Using locally grown Blooms

Provided.

Peach ranunculus.

At Blooms, one of our goals when we started our business was to work with local Tehachapi growers when possible in order to source fresh flowers grown right here in Tehachapi soil. There are several advantages and benefits to using local sources.

First, when we buy locally sourced flowers, we know exactly how old those flowers are, whether or not they have had pesticides used on them, and how they have been handled, basically from the seed stage to the cutting stage. Sometimes I even cut them myself, which means they just don't get any fresher.

Secondly, when we buy locally sourced flowers, we help support other small businesses and entrepreneurs who are committed to growing our economy. When we can buy local, shop local, source local and support local, that means more money stays in Tehachapi and changes hands directly with the same hands that help build our community.

This is a perfect moment to give a shout-out of appreciation to the local growers I have had the pleasure of working with so far. Hummingbird Acres grows beautiful ranunculus, cosmos, dahlias and so much more; I have personally taken my own snips to Diane's greenhouse and chosen my blooms while they are still on the stem. Old Town Flower Farm is a local staple, having supplied Tehachapi with flowers for years now and being a reliable and friendly presence at the Farmers Market and at their flower stand on South Street.

Jacki is a wonderful source for a wide-variety of blooms, as well, including but not limited to lilacs, ranunculus, tulips, irises and daffodils. She always has helpful handling tips when I stop by to see what she has for me each week, and there truly is nothing like creating with flowers so fresh they slept in the soil the night before.

Allyson at Everroad Acres is currently growing her sunflower patch where I was able to cut my own sunflowers right in the field last summer and fall. Showcasing a range of yellows, oranges and browns, Everroad sunflowers are always a popular addition to the designs leaving the Blooms studio.

Each of these farms I mentioned above also sells directly to the public, so check them out further if you are wanting some brand new, fresh from the ground, locally grown color in your life. A huge round of applause and a heartfelt thank you goes out to each of these local ladies who grow the flowers and have collaborated with me in sourcing locally grown selections to add to my arrangements. (If you are a local grower that I have not yet worked with, I would love to hear from you.)

Next time you order with Blooms, ask about our local options. We're always happy to customize and do our best to acquire the freshest, most interesting and widely varied flowers for our designs so you can order with confidence in the quality you will receive. Thank you for supporting our business and for helping to sustain Tehachapi's local economy. Until next time, keep on blooming and keep shopping local!

You can contact us at (661) 557-5083.