News

“Seasonal Flowers” in the PNW
If you’ve ever heard a flower farmer say, “That flower isn’t in season right now,” you might have wondered what that actually means—especially here in the Pacific Northwest. In the PNW, seasonal flowers don’t follow the same rules as grocery store bouquets. Our climate, day length, and cool maritime influence shape what blooms when, and that’s a big part of what makes locally grown flowers so special. Let’s break down what seasonal flowers really mean in the Pacific Northwest—and why embracing seasonality leads to better, longer-lasting blooms. What Are Seasonal... Read more...
Simple Seed Starting
Seed starting is one of the most exciting parts of growing flowers—and one of the easiest places to go wrong. Start too early and plants become weak and leggy. Start too late and you miss peak bloom windows. The key to successful seed starting isn’t following a generic calendar. It’s understanding frost dates, daylight, and plant needs, and then timing your seeds accordingly. This guide breaks down when to start seeds so you can grow healthier plants, no matter where you garden. What “When to Start Seeds” Really Depends On... Read more...
Growing in Zone 8a
If you grow flowers in Western Washington, you’ve likely noticed that timing here feels… different. Spring comes slowly, summers arrive late but stretch long, and fall can linger right up until the first hard frost. That rhythm is largely shaped by our USDA Growing Zone: 8a. Understanding how Zone 8a affects flower timing can help set realistic expectations—whether you’re a home gardener, a florist, or a customer wondering why certain flowers aren’t available yet. In Western Washington, success comes from working with the climate, not forcing it. What Growing Zone... Read more...
How to Start & Plant Ranunculus
Ranunculus are the flowers that make people stop mid-scroll — layered petals, soft colors, and that dreamy, almost paper-thin texture. The good news: they’re surprisingly easy to grow once you know their one big secret — they start as weird little octopus looing corm and need a gentle wake-up routine before planting. Here’s a simple, gardener-friendly guide to get you from dry corms to armfuls of blooms. When to Plant Timing depends on your climate: Mild winters (zones 8–10): plant in fall for early spring blooms(Zone 8 you may need... Read more...
Planting Dahlias
How to Plant Dahlias A guide from Bellingham Flower Farm Dahlias are one of the most rewarding flowers to grow, offering so many colors and an abundance of blooms from midsummer through fall. Whether you’re planting a cutting garden or adding beauty to your landscape, getting dahlias off to a strong start makes all the difference. When to Plant Dahlias are sensitive to cold, so timing matters. Plant tubers in spring once the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to about 60°F. In Whatcom County, this... Read more...
The Truth About Tulips
Tulips are one of the most anticipated flowers of spring—symbolizing fresh starts, color, and the shift into a new growing season. But if you visit a working flower farm during tulip harvest, you might be surprised. You won’t find rows of fully open blooms swaying in the breeze. Instead, you’ll see tight, closed buds being carefully pulled from the ground. That’s because tulips for cut flower production are harvested at the “closed stage.” At this point, the flower is still firm, colorful, and just beginning to show its petals. Harvesting... Read more...