Meet Your Grower: White Center Farm and Floral
I recently got to hang out with my OG grower, Johanna of White Center Farm & Flowers. I value our relationship so much— she grew EVERYTHING for my very first wedding in the dead of winter when no one else would. She also puts out my order at 5:30am for me WITH a precious little note. It definitely gives lunchbox vibes and I am here for it. Often when I write a client their proposal, I’ll write “and some seasonal treasures” because I know that Johanna has something growing I would never know to ask for.
Read below her amazing responses and get to know the hands growing your flowers!
How did you get started in flower farming, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I started in flower farming three years ago. I have been gardening for several years and come from a family of gardeners/plant lovers. I am also a creative person, who loves nature, crafting and art. I was a stay at home mom of two little kids at the time and when my aunt and uncle who own Five Hearts Farm in Olympia introduced me to Floret, I felt so energized, it was as if I found the perfect hobby/side hustle/creative outlet. They helped me till my gardens, brought loads of compost, and let me experiment on their farm as well. My mom dove in also, learning along side me and seed starting as well. Flower farming turned into an obsession and a passion. Every year I am more grateful that it has become a part of our lives.
As a flower farmer, you're undoubtedly close to nature. How does this connection with nature influence your work and personal life?
Holding room for nature in our small urban space makes our family's lives richer. It is meditation in different ways for all of us. When we need a reset or a break the garden is a quick fix. We like to have nature and creatures of all kinds coming to live in our garden as well. Our children get to see an ecosystem in action.
What types of flowers do you cultivate on your farm, and do you have any personal favorites among them?
Mostly annuals and bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, alliums, dahlias, all the way to zinnias, sunflowers, snaps, cosmos, marigolds, and lots of filler. My peonies will be year three next year and I can not wait to be able to cut them. I also love growing herbs - I love scented items in bouquets and I'm always trying new herbs every year to see how they hold up as a cut stem. Mint is one of my favorites. I also grow a variety of flowers just for the pollinators every year and leave little overgrown patches for the critters.
Can you describe the process of planting and caring for flowers on your farm? Are there any unique or innovative techniques you use?
I start thousands of plants from seed every year and grow under my home made light rack in the garage until planting out. This last year I have started with no dig practices. So when I turn a bed over I cut old plants at the ground level, add organic compost and fertilizer and put small seedlings in right next to the old root systems. We also mulch with leaves. I hope this is regenerating our land as we are constantly adding and hoping to take as little as possible. We water and weed (minimally) by hand. We don't use any pesticides or treatments at all (natural or not); nature gets to take its course here on our little farm and it has been so exciting to see how many new species have arrived to our garden in only a few years.
Weather and environmental factors can greatly impact flower farming. How do you deal with challenges such as extreme weather conditions or pest infestations?
Having small growing area is kind of a luxury in this regard. It has been very interesting to see how the weather does affect how different flowers grow and thrive from year to year. I've also been learning more each year about our little microclimate here in our garden. Pests really are not an issue for me here for a couple of reasons: first, I have a highly diversified crop that I rotate constantly. Second, letting nature respond without any intervention from me has been amazing. When the aphids come in first, their natural predators are quick to follow. We have a little food chain and try to take care of the insects and birds that are here to eat the pests. Of course, we always have sacrificial plants too. I always have nasturtiums growing to attract pests away from other flowers, and if a plant does get overcome with pests, I will just cut it and compost.
How do you incorporate sustainable principles into your flower farming?
Organic inputs, no pest intervention, no till practices. We use mostly compostable products; plastic buckets and seed starting supplies are all used year after year. My goals for this coming year are to go peat free and I also hope to learn more about native species and incorporate native plants and trees into our landscape.
Do you have any favorite moments or experiences that stand out in your flower farming journey?
So many! The beginning of the journey, with my family's support and my aunt and uncles farm as inspiration and a playground to grow things.
Growing hundreds of amaryllis and paperwhites one winter our tiny house had pots with bulbs and flowers everywhere. This was also how I connected with you, which was so serendipitous.
My 7 year old knows names of hundreds of types of flowers and he loves to do delicate arrangements with a flower frog, it is so sweet.
Flowers bring joy to everyone! Having the ability to make someone's day with flowers is powerful :)
Where can the public find you in person and online?
Monthly pop up market in White Center. Website, instagram, please email anytime for a custom order, I'm here for you!
Thank you, Johanna and White Center Farm & Flowers for everything you do! I am so appreciative of the work you do, your commitment to the land and environment, and the joy you cultivate in our community.
xx Meghan
