Scattering Dream Seeds

You, you may say I’m just a dreamer, but I’m not the only one ~ John Lennon.

I don’t think John was alone in being a dreamer, do you? There are lots of us out there and I’m in the business of encourging you to DREAM BIG with a 

BEGINNERS HEART!

Anytime of year is a good time to sow some dream seeds, but I like winter the best.

NOW is the perfect time to scatter dream seeds in the snow drifts of your heart and mind. Tell you what, I’ll let you in on what I’m planting in my dream garden this winter then you can leave me a comment and tell me what you’re planting too! Deal? Okay, here goes.

First, I guess I should tell you why I’m such a believer in planting dream seeds.

Dream seeds are rare, special, one of a kind seeds that if planted, nurtured and harvested, have the power to change the world.

 

All you have to do is think of every time you’ve been inspired by someone or some-thing to know that to believe in dreaming is worthwhile. We wouldn’t even know eachother if MaryJane hadn’t scattered her dream seeds ( and worked her tail off to boot) now would we? It’s not hard really; planting dream seeds is a lot like planting your favorite flowers or choosing a gift for someone you love. You already know you love it and you want to share with others too, so why not make a place in your life for your dream garden?

I have a confession to make. My dream garden begins to take shape long before the dawn of the New Year. For me it begins, during Fall of every year. As I snip, trim and cut away the deadwood of last years garden, new dreams ( CRAZY IDEAS ) begin to dance in my head! Ah, bare ground, wide open spaces… Oh, the possibilities are endless!

Do you see my best friend up in the left hand corner? Poor fella, he’s waiting on me to put down the camera and play!

Here I am studying the area in ( see above photo ) my garden that I usually plant veggies in. They failed terribly last year due to a very wet spring and a cool and cloudy June. So, this year it will become my sample ORGANIC CUT FLOWER GARDEN! This section of my large perennial border is about 6 x 20 feet. I plan to widen it by two or three feet to take advantage of the morning sun. Plantings will include mostly Perennials.

I’ve purchased Lynn Bycynski’s book The Flower Farmer, an organic growers guide to raising and selling cut flowers to get me rolling. The above plant list is similar to one she recommends in her book for a 5×12 cut flower perennial garden. It’s perfect for the backyard gardner who needs guidence in basics such as variety selection. soil prep, planting, cultivation, harvest and flower design. Designed for the commercial grower too, this book includes information about larger-scale production and advice about selling and marketing.

I have MaryJane in part to thank for the inspiration behind one of my newest dream seeds. I’ve been a hobby gardner for 20 plus years, but after reading MJ’s piece on Cut Flowers as a business in her LIFE BOOK, I got to thinking. Why not give it a try on a small scale, in my own BACKYARD and see if I like it? I love gardening and the idea of bringing ” happiness in a jar” to others tickles my fancy! I just love that feeling of my fancy being tickled! Don’t you?

I’ve discovered other CUT FLOWER farmgirls along the way too! Jane Lindsey has a small holding in Scotland and calls her enterprise, Snapdragon Garden due to the fact that they were the only thing the slugs wouldn’t eat! And, you’ll love this. She sells embroidered items she makes during the winter months, inspired by her cut flowers out of her 1970’s Airstream. Here’s her blog!

Lemon Queen from my garden this past Fall. If you have a sunny spot for this beauty, plant it!

I learned about Erin of Floret Flower Farm in an article I read about her in Victoria Bliss Magazine. She talks about her accidental path to Cut Flower Farming and she credits MaryJane as being the one who encouraged her to ” brand herself ” for long term success! At this moment, I’m knee deep in researching Hoop Houses ( also called Cold Frames) so I can extend my growing season on both ends.

Imagine,Lilies, Delphiniums, Tulips, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Sweet Peas, and Snapdragons IN BLOOM weeks before their natural outside bloom time? Here’s the layout of our backyard farm.

Go here to read how my hubby ( the Yankee ) created our lovely patio from SCRAP STONE!

These are some snippets from my flower gardens last year!

I know I’ve got a lot to learn and “ new starts ” are always tender, but I believe with the right mix of good organic soil, water, sunshine, and a little help from my faithful gardening buddy I can produce something beautiful, inspiring and rewarding.

If I expect to have a harvest of any kind, I’ll need to corral a long list of to-do’s between now and mid-March into one handy place.  All I need is a few good snow storms so I can snuggle up with my new books and my Dream journal.

Let’s see. I’ll need a list for heirloom seeds, seed trays, warming pads, hoop house supplies, help building the hoop house, and the enthusiasm of a farmgirl who DREAMS BIG with a BEGINNERS HEART! Oh, I’ll need a name for my backyard flower farm! Hey! ” My Backyard Flower Farm “ is kind of catchy! What do you think would make a snappy name for a Cut Flower Farm?

Visit my blog www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com and look for all posts under the HOME GROWN tab to follow my past, present and future garden adventures!

All Our Dreams Come True if we have the courage to persue them.

~ Walt Disney

Now it’s your turn to ” broadcast” what dream seeds you’ll be sprinkling in the snow drifts this winter! ~

HOW WILL YOU GROW IN 2012? I want to hear all about it!

Until our next shoreline visit~

Beach Blessings and Happy GROWING in 2012!

Love,

Deb

  1. Laura says:

    great inspiration during these cold months of "hibernation"…Keep the dream alive ; )

    Thanks for reading Laura, and keep dreamin’! Deb

  2. Janice K. says:

    I am glad to see that someone else has the old creative juices forming during this time of year! We are having a really weird winter so far, a couple of days ago it was almost 60!!!! With that, I am worrying about how dry it might be this spring…
    I am leaving myself open to the discovery of a new JOB this spring. Will start by sharing my hopes with those that I am close to. I always seem to go with the physical stuff (I have been a private housekeeper and caregiver for at least 25 years!) but hope to be able to make something happen a bit different…Like you, I have that creative side that just HAS to pop out periodically…
    I am pondering a name for your cut flower operation!
    Have a good time!

    Hi Janice, It’s so important to keep those creative juices flowing even during winter. I love this time of year for dreaming and planning! best of luck in your new job possibilities! Thanks for stopping by today! Hugs, Deb

  3. Louise Marie says:

    i am only too happy to once again have dreams. Yesterday i received shots in my back to relieve pain. So far, it is working! I can have dreams again! i dream of veggie gardening starting with potatoes, then flower gardening, then starting an Etsy shop to sell my accumulation of vintage and antique wares,also sewing, crocheting, and recycling, and CLEANING my 101 year old home! So many dreams, so little time!

    Dear Louise, I know what you go through with your back. My mom has done shots and two surgeries. She loves being creative too, but the pain stops her so often. Yesterday we rearranged her bedroom to give her a new perspective! We had fun and she loved it! Thanks so much for reading and take good care! Enjoy your dreams! Love, Deb

  4. HEDY KING says:

    Dreams…where would we be without them? Thanks for a lovely, inspiring post. Puts an idea in my cloudy mind, much needed this time of year. Stand strong.

    Dear Hedy! Time to sweep out the cobwebbs and find what comes next! Thanks for reading… What’s that idea of yours? Hugs, Deb

  5. Heather says:

    Winter is a time for rejuvenation! I am a perennial grower at a local nursery so I look forward to all the wonderful new things we will start to grow in the spring of 2012…In the meantime, I recently visited my grandmother who is turning 97 this month. She graduated from RISD in the 30’s and asked me if I have done any painting lately…it was something we did together often when I was a child. I have started to paint again thanks to gram!
    As for my garden, I am appreciating the hardy agave, sempervivum and opuntia, the pink twigs of the lowbush blueberry and the hoary, glaucus foliage of the sea poppy (glaucium flavum) and Scottish thistle (onopordum), the Black Magic violas are still blooming and I look forward to the hellebores in a couple of months.
    Happy Winter everyone and pray for snow!

    Heather, good for you for getting back to your painting! Flowers inspire us to do much more than dig in the dirt don’t they?  Your grandmother sounds like a peach! We had our second dusting this morning but it’s gone already! Happy Creative Winter! xo Deb

  6. Claire says:

    You know, I actually got in trouble for day-dreaming in school. I can still recall the moment the teacher told me to stop looking out the window day-dreaming! Was she jealous? Another teacher told me I was a "shrinking violet" and I would never be responsible for anything! I am so glad that now we are encouraged to do what I have always done!

      Claire, I can so relate! My second grade teacher sent a note home to my mother that said " Debbie is a wonderful student but she DAYDREAMS TOO MUCH ! HOW RIGHT SHE WAS! I’m a pro and proud of it!  Thanks for reading. DREAM ON!!! XO Deb

  7. Hey! Oh what an exciting adventure you’re embarking on!!!
    There are a few more must have resources to complete your flower farmer library. Sarah Raven’s two fabulous books: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers and The Cutting Garden as well as Eliot Coleman’s fantastic organic farming manual, The New Organic Grower.Lastly a subscription to Growing For Market Magazine which is chocked full of such helpful information on everything related to small scale farming including a monthly flower column which I write.
    I can’t wait to watch your beautiful journey!! ~Erin

    Hello Erin! How fun to find your words here today! Thanks so much for the additional resources as well. I’ve looked at Elliot’s book online. Looks great! And, yes a subscription to Growing for Market is a must as well! Thanks for reading and I’ll be watching you too! ~ Farmgirl Hugs, Deb

  8. Thank you for sharing your winter dreams. I am newly retired and adjusting to a much smaller income, so one of my dreams for this spring is to turn much of the grass in my apartment’s back yard to a vegetable and flower garden. I hope to provide fresh veggies for myself and my daughter’s little family, enjoy fresh air sunshine, and lose some weight along the way! My blog at triggershorse.wordpress.com is another dream come true for me!

    Dear Fawn, What a pretty name! I love your ideas for gardens and I’ll be sure to check out your new blog too! Blogging is a wonderful creative outlet and a great way to keep " artist" dates with yourself as you log each post! Thanks so much for reading! Hugs, Deb

  9. Nora in CT says:

    Thank you for planting seeds in our minds for our winter dreams. It’s been a really tough year for us (like many) and dreams have been a little battered and sometimes hard to come by. It’s good to remember dreams are free and lead to magic. Thank you! I’ll be watching as your flower business blooms!

    Dear Nora, Some years it’s harder than other’s to scatter dream seeds, but you are so right. Dreaming is free and leads to magic even in the smallest of forms! Hugs! Deb

  10. Janet says:

    A little over a year ago when I was at a fork in the road, I was asked — " Well what do you want to do?" After putting some thought to it – I said flowers, I love flowers, I want to grow flowers! So I am taking a path, sometimes it feels like it’s all uphill but flowers are at the top. Thanks for encouraging us to plant dream seeds! I think you’re found the perfect name, who wouldn’t want to go out and visit My BFF. Happy growing to you too ……

    Dear Janet! Thank you so much for your encouraging words…Congratulations on forging ahead with your flower dreams too! I wish you many future blossoms on top of Flower Hill ! Hugs! Deb  

  11. Dear Deb,
    This is one of my favorite posts ever … very inspirational! Just getting around to reading it now, as I was in your neck of the woods this weekend on a very spur of the moment visit to see friends down on the Cape (Barnstable). It was 51 degrees and made me start to think about gardening; it felt like spring. Next time I will plan ahead and definitely look you up. Thanks for this wonderful post, and I loved your hubby’s patio, too. Much love, from your Mountain Farmgirl friend

    Hi Cathi!

    What? You were here and I didn’t see you??? NEXT TIME FOR SURE!

    Thanks so much for stopping by to read today! Our weather has been just wonderful… not winter like at all.. but I hear it’s a comin’! Sending a big farmgirl hug up your way!!! Deb

  12. Gwen says:

    Thank you Again…. I love how you seem to read everyone’s comments, how do you find the time.

    Dreams especially day dreams have not been on my TO DO list for a very long time. And at almost 60 I might a have a few left but not the energy for them. It’s ok. We all gotta adjust to the way life goes. I’m just so happy to hear that day dreaming didn’t die out in public school.

    Gwen

    Hi Gwen,

     No, daydreaming DID NOTt die out in public school! That’s funny! Well, maybe it’s time to boot those dreams to the top of your TO DO list girl! Start small… and enjoy!!! Thanks so much for reading here and on Christmas Wishes too!  Deb

  13. Dorothy says:

    Good blogging!

    thanks for reading ! 🙂

  14. Shery says:

    I wish you the best in your cut flower business! Having cut flowers inside is a sort of luxury I afford myself from time to time. I even like bouquets of grass. You made me long for summer and the arrival of seed catalogs. I DID order some Iron Cross Oxalis bulbs the other day…and a variety of true blue Iris. I’ll start the Oxalis inside soon. Happy gardening my friend, Shery J in WY

    Thanks so much Shery! The ground is frozen solid today, but I imagine it warm, soft and filled with flowers come mid summer! I love grasses too… Boz keeps a simple vase filled with dune grass in his office with sand to hold it in place… very soothing! Keep those summer thoughts flowing~ xo Deb

  15. Marji says:

    I am so happy to hear about "dream seed planting". I spend a lot of hours planning my flower garden and then hoping the weather cooperates. Usually I fight the battle of too much chickweed and red backed voles. But when the first blossom blooms my heart sings. I hope you have great success with your garden.

    Hi Marji! All  great gardens begin with a little magical dream seed planting!I’ll be singing right along with you when the first blossoms bloom this spring! Thank so much for reading and the good wishes too!  xo Deb

  16. Olga F. Honea says:

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  17. Robin says:

    Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!

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