In the beginning, pulling together bouquets was almost effortless. A quick stroll around the yard and I could gather more than enough ingredients to put together something beautiful. But as time went on and my hobby turned into a business, having a steady supply of the right kind of ingredients became tricky.

It’s one thing to be able to whip up a few centerpieces with goodies from the garden, and a whole other thing to be able to fill a twice a week mixed bouquet order for a grocery chain or bouquet subscription/flower CSA. Some weeks the stars would align and I’d have everything I needed, and some weeks I’d be missing focal flowers or key foliage.