January: Full of Hope and Potential on My Flower Farm in Fauquier County, VA

Sowing seeds is an act of hope.

Starting seeds is an act of hope. Anything — and everything — is possible in January, whether you’re a gardener or flower farmer.

I know I won’t get 100% germination of every crop, but if I do? What a beautiful problem to have.

Iced in and trapped this bleak midwinter, I scan my 2026 grow list daily. If this all grows, where will I put it, I think. As a commercial cut flower farm in Fauquier County, VA the more important question is where will I SELL all of it? More about that in a mo’.

This winter I taught myself to use Airtable. It’s a really good database that looks like a spreadsheet. I’m using the free version now, which gives you1,000 records, no charge. This solution presented itself when I realized I’d have to buy a new version of Excel if I wanted to add images easily. My goal was to create a visual flower availability list.

That brings me back to the subject of sales.

I created a gallery of all the flowers I grow on my flower farm near you, including all the dahlia varieties I have.

The florists and designers who buy my flowers are visual artists, and I want to tempt them. Now, with a sortable list of pictures of all the flowers I am growing in 2026, I can give them an experience similar to perusing a menu while your stomach growls. Each week from April to Oct, I email florists and designers a flower availability list — NOW WITH PICTURES!! — of all the flowers we have.

The list goes out on Sunday for the week hence. Let’s say the date is May 10. The list includes flowers that will be blooming the week of May 18. I project a week out so that my wholesale customers can plan ahead. In the floral industry it’s standard practice to book “product” (flowers) ahead.

Local florists and floral event and wedding designers already appreciate that Hunt Country Flowers are grown locally, naturally, without chemicals and cut within 24 hours of delivery. I'll report back if my new gallery of images helps with sales.

Even though I have an ambivalent relationship with winter, it offers opportunity to grow my business. I love having the time and quiet to think about my values and goals. I enjoy organizing — grow lists, dahlia tubers, closets. But it’s hard to get started. Whether it’s improving my website or collecting data or cleaning the pantry. Often it’s like when I fire up my tractor and the engine turns over and over, cranking but not firing. Aptly called a hard start. Apparently, it could be I have a weak battery or worn parts …

Regardless, I’m starting the 2026 growing season with a bang not a backfire. My list is ready so I can focus on growing and harvesting to deliver premium quality cut flowers to florists, designers and folks like you across Northern Virginia and Fauquier County.

PS. AI didn’t write any part of this. I did — I just really like the em dash.

Winter sunset over Hunt Country Flowers, a Fauquier County, VA flower farm.