2024 at Regather Farm was a challenging one, with the sun seeming to take a holiday, leaving us with a wet spring and an invasion of slugs. Despite these challenges, our commitment to growing local flowers in Sheffield remains as strong as ever.
The unpredictable weather made it difficult for our flowers to thrive outside the protection of the tunnel. Many carefully nurtured young plants fell victim to the elements or were devoured by slugs. The dahlias I planted in the ground either rotted or were eaten down to stumps every time they tried to sprout. A whole tray of freshly planted achillea—about 100 plants—disappeared before the end of the week.
Yet, there have been successes. Year on year, the demand for our flowers has grown, and this season was no exception. In fact, I’ve previously said that it is easier to grow the flowers, than to sell them. Last year was the reverse with demand greater than the amount of flowers! It’s been incredibly rewarding to work with some amazing florists who are committed to using local and British flowers for their stunning weddings and events. Collaborating with them has helped us showcase the beauty and sustainability of Sheffield-grown blooms. (Florist list at the end of this post).
One of the highlights last year has been the new roses in the polytunnel—they are absolutely gorgeous, and I’m excited to see them flourish even more this year. The sweet peas have also thrived in the cooler weather, producing long, strong stems for weeks on end. And let’s not forget my patch of apple mint, which has been one of the hardest working plants on the farm. I’ve harvested nearly 1,000 stems from it with ease. Despite the wet and cold conditions, this resilient plant has proven its worth, making me wonder if we should consider turning the entire farm into a mint plantation!
The growing demand for local flowers has given me the confidence to expand our flower-growing area. This year, I plan to double the amount of land dedicated to flowers, which should significantly increase our output—if all goes well. We’re also learning more about the unique conditions of our site, identifying the driest parts of the farm to focus on overwintering plants. Additionally, I’m working on improving soil health by adding high levels of organic matter and using a broad fork to help incorporate it. Farming on nutrient-depleted clay is not for the faint-hearted, but these efforts are helping to create soil that is richer in nutrients and better at draining.
2025 I’m already planning for some big weddings – June is looking very busy! But we still have availability for bookings in July and August, so do get in touch if you’ve got a date later in the year. Details about our wedding services can be found here:
https://regather.net/wedding-flowers/
Shout out to the amazing florists who have supported me through thick and thin last year:
https://www.plantologyflorist.co.uk
