💐 Behind the Stems: The Heart and Hustle of Wedding Flowers

🎂 It’s My Birthday!
Today, June 10th, I’m celebrating another trip around the sun — and what better way to mark it than by sharing a little bit of my own story? I fell in love with wedding flowers back in 2022 when I designed and grew the florals for my own September wedding. That experience was the spark that started it all. So in honor of my birthday, I’m reflecting on where this journey began — and sharing one of the most meaningful weddings I’ve had the privilege to design since.

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If you’ve ever received a wedding bouquet — or even just admired one from afar — you know how magical it can feel. But what you don’t see is everything that happens behind the stems: the early mornings, the late-night arranging, the hauling, the hydrating, the emotional weight, and the joyful tears.

This May, I had the honor of designing wedding flowers for one of my very best friends. It also happened to be just two days after the most demanding weekend of the year for flower farmers: Mother’s Day.

And yet, I said yes.

Because there was no way I could let anyone else do her flowers.

The Wedding of a Lifetime — in More Ways Than One

From the moment her mom and I picked up the flowers (Scott at Kennicott Brothers is amazing if you’re looking for a wholesaler, I cannot recomment Kennicott enough!), I knew this was going to be something special. I cried more than once — not from stress (though there was a bit of that!), but from the deep emotion of being part of something so meaningful. These weren’t just “event flowers.” These were made with love, trust, and so much care.

Designing wedding florals is always a labor of love, but when it’s someone you know deeply, it becomes something more. Every stem I placed carried memories, intention, and heart.

And, to make things even more fun? I was also the matron of honor. Balancing both roles — floral designer and MOH — was no small feat. I was switching between floral apron and formal dress, buckets and bouquets, laughter and logistics.

Picking up our floral order from Kennicott Brothers in Grand Rapids, we both cried!

The bride’s mom was the true MVP of the day—none of the flowers would’ve come together the way they did without her. I’ll always treasure the full day we spent together and her generous, helping hands.

What Really Goes Into Wedding Flowers?

A lot of folks don’t realize just how much goes into pulling off wedding florals. So here’s a little peek behind the scenes:

🌿 Planning & Vision:
It starts months — sometimes a year+ — ahead of time. I work with the couple (or in this case, my bestie) to understand their vision, color palette, vibe, and flower preferences. We consider seasonality, availability, and how to make the florals feel them.

✿ As a farmer-florist, I sometimes start planning a year in advance — growing specific varieties based on the couple’s vision and seasonal possibilities. But bloom timing is never guaranteed, which is why flexibility and a color palette-focused approach are key. In next week’s blog, I’ll share more about what it’s like to grow and design wedding flowers — and why working with a local flower farmer can make your florals that much more meaningful.

📦 Sourcing & Prepping:
There’s the sourcing — sometimes from my own fields, sometimes from other local growers, sometimes from our trusted wholesaler — and the timing has to be just right. Flowers are living things. They need to hydrate, open, and reach their perfect moment of bloom. That part is pure orchestration.

🛠 Mechanics & Movement:
From bouquets and boutonnieres to large-scale installations, wedding florals require real mechanics — chicken wire, floral foam alternatives, tape grids, water sources, clamps, zip ties, and sometimes literal ladders. It’s architecture meets art. (See below for a few of my go-to supplies for working with flowers in any setting.)

⏳ Time Pressure:
Wedding florals are created in a tiny window — often in 1–2 days before the event — so they’re fresh and vibrant. That means long hours of nonstop work leading right up to delivery and installation.

🚚 Transport & Setup:
Then comes the careful transport (hello, vehicle full of sloshing buckets) and on-site setup. You're battling wind, heat, timelines, and sometimes unplanned surprises (like needing to build a last-minute arch installation in a thunderstorm — yes, really).

💗 Emotion:
And finally, the emotion. Seeing your work on display, watching the bride walk down the aisle holding something you created — it’s overwhelming in the best way.

Designing wherever needed—yes, that’s a bowling center! The bride’s parents own it, and its giant cooler was a game-changer. One more piece of the puzzle we made work while I balanced being both the florist and a member of the wedding party.

Why I Still Say Yes — Even When It’s Hard

Was it exhausting? Yes. Would I do it again? Without a doubt.

There’s something sacred about creating florals for a wedding — especially when you know how important the day is to someone you love. It’s not just about pretty flowers. It’s about crafting something that will live in people’s memories, wedding albums, and hearts.

Photo credit: Nicole Jenrow, Details and Daydreams Photography

A Reminder to Other Creatives

If you’re a creative entrepreneur or fellow flower farmer: this work is hard, but it’s also heart work. It’s okay to honor your limits. It’s okay to say no sometimes — or to say yes because it matters that much to you.

I’m still tired, still recovering, still planting (hundreds of dahlias, thousands of annuals, new berry rows, and too many perennials to count!). But I’m also full — full of gratitude, pride, and the humbling joy of being trusted with someone’s most important day.

Here’s to what happens behind the stems — the sweat, the emotion, the love, and the beauty that blooms from it all.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple! It was such an honor to stand beside you and bring your floral vision to life. Thank you for trusting me—my hands, my heart, and my creative eye.

Bonus: 🌿 My Favorite Floral Design Tools & Supplies

Whether I’m arranging at the farm, on-site for a wedding, or designing in a borrowed space (hello, bowling alley cooler!), these are the tools I always have on hand. I’ve linked a few of my go-to items below—tried, true, and flower-farmer approved.

Essential Design Tools:

• Floral Clippers – Sharp, ergonomic, and perfect for everything from delicate stems to sturdy dahlias.

  • I love Modern Sprout’s floral shears—especially during dahlia season when I’m regularly dipping tools in a bleach solution between plants to prevent the spread of disease. When I need something quick and handy, I also reach for these basic snips (just a heads-up—they do tend to rust). If you're looking to stock up, this option is a great value!

• Floral Tape – The waterproof kind is a must for bouquets and installations.

• Chicken Wire Roll – Ideal for sustainable mechanics in centerpieces and foam-free design.

• Floral Frogs (Kenzans) – A game changer for bud vases and ikebana-style arrangements.

• Floral Wire & Green Paddle Wire – For boutonnieres, arches, and everything in between.

  • 24 guage floral wire — I use these or something similar to wire ranunculus and other delicate or top-heavy blooms such as anemones, peonies, tulips, etc. (this is a must especially for ranunculus)

• Floral Adhesive — Ideal for securing blooms in boutonnieres, corsages, and hair pieces without wire or tape.

• Crowning Glory Flower Spray — A finishing touch to add sparkle and elegance to your arrangements—perfect for weddings and special events.

• Zip ties - for heavy duty thick bridal bouquet stems

A Few Extras I Love:

• Flower food — not a necessity, but I do use it

• Gold Bullion Wire — I use this for flower crowns, I prefer Oasis bullion wire

• Corsage Elastic Wrist bands

• Pocket Boutonniere Sleeves

Thanks for being apart of our journey!

With muddy boots and a full heart,
Alex

Blooms and Boundaries: Rebuilding After a Busy Season🌸

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Phew. May was a whirlwind.

It was filled with highs, lows, and everything in between — a month of major growth, both for the flowers and for me personally. The shift from winter into spring always hits like a freight train, but this year it came faster and harder than ever before.

One moment, I felt on top of it all — my seed trays were organized, seedlings thriving, my beds prepped, and I was ready for the season. And then, like clockwork, the floodgates opened. Suddenly, I was buried under a wave of tasks, Mother’s Day prep, crop failures, unexpected detours, and endless to-do lists. I blinked, and I went from “on track” to “completely behind” in what felt like a matter of minutes.

Mother’s Day Mayhem

The start of Mother’s Day weekend didn’t go as planned. Between a health scare, disappointing turnout, and the last-minute loss of crops, things felt heavy. But we pivoted — because that’s what flower farmers do — and we ended the weekend strong.

Still, the grueling late nights, early mornings, and long days added up. And when the dust settled, the return didn’t quite match the effort. That was a hard truth to sit with. One of the biggest lessons I learned? We don’t need to leave home to sell our flowers. Local is where the magic happens — and if the cost is my health, it’s simply not worth it.

Wedding Whirlwind

Just two days after Mother’s Day, I hit the road for a wedding in Ludington. No rest. No pause. Normally, florists take at least a day or two off after a big event — I didn’t have that luxury.

But here’s the thing: the wedding was beautiful. It was my best friend’s big day, and I had the honor of designing her flowers and standing beside her as matron of honor. It was a juggle, for sure. And though the timing was brutal, I would do it again in a heartbeat. From the first flower pickup with her mom (my trusty sidekick for the day) to assembling each bouquet, I cried happy tears more times than I can count. It was a labor of love I’ll treasure forever.

Photo: Nicole Jenrow - Details and Daydreams Photography (she’s amazing!)

Flowers: Bede’s Blooms + Co.

When the Body Says Stop

All of this — the constant go, go, go — came at a cost. My health.

The physical toll of early mornings and late nights, the emotional load of balancing work, family, and creative output, the guilt of missing time with my toddler… it hit me hard. Burnout crept in fast, and I knew I had to make a change. I couldn’t ignore what my body was telling me any longer.

The Signs Were Clear

Even now, weeks later, I’m still recovering. I’m still processing everything that May threw at me — while trying to stay on top of my responsibilities, spend quality time with my son, and somehow get all the summer annuals planted (which I feel behind on). Usually, I’m in the garden the weekend after Mother’s Day planting away. This year, I was still wedding-recovering.

But then came the rainy days — a full week of them. And honestly? It felt like a divine gift. I was forced to slow down. I had no choice but to rest. And I desperately needed it.

🌿 Why Self-Care and Boundaries Matter

In creative entrepreneurship and farming, boundaries and self-care aren’t luxuries. They’re lifelines. Here’s what I’m learning:

🌱 1. Your business depends on your well-being.
You’re the engine behind everything — from growing to designing to delivering. When you burn out, the whole operation slows. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.

🧠 2. Creativity needs breathing room.
To be inspired, you have to make space. Boundaries protect your ability to think clearly, create joyfully, and stay connected to your purpose.

⏳ 3. Without boundaries, there’s no off switch.
This work is deeply personal, and the line between home and business is blurry. Boundaries — like time off, screen-free evenings, or simply saying no — keep you from running yourself into the ground.

💪 4. The work is intense.
Farming is physically exhausting. Running a business is emotionally draining. Doing both? It demands rest, recovery, and resilience.

💸 5. Boundaries guard against overcommitment.
It’s easy to say yes to everything when you’re passionate. But that leads to depletion. I’m learning to say yes more selectively.

❤️ 6. You model what sustainable success looks like.
When you care for yourself, you show your community — and your family — that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of health, joy, or connection.

Things I Like to Do to Shift, Rest, and Recharge After Burnout

When I hit a point of burnout, I’ve learned not to push through, but to pause—and intentionally create space to heal. Here are a few things that help me shift, rest, and recharge:

1. Nourishment + Hydration
I consciously focus on my water intake and nutrition. I up my electrolytes, sip herbal teas throughout the day, and take time to actually sit and enjoy my morning mushroom coffee (or matcha) instead of rushing through it.

This also means getting back on track with my supplements—especially when life gets busy (which is exactly when I need them most). I tend to forget them in the chaos, but they’re part of what keeps me steady. My go-to lineup includes:

• Electrolytes - Redmond Re-lyte is our go-to (plain water just doesn’t cut it—throw in some Himalayan salt or dive into the hydration rabbit hole!)

• Beef organs or beef liver supplements - Taking beef liver regularly has truly been a game changer for me—no exaggeration. Since adding it to my routine, I’ve had noticeably more energy, no postpartum hair loss, and just feel better overall. It’s made such a difference! Go-to’s Paleo Valley Organ Complex, Perfect Supplements Desicated Beef liver, Ancestral Supplements Beef Organs and or Ancestral Supplements Beef Liver

• Adrenal support, like Just Ingredients Adrenal Complex or Jigsaw’s Adrenal Cocktail

• Magnesium (we like MegaFood) and we also use Earthley Wellnesses Good Night Lotion

• L-Methyl Folate (I use this one - it helps w/ my ADD)

• Vitamin D with K2 ) (I use Perfect supplements drops or MegaFood)

• Probiotics - I try to get mine through food whenever possible. My go-to sources are kombucha and sauerkraut, but I’ll also supplement when needed to help support gut health. If supplementing, entegro healths flourish probiotic,  Dr.Ohhira’s , or seed.

I also make a conscious effort to increase my daily protein intake. One of my favorite ways to do this is by adding Perfect Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen to milk or my coffee—it tastes like chocolate milk, and even the kids love it! I aim to include about 30 grams of protein in each meal—and even before I have my coffee. I also focus on high-protein recipes, drink bone broth hot chocolate (FOND is my go-to bone broth if I don’t have time to make it myself), and supplement with clean, high-quality protein powders. Some of my favorites are Equip Protein, FlavCity’s All-In-One Protein Smoothie, and Paleo Valley’s Bone Broth Protein (chocolate is my fav!).

These aren't just checkboxes—they’re tools that support my energy, mood, and overall resilience. When I stay consistent, I feel the difference.

Wellness from the Inside Out

How I Support My Body Through Busy Seasons

Stillness Before the Bloom

Resting Isn’t Quitting—It’s Recharging

2. Extra Time With Jesus
That coffee or matcha moment becomes sacred when I pair it with quiet time with Jesus. I write out my thoughts, reflect, breathe deeply, and reconnect to peace and perspective. It grounds me.

3. Baths + Body Care
Baths are a love language to myself. I love Flewd bath soaks—they help my nervous system reset and feel like a hug for my body. I let myself fully unwind.

When I don’t have a flewd bath soak handy, a regulated used item in our house is Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes (PS: great for little ones to help them sleep!)

I also stay consistent with my chiropractic care—regular visits make such a difference. We go to Volz Family Chiropractic in Holt, and Dr. Volz and her team are truly amazing!

4. Gentle Movement
Exercise becomes a way to reconnect with my body, not punish it. Long walks (sometimes with my weighted vest - game changer!), light weight training, a spin session, or my favorite: Pilates. Even 15 minutes of movement or stretching shifts my energy. If I’m really depleted, I rest first—sometimes for days—before easing into intentional, slow movement.

5. Saying No
When I’m in a season of recovery, I intentionally reel back. I admit my limits. That often means saying no—to events, orders, obligations—so I can be home more, breathe deeper, and return to alignment with my priorities. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.

6. Tidy Spaces = Tidy Mind

One of the most grounding things I do when I’m coming out of burnout is slowly working through neglected corners of my home. I’ll throw on an audiobook or a podcast and start tackling the laundry pile that’s been haunting me, the cluttered workshop corner, or that cabinet I’ve been meaning to purge for weeks. It’s not about perfection—it’s about creating breathing room. Deep cleaning, organizing, and simplifying my space gives me a sense of control and calm. You feel so much better once it’s done.

7. Deep Rest + Stillness
Rest is medicine. I curl up with a book, let myself enjoy the stillness, and resist the urge to write out a new to-do list. I let the slow moments stretch out.

And finally—when I feel ready—I gradually get back into the soil. There’s something so healing in its presence. It reminds me why I love what I do, and that growth often starts in quiet, unseen places.

Bonus – 8. Resparking Your Creativity

Sometimes, the best thing I can do for my soul is to reconnect with beauty and creativity—without the pressure to produce. That might look like flipping through flower books, playing with color palettes, styling a few leftover blooms just for fun, or creating something with my hands that has nothing to do with business. Creativity doesn’t always have to be productive—it can simply be a way back to joy, curiosity, and play. That spark always leads me home.

A Few of My Favorite Books for When I Need That Garden Spark Again
When I’m feeling a little disconnected or burnt out, I often find that flipping through a good garden book helps reignite my inspiration and remind me why I love working with the land. Here are a few of my favorites I reach for again and again:

• Floret’s A Year in Flowers , Erin Benzakein

• From Seed to Bloom, Milli Proust

• Designing with Dried Flowers, Hannah Rose Rivers Muller

• The Tiny But Mighty Farm, Jill Ragan

Creating Without Pressure

When I Need to Feel Inspired Again

—or—I head into the kitchen and let my creativity flow through food, experimenting with herbal botanicals and edible flowers. It’s a grounding, sensory way to reconnect—with flavor, color, and beauty in the everyday.

Here are some of my favorite books surrounding food:

• I love anything of Erin French’s — highly reccommend watching The Lost Kitchen on the Magnolia channel — The Lost Kitchen: Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom, Maine: A Cookbook

  • Big Heart Little Stove: Bringing Home Meals & Moments from The Lost Kitchen

• I love to play around with fermantation, this is a fun book I use: Wild Drinks: The New Old World of Small-Batch Brews, Ferments and Infusions and if you really want to dive into the world of fermentation than The Noma Guide to Fermentation is a must.

• I absolutely love turning to Julia Child for timeless comfort, Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia Table recipes for cozy, feel-good meals, and Samin Nosrat’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat for inspired, intuitive cooking that always reawakens my love for the kitchen.

🌸 Looking Forward

If you’re also feeling the weight of burnout or the guilt of needing to slow down — you’re not alone. Building something meaningful takes energy, and it’s okay to pause, pivot, or reset when needed.

I’m still in the process of recovering. But I’m looking forward to the quiet moments — planting summer annual successions, watching the garden grow, catching fireflies with my son in the evenings, enjoying family time, reading more books and simply breathing. The beauty of seasonal work is that it teaches us to honor the rhythms — of nature, of work, and of our own bodies.

Here’s to slower mornings, intentional choices, and letting ourselves rest when we need to.

With gratitude and floral magic,
Alex 🌸

🌷 The Super Bowl of Flower Farming: Behind the Scenes of Mother's Day + Tulip Talk

🌷 The Super Bowl of Flower Farming: Behind the Scenes of Mother's Day + Tulip Talk

If you've ever wondered what it’s like to be a flower farmer in April/May, imagine this: tulips that don’t wait for your schedule, sunrise harvests, late-night bouquet-making in the basement, coordinating CSA deliveries, keeping seedlings alive, prepping the beds for summer annuals—and all while managing a toddler, a blended family calendar, and oh yeah… fighting off a sinus infection for over a month.

Mother’s Day isn’t just a holiday—it’s the Super Bowl of flower farming. And let me tell you, it’s no joke.

🌸 It’s Been a Whirlwind

From harvesting tulips 2–4 times a day (they open FAST), to washing, wrapping, and storing them in the cooler… from seeding and hardening off our summer blooms, to planting out thousands of seedlings, plugs, and hundreds of ranunculus, to weeding, watering, prepping soil, building raised beds, planting 20+ new roses, and assembling orders for our CSA subscribers—this season has been an all-out sprint.

The days start at sunrise and often don’t end until dusk… after a full workday, parenting, and a few minutes of “basement time” to wrap tulips and prep inventory. It’s labor-intensive, yes—but it’s also full of love.

And now, I’m so excited to invite you to our Mother’s Day Pop-Up Event, where you’ll get to enjoy the literal fruits (flowers!) of all that behind-the-scenes labor.

🌼 Mother’s Day Pop-Up Event Details

At Bedes Blooms, Mother's Day is one of our favorite times of the year. The spring flowers are singing, the fields are bursting with color, and we get the joy of sharing all that beauty with you—and the special mothers in your life.

This year, our pre-orders have officially SOLD OUT (thank you!), but don’t worry—we’re not done celebrating. Join us for our Mother’s Day Pop-Up Event, where we’ll have a beautiful selection of locally-grown, hand-crafted floral gifts ready to grab and go.

• 🌷 Wrapped tulip + spring mixed bouquets in various sizes and price points

• 🏺 Bud vases and mason jar arrangements (ready to gift!)

• 🧼 Small-batch botanical soaps

• 🌸 Handmade floral frogs for arranging at home

• 🌿 Bloom Bath Teas (a relaxing, herbal floral soak!) made with our very own dried botanicals

• 💐 A curated selection of floral gifts, ready to celebrate someone special

📍 Location: Centennial Farm Antiques 4410 W. Howe Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820
🕒 Date + Time: Saturday, May 10th & Sunday, May 11th, 2025 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💳 Payments Accepted: Venmo, Cash App, cash, or credit card

🌷 Let's Talk Tulips

Tulips are magical—and extremely misunderstood. Most people know them as cheerful landscape flowers that return every spring. But here’s the reality for flower farmers: tulips are a one-and-done crop.

⚠️ Wait… You Don’t Replant the Bulbs?

Nope. When I harvest tulips, I pull them with the bulb attached—that’s how we get the longest, cleanest stem possible for arranging. My sister (a talented designer who does all my branding—huge shoutout to Mandee Maroulitsas Design!) was visiting recently and asked:
“But you replant those bulbs after, right?”

It made me realize how little-known this fact is. The answer is no—those bulbs go in the compost.

Here’s why:

• In a landscape bed, tulips stay put. The leaves gather energy after blooming and recharge the bulb for next year.

• On a flower farm, we harvest every single stem, taking the flower, stem, and leaves—the plant's entire energy source. That bulb can’t recover or regenerate.

• For quality and consistency, we plant new bulbs every fall. Every. Single. Year.

Yes, it’s controversial (and expensive), but it’s the only way to produce reliable, healthy blooms that customers can count on.

Tulips post harvest — sorted, inventoried and then wrapped in butcher paper to be stored in the cooler

🌱 Why We Pull the Whole Bulb

• 🌿 For Stem Length: Pulling the bulb gives us the longest stems possible—especially important for peony tulips, which naturally have shorter stems.

• 🧊 For Storage: Tulips store beautifully in a cooler (35–38°F) for weeks if the bulb is attached. We rinse the bulbs, wrap the flowers in butcher paper, and store them until we’re ready to arrange.

• 🌷 For Quality: We only source our bulbs from trusted, high-reputation growers. Cheap, big-box bulbs? No thanks. They often carry diseases that can wreck your soil for up to 5 years. Tulip fire, fusarium, basal rot… these are real risks.

I even placed my 2026 bulb order this past April—before this year’s tulips had even bloomed. That’s how far in advance we plan. It’s a major financial investment, and yet even with careful planning, we had beds where hundreds of bulbs produced no blooms. This wasn’t a disease issue—it was a production failure from last year’s crop, which growers are still recovering from.

🌍 The Bottom Line: It’s Hard Work… and It’s Worth It

Tulips are fussy, high-maintenance, and risky. They require significant labor and upfront cost with no guarantees. But when they bloom? They stop you in your tracks.
They’re fleeting, and maybe that’s part of their magic.

So when you grab a bouquet from us this Mother’s Day, know that you’re holding something incredibly special—grown with intention, harvested with care, and rooted in love.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support—whether it’s a kind word, a comment, a message, or a purchase—truly means the world to us. We’re so grateful to have you along for the ride.

We can’t wait to see you at the pop-up!

—
With gratitude and flowers,
Alex
Farmer-Florist, Bede’s Blooms & Co.

🙌 Special Thanks to Mandee Maroulitsas Design

All of the branding you see at Bede’s Blooms—from our logo to our beautiful signage—is the work of my incredibly talented sister, Mandee Maroulitsas. She’s a graphic designer and brand manager with a real gift for bringing your business identity to life visually. If you’re a small business owner in need of a branding refresh, logo, or complete identity kit, I highly recommend her work.

Link: https://www.behance.net/mandeemaro?locale=en_US

Blooming in the Valleys

We don’t talk about the hard stuff enough — the valleys, the unraveling, the moments when quitting feels like the only option. But maybe if we did, we’d feel a little less alone in them.

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We Need to Talk About the Hard Stuff

I don’t think we talk about the hard stuff enough.

The seasons in life that cut us deep. The days we truly consider quitting. The nights that unravel us. The moments when everything feels like too much. The ache of postpartum. The heartbreak of loss. The silent, internal battles we carry while the world keeps spinning around us.

There’s this quote I’ve stumbled upon more than once recently, and every time it hits me at my core:

"Becoming a mother leaves no woman as it found her. It unravels her and rebuilds her. It cracks her open, takes her to her edges. It's both beautiful and brutal; often at the same time."
— Nikki McCahon

Isn’t that the truth?

Motherhood has changed me — literally and figuratively. It has split me open in ways I never expected. But if I’m honest, I feel the same way about flower farming.

Because chasing a dream you’ve tucked deep into your soul for years — finally speaking it aloud, funding it, building it, giving your whole heart to it — is vulnerable work. It’s risky. And it’s exhausting. When you take that dream — the one you've kept safe and sacred in the corners of your heart — and you actually put it out into the world… that’s a vulnerable kind of brave.

Entrepreneurship can feel lonely and relentless. There are days I look around at my never-ending to-do list and wonder how I’ll keep going. I am a wife, a mother, a business owner, and a woman deeply committed to her faith. And some days, it just feels impossible to hold it all.

We don’t talk enough about those days.

We don’t talk about how starting over — after loss, after closing a chapter, after moving to a new place — can feel like losing your footing completely. Or how heavy it is to juggle a full-time career and family, especially in blended or complex families. We don’t talk about postpartum depression enough — how hard it is to ask for help and admit that we can’t do it all. And we definitely don’t talk enough about the feeling of trying to find your voice in a world that feels saturated with shouting.

But I want to talk about it.

Because I’ve been there. I am there. And I’ve wanted to quit more times than I can count.

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The Work That’s Bigger Than Me

If I am being transparent… I’ve wanted to quit more times than I can count. Today was one of those days. The weight felt heavy — again. But I kept going, because this dream is more than just mine. It’s for my family. It’s for the people who receive flowers during their highest joys and their deepest sorrows. It’s for the women I hope to employ someday — survivors who need a second chance, just like I once did. It’s for the girl I used to be — the one who survived and refused to let her story stop at pain.

I carry that with me in the quiet mornings in the garden, in the busy harvest days, in the floral deliveries that brighten someone’s day. This is not just a business. It’s a ministry. A purpose. A piece of my soul made tangible.

This dream has carried me through grief, postpartum, marriage, motherhood. It’s tested me. Shaped me. Grown me. And it has reminded me — again and again — that fruit is grown in the valley.

“Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” — Billy Graham

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The Reality Behind the Beauty

Flower farming is not for the faint of heart. It produces grit and perseverance like nothing else. This work is humbling. It asks everything of me — my body, my time, my heart. The long days, early mornings, heavy lifting, endless to-do lists that never stop growing, and the kind of effort that humbles you daily. It's the behind-the-scenes hustle no one sees.

I lost a few hundred tulips overnight. Gone in a blink. Because — somehow — a rabbit decided that the best place for its nest was in a 3-foot-high raised bed filled with tulips I’d been growing for months. It dug through hundreds of dollars worth of flowers to make a cozy home. And I had to just… pivot.

That’s flower farming. One long dance with Mother Nature — and she always leads.

Floods. Pests. Wind. Disease. Soil trials. Weather you can’t predict. Every season requires grit. And still, we keep going. Because hope grows here, too.

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When You’re in a Room Full of Loud Voices

There’s another layer of this I don’t think we talk about enough: trying to find your voice in a room full of loud, often inauthentic, ones.

I heard this on a podcast recently and it stopped me in my tracks:

“The market is saturated with people doing what you’re doing — in a mediocre way.”

Oof. It hit me hard.

Because I pour everything into this— into me. I strive to be authentic in all that I do. To show up as myself, to be honest in my branding, to stay rooted in what feels real and meaningful. From the way I grow and harvest flowers to the way I interact with my customers and community — my heart is in it all. And in a world full of duplication and algorithms and constant comparison, staying true to yourself can feel… lonely.

But even so — I keep showing up.

I invest in myself daily. I strive to grow the best specialty cut flowers I possibly can — not just for the sake of business, but because my community deserves excellence. My florists deserve quality. My customers deserve care.

This dream wasn’t built overnight. And it wasn’t built on copying anyone. It was built from the ground up — literally — with heart, faith, and a whole lot of grit.

I’m learning that staying rooted in who you are — that’s where the real magic grows.

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Marriage, Motherhood, and Mission

And while we’re being honest — marriage is hard, too.

Holding true to the holiness of marriage in a world that glorifies giving up isn’t easy. We fight to keep God at the center. We fight to model that for our kids — to teach them what covenant and grace look like. To raise them in a way that reflects faith, love, and truth.

This journey — of being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, a woman of faith — it’s so much bigger than myself.

And I’m learning that sometimes, the most sacred thing we can do is tell the truth about how hard it is.

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The Man in the Arena

When we remodeled my home office a couple years ago, there was only one piece of artwork I had to have on the wall — and that was this:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood... who errs, who comes short again and again... but who does actually strive to do the deeds... so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
— Theodore Roosevelt

Yes. That. All of that.

Because this is the arena. And I’m in it. Dusty, scraped up, exhausted — but still here. Still showing up. Because at the end of the day, we are all in the arena — trying, failing, loving, creating, building. And it's in the valley where the fruit grows. It’s not easy. But it’s worthy.

So if today feels heavy for you, know this: you're not weak for feeling it. You're brave for staying. You are not alone. Let’s keep showing up for each other, keep daring greatly, and keep choosing to be real — even in a world of copies.

Let us be known not for how polished we looked at the mountaintop, but for how we endured, how we loved, and how we bloomed — in the valleys.

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Let’s Be a Safe Place

If nothing else, I want this space — my corner of the internet — to be a safe one.

A place where someone can walk in, heart heavy, and say:
“This is hard.”
And be met with:
“I know. You’re not weak — you’re brave.”

Let’s be the people who talk about the valleys. Who meet others there. Who cry and pray and laugh through the tears. Who keep showing up when it would be easier to walk away.

Because the valleys? That’s where the fruit grows.

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From Grit to Glory

I’ll end with this:

May we keep choosing authenticity, even when it’s lonely.
May we fix our eyes on the calling, not the copycats.
May we be women of grit, of grace, of growth.
May we tell the truth about our struggles and keep our faith rooted deep.
May we remember that we are going from glory to glory and strength to strength — even when we can’t yet see the mountaintop.

Because the mountaintop is for inspiration — but the valley is where we become.

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PS:
If you’re walking through a valley right now, you’re not alone. I’d love to hear your story. Send me a message, leave a comment, or share this with someone who needs a reminder: You are seen. You are strong. And you are still blooming.

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With gratitude & floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms & Co.

The Surprising Benefits of Chickens on a Flower Farm: A Tale of Healing, Harmony, and Helping Pollinators

Welcome back to Petals and Prose, where we celebrate the beauty of both flowers and the hardworking creatures that help nurture our growing spaces. Today, I’m diving into the surprising benefits of having chickens on a flower farm — and why they’re more than just cute faces in the yard. We’ll also take a little detour into a recent incident that left one of our beloved hens injured but on the road to recovery, plus the important role that beneficial insects play in our farm’s ecosystem. But most importantly, I’ll talk about how we, as a micro flower farm, strive to protect and support local pollinators — and why it matters more than ever.

Chickens: Nature’s Helpers on a Flower Farm

If you’ve ever considered adding chickens to your farm or garden, you might be wondering: “What could they possibly do for flowers?” Well, quite a bit, actually. Chickens aren’t just for eggs (though those are a delightful bonus); they play an important role in keeping the land healthy, fertile, and in harmony with nature.

While I know some farmers swear by ducks for their own unique benefits, we’ve found that chickens are a better fit for our farm in this season of life. Ducks are adorable, but they can be a bit too messy for our setup right now. That said, we’re not ruling out the possibility of adding ducks in the future — maybe we’ll try them someday when we’re ready for a new challenge!

1. Natural Pest Control: Chickens are excellent at keeping your flower farm free from pests like beetles, slugs, ticks and grasshoppers. While we love having vibrant, healthy flowers, these pesky insects can wreak havoc on delicate plants. Chickens will naturally hunt and eat many of these bugs, reducing the need for any harmful chemicals or pesticides (which we do not use on our farm) — which, in turn, helps protect your pollinators, like bees and butterflies, who might otherwise be harmed by chemical treatments. In short, chickens help maintain the balance of good bugs and bad bugs, ensuring your flowers flourish.

2. Fertilizing the Soil: Chickens are also great for fertilizing the soil. As they scratch around and peck at the ground, they deposit nutrient-rich droppings that enrich the soil naturally. Their scratching action helps aerate the soil, and their manure adds valuable organic matter, boosting the health of your flowers without synthetic fertilizers. This creates a symbiotic relationship where the chickens get to roam and forage, while your flowers grow stronger and more vibrant.

3. Weed Control: Chickens also love to nibble on young weeds. As they explore the farm, they can help reduce weed pressure, which gives your flowers more room to grow and thrive. While chickens aren’t a substitute for a dedicated weeding regimen, they certainly help keep things in check.

A Hen’s Road to Recovery: A Personal Story

Post-surgery (haha)

This sweet girl and I are very close now <3

Now, let me take a moment to share a story about one of our hens, who recently faced an injury that required a bit of extra care and attention.

It was just last Saturday when one of our hens — a sweet, hardy bird — injured her toe in what I can only describe as a freak accident. After a thorough check, it became clear that the injury was severe enough that we needed to remove the toe to prevent further complications. This led to a hefty vet bill, but I wouldn’t trust anyone else with our birds’ care than the incredible team at Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic in Williamston, Michigan. If you’re in the area and need an avian vet, I cannot recommend them enough. Dr. Heather Beasley was wonderful, and we had such a positive experience. Her expertise and care made all the difference in our hen's recovery.

I also want to give a big shout-out to the veterinary tech who went above and beyond to help me learn how to properly administer medication to our hen. If you’ve ever tried giving a chicken a pill, you know it’s no easy feat! But this tech was so patient and kind, showing me the best techniques and offering tips on how to make it a little less stressful for both me and the chicken. It was a huge help — and let me tell you, it’s not as simple as just popping a pill in their mouth! (But we’re managing it with a little practice and some treats to make it easier.)

Right now, she’s recovering in our basement (which, don’t worry, is cozy and quiet), where we’ve set up a special area for her to rest. We’ve been providing her with extra food and comfort, along with medication that I administer twice a day. In addition, we’ve been doing 2-3 sessions of petting (yes, she loves a good scratch!) each day, which seems to be really helping her relax and heal. While she’s adjusting to her new “lifestyle” of limited mobility, she’s slowly regaining strength. It's been a healing journey for both of us, and it’s a reminder of how interconnected our responsibilities to both plants and animals really are. Our farm isn’t just about flowers; it’s about providing care for every living thing that contributes to its success.

Beneficial Insects: The Unsung Heroes of the Garden

Ladybugs are natural pest controllers, feasting on aphids and other harmful insects, helping keep your flowers healthy and chemical-free.

Let’s talk a bit more about the tiny, often overlooked workers in our gardens: beneficial insects. These creatures — from ladybugs to predatory beetles — help keep harmful insect populations in check and support the overall health of our flowers and plants. While we might not always see them, they play a crucial role in pollination, pest control, and even soil aeration.

At Bede’s Blooms + Co., we are committed to using NO harmful chemicals or pesticides on our farm. Instead, we bring in beneficial insects from trusted sources like ARBICO Organics and Nature’s Good Guys, who ship them to us monthly. These beneficial insects, such as nematodes, predatory mites, green lacewings and praying mantis, help control pests naturally, without any harm to the environment or our pollinators.

I also want to give a special shout-out to my dear flower farmer friend Laura (@farmyardblooms on Instagram). She has been such an incredible source of wisdom and encouragement on my flower journey, and I’m so thankful for her guidance. From tips on identifying beneficial insects to beautiful photos that teach me how to recognize them in the field, Laura’s expertise is top notch! Not to mention she is one of the kindest humans I have ever met. If you're looking to dive deeper into how beneficial insects can help your garden thrive, a good chuckle or admire beautiful homegrown speciality cut flowers, definitely check her out!

Additionally, we focus on raising our Brix levels to enhance the overall health of our plants. To do this, we apply a weekly treatment of molasses (here are the two we use: Golden Barrel Unfiltered & Soil Sunrise Dried Molasses) — a practice that helps improve soil health and plant resilience. The molasses is mixed with water and applied via a sprayer attached to our hose (we roate between these two: a hose attachment sprayer and my new favorite backpack sprayer) . This simple yet effective method helps our plants become more nutrient-dense, which not only benefits our flowers but also attracts beneficial insects that thrive in a healthy, vibrant environment. Otherwise, we will use Neem Oil as an option as well.

By focusing on natural pest control and improving the overall health of our plants, we are able to maintain a thriving, chemical-free environment that benefits both our flowers and the local ecosystem.

A round of fertilizer!

We’re big fans of Dairy Doo, a fantastic Michigan-based company. Their hose attachments are excellent for our farm's needs. We also use a reservoir attachment for the molasses, which conveniently connects to our hose for easy application. We also use SuperThrive for our seedlings and sweat by it! It’s amazing!

Pollinators: Why They Matter and How We’re Helping

Speaking of pollinators, we are excited to share that we are looking into getting bees for our farm! (If you have any local resources to share, please do) Bees are, of course, vital to the pollination of many plants, and we want to do our part in supporting their population. As flower farmers, we rely heavily on pollinators to help our flowers bloom and thrive, but the decline in bee populations is a real concern. By introducing bees to our farm, we hope to do more than just benefit our flowers; we want to be part of a larger movement to help protect these vital creatures.

Bees aren’t just good for flowers, either. They pollinate crops, wild plants, and trees — which helps ensure biodiversity and the health of local ecosystems. By supporting pollinators through our farm practices and looking into beekeeping, we’re doing our part to contribute to a healthier environment. We’re also raising awareness about how vital it is to support local pollinators, as their decline has significant consequences for the food supply and the overall health of the planet.

Here is a sweet bee resting on one of our dahlia plants last summer

Bees are essential for flowers, as they pollinate plants, enabling them to produce seeds and fruit. Their work boosts flower growth and biodiversity, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.

A Micro Flower Farm’s Commitment to Sustainability

As a small flower farm, we have the privilege — and the responsibility — to cultivate our space in a way that works with nature rather than against it. By integrating chickens into our farm ecosystem, supporting beneficial insects, and exploring beekeeping, we’re striving to create a balanced, sustainable environment where all living things — plants, animals, and insects alike — can thrive.

At Bede’s Blooms, we believe that gardening isn’t just about growing flowers; it’s about nurturing the entire ecosystem that makes it all possible. We’re committed to protecting pollinators, supporting local wildlife, and working toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

Thanks for reading along with us today. Stay tuned for more updates on our hens, our flowers, and our journey as a micro flower farm that’s making a difference for the planet — one petal at a time.

If you’re interested in following our journey or learning more about how chickens, beneficial insects, and pollinators work together to create a thriving farm ecosystem, be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter for more updates, tips, and stories.

Bonus: We have a drawing to win a free spring bouquet for signing up for our newsletter! Deadline for entry is Friday, March 28th 2025.

Praying mantis are

These fascinating insects hunt down and consume a wide variety of pests, including aphids, beetles, and caterpillars, helping to keep your flowers healthy without the need for chemicals. Their predatory nature makes them an essential ally in maintaining a balanced, thriving garden ecosystem.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms + Co.

The Hope of New Beginnings

Embracing the Rhythms of Spring & the Hope of New Beginnings.

As the frost begins to thaw and the days slowly grow longer, there’s a certain magic in the air here in Michigan. March feels like a gentle promise of rebirth—like nature herself is stretching, shaking off the cold grip of winter, and preparing for the bloom that’s just around the corner. And as the land begins to wake, I find myself waking too. I feel it in my bones, a quiet stirring, a longing for new growth and fresh energy. It’s a feeling of coming back to life.

Winter was hard this year. As is often the case with the darker, colder months, there were trials—moments when the weight of it all felt too heavy to bear. In the stillness of winter, it’s easy to feel isolated, stagnant, even a little bit lost. But just as the seasons have their necessary cycles, so do we. We must go through these seasons of rest, of recovery, to prepare for the growth that’s about to bloom.

The beauty of this time, though, is that the trial, the quiet, the struggle, all serve a purpose. They shape us. Strengthen us. Build in us the resilience to handle the busy seasons that are soon to come. In the midst of the cold, I’ve found myself more dependent on my faith than ever before. Like the bare branches waiting for the promise of new buds, I too have found strength in trusting the process—the process of renewal, of leaning on Jesus and the peace He provides when life feels heavy.

Much like the flowers and plants that will soon be planted at Bede’s Blooms, I’m starting to feel the stirrings of life again. The seedlings we’ve been nurturing indoors—those little whispers of potential—will soon find their place in the soil, and this little farm of ours will once again be full of life and busy with the work of tending to God’s creation. And like those seedlings, I too am finding my roots strengthened, preparing for the season ahead.

What’s fascinating, though, is that some of the flowers we grow require a period of extreme cold before they can bloom beautifully and prolifically. Certain varieties, like lavender, delphinium and tulips, must undergo a process called cold stratification. This means that they need a prolonged period of cold, a time of dormancy, in order to break dormancy and trigger the germination process. Only after this cold rest can they grow to their full potential and deliver the vibrant beauty that makes them so special.

In the same way, we sometimes need those difficult, cold seasons in our lives to grow into the fullness of what we are meant to be. The trials, the hardships, the quiet moments of rest—they aren’t wasted. Just like these flowers, we too need time to rest and recover so that we can bloom in a way that is more beautiful, more resilient, and more capable than ever before.

This is the rhythm of life. The seasons shift, sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly, but always with purpose. The rest of winter makes the coming of spring all the more vibrant. Just as a flower must spend time in the dark, cool soil before it can burst into bloom, we too must go through seasons of stillness to appreciate the vibrant life that comes with the next chapter.

As I reflect on the trials of winter, I’m reminded of the beauty in the wait. That quiet, sacred space where we recover, heal, and grow stronger, all while trusting that spring is on its way. We’re never stagnant, never without purpose—even in the toughest of times. It’s in those very struggles that we learn resilience, perseverance, and a deeper reliance on our faith.

And now, with a hint of sunshine warming my skin for the first time in what feels like ages, I can already feel the difference in my spirit. The simple joy of sunlight after so many gray days reminds me of the hope that comes with every new season. This is the time to let go of what no longer serves me, to embrace new growth, and to trust that the best is yet to come.

Soon, life will pick up its pace again—juggling the demands of being a wife, a mother, working full-time, and running this little flower farm. But with that busyness comes beauty. It’s the same rhythm of life that we see reflected in the garden: a time for rest, a time for planting, a time for blooming, and a time for harvest.

And so, just like the flowers that will soon grace this land, I too am blooming again—stronger, more resilient, and filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Spring is coming, and with it, the promise of new beginnings, fresh growth, and the beauty of life all around us.

If you’ve felt like you’ve been in a winter season, know that your spring is coming too. Trust that the trials are not in vain. Lean into the hope, lean into your faith, and know that you, too, are being transformed. Just like the garden, you are being made ready to bloom. And when that moment comes, it will be beautiful.

Here’s to blooming again.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms + Co.

Why Shop Locally Grown Cut Flowers?

A Bloom’s Club Bouquet

A Bede’s Blooms + Co. wrapped bouquet filled with dahlias, snapdragons, zinnias, celosia & more!

Shop Local Flowers

Why Shop Locally Grown Cut Flowers?

When you purchase a bouquet, do you know where your flowers come from? While grocery store and big-box floral departments may seem convenient, the reality is that most commercially available flowers have traveled thousands of miles, been treated with harsh chemicals, and spent days out of water before they ever reach your hands. By choosing locally grown cut flowers, you’re making a decision that benefits not just yourself, but also the environment, your community, and even your local florists.

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The Environmental Impact of Imported Flowers

The global cut flower industry relies heavily on international shipping, and the statistics are alarming:

• Emissions & Carbon Footprint: Nearly 80% of flowers sold in the U.S. are imported, often from South America, Africa, or the Netherlands. This means they require air freight, refrigerated transport, and multiple layers of packaging to prevent damage. The carbon footprint of a single bouquet can be staggering.

• Plastic & Waste: Imported flowers are often wrapped in excessive plastic sleeves, bundled with non-recyclable foam, and shipped in bulky boxes. Once these flowers arrive, much of the packaging is discarded into landfills.

• Chemicals & Pesticides: To survive their long journey, commercial flowers are heavily treated with fungicides and pesticides—many of which are banned in the U.S. but still used in other countries. These chemicals not only linger on the flowers but also pose risks to workers and florists handling them daily.

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Why Florists Benefit from Local Flowers

Florists who work with local flower farmers experience firsthand the advantages of fresh, sustainably grown blooms:

• Reduced Loss & Waste: Many imported flowers arrive damaged, dehydrated, or unusable, leading florists to discard a significant portion of their shipments. With locally sourced flowers, each stem is usable—meaning more value for the money spent.

• Longer Vase Life: Flowers that are harvested at the proper time and placed directly into water maintain their strength, structure, and beauty for much longer. Unlike imported flowers that may sit for days without hydration, locally grown blooms arrive fresh and vibrant.

• Safer Working Conditions: Florists who handle chemically treated flowers daily may experience health effects from long-term exposure. With locally grown flowers, florists work with fresh, non-toxic stems that are safer for both themselves and their customers.

• A Better End Product: Higher-quality flowers mean happier clients, better reviews, and a reputation for stunning, long-lasting arrangements. Local flowers also offer seasonal variety and specialty blooms that aren’t available through mass-market wholesalers.

• Access to Unique Varieties: Many flowers grown locally are simply not available in grocery stores or big-box retailers because they are too delicate to withstand long shipping times. This means florists and customers alike have access to rare, specialty blooms that elevate their arrangements.

• Realistic Balance for Florists: Now, I know florists need access to flowers all year round. I am in no way suggesting buying 100% local—that's simply not possible as a florist. But what if you could increase what you buy locally by just 20%? How much would that impact your business with a higher-quality product for your customers and more support for your local businesses?

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Supporting Your Local Community

When you choose to buy from a local flower farmer, you are directly supporting a small business—not a massive corporation. Here’s why that matters:

• Your Money Stays Local: Studies show that if every household spent just $100 more a year at local businesses rather than chain stores, an additional $3 million could be infused into the local economy, creating thousands of jobs annually.

• Supporting Families, Not Corporations: Local flower farmers aren’t getting rich off flowers—in fact, for many of us, it’s an expensive passion! Your purchase helps fund a child’s dance lessons, keeps the farm running, and supports ethical, sustainable practices. When you place an order at a big-box store, it’s just another transaction. But for your local flower farmer? It’s a reason to celebrate and I can promise there is a happy dance attached to it!

• A Personal Connection: Unlike big-box retailers, local flower farms offer a personal touch. You’re not just buying flowers; you’re forming relationships with farmers who care deeply about the quality of their blooms and the happiness of their customers.

• Community Impact: When you support a local grower, you’re supporting a dream. At Bedes Blooms, we love to give back, one of our three-year business plan goals is to create jobs for survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse. Working in the garden and with flowers helps with healing, teaches valuable life and work skills, and provides a supportive environment for rebuilding lives. Your choice to buy local flowers directly contributes to initiatives like this, creating meaningful change in the community.

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The Difference in Product Quality

Quality is everything when it comes to flowers, and the difference between locally grown and imported stems is striking:

• Immediate Hydration: Flowers from a local farm are hand-cut and placed directly into water, ensuring maximum freshness and longevity. Commercially grown stems often sit unwatered for days, drastically shortening their lifespan.

• Proper Harvesting Techniques: As a farmer-florist, I am continually educating myself on the exact moment each flower variety should be harvested for peak performance. This attention to detail results in longer-lasting, more vibrant blooms.

• Unique & Specialty Blooms: Many delicate, high-value flowers—such as lisianthus—suffer in transit and are rarely available from wholesalers. Locally grown flowers provide access to specialty blooms that are nearly impossible to source commercially. Many of these varieties are exclusive to local growers because they do not ship well, giving customers access to flowers they won’t find in a grocery store bouquet.

Dahlias, dahlias, dahlias

Unique & Specialty blooms available from a local grower.

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Why Work with a Local Flower Farmer for Weddings & Events?

If you’re planning an event, sourcing flowers from a local farmer offers benefits beyond just aesthetics:

• Cost Savings: Cutting out the middleman means you get a higher-quality product for your budget.

• Customizable Experience: Want a more hands-on approach to your wedding flowers? Many local farmers offer a personal, tailored experience where you can choose exactly what you love.

• Guaranteed Freshness: Instead of working with flowers that have spent a week in transit, you get blooms harvested just for your special day.

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Mental Health & Well-Being Benefits

Beyond the environmental and economic impact, local flowers provide something even deeper—joy. Studies have shown that fresh flowers improve mood, reduce stress, and create a sense of calm in a space. Knowing that your flowers were grown ethically, sustainably, and with care makes them even more meaningful.

Choosing locally grown cut flowers isn’t just about buying a bouquet—it’s about making an impact. It’s about reducing waste, supporting small businesses, improving the quality of flowers in our homes and events, and knowing that every bloom was grown with care.

So next time you need flowers, consider skipping the supermarket and seeking out a local grower instead. Your community, your florist, and even your own vase life will thank you.

With gratitude & floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms & Co.

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Embracing the Rhythm of Rest and Renewal

As the calendar flips to January, the world buzzes with talk of resolutions, fresh starts, and ambitious goals. Don’t get me wrong—we love goals! Here at Bede’s Blooms + Co., we’re all about positive changes, refining our craft, and pursuing our dreams with passion. But as flower farmers, we’ve learned to flow with the natural rhythms of life, and this time of year is more about resting and dreaming than sprinting out of the gate.

In nature, life doesn’t spring forth in January. The earth is still slumbering, gathering strength for the explosion of growth in the spring. And so, we take this time to rest—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s vital to health and well-being. It’s also the fertile ground where dreams take root, and boy, do we have some incredible dreams for the 2025 growing season!

While we’re giving ourselves the space to rest and dream, we’re also carefully tending to the seeds of the future—literally and figuratively. January is a time for preparation, planning, and laying the groundwork for the breathtaking blooms to come.

What You Can Expect from Bede’s Blooms + Co. This January:

 Seed Starting

We’re kicking off our seed-starting season with lisianthus and eucalyptus. Lisianthus is a favorite here, and with over a dozen stunning varieties planned, it’s going to be a showstopper year. Have you seen this gorgeous Voyage series Champagne? Just Wait!

Lisianthus Voyage series Champagne - photo courtesy of Johnny’s Seeds

We will also be growing many other Lisianthus varieties including LisAdora Apricot, Voyage series Light Apricot, Lavender, First love, Pink Improved, and some newer types such as Pucchino Choco.

Lisianthus is one of the most enchanting flowers we grow here at Bede's Blooms. These cold-hardy annuals take time and care to cultivate, which is why we begin their journey in January. With different groups of lisianthus varieties, we plan to stagger planting times, extending their growing season to provide you with these romantic beauties for even longer. Grown close together to maximize space, lisianthus is as practical to grow as it is stunning. Their long vase life, combined with their whimsical, fluffy, and elegant aesthetic, makes them the perfect choice for any bouquet or wedding arrangement—and they bring effortless beauty to everyday spaces like your kitchen counter or dining table. A celebration filled with lisianthus? Absolute swoon-worthy!

Eucalyptus is another must-grow for us. Not only does it make for a perfect filler in bouquets, but I also love to grow enough stems to hang fresh weekly bundles in the shower. They act as natural steamers, filling the air with their soothing aroma—an absolute treat during the winter months.

Pre-Sprouting Ranunculus Corms

We’re thrilled to commit to growing ranunculus this year! These beauties will be one of a few new varieties to help bridge the gap between spring and summer flowers, and we’ve selected a variety of breathtaking colors to brighten your days. Think fluffy pastel and blush marshmallows or bright and cheery cupcakes!

Photo credit: floret

The ranunculus variety I am most excited about this year? Amandine Chamallow. With its soft, fluffy petals, its as dreamy and inviting as a pillow you want to sink into!

Low Tunnels & New Beds

This season, we’re incorporating new beds for our cold-hardy flowers, supported by low tunnels. These additions will allow us to start the season sooner, meaning we’ll have flowers in your hands earlier than ever before. We’re also planning to rotate these beds with summer annuals for maximum efficiency.

Roses and Dahlias

We’re expanding our rose collection with new additions, including many beloved David Austin varieties. These timeless blooms are a customer favorite, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

And, of course, more dahlias! Because can you ever have too many? We don’t think so.

Looking Ahead: Weddings, Pop-Ups, and More

We’re excited to share that we’ve already booked a handful of weddings for the 2025 season. If you’re considering booking us for your big day, now is the time, as we’ll be closing this option soon.

Additionally, we’re planning to attend several pop-up events in the mid-Michigan area. Stay tuned for announcements and come say hi—we love connecting with our community!

Balancing Rest and Ambition

Even with a long to-do list and ambitious plans, we’re committed to prioritizing rest, creativity, and family time this season. Winter is a season of stillness, but it’s also a season of possibility. As we dream and prepare for the year ahead, we hope you’ll join us in embracing this beautiful rhythm of rest and renewal.

Wishing you a Happy New Year! May 2025 be a year of growth, beauty, and joy for us all.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms + Co.

Welcome to Petals & Prose: Where Floral Inspiration Meets Creativity

Fresh cut dahlias in our trusty ole’ radio flyer wagon

Hello, and welcome to Petals & Prose! I’m Alex Winans, the founder of Bede’s Blooms + Co., and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. I’ve always had a deep love for flowers—a love that first bloomed in my childhood thanks to my grandmother, Susan. She had a passion for flowers, and her love for them sparked something in me that has stayed with me throughout my life.

But my journey to becoming a micro flower farmer and floral designer truly began in 2020, when I moved back to my home state of Michigan and met my now-husband, Adam. We were planning our wedding for 2022, and as we began looking into floral options, I was shocked by the astronomical quotes we received for wedding flowers. We had recently bought a fixer-upper on 1.25 acres of land, and I knew there was a large, full-sun space just waiting to be transformed into a garden. I made a decision then and there: I would grow our own wedding flowers, even though I had never grown flowers before. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to give it a try. I spent my first growing season in 2021 learning the ropes—more or less winging it—and by September 2022, I was able to create beautiful bouquets, personals and arrangements for our wedding. It was an experience that changed my life.

From that first season of growing flowers, Bede’s Blooms began to take shape. I’ve always loved flowers, and it turns out that my passion ran deeper than I ever realized. Flowers helped me through a season of grief after losing my grandmother in April 2024, where I also discovered that her mother, my great-grandmother Edna Mae, had also grown flowers and shared them with neighbors and friends. What I wouldn’t give to have a picture of her in those days, surrounded by cut blooms in her garden.

Flowers have been my constant companion through various seasons of my life—grief, postpartum, change, and embracing new roles as a wife, a bonus mom to two beautiful young girls, and a new mom to our son. Flowers have comforted me in the hardest times and brought joy during the happiest moments. They’ve been my anchor in a world of change and have rooted me right here in Mason, Michigan, my home state, where I never thought I would end up.

In 2023, I was welcomed into an incredible community of local flower growers who have brought light and inspiration into my life. We share knowledge about flowers, insects, soil health, and more, and the motto we live by is “Community over Competition.” This group of women has extended such kindness, wisdom, and understanding, not only about flowers but also about the challenges of motherhood and running small businesses. I’m beyond grateful for this community, and I can’t wait to give back and be a part of something bigger than myself.

As I continue to grow my flower business, I’m also pursuing my passion for floral design. It’s a labor of love, and I feel so fortunate to be able to create custom bouquets and designs for weddings and small events. While flower farming is incredibly labor-intensive, I couldn’t do it without the help of my husband, who has been my biggest supporter. He’s not just free labor—he’s my encouragement, my rock, and my partner in all things flowers. None of this would be possible without him.

I also want to take a moment to thank God for leading me down this path. Without His guidance and confirmation, I wouldn’t be here today. This business is more than just about flowers—it’s about fulfilling a purpose. Bede’s Blooms + Co. is my way of making fresh flowers more accessible to brides and families, offering affordable DIY and full-service wedding floral options. I believe every bride deserves the beauty of fresh flowers on her wedding day, and working with a grower-florist has its unique advantages, especially when it comes to having a hands-on piece in your florals.

Sustainability is also a huge part of my values. I’m passionate about supporting local farmers and small businesses because, as a society, we need to prioritize our environment. Flowers grown locally help reduce emissions, and by buying from local farmers, you support healthier ecosystems and the pollinators that play such a vital role in our food system. I am committed to growing flowers without harmful chemicals, pesticides, or fungicides, and I hope to one day incorporate bees into our farm to support pollinators even more.

Another cause close to my heart is fighting human trafficking. A portion of the proceeds from Bede’s Blooms will go to local ministries that are working to end exploitation, and I am proud to use my business as a platform to support this important work. Flowers have always been a symbol of hope and love for me, and I want to extend that love and hope to others in need.

As I continue to grow Bede’s Blooms + Co., I’m still figuring out what my future holds. I work full-time and manage a family with three children, a dog, two cats, and now, three chickens. I’m not sure if I want flowers to be a full-time career, but I’m open to wherever this journey takes me. What I do know is that I am passionate about sharing flowers with our local communities in Mason, Holt, Lansing, and beyond.

Bede’s Blooms was originally called Bede Botanical + Co., which is still active today as a place where my mother and I make small-batch botanical soaps, using herbs, flowers, and botanicals I grow on the farm. The name “Bede” (Bee-Dee) comes from a family nickname my mom gave me when I was born, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

I am so excited to have you join me on this journey. Here on Petals & Prose, I’ll be sharing everything from flower care tips and seasonal bloom trends to personal stories and insights into the life of a micro-flower farmer and floral designer. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more with you as we grow together—literally and figuratively.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms & Co.