It's pretty common for us to get asked the same questions over and over, and although we love chatting with you sometimes it's quicker for us to refer you to our FAQs. Find a list of them here, which we will add to as the questions roll through.
Q. How long will my cut flower bouquet last?
A. The short answer is about a week, give or take a few days. The long answer is it's extremely difficult for us to tell you how long your bouquet will last because a majority of that will depend entirely on how you take care of your flowers. We do everything in our power to bring you the freshest flowers that we have. Some flowers last longer than others, and that is just how God made them. Sweet Peas are never going to last as long as Lisianthus, and that's Ok! Thats part of what makes them special. For tips on how to care for your flowers, check out our page on "Caring for your flowers". If longevity is important to you, you can always ask what we think will last you the longest.
Q. Where are you located?
A. We are just 10 minutes south of the Perimeter on Highway 75. If you've ever taken a trip from Winnipeg to Grand Forks it's likely you've driven right by without even noticing. For more in depth directions please check out our "Our Location" page on the website. Planning on just showing up? Please make an appointment first. Thank you :)
Q. Do you let people just come and look at your gardens?
A. The short answer is no. We are a working farm, and in summer we are extremely busy working from sun up to sun down. We DO open up the farm by appointment, and we are looking at more events and ways to include our community in our farm. We also love to rent out the gardens for photographers. If you'd like to come out to the farm please reach out first. We'd be happy to chat with you! If you're interested in coming out to the farm often, consider our mentorship program!
Q. Do you teach classes?
A. Yes! We teach wreath making workshops both in person and virtually every winter, and are also available for spring/summer/fall wreath making workshops. We would love to do more bouquet, arrangement making, and gardening workshops so look out for those coming in the future.
Q. I want to start flower farming, what do I do?
A. Start growing flowers, and create a clientele to sell to. As this grows, plant more. It's going to be a lot of trial and error, but do what works for you not what everyone else is doing or what you think you should be doing. For a list of our favourite cut flowers check out our blog post "Our favourite cut flowers".
Q. What do you do in winter?
A. Most people think flower farming is an "only summer" job. Summer is our busy season, but there are always things to be done even when we aren't selling flowers. We typically sell from July-October, but we start seeding plants December, and clean up the garden and prepare for winter after the growing season, so theres very little time we don't have our hands in the dirt. We also keep busy in the winter by planning the gardens and what we will offer in the summer, purchasing seeds, organizing, and preparing any way possible so that summer we have less to worry about. We also try to take some time off from flowers. In the summer months we put in double time so it's only healthy to recover by taking some much needed time away from flowers.
Q. How long have you been doing this?
A. Together as a team, we are going into our 25th season (thats 50 years combined experience not to mention Carol's gardening experience long pre-dates actually farming flowers). We are the longest running single ownership cut flower farm in Manitoba. We have contemplated retiring from flower farming MANY times. After the crazy summer season it's not uncommon for us to feel so burnt out that we just aren't sure we want to do it again. Then we have a bit of a break and remember all the beautiful flowers, and all the people we get to meet and we start all over again.
Q. What kind of education do you have?
A. Carol worked at a florist shop for years, and has taken both in person and online courses. She has been gardening her entire life and has gained an immense amount of knowledge through that. I (Marianne) have been watching my mom do what she does my entire life. Most of what I have learnt is through her, but I too have taken online courses and have researched a lot of information online.
Q. Why do custom bouquets/arrangements cost more?
A. Any time requests for specific colours or items are made, the time required to put that together for you is greater. Because of this we have to charge more. When we put together a custom bouquet for you, you are our priority, and we have to charge accordingly.
Q. Do you do Wedding and Event flowers?
A. Yes! We are available to do wedding and event flowers year round. Obviously we do not grow our own flowers in the winter, but we have access to supplier flowers to make your vision come to life. Wedding and event pricing is completely different from Farmers Market Pricing, and all weddings and events require a complementary consultation. Please email us if you'd like to chat with us about a wedding or event!
Q. Why are Wedding and Event flowers different pricing from Farmer's Market bouquets?
A. Wedding and event flowers cost more because of the time, effort, energy, product, and education we are putting into your special day. It's our goal to make sure that the flowers you receive for these special days are perfect. It takes us a great deal of time to plan out, source out, and bring your vision to life. Even if you're looking for that "farmer's market style", quite frankly it takes us much longer to put together your bouquets. Often we pick things specifically with your bouquets and arrangements in mind, and every flower is custom to your vision. Also, we often add supplier flowers to our bouquets, or in the off season our weddings are completely supplier product. The cost of these flowers is often greater.
Q. Do you deliver?
A. At this time we do not offer delivery. We are a two woman team, and in the summer months we are so busy that taking the time to make deliveries costs us big time. We have a few drop off/pickup locations in the summer, and we try to make that as easy and convenient for you as possible. During the winter months we don't offer delivery because our order volume is greatly decreased. We are happy to chat with you in the winter months about meeting up in the city to exchange product though if that works better for you! Just send us an email.
A. For weddings and events we do offer delivery at a charge. These quotes can be given in your wedding quote given after your consultation.
Q. How do I get a quote for my wedding or event?
A. We ask that if you're planning an event, you book a consultation with us. Each event is unique to the individual, and it's impossible for us to give you an accurate quote without meeting with you either in person or via zoom or facetime. (Right now we are only doing virtual consultations)
Q. Do you do weddings/events when you don't have garden flowers?
A. Yes! We have access to supplier flowers all year long. If you'd like yo plan with us, please book a consultation!
Q. Can I skip weeks of my subscription?
A. Yes! If you have a 4 or 8 week subscription we are happy to skip a week or alternate weeks with bouquets as long as your subscription is used up within the timeframe stated on our website. If you'd like to do this, we ask your request is made by the MONDAY of that week so that we can plan and pick accordingly. Unfortunately due to our short season if you have a 12 week subscription we cannot skip weeks to prolong your subscription. However if you'd like to double up on some weeks so that you can skip others, please feel free to do so!! Just let us know the MONDAY of that week.
Q. Do you have gift cards?
A. We have Gift Certificates available in any amount. Please email us if you'd like to purchase one!
Q. Do you sell bulk flowers?
A. Yes! If you're looking for bulk flowers for an event or just for yourself we have a bulk blooms by the bucket option on our website. Please email us if you have more questions about bulk flowers.
Q. Do you sell to florist shops?
A. Yes! If you are a local shop and would like to be added to our email list, please reach out! Come spring we will send out weekly product lists of what is available. Flowers available will be first come, first served. A minimum product order will be required, and you must be a floral business to be on the list.
Q. Do you have a storefront?
A. Yes and No. We are a farm, and we work out of our garage workshop, home, field, and greenhouse. However, if you'd like to purchase from us you have a variety of options. Once we get closer to summer a list of local businesses where our product can be found will be available. You can also find us every Saturday at the St Norbert Farmer's Market, or purchase and pickup from our farm. Please email ahead if you'd like to pickup from the farm.
Q. Do you sell flowers during the week?
A. Yes. Flowers can be picked up any day of the week. If you'd like to pickup on Saturday or Sunday orders must be in by Friday at 4pm. We can often make up bouquets on very short notice however it's best to give us a day or so because flowers are best picked either in the evening or early morning hours. We are looking to have grab and go bouquets available Monday-Friday. Emailing before coming (minimum 48hours in advance) or placing an order on our website (minimum 48 hours in advance) will always guarantee you get flowers.
Q. If I pre-order Farmer's Market Flowers where do I pickup?
A. At our booth at the Farmers' Market. Unfortunately we are unable to make any personal deliveries to vehicles or parking lots because we are very busy on Saturdays. Pre- Ordering guarantees your flowers, but you still must pick it up before the market closes. We always recommend picking up earlier in the day as it can get quite hot and flowers don't like to be sitting out in the heat all day if possible. Please wait in line, and give us your name when you arrive for your flowers.
Q. I purchased an item online but it didn't let me put in my credit card information. What do I do?
A. At this time online orders can be paid either via etransfer to marianne@thegardenpathflowers.com or at checkout via paypal. We are not currently accepting other forms of payment online, but we accept Visa and Mastercard at the Farmers' Market. If you checked out and would like to pay via paypal but skipped that step please email me and i'd be happy to let you know how you can do that. If you'd like to e-transfer please do that immediately as your items will not be reserved or made until payment is made in full.
Q. What farmer's market do you attend?
A. We only attend the St. Norbert Farmer's Market on Saturdays. They also have a Wednesday market but we are not there during the week. If you'd like flowers during the week come out to the farm or check out the retailers that carry our product.
Q. What is the longest lasting flower?
A. Again, this is a tough question to answer ( "read our answer on how long will my bouquet last") but Lisianthus, Snap Dragons, and Lilies all frequently last for 2 weeks. For a cut flower that isn't treated or imported, thats really good!
Our FAQ page will be updated as questions come in. If you've got questions that I haven't answered here, please reach out!
M
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