What started as a few rows of flowers in a Calgary garden has developed into one of the region's most colorful small flower farms in one of the most colorful small flower farms in the region.
Brad and Staci Tannehill started small Daisy flower gardens in 2020 and are now in their fourth vegetation period on about three hectares of rental land north of Cochrane. Brad manages the gardens while his wife Little Daisy Blumen, the design arm of her business, monitors.
The couple planted its first flowers during the pandemic and converted a common hobby into a flourishing company that now contains around 305 colors and varieties – their biggest harvest so far. Half of the season has already exceeded sales of last year.
“In February 2020 we launched small goose flowers, not the best time to start a company, but for us it became a blessing. It made it possible for us to grow slowly, and I made it possible for me to support my wife in starting flowers in the back yard. I found out that I was half reason, and since then there has been progress.”
The business has steadily expanded from the farmers' markets and a handful of weddings to wholesale orders, flower subscriptions and up to 40 weddings per year. It also joined a local flower producer cooperative that has tripled since last season.
“We just continue to grow. It was fantastic.”
“Every year we fall 10 to 15 flowers that do not work for our business model and add 15 or 20 new ones,” said Tannehill. “It is always an attempt and error, especially with our short vegetation period.”
Little Daisy Flower Gardens offers practical flower experience
What distinguishes Little Daisy are the popular sessions on Sunday, which they are available for two years from August to the first frost. Visitors receive a few snips, a tour of the garden and the freedom to create their own bouquet of around 20 stems. Morning and evening slots sold online every week with tickets.
Since the farm is located on a private country, guests receive the address a few days before visiting as well as tips for wearing the weather – or mosquitoes.
Despite their success, the couple retains their full-time jobs in health care and their law wife to protect their passion project from the unpredictability of agriculture.
“It was only this year that a flower farm near Waterton lost its entire harvest in two hours to greet in two hours,” said Tannehill. “We never want this pressure. This is our happy place.”
Cochranes Teagan Lord is one of three Collge students who have hired this summer. Apart from the fact that you take care of the help of Thecrops, you will get a place for your own personal projects. Cochrane now/Noel EdeyOffers opportunities for students of Olds College
Little Daisy also offers the opportunities for students in horticulture through summer employment and growing space. This season, three students – two of Cochrane and one of Olds – who also experiment with their own harvests, from chrysanthemums to herb gardens.
Grayson Chalmers “We would like to continue to offer you the summer job with the support of the federal government's scholarships. We will give you a place to make your own thing.”
While the cool, wet weather has slightly delayed the season, Tannehill says that the heat will bring the gardens into full fame – just in time to hike the ranks, to scissue and take a small piece of summer house.
