Nothing says spring quite like a bunch of sweet-smelling, just-blossomed flowers in all the colors of the rainbow. And where best to find this seasonal bounty than directly at the source: local flower farms that grow the entire spectrum of floral varieties.
An excursion to a flower farm makes for a delightful family outing on a sunny day. Some farms let visitors cut their own flowers, while others combine the experience with bonus farm activities, such as animal encounters and tasty treats. From tiny urban flower stands to farther-afield day-trip destinations, these local flower farms let you stop and smell the flowers.
Homegrown: Get your freshly picked blooms at these Seattle-area farms
West Seattle Flower Farm
Small but mighty aptly describes this micro flower farm in Seattle’s Highland Park neighborhood. Owner Stephanie, a self-professed “wannabe urban farmer and recovering plant killer” (and mom to a toddler) began her business as a hobby that, she says, “got a bit out of hand.” Her biggest flower love are whimsical, colorful dahlias, which she grows in the summer and sells their tubers in spring. While the tiny farm isn’t open to the public, Stephanie runs an adorable flower stand selling freshly cut flowers and bouquets in Mason jars in front of her home in the spring and fall. She also offers bouquet subscriptions during the two growing seasons.
Fresh Flower Farm
What started as an immigrant family’s American dream in 1995 has grown from its humble beginnings as a small flower stand to a flower farm covering more than 14 acres. Operating today in the Kent Valley and Monroe, this family-run flower business is celebrating 26 years of making people happy with their local, freshly cut flowers and beautiful floral arrangements. The season opens in March, and all manner of stunning blooms await — such as rainbow tulips, cheery daffodils, delicate peonies and other varieties. Pick out one of their gorgeous bouquets on-site, or pre-order online to save time.
Whistling Train Farm
Another gem tucked away in the fertile Kent Valley, Whistling Train Farm lets visitors cut flowers fresh from its fields. Pick up a pair of clippers and a pitcher (or bucket if you’re going big) and clip to your heart’s content as you wander the pretty planted rows, each conveniently marked with the flower name for those who are not well-versed in the garden arts. The containers need to stay on the farm, so bring your own to transport your blooms home. Don’t trust yourself to clip? The staff can help cut the flowers for you. There are two U-pick flower options: $15 for a pitcher of blooms and $30 for a bucket, and is free for the farm’s CSA members.
Flower Farmer Girls
A love of flowers passed down through generations powers this farm in Snohomish, run by a mother-and-daughter duo. A spin-off of the popular pumpkin patch destination Swan’s Trail Farms, Flower Farmer Girls started as a small homestead in 2013 and is now home to a variety of organically grown perennial and annual blooms. While the flowers aren’t sold to walk-in customers, the farm offers several bouquet subscription options for the spring and summer: Choose your season or flower varietal, and take home a gorgeous floral arrangement each week from April through September.
Got your gorgeous bunch of flowers? Here’s how to keep them looking pretty for longer:
Get the stems out of the hot sun and into a cool place as soon as possible. (Consider visiting the farm in the morning, when the blooms are at their freshest.)
Submerge the stems in water as soon as you can; once home, cut the stems again while keeping the ends underwater, which helps absorb moisture and avoid vapor lock.
Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center
Local families already know and love Oxbow Farm for its awesome offerings, such as its educational farm tours and fall festivities. Now, there’s one more reason to stop by in the spring and summer: its U-pick flower fields. Sunflowers, zinnias and strawflowers are just a sampling of what’s in bloom during those seasons. Create your own freshly cut bouquets ($2 per stem or 10 stems for $15). Then, head out to explore the farm’s awesome living playground, climbing tractor and nature trails, or enjoy a picnic with some goodies from the farm stand.
First Light Farm
Carnation’s First Light Farm and Learning Center focuses on connecting people to the land through its sustainable farming practices and various programs, such as the mini farm community gardens, CSA and U-pick harvest offerings. In the spring and summer, this also means flowers, beginning with bright yellow daffodils, the harbingers of sunshine. Families are welcome to come and cut their own (bring your own scissors). While there, load up on the other U-pick goodies for your dinner table, such as veggies, fruit and other fresh produce. Check the farm’s Facebook page for calendar updates.
Snofalls Lavender
Ahh, lavender! This familiar fragrant floral is touted for its relaxation-inducing properties and versatile use in everything from cooking to cosmetics. Fields of it also make stunning photo backdrops. And Seattle-area families now have one in our own backyard. Snofalls Lavender in Fall City welcomes visitors for its lavender season, which usually starts sometime in July. Entry is $5 (free for kids 12 and younger) and includes a U-cut bouquet (baskets and scissors are provided) and plenty of photo ops in the lovely fields of purple, white and pink flowers. Pick up one of the farm’s lavender-scented goodies, such as soaps, sachets or essential oils, before you leave.
Floral field trips: Make it a day trip and drive out to these blossoming destinations
Chocolate Flower Farm
You won’t have any trouble luring the kids out to a farm called Chocolate Flower Farm. You may want to warn them, though, that the flowers are not, in fact, made of chocolate. The name comes from the rare, dark-colored varieties that the Whidbey Island farm specializes in growing. But the kids won’t be disappointed. There is plenty of chocolaty goodness to be picked up along with your blooms, from fudge and jams to chocolate-infused candles and body products. There are also chocolate-themed veggies to pick (chocolate cherry tomatoes!), and two friendly goats to meet, along with ducks, geese and chickens that lay chocolate-colored eggs.
Sequim Lavender Experience
True to its reputation, the town of Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula transforms lavender into an experience not to be missed. More than a dozen farms offer lavender goodies galore all summer long, along with stunning field settings, lavender-themed festivals, special events and shopping. Kid-friendly picks include Fleurish Lavender farm for its cute alpacas, fruit orchards and yard games, as well as nearly 100 lavender varieties; and Purple Haze Lavender for its yummy lavender-flavored ice cream and lemonade.
Wilderbee Farm
This beautiful farm just outside the quaint town of Port Townsend has almost every type and variety of flower you can think of — all available for you to cut for a $9 twist-tie bouquet. More than 70 organic ornamentals, herbs and edibles are available, including more than 30 varieties of vibrant, spotlight-grabbing dahlias alone; baskets and snips are provided. There are also activities to be had on your visit, including visiting with cute farm critters for the kids and imbibing in a mead tasting room for the grown-ups.
Before you go:
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