Visiting My Front Yard Flower Farm
We've enjoyed local u-pick farms with our girls since they were toddlers. Pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, apples, veggies, pumpkins, and autumn sunflowers are some of our favorite seasonal traditions. This summer we were introduced to a brand new u-pick experience - pick your own flower bouquet!
Kristina Light
My Front Yard Flower Farm
The Bly family of Olathe started their own unique u-pick experience aptly named My Front Yard Flower Farm this summer.
Dawn grew up in an agricultural family but now lives in the suburbs of Olathe where she and her family are now avid gardeners. The Blys are committed to growing many native plants using environmentally friendly practices with no pesticides, and they are working to establish bioswales (Bioswale definition: vegetated, shallow, landscaped depressions designed to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff as it moves downstream) that will enable them to reuse water. Dawn selects pollinator-friendly plants that attract butterflies (they are an official Monarch Waystation) and other pollinating insects.
Recently, we were invited to visit their suburban farm to pick our own bouquet. My Front Yard Flower Farm is open by appointment (913.489.7064) from spring through mid-August. Customers come to their suburban yard and select flowers right from their expansive garden for a one-of-a-kind bouquet.
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Throughout the summer the variety of flowers to choose from will vary, with a truly abundant selection featuring every color in the rainbow. Among the plants we saw (and in many cases picked) were clematis, oregano, bachelor's buttons, grapevines, basil, short sunflowers, yarrow, lavender, cosmos, blackeyed Susans, dill, snapdragons, feverfew, tall sunflowers, sage, purple coneflower, fennel, milkweed, prairie gayfeather, prairie blazing star, cilantro, hostas, bee balm, lemongrass, gladiolas, lily of the valley, zinnias, calendula, and amaranth.
To pick your own bouquet at My Front Yard Flower Farm, reservations are required. Once you have your appointment, you may stay as long as you like. You are to bring your own cutting shears (I used my kitchen shears). They provide a reusable cup or a larger container for picking. If you return with the reusable cup, you receive $5/off for your next bouquet. Each customer chooses their bouquet size in advance. See their FAQ page for tips. They ask that you stay on sidewalks and green paths, don't trample the plants. This garden is chemical-free, they use as many natural processes as possible to decrease pesky mosquitos. We had no problem while we were there. If you do want to use bug spray, they ask that you apply it before you arrive. Be sure to dress to be outside and wear appropriate shoes for walking in the garden. We parked in the street and walked right across to the garden. My girls spent about thirty minutes choosing flowers to fill the cup.
Dawn provided instructions to care for our bouquet and a bit of flower food as well. At home, we were able to create three smaller bouquets to display throughout the house. This was a delightful summer experience and the girls loved creating bouquets with the flowers once we were home.
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Kristina Light, photos of My Front Yard Flower Farm
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You'll find every color in the rainbow in Dawn's garden, making arrangements ideal for upcoming holidays or special occasions. This is fun summer experience and a great way to support a local family business! Learn more at www.myfrontyardflowerfarm.com.
