<![CDATA[Barry Farms Mills River, NC - Blog]]>Wed, 15 May 2024 22:49:15 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Dried Flower Care]]>Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:22:31 GMThttp://barryfarmsnc.com/blog/dried-flower-careIt is still winter so I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about dried flowers one last time before the spring flowers are in full swing. Lots of you received or bought my valentines bouquets and wreaths a few weeks ago. Want to know how to keep them bright and cherry? Read on! Picture
  Best Dried Flower Care:
-No water
-Keep them inside
-Away from direct sunlight
-Avoid an area where they would get touched or moved 

  • People always ask "How long do they last?" Well the answer isn't quite that simple. I think its preference and I usually answer with at least one year. That way each fall/winter you buy a fresh bouquet. But it's entirely up to you! I've had dried flower wreaths in my own house for multiple years, I think I have one that is at year 6 right now? The flowers naturally fade overtime, so the more sunlight they are exposed to, the quicker they'll fade. If you think they're still pretty after a year, keep them till you no longer get joy out of them! And remember they are fragile, if you touch them they'll likely shed a little. I don't recommend wreaths on a door, as pretty as they would be, every time you close that door, flower confetti will fall. But wreaths inside on a wall, they're a one of a kind piece of art!

And remember they're dried, they need no water, ever. I gifted my grandma, who is in a nursing home some dried flowers for Valentine's Day. Last week when I visited, those flowers were in a vase of water. That hurt my sole. Disgusting water surrounding my beautiful dried flowers ughhhh.

Some don't want dried flowers up year round. I mean nothing beats in season fresh flowers. But don't throw the dried flowers away! Store them in a box where they'll be dry, no light and nothing to squish them. Dried flowers are very fragile! Pull them out next fall and they should look exactly the same!
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We grow, harvest and dry all the flowers I use!

Have any questions or special order requests? Email me! I have a few weddings next year that I am SO excited about. These requests take more planning because I have to hoard certain colors and varieties!! 
]]><![CDATA[Edible Flower Cake]]>Thu, 06 Jul 2023 11:14:48 GMThttp://barryfarmsnc.com/blog/edible-flower-cakeDo you want to be instantly wowed by your friends and family? Say no more: EDIBLE FLOWERS!

Hopefully you guys are weeping the rewards of your edible flowering plants like I am. If not make sure you plan to get these next spring. Think fancy salads, ice cubes, desserts. 

Edible flowering plants that we sell: borage, nasturtium, gem marigolds, calendula, violas and several herbs are starting to flower now like mints that of course also have edible flowers!

There's so many things you can do with edible flowers but since it was my birthday recently, I thought it would be fun for my boys to help decorate my cake with flowers. Look how stinking cute! Here we used borage, lavender and a cute little cucumber blossom. 
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Remember if you are foraging from your own garden, to make sure you are certain which flowers are edible. If you need any help identifying, I'd be happy to help! And if you'd rather skip the foraging part shoot me an email. I most likely can pick you a little box depending on the season. A lot of our cut flowers are also edible. So much fun! I'd love to get more into edible flowers but it's a lot of time that I just don't have right now. In the meantime I'd be happy to teach you what you can eat form your own garden or landscape!

Pictured below is: gem marigolds, bachelor buttons, borage and violas
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]]><![CDATA[Infused Water with Mint]]>Sat, 24 Jun 2023 19:22:43 GMThttp://barryfarmsnc.com/blog/infused-water-with-mintWe love mints over here. They can be aggressive growers but there are SO many uses for them! From health benefits to natural insect deterrent.  But our favorite reason to grow mint: infused water and I'll teach you how!

First off we offer the following varieties: Spearmint, Mojito Mint, Peppermint, Curly Mint, Chocolate Mint, Apple Mint, Pineapple Mint, Orange Mint, Strawberry Mint, Banana Mint, Lemon Mint, Lime Mint, Grapefruit Mint and Pear Mint. 

Mints do exceptionally great in a large pot or even a hanging basket. They are perennials with little care that can take full sun to part shade. It's true, it can be hard to kill mint! I have 6 different pots of mint on my patio. They make an easy planter that fills up quickly and even attracts pollinators when in bloom.

Infused water is a great way to stay hydrated during these summer months without packing on the calories. Heres my go to infused water recipe and the mints truly add such a great flavor!!

Mint Infused Water Recipe:

-Place 1 sprig of mint  into a glass
-Muddle the mint with the back of a spoon to help release flavors
-Fill the glass with 2 cups of water
-Place in the fridge for at least one hour
-Drink and enjoy

Add fresh fruit or cucumbers for more added flavor!

The combinations are endless!! And I would love to hear what your favorite will be.
My personal favorite: a few fresh strawberries with strawberry mint.


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