Midsummer Bouquet Inspiration!

As the radiant sun reaches its peak in the sky, nature rewards us with a breathtaking display of its finest artistry - the blossoming of vibrant blooms! In this midsummer enchantment, our world transforms into a gorgeous quilt of many colors, fragrances, and textures. As we immerse ourselves in this floral wonderland, we can't help but be inspired to create extraordinary bouquets that capture the essence of this wondrous season.

Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer, flower enthusiast, or just starting to explore the joys of floral arrangements, we've gathered an array of stunning bouquet combinations to awaken your creativity and bring your vision to life. Let's embark on a floral journey together and craft delightful compositions that embody the spirit of summer's boundless beauty!

Flowers & Sunset make the perfect combination

We love using all of the best seasonal flowers grown from our flower farm to add to bouquets, but most often, we tend to gravitate towards a lot of pink and orange or pink and purples for our bouquet combinations. The bouquet above contains zinnias, yarrow, tweedia, snapdragons, bishop’s lace, strawflower, scabiosa, forget me not, lisianthus, and salvia.

Barbie Bouquets

When our employee was making grocery bouquets she said, “This bouquet reminds me of Barbie,” and it’s from that small comment, that the Barbie Bouquet was born.

We took these to farmer’s market, lined with special pink tissue paper and sold every last one. It’s easy to see why! We love pink and so do our customers!

CSa Bouquets for our July customer pick up

CSA bouquets are made with as many special flowers from the farm as we can muster. We save back and use as much of our best flowers as possible to treat our CSA customers, because they’re pretty special customers. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Our CSA customers make an investment with us early on, even before our season has started, to provide a bouquet each second Saturday May-September. Their investment early on helps us fund seeds and plants to grow these special flowers for them each month.

The bouquets above contain some of the first blooming zinnias, snapdragons, apple mint, ammi, strawflower, scabiosa, and blue glob thistle. The blue globe thistle is our favorite and one we’ve been nurturing since last year, just to have them for these special bouquets.

When deciding on a recipe for our flowers, we try to stick to something simple, instead of trying to recreate the wheel. We have 20 CSA members that we make bouquets for, so we try to use flowers we know we can repeat and scale for this many bouquets. For example, if we know there are going to be 3 zinnias in every vase, we try to cut 60 zinnias of the same color just for these bouquets. There’s always a little variability in this area, notice some of these bouquets above have orange snapdragons and others have white. You can deviate from your recipe and work with what you have.

Garden inspired. It’s a term that we use to define the different types of flowers we use in our bouquets. We think what defines this look is many different types of botanicals incorporated into a bouquet in a cohesive color scheme.

In the bouquet above, we strolled through our flower gardens and cut as many types of flowers right before a beautiful sunset to include in this beautiful bouquet. One of our favorite new flowers we grew this year was Queen Lime Orange Zinnias, which you can see in this example. They’re on the shorter side from flowers we typically grow, but they’ve been a popular flower with our market customers, you-cut guests, and a personal favorite of ours as well. In particular, we love adding a light blue and white pop of color with these beauties, because they compliment well and give a bouquet an old fashioned feeling. So pretty!

Different flowers included in the bouquet above: zinnias, tweedia, cosmos, ageratum, snapdragons, scabiosa, statice, yarrow, and applemint.

Wrapped Jar bouquets

Our customers near and far absolutely love our wrapped jar bouquets. We bring these pretty bouquets to farmer’s market, and sell them directly on the farm each weekend. Our customers tell us that they look for our signature black and white ribbon each weekend and know we’re at the market when they see people walking around with our bouquets. Some actually track us down after they see others carrying around our bouquets!

For these cuties, we allow for a little more creative freedom instead of sticking to a certain recipe, well, kind of anyway. We’ll usually make 3-5 at the same time and all 3-5 will have the same basic recipe. What we’ve found at our local farmer’s market is that people want the ability to pick and like it when there are different color combinations to choose from, so we like variability in the recipe.

If you want to check out our online tutorial about how we make these pretty bouquets, you can access that here.

We hope you found these bouquet combinations inspiring! Each petal and leaf, carefully curated and placed, is a testament to the boundless beauty that surrounds us. Let your heart be your guide, and may your future bouquets be an expression of your own unique artistry.

XX Jenn and Adam

Best Ever! Homemade Lavender Lemonade Recipe

Close your eyes and step into a world where the soothing scent and taste of lavender mingles harmoniously with the zesty tang of lemons, creating a beverage that is as visually appealing as it is refreshing. Today, we’re proudly sharing our highly sought after lavender lemonade recipe.

We take so much pride in growing high-quality lavender varieties that are hand-harvested at the peak of their bloom. Each blossom is carefully selected, ensuring only the most aromatic and vibrant flowers make it into our products. To bring a touch of our farm's magic into your own home, here’s a link to purchase our culinary lavender, or lavender simple syrup kit, allowing you to savor lavender’s essence in various culinary creations, including this lavender lemonade recipe.

Grab your favorite glass and get ready to experience refreshing lavender lemonade. We hope this recipe hleps guide you perfectly through creating a beverage that will captivate your taste buds and leave you longing for more. It's time to indulge in the ultimate summer refreshment—homemade lavender lemonade!

A Magical Evening at PepperHarrow Farm's Lavender Al Fresco Dinner with Tangerine Food Company

Imagine yourself on a warm Friday evening. The sun is beginning its descent, casting a golden hue over the picturesque country landscape. Nestled amidst the breathtaking flower fields of PepperHarrow, you find yourself immersed in an extraordinary culinary experience. Lavender perfumes the air, and the enchanting aroma promises an unforgettable evening ahead. This is the welcome guests experience when they first arrive to PepperHarrow’s Lavender Al Fresco Dinner with Tangerine Food Company—a feast for the senses that leaves you yearning for more.

The Lavender Bloom: As you arrive at the farm, the sight of wildflower fields, and sprawling lavender fields in full bloom takes your breath away. Vibrant hues of purple and the gentle sway of the flowers create a serene and captivating backdrop for the evening's festivities. It's an idyllic setting that sets the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.

The Exquisite Menu: Tangerine Food Company, renowned for their culinary expertise, curated a menu that celebrates seasonal flavors and showcases the best of farm-to-table dining. Each dish tantalized the taste buds and left everyone craving for more. Menus were printed into a beautiful design, courtesy of designer K Henri Collection.

The culinary journey began with Whipped Labneth—an exquisite blend of whipped labneh, house-made crackers, and tangy pickled vegetables. The combination of creamy, tangy, and crunchy textures set the tone for the culinary adventure ahead.

To complement the savory dishes, was the Grilled Asparagus and White Bean Salad, which brought a refreshing twist. Roasted tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil elevate the humble white beans, created a harmonious blend of flavors that is both light and satisfying.. The perfectly grilled asparagus retained its natural crunch, flavor and texture.

The star of the evening was the Pub Chicken—a succulent chicken thigh marinated with fragrant herbes de Provence. The tender meat is infused with a medley of aromatic herbs, a dish that delighted the palate and warmed the soul.

Finally, dessert arrived—a Lavender Almond Cake accompanied by rhubarb plum compote and softly whipped cream. The delicate floral notes of lavender infuse the moist almond cake, while the tangy compote added a burst of fruity flavors. It was the perfect ending to a remarkable meal.

Guests sipped on the Bee's Knees, a delightful concoction of gin, lemon, and honey, or chose to indulge in the refreshing Lavender Mint Mojito, blending rum, lavender syrup, lime, and mint. Whiskey lovers optedd for the Bourbon Smash—a tantalizing blend of bourbon, lemon, lavender simple syrup, and mint.

PepperHarrow Farm's Lavender Al Fresco Dinner with Tangerine Food Company was a remarkable culinary event that celebrated the beauty of nature and the art of fine dining. From the moment you step into the lavender fields until the sun sets on this enchanting evening, guests were treated to a sensory journey like no other.

After dinner, guests shopped in the Farm Shop, where they indulged in a shopping experience filled with farm-made lavender products, artisan goods, and more. Immersed in the soothing aroma of lavender, guests browsed through a selection of candles, soaps, and other lavender-infused treasures. These handcrafted items served as mementos, allowing guests to bring a piece of PepperHarrow’s magic back into their homes.

After dinner, guests leisurely strolled through the lavender fields and the sprawling perennial and annual flower fields. They captured memories of this unforgettable evening with their cameras as they explored the picturesque landscape. The vibrant colors, fragrant blooms, and serene atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs.

PepperHarrow Farm's Lavender Al Fresco Dinner is an experience that goes beyond the palate. It's an opportunity to connect with nature, indulge in exceptional cuisine, and create lasting memories. Mark your calendars for the next event and prepare for an evening of culinary delights, breathtaking views, and the chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of PepperHarrow. The next dinner will be focused on dahlias in bloom and is slated for September 8th, 2023.

XX Jenn and Adam

PepperHarrow Feature in Midwest Living Magazine's Summer 2023 Issue

The Summer 2023 issue of Midwest Living Magazine is sure to captivate readers with its incredible imagery, featuring several unique places around the midwest, including a feature on our farm! The story of our magical flower farm unfolds throughout the feature with a brilliant weaving of storytelling by writer, Hannah Agran, complimented by the incredible artistry of photographer, Adam Albright. It even includes a a beautiful editor’s note from editor, Kylee Krizmanic, that tugs on our heartstrings!

Photo Courtesty of Midwest Living Magazine Photographer Adam Albright

Throughout this beautiful feature, you can see stunning blooms, picturesque landscapes, and the two flower farmers that bring it to life (that’s us!). PepperHarrow Flower Farm stands as a testament to resilience, and also for the beauty that can be cultivated in harmony with nature.

A BIG Dream Realized: PepperHarrow started as a labor of love. Our dream was to create a space where people could connect with nature, embrace its beauty, and take home a piece of the magic. With planning and unwavering grit and determination, we transformed our vision into a reality.

Photo Courtesty of Midwest Living Magazine Photographer Adam Albright

The farm offers an array of experiences for visitors, from strolling through the flower fields and hand-picking bouquets to attending workshops and events. PepperHarrow Flower Farm is not just a place to purchase flowers; it is an immersive journey into the world of floral artistry and all things flower related.

Photo Courtesty of Midwest Living Magazine Photographer Adam Albright

Community Engagement: We extend our impact beyond the farm’s property lines by actively engaging with our local community. We collaborate with nearby schools, Girl Scout troops, and others, organizing educational field trips to teach children about the wonders of nature and the importance of sustainable farming. By sharing our knowledge and passion, we try to inspire the next generation to become caretakers of the environment.

Whether you love flowers, are a nature lover, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, our flower farm is a destination that should not be missed! Plan your visit to our little treasure of a farm and prepare to be enchanted by its boundless charm.

Photo Courtesty of Midwest Living Magazine Photographer Adam Albright

Ruffly Ranunculus Bloom Season: A Tapestry of Vibrant Colors

As the chill of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, nature unveils its breathtaking tapestry of vibrant colors. Amongst the many wonders of the season, the arrival of the ranunculus bloom season is one that we look forward to each and every year. These strong, soft looking blooms, with their captivating hues and delicate petals, bring a sense of joy and beauty to any garden or floral arrangement. In this blog post, we will share a little about the ranunculus we grew on the farm this season.

Curious about some of the specifics on ranunculus? Ranunculus, known as Ranunculus asiaticus, from its scientific name, belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Native to Asia Minor and cultivated across the world, these beautiful flowers have become beloved for their striking appearance and strong vase life. Ranunculus blooms come in a mesmerizing array of colors, including shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, and white. They typically have multiple layers of delicate petals, giving them a rosette-like appearance. In fact, we have many customers that often mistake them for cabbage roses.

Ranunculus flowers are cool-season plants, and their bloom season usually falls in late winter or early spring. They typically stop blooming when the soil temperatures hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact timing of the bloom season may vary depending on the climate and growing conditions in different regions.

To cultivate ranunculus, it's essential to provide them with the optimal growing conditions. These flowers thrive in cool temps, and well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. They require a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day, although they appreciate some shade during the hottest parts of the day. Adequate watering is crucial, but care must be taken to avoid overwatering, as it can lead to rotting of the bulbs.

One of the best things about the ranunculus bloom season is the sheer beauty of their flowers. Each bloom is a mesmerizing work of art, with layers upon layers of delicate, crepe-paper-like petals. The texture and form of the petals give the flowers a soft and romantic appeal, reminiscent of peonies or roses. The ranunculus blooms' vibrant colors range from pastel shades that exude elegance and grace to bold and fiery hues that command attention.

Ranunculus flowers are not only visually stunning but also possess a delightful fragrance. Their subtle yet captivating scent adds an extra layer of charm to any garden or floral arrangement. Whether used as focal points in bouquets, mixed with other spring blooms, or showcased in a dedicated ranunculus garden, these flowers never fail to captivate the hearts of all who encounter them.

Beyond their visual allure, ranunculus flowers have acquired symbolic meanings over time. They are often associated with charm, radiance, and attractiveness, making them popular choices for wedding bouquets and romantic gestures. Ranunculus blooms also symbolize admiration and are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity. Their enduring beauty and delicate nature make them an ideal gift for loved ones or a charming addition to any occasion.

Can y’all see why ranunculus bloom season is so magical? Their captivating palette of colors, petals, and scent just cannot be rivaled. After last season, dealing with the tornado damage and cleanup, we didn’t have a great year growing them, but this year has made up for that 10 fold!