The Beach Farmgirl Goes To Work ( PLUS our Egg Apron Winner)

Dear Sisters,

After 16 years of being a professional domestic engineer, (homemaker) I’ve joined the outside work force once again and I am loving it! At first, I didn’t like the idea very much mostly because it marks the end of a very special chapter in my life. Our youngest turned 18 this year and suddenly this stay at home mom was out of a job. I’ll admit there have been more than a few tears during this transition, but the joy of seeing our young adult children finding their way in the world and meeting their adult responsibilities helps to ease the sadness I was feeling. I just bet some of my farmgirl pals can relate. While we don’t have an empty nest yet, they certainly don’t need mamma like they used to! Have you guessed what I’m doing for work yet? Come on in and see if you’re right! Also, be sure to stay with me till the bottom of this post. I’m announcing our winner of the Fluffy Layers Egg Collecting Apron Giveaway!

Good morning Greenhouse!

My new part-time job is my “third” job. I write ( year round) and flower farm in the spring, summer and fall, and now I get to work part-time in a local garden nursery! It’s the perfect addition to all the things I already love to do and working at a nursery has been on my bucket list ever since I started gardening in my early twenties. This farmgirl loves being with flowers and plants. I especially love working outside and garden folks are just some of the nicest people on the planet. The best part about my new job is that I don’t need to go out and buy a new wardrobe however, I am on the hunt for a comfortable pair of tennis shoes. I’m on my feet all day and I can ‘feel’ it.

This time of year is particularly busy as the nursery gets stocked and ready for customers. Trucks arrive several times a day with plant orders that must be unloaded, placed and priced. The carts come right off the truck already loaded as pictured above. As a hobby gardener for over 25 years I thought I knew a lot about garden perennials but I’m seeing many new varieties I didn’t even know existed like these darling spring blooming flowers below. Forgive me for not having a name for you today. I’ll get there!

It seems like these days people must be more adaptable and flexible in the workplace than ever before and have you noticed that the work force is looking older too? I turned 54 this year and I’ll admit the thought of preparing for an interview was daunting until I decided that I would try to get a job in an area where my passion and purpose are aligned. You can’t help smile and feel enthusiastic about going back to work when you’ll be doing something you love.

The garden benches fill up fast after a delivery.

Many people hold down more than one job whether it’s for financial reasons or just because it provides a more interesting lifestyle. If you’re a small business owner you wear more hats than any single job requires. I like working at a variety of things that allows for new learning experiences and creative expression but are also interconnected. I feel like every time we step out of our comfort zone and try something new we are adding to our wholeness as a person. For better or worse, we are changed and more wise than we were before.

Since I started growing cut flowers I’ve added ‘floral designer’ to my list of job qualifications. Those skills transfer well to a garden nursery environment. Above is one of the window box arrangements I created with house plants for the conservatory room at the nursery. Pictured below is the wall of plants I arranged for opening day!

The variety of the number of house plants alone is staggering. I bet Nicole ( Suburban Farmgirl ) could identify many of them!

My manager is making fairy gardens to have on display to inspire our customers. Some of these smaller little delicate plants will find their way into her creations.

What would a house plant section in a nursery be without succulents and cactus plants? As you can see there is plenty of inspiration for home gardeners and floral designers alike.

I think all gardeners are floral designers at heart. After all, isn’t that what we’re doing when we plan a larger garden scape? We’re just painting with a broader brush, that’s all.

Opposite side of the plant wall in the conservatory. Still a work in progress when this photo was taken.

The manager turned me loose and let me plant some cute little moss purses. I’m sure you’ve seen these hanging around.They come with a plastic liner inside so you can water the plants. I think they make an adorable hostess gift and they’re a great way to add color to an outside door or garden gate. This one’s filled with ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ pansies. Another new variety to me!

Pansies and the smaller violas area always first to arrive at the garden centers in spring time because they are cold hearty. They can take a late spring snow or frost and bounce back with no problem. Most varieties will last until the summer heat arrives so enjoy them now! Pansies are the perfect container plant for your window boxes and patio or deck flower pots. I love the softly ruffled edges on these little cuties.

‘Frizzle Sizzle” Pansies

There’s no shortage of fun containers to pot-up at the nursery. Have you seen these brightly colored watering can planters kicking around in your neighborhood garden center yet? These come with holes in the bottom for drainage and they look great with a hanging plant plopped in for a quick fix of color on your deck or patio or in front of your potting shed!

What I love about the nursery is that is it a local business that’s been around since the 1960’s. The first week I was there I was invited to work in the greenhouses potting up plugs that are ordered in from various nursery suppliers.

They also grow a lot of their own plants which I hope to learn more about in the coming months.

Right now, I feel like I’m drowning in flowers and plants and for this newly employed farmgirl, that’s a GOOD thing. In fact, I like to so, so much that I miss it ( and the wonderful people I’ve met) when I’m not there. I definitely feel at home. The only challenge I can foresee is making it home with my paycheck in full!

I hope you enjoyed your trip to Crystal Lake Garden Center with me. It’s such a happy time of year filled with hope and new beginnings.

If you’ve been thinking of getting back on the old ‘work’ horse have no fear. If I can do it, so can you! Just follow your heart! It will lead you to the most beautiful places.

Before I announce our lucky winner I want to thank all 112 of you for your sweet comments and entries for the apron giveaway sponsored by Tara J. Grier of Fluffy Layers.

Please join me in congratulating the winner of the fabulous and fashionable Egg Collection Apron, Vivian Monroe!

Until our next shoreline visit~ Put down some roots and BLOOM!

Beach Blessings and Much Love,

Deb  (The Beach Farmgirl ) # 1199