3. Remove Lower Leaves

Before placing your flowers in a vase, strategically remove any leaves that would touch the water. This will help to reduce the risk of bacterial growth, keeping the water clean and odor-free. A tidy stem helps flowers focus their remaining energy straight to their blooms. As flowers naturally progress through their life cycle, continue to remove any wilting or dead blooms. This will not only help your flowers to look fresh but also prevent the spread of decay to healthier flowers.

4. Keep the Bouquet Cool

Cut flowers will last longer in cooler environments, which is why you may find ours at the shop in the fridge! Place your bouquet away from direct sunlight, heating vents, or appliances that emit heat. A cool, shaded area will help the flowers retain moisture and slow down the wilting process. At night, consider moving the bouquet to a cooler room or even refrigerating the flowers to extend thier freshness.

When you have found your boquet has served its time and want to extend it's memory or preserve a bloom, why not try to give it a second life!

1. Dry the Bouquet

As regenerative farmers we are terrible at throwing things away. Flowers are no exception as many of the blooms take on an entirely different look dried than when alive! Hang your favorite flowers upside down in a cool, dark place for a few weeks and see what results. 

2. Make a dye from the petals

Some flowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabric or paper. Boil the petals in water to extract the color, then use the dye to add organic life somewhere unexpected! You can see the end result of this with our Faded Fields Naturally Dyed Bandanas in the shop. 

3. Feed your garden

One of the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of wilted flowers is to pread around your garden as a natural mulch. The petals and stems will gradually break down, adding nutrients to the soil and helping to retain moisture around your plants.