Closing The Season: Summer

The Autumn Equinox feels like the perfect time to sit and reflect on Summer, taking a moment to appreciate the small and big things that have happened over the past few months. This is a practice I encourage, in our fast paced world it’s generally about looking forwards - not back.

This has been our first Summer as Sow Society and it’s been busy. Visiting suppliers, working with clients, weddings, photoshoots and lots of planning in between.

FIG. I Our Somerset Edit went live for our Somerset customers and clients

I knew at some point in the year I wanted to create an Edit specifically from Somerset. It’s a place very close to my heart and I spend a lot of time there. We offered the Edit just to our clients and customers in Somerset too, and it was a beautiful selection of flowers that reminded me of this place.

FIG. II Wedding arrangements

I love creating arrangements for our small wedding couples and June had some lovely briefs. This was probably one of my favourites - wild, meadow like flowers for an outdoor wedding reception. Just looking at these you can tell it’s a June affair, and that’s what I love about working seasonally.

FIG. III Visiting a supplier in Kent

With flower fields in full swing, it’s the perfect time to get out and visit suppliers. Previously I’d been doing this in a research capacity, so it was great to actually be able to go and buy from them knowing what a fantastic set up these flower farmers had. I’ll be honest, over the Winter months I was itching to get back, and no doubt that feeling will return.

My focus now is finding more foliage suppliers locally, so if that’s you or someone you know then please put me in touch. Flowers are obviously more fun to grow! But foliage is also important, especially for me. So I’m on the hunt for someone who has interesting varieties.

FIG. IV Sunflower season

Am I obsessed with sunflowers? Probably. We launched my guide to sunflowers, if you’ve not checked it out yet - have a look. I’ve given you my favourite varieties, if you’re looking to grow some definitely check it out.

Although they did feature in one of the Summer Edits already, I couldn’t resist not putting them in the Autumn Edit as well - in a slightly different way. What I’m calling the marmite effect, you’ll either love it or hate it.

FIG. V Floral brooch

The longer days and slower weeks are such a nice opportunity to relax and do some experimenting. Something you don’t always have time to do. I wanted to practice my buttonhole making as it’s harder than it looks. I came up with this floral brooch which I absolutely loved.

Buttonholes are traditionally for the groom and groomsmen, but I think it’s fun to mix up traditions. This could be lovely for a Mother of the bride, or a special family member like a Grandma or Auntie.

FIG. VI A very dry Summer and lots of late evening dog walks

I feel like I can’t not comment on the weather. Days, weeks, months without rain felt so strange and a big reminder that going forward we all need to be more prepared and start adapting. I’m looking at water storage for our garden currently, in the hopes I can start to store water over the Winter months for my garden in the future.

Growers certainly experienced the brunt of the heat and lack of water, and I’ve seen lots of heart felt experiences of frustration online over the past few weeks. But they are nothing if not adaptable and I’m sending them lots of support. So please consider your local growers instead of super-market flowers and going into the Winter months - lets look local for all our decoration needs!

FIG. VII My new garden resident

I’m going to leave you with the highlight of my Summer. In late Spring we started renovating our garden, putting in fences, rendering the back of our house and while it’s still very much in progress (these things are never quick), there have been a few things I’ve been able to put in their permanent place.

When we started clearing weeds, brambles and taking out our old fence I was shocked to find so many frogs. It actually made me a bit sad that we were disturbing what was clearly a home or place of refuge for them. I knew immediately I needed to put in a pond. We don’t have the time or space for a traditional pond, so after some research I found that a wildlife pond is very successful and takes very little maintenance.

It was disappointingly empty for quite a few weeks, and then one evening I was out in the garden and I heard the water moving. The next morning in the light, I came back out and there he was, my little frog. I don’t think there’s anything better than knowing your action has helped nature.