Kingfisher Farm Market
512-172 Street V3Z 9R3 Surrey, BC, Canada

Give a flower subscription for Mother's Day! Our Mother's Day special includes: a Mother's Day bouquet a beautiful art card... 8 weeks of bouquets July/August Tag someone who may need a Mother’s Day hint

It feels so good to be back harvesting flowers this week. We’ve had a beautiful crop of double daffodils and I’ve already ordered double for next year! We had some of our farm crew begin work spreading compost, planting out flower seedlings, preparing the tomato greenhouse and weeding (of course!). The week has not without it’s set backs. Our tulips have suffered due to voles feasting on them. Our second hand BSC tractor is turning out to have a lot of problems. We’ve bee...n dealing with a fungal disease in the ranunculus greenhouse. The goats keeping finding holes in the fence to escape to greener grass. But you know, that’s farming! Thanks to my son Simon for taking time to do little flower photoshoots and to Kate for helping out with farm tasks this week. I’d love to hear highs or lows from your week.

On this Easter weekend- peace to you It’s our first little ranunculus harvest (they go first to our subscriptions;). I’m having a hard time feeling like it’s Easter without some of our usual rituals but I am trying to stay attentive to signs of new life around me and inside of me. ... What are you noticing this weekend? #ranunculusseason #easter2021 #flowerfarmer #southsurreywhiterock #yourneighbourhoodfarm #ranunculuslove #springflowers

For those of you who are connected to kids you’ll know that spring break is coming to an end. It really did feel like a kick start to spring. I was a little stuck at what to do to make it special so I was so thankful when a friend invited Simon and Paul winter backpacking for a few days. They had an amazing time! Kate and I stayed back (preferring our warm beds and comfortable house over the ice and snow) and took in downtown Langley and a special evening together. The ...weeks had a number of stellar sunny days that had me out weeding and kids enjoying outside time together here at the farm. There’s something about that that feels so life-giving. What have been the gems of spring break for you? pictured here: Eveline dahlia, purple stock and lady’s mantle from spring 2020

So much green is on it’s way.Happy St. Patrick’s Day! An Irish Blessing for today by John O’Donohue "As the wind loves to call things to dance, May your gravity by lightened by grace.... Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth, May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect. As water takes whatever shape it is in, So free may you be about who you become."

Oh zinnias! Today is the day I seed the majority of my zinnias. They are the colour kick, the work horse, the dependable flower of this farm. They were the first flower that I had a big crop of when I first began flower farming (7 years ago). Zinnias are quick to germinate. They are the seedling that is best loved by the slugs so they need a lot of protection and oversight when they are young. When I am old and my grandchildren bring me flowers, I hope they’ll bring me zinn...ias. What flower is most nostalgic for you?

Into perennials these days. Paul and I had a little date to Cedar Rim nursery the other day and checked a few off our list. This #pierisjaponica blooms at the perfect time for spring bouquets and the scent is amazing. More perennials arriving this week ... #perenialflowers #flowerfarmer #cutflowergrower #locallygrownflowers #fragrantblooms #springinwhiterock See more

You know how it is when you have been doing something, like riding a bike - for years. You’ve learned the technique there’s something that feels second nature about it and then something in the environment or your mind set shifts and you are second guessing each maneuver? That’s a bit how we’re feeling over here. We’ve been farming for 16 years but there’s things going wrong this year; little things that feel big or ominous. Like misplacing a packet of pepper seeds (ones w...e really love), experiencing horrible germination on sun gold tomatoes (the ones everyone loves), not ordering enough of a certain seed. Little things - things that will definitely not break the season, things that are re-plantable and fixable but things that seed self-doubt and worry. We are so far from having it all together. It's not really a great revelation as much as it is a comfort that each seasons things grow in spite of us. Picture of zinnias in the height of their great abundance of summer;)

Comparison anxiety anyone? I’d like to think I’m immune to comparing myself to others - feeling pretty confident in my own skin. But there’s nothing like a few weeks of seeing other farmers seeding things before me and transplanting seedlings before me to get the heart rate up just a bit. It was reassuring for Paul and I to read the latest post from @uprisingseeds to be reminded that we are not all on the same schedule. This lineyou’re not already behind, just helped us breathe a bit deeper. We have farmed on this land before. We know how wet our soil is and when we can usually start planting things out. It might not be keeping up to other farmers on instagram but I imagine there are other things you see that are make you wonder and doubt yourself. You are not already behind

I had such a great day today. This picture is not really going to do justice to the feeling of the day. The farm was bustling with folks picking up their dahlia tuber orders and egg subscriptions. I had lots of chats about dahlia growing and care in between getting a huge number of our dahlia tubers potted up to kick start their growing. Sometimes just working alone on my little farm list gets a tad lonely for my extrovert self so having conversations and people coming and going felt good. The sun was up, I had several initial anemone blooms and received news that my kids can start taking the bus again (that’s a whole other story!).

Let's get non-food vendors back into BC Farmers Markets. We can do this well - florists and artisans can be safely included so that the public has access to these amazing goods. Here is a petition begun by The Front Yard Flower Co. and River and Sea Flowers - Please sign. http://chng.it/4cH62s565x

I’m not a big podcast girl like Paul but there is something about listening to stories of people doing similar work that energizes and moves me. It’s quite something to farm in the midst of so much information and story sharing. This morning I listened to Sarah and Carl of @stone_meadow_flowers share a bit about their farming journey with #sustainableflowerspodcast I am moved by stories of farmers having huge crop upsets and then pivoting and carrying on. I think it conne...cts with me because the farming life is fragile - all life is fragile - but as farmers there is this long range trajectory and trust when we put seeds into trays or into the ground we are hoping for such big returns.and it doesn’t always work. That’s crushing, and terrifying and yet there are so many stories of resilience it gives me incredible hope. I was also grateful for their conversation around sustainability (what that means to them) - how they care for their land in the way they grow their crops and also about how they care for themselves in the way they make business decisions and work boundaries. Like them, we have chosen to grow most of our flowers in landscape plastic with holes in it which feels like too much plastic but we hold this in tension with the hours of back breaking, time consuming weeding that we are alleviating. With Paul and I both farming full-time at Kingfisher this year we are choosing to cultivate some new rhythms. We have always strived to take Sundays off (except for watering etc) but what would it look like to stop work at 5pm each dayor at least some days:) We’re in this for the long haul. This winter that has meant taking time to do yoga together so that our bodies are up to the crazy summer days, choosing to spend the big bucks on a wash station that will make one piece of our farming more efficient, hiring a farm crew to work alongside us and really soaking up these winter days - because spring is coming.

Happy Friday! It’s cold and sunny here. I’m trying to clean my bathroom but I’m getting distracted with pictures of flowers! What are you putting off doing?... I seeded #larkspur this week and there’s lots coming up from last year as well. Spring is coming!

Are you getting married this year or know someone who is? We are now booking for our 2021 wedding season. Dates available for July and August. We offer DIY wedding buckets. You can choose your colour scheme and we will put together a bucket of blooms that fit that colour scheme and what is growing during the time of your wedding. Each order comes with 3 buckets; 2 of blooms 1 of greenery. You can add on a walk around with the farmer to have more input on which flowers are included in the buckets. Head to our website to order (link in bio)

For our #topnine2020 I thought I would move away from the beautiful flower pictures and showcase the work of 2020. The pictures still aren’t very gritty but they highlight some of the folks behind pulling this market season off (there’s so many more). In the middle you’ll see our farm mates in one of our monthly work days - where we always take a picture. Here we’re all spread out Covid style. Even with all the ways that Covid kept us apart it was heartening to know we could ...still care for this land together, safely. Another new thing for 2020 was offering online ordering and contactless pick up - it was fun to be able to do that with my daughter in May. To flowers, masks, friends and family- here’s to 2020. Don’t worry- beautiful flower pictures aren’t far behind. #2020 #kingfisherfarmmarket #farmingin2020 #southsurreywhiterock #yourneighbourhoodfarm #localmarket #localfarmers

Blessing to you on this longest night of the year. I’m not wanting to rush us towards the light - because these days of darkness hold important things for us as well. These white flowers represent the moon and the light of the night sky (didn’t have any black flower photos). I cannot tell you how the light comes. What I know is that it is more ancient than imagining. That it travels across an astounding expanse to reach us..... Jan Richardson

What does hibernation look like on you? And then, pulled into her shell, encased in darkness, she settled into a deep stillness. (Gayle Boss) It sounds wonderful, but maybe I’m a little more like an opossum than a turtle - only managing 3 days of hibernation before needing contact with the outside world again. Each year it takes me until the first week of December to really sink into this hibernation season. My heart rate slows, my inner drive slows, I’ve spent a few days... enveloped in a good novel and I’m fine with not spending my days outside. But if I’m really honest - a few days of that and I’m a bit restless. I love the steady paced, full list of things to do that the farming season brings me. I’m a planner, a do-er. But this season requires a different kind of attention. Attention to my heart, to what is making me impatient and frustrated with those around me (my dear family) and how to lower my expectations of myself - and others. This hibernation season is really important as a farmer - I need to store up energy for the coming months. What does your slowing down look like?

Our flower subscriptions make a great gift. It’s one of those gifts that keeps on giving - weekly flowers. Our Spring subscription gives 5 weeks of spring blooms (specialty daffodils, tulips, anemone and ranunculus). These begin at the end of March. I remember last year this being an amazing pick-me up as COVID descended on us and the days needed much brightening. We don’t know exactly what this spring will look like but I know beauty as we unfold from winter is always we...lcome. Sure, you can grab a bunch of cheaper tulips at any point at the grocery store (and I may!) - but you will know the goodness of sustainably grown, received by you within days or hours of being picked, small farm supported blooms. We have a limited number of subscriptions available so head to our website now to order (link in bio). If you are getting it as a gift, be sure to fill that in when prompted and I’ll send you a postcard that you can give with your gift.

Sometimes it’s not the beautiful, big blooms that make the favourites list - though definitely stunning. This year it was #brightlightscosmos These bright little gems were the perfect thing to add texture and pop to our market bouquets. I also really loved just bringing a handful of these stems into my house - such cheer. I wonder what next years surprising gem will be?

We are excited to welcome you back to our barn for our 3rd annual Holiday Market on Saturday December 5, 1-4pm. More info on the vendors in the days to come! As with most things in 2020 it won't be the same as last year but we are confident that we can do this safely. We will be having 10 wonderful vendors (spaced outside, in the barn and in another out-building). ... Masks will be mandatory. There will be greeters ensuring physical distancing and vendor tables will be adequately spaced so that you can have a safe experience. This is a gift to be able to support local vendors during this season and we look forward to being able to welcome you safely. That said, we will continue watching health regulations and will update you if it needs to be cancelled for this year. Much health and hope to each of you! -- Kingfisher Farm Market 512-172 Street

Maybe you’re feeling it too- this underlying anxiety; pandemic, elections... Today’s outdoor work, planting ranunculus corms was a welcome reprieve from scrolling through news, listening to rising numbers and trying to navigate doing life amidst a pandemic. So as you’re taking deep breaths today and tomorrow I hope you are able to access the support, peace and health you need ... #grounded #mentalhealthmatters #deepbreathinghelps #naturetherapy #farmingtherapy

I feel like I’m always finding ways to qualify for myself or others if I’m a real farmer or not. For example: a real farmer would have enjoyed going out to prepare a bed for planting, laying out drip line, marking straight rows etc (I was not looking forward to it at all). I am however really looking forward to planting the ranunculus corms into the greenhouse on Monday real farming work! I guess the truth is that there are lots of parts of being a farmer. I’m not good a...t all the parts. I don’t enjoy all the parts. But I imagine if you know me you would say I’m a real farmer. I feel a deep connection to this patch of land. I work a lot on this patch of land. It’s really that way with all of our roles sometimes we feel like a fake and hopefully sometimes it feels like our own skin; and along the way it’s really good to have companionship. I’m grateful to be farming with Paul, with the support of my parents and our farmmates, amongst our children. #farminglife #wearefarming #realfarmers #thisisfarming #arealfarmer

a bundle of cheese, a bag of apples and some good 'ol root vegetables! - https://mailchi.mp//a-bundle-of-cheese-a-bag-of-apples-and

Tuesday is our last market of 2020. It always feels a bit surreal to be at our last market, especially this season when so much was uncertain. In May the thing we knew for certain is that we were committed to farming and contributing to food security for this neighbourhood and beyond. We weren't totally sure how we would get the food to you and if we would be well enough etc, etc. As a society, we are still living with many unknowns but it was certain that you showed up an...d ate well this summer! You soaked in the beauty of this land, the lavish flowers, the many weeks of fennel and spinach, the glorious tomatoes, the tender lettuce (wow - you ate lettuce!) and loved on our goats. We were blown away each week but the numbers of customers and the way you were able to make it a safe and warm shopping experience. From Paul and I and all of us at Kingfisher Farm - thank you! Hope to see you at our last market this Tuesday, 11-6:00!

I am still taking a few more orders for apples. The Ambrosia apples will arrive for Tuesday market on September 22 and the Pink Lady and Fuji will arrive early October. These are Certified Organic apples from Cawston BC. Head to our website to pre-order your apples. https://kingfisher-farm.square.site/

It stacked up to be a great first day of Fall. Many of you welcomed this day with a box brimming with winter squash and sweet peppers! Here’s to fall feasting, darkness that invites us into cozy chairs and good books, colourful leaves, putting the gardens to bed and planting spring bulbs! #firstdayoffall #kingfishergarmmarket #eatlocal #seasonaleating #wintersquash #speckledhoundsquash #whitepumpkins #rougevifdetampes #pumpkins

One more thing for this morning: here's the recipe of the week: Roasted beet, apple and squash salad. Find it here on our website. https://www.kingfisherfarmmarket.com/recipes-and-news

And.... we have t-shirts for sale!! Right now there are just unisex but we'll have women's t-shirts that are a bit more fitted arriving soon (hopefully before the end of the season!) Also available through out online store! https://kingfisher-farm.square.site/

Every year week get amazing certified organic apples delivered to us from Cawston BC. We still have some Fuji and Pink Lady apples available for pre-order through our online store. These will arrive after the first frost (maybe first week of October). https://kingfisher-farm.square.site/

So good - my hands are soaked in the scent of rosemary. I love using herbs in my flower bouquets. The season begins with mint (and apple mint if there’s enough), then there’s basil, lemon balm, sage, oregano and finally rosemary. Most of the flowers I grow don’t have much of a fragrance so it’s so refreshing to work with the aromatic herbs while designing the bouquets. As a #flowerfarmerflorist who primarily makes mixed bouquets the big task is to grow enough filler (that... stuff that fills out a bouquet and makes it look more than a few beautiful blooms, it really helps the flowers shine). There is never enough and we are always scrounging it feels like. So each year we add more fillers to our list. #herbsinbouquets #rosemary #fragrantbouquets

The days have flown by and before the flowers fade completely I took some time to document some of our varieties this year. #dahlias #flowerfarmerflorist #zinnias #capturingsummer #capturingflowers #flowercatalogue #endoftheseason

Having a hard time being motivated to harvest in the heat today but there’s still flowers to be had. Don’t get me wrong - so happy for this heat to keep the peppers ripening. Preparing DIY wedding buckets for this weekend as well as flowers for subscription bouquets. They’ll be flowers and eggs at the roadside tomorrow. If you’re not signed up for our newsletter head to our website to sign up so you don’t miss all the news and recipes. ... #flowerfarmerflorist #harvestday #flowers #dahlia #lilactimedahlia #gittscrazydahlia #chamoisaster #cosmos #kingfisherfarmmarket

These amazing charcuterie boards are available on Tuesday and then together with some other goodies on our online store (for pick up on Friday). Brent has been working at creating these boards from trees that have been milled here at the farm. Pick one up to bring for an evening on the patio with friends. This will include one handcrafted wooden charcuterie board, a jar of Paul's fermented dill pickles, pepperoni from Gelderman's, 3 packages of cheese from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and a basket of cherry tomatoes. Order online www.kingfisherfarmmarket.com

Paul was smiling when they pulled the rest of the onions this week. Lots of big, solid yellow onions. We've had lots of small ones to begin with so this felt satisfying - you'll enjoying frying these up this week. Carmelized onions and peppers anyone? There is lots to update you on this week - read carefully:) We are starting our online orders again this week and have a special line up to offer you for contactless pick up this Friday September 11. Visit our website to pl...ace your order. Orders need to be received by Wednesday September 9, 9am. This week at our Tuesday market we have a few other vendors joining us on the lawn as you come towards the barn. We have Paula who sells amazing preserves (jams and juices), Katie and her daughter selling upcycled jewellery, cards and notepads by Solene and Kate and Brent with his framed prints/wooden candle holders.

So much beautiful fennel - and great ideas to use it - https://mailchi.mp//so-much-beautiful-fennel-and-great-ide

The bouquets keep coming! I’m going on hour 6 of designing today. The flowers were all picked yesterday before the rain so they’re in amazing shape! You’ll find #cafeaulaitdahlias #yellowzinnia #hotbiscuitsamaranth #redspikeamaranth #swintonsalmondahlia #bellsofireland #triticale #doubleclickcranberrycosmos #petrasweddingdahlia #carlchilsondahlia and more in the bouquets today! Our roadside is 512-172 street cash or etransfer to [email protected] @ Kingfisher Farm Market