Garden Journal | July

There are some months that feel full of big milestones, and others that quietly remind you why you started.

July has been a little bit of both.

At the beginning of the month, I finally launched the new TwoPot Posies website. After months of writing, photographing, designing and planning, it was such a special feeling to share it with the world. Sending my very first newsletter was another milestone I'll always remember. Knowing that people had chosen to invite a little piece of the garden into their inbox each week felt incredibly encouraging.

While the business reached an exciting new chapter, the garden had a month of extremes.

After such a cold spring that had us lighting the fire well into June, July suddenly brought a heatwave. Working outside in temperatures above 30°C quickly became exhausting, and the polytunnel often climbed above 60°C during the hottest part of the day. The flowers changed almost overnight. Some thrived in the heat, while others seemed to flower and fade in what felt like the blink of an eye.

The snapdragons, which had been so productive earlier in the season, slowed down much sooner than I'd expected. Feverfew finished its first flush, Shasta daisies came and went quickly, and I found myself adapting almost daily to whatever the weather decided to bring.

At the same time, there was so much beauty to enjoy.

The monarda filled the borders with vibrant colour while buzzing with bees. The rudbeckias began putting on an incredible display, quickly becoming one of the stars of the cutting garden. Filipendula, lavatera, Chinese forget-me-nots, eryngium and the first achilleas all found their way into bouquets, while the very first zinnia finally opened up.

Perhaps the biggest excitement of all came right at the end of the month, when the first dahlias finally began to flower. Every flower farmer knows that feeling of waiting... and waiting... until suddenly the season you've been dreaming about begins.

Away from the cutting garden, much of my time has been spent creating something completely different.

The front garden has continued to evolve, with new vegetable beds taking shape, the pond slowly coming together and plans for future planting becoming a little more real each week. The hosepipe ban has temporarily paused work on the pond, but sometimes gardening teaches patience whether we like it or not.

One of my favourite moments this month wasn't a flower at all.

It was standing in the garden watching the wildlife.

There were bumblebees, honey bees, hover flies and countless other pollinators moving from flower to flower. The eryngium in particular became a favourite meeting place, so much so that I left most stems uncut so the insects could continue enjoying them.

A few years ago there was nowhere near this level of activity.

Seeing the garden slowly become a haven for wildlife reminds me that healthy ecosystems aren't created overnight. They are built one plant, one season and one patient decision at a time.

July also reminded me of something else.

Running a flower farm isn't only about flowers.

It's about learning to work with uncertainty.

Some weeks bouquets sell quickly. Other weeks the stand is quiet while everyone enjoys holidays and sunshine elsewhere. Some flowers exceed every expectation while others struggle through changing weather. Every season brings lessons, and every year asks for a little more patience than the last.

Despite that, I feel excited about what's ahead.

August already feels full of possibility.

I'm looking forward to more dahlias opening every day, ordering new roses for the garden, continuing work on the front garden, expanding my photography work and finally sharing a little project that has been quietly growing in the background.

I'll leave you with just two words...

Posy Bar.

Thank you for following along this journey and for supporting this little flower farm.

I'm looking forward to seeing what August brings.