The Joy Farmer

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The Joy Farmer

Spreading joy growing treasured garden blooms.

Flowers & DIY bloom buckets available for purchase via my website

For more active interaction find me on instagram.

15/08/2026

The bees are back 🐝

Fun fact you can get a gauge on the air temp if you spot the honey bees foraging in your garden. It’s a good indication air temps are over 10 degrees and probably closer to 15 as below that temp their flight muscles can’t function properly.

Do you have a fun bee fact?

13/08/2026

Spring blooms 🌷 are my absolute favourite. I am so excited to see the tips of bulbs emerging in the garden and to get back to sharing my blooms at my gate with my flower loving local community in Wanaka.

Here are some of the goodies we will be seeing come September….the days are getting long and I can feel that spring energy building.

Make sure you’re following along here and signed up to my newsletter on my website to be the first to know when they are freshly picked and dropped off at my little green flower locker on Warren Street for you to swing past and take home. 🏠

Which bloom are you MOST excited to see again this season?

11/08/2026

Let’s dispel a myth I have been hearing about starting seeds in late winter. Over the years people of said I can’t get started because I don’t have a glass house.

As much as I would LOVE a gorgeous wee glass house in my garden (my Pinterest is flooded with ideas!), I personally don’t own one. So I wanted to show you that you don’t need flash, complicated or expensive equipment to grow a garden.

In this (rather long!!) edit I have shared some tips and ideas of how you could germinate seeds in late winter before the soil temps come up.

I would love for you to share your experiences and tips too so this post can be a living reference for other gardeners to save and refer back to.

Let me know if it was useful and happy sowing 🌱

08/08/2026

I find it interesting how often the colours in the garden reflect the energy of the season.

This warm toned autumn mixed bucket makes me want to pause and soak up the sun, the natural slowing down we experience in autumn.

07/08/2026

I am obsessed with scented flowers so sweetpeas are a must grow for me.

This is your reminder to sow those sweetpeas. They love a cool start so sowing late winter or early spring is the best time if you haven’t got organised and sown them in autumn like me this season!

There is so many gorgeous varieties to choose from. I always love checking out what Sarah from EMERDEN—Sarah has growing. She has the best eye for colour and always has beautiful imagery to pour over and a lovely collection of seed for sale.

Fun fact is that NZ actually has a world renowned sweetpea breeder Dr Keith Hammett who has breed many beautiful varieties. I personally love Piggy Sue it’s a beautiful warm blushy peachy sweetpea. His collection is now being shared by Egmont Seeds.

Two great resources if you are looking for beautiful varieties to sow this season. Tell me your fave.

06/08/2026

Thanks for the questions overnight about what flower seeds I love to sow after sharing that the Kings Seeds catalogue had landed in my mailbox 📪 this week.

I have shared a handful of my favourite varieties I won’t be without in my garden along with a few tips so save this post so you can refer back.

I would love to know your favourite or top 10 must sow flower varieties you always reach for. It’s always fun seeing what different people are loving growing.

With this polar blast across the country it’s the perfect morning for a cup of tea and garden planning.
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30/07/2026

Trusting the garden for your wedding florals can feel scary especially when your so invested in every detail of your special event but it can also be icing on the cake, a surprise you didn’t know could be better than you imagined.

I work 100% with what is in my garden that week which makes every wedding a surprise! It can feel a little nerve racking but I have learnt to trust the garden will deliver, and discovered on the flip side this can be the essence that brings that little bit of extra magic to your florals.

Here are some words from one of brides this season I loved.

“I knew I had to let go of having a picture-perfect bouquet in my mind and expecting an exact replica. Once I accepted that, it became exciting to think about all the beautiful possibilities the season could bring”

A local Wanaka wedding planner & stylist Kirsty | NZ Wedding Planner & Celebrant shared a great post about not just replicating another persons wedding this week.

So take this as your reminder to not be afraid to be different - no two humans see the world the same, no two weeks in the garden are the same.

Your day, your way, start with what brings you joy and don’t worry about imperfections, the messy bits often become the best memories!

20/07/2026

Most of us think to buy or gift flowers for the big moments - the birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations such as the wins, the births, the farewells, the engagements, the house purchase.

I personally love to gift flowers when they are less expected, for the little moments - the thank yous, I enjoy your company or I miss your face, I’m sorry, little wins others might miss, I have been thinking about you, I see you - the little acknowledgment when someone is working hard or drowning or struggling and needs a little pick me up or know your there to support them, or the just because your cool or kind or the best thing in my day.

Whatever the reason - flowers are really nice way to show your heart.

06/07/2026

Evergreen foliage doesn’t have to be boring.

There are so many beautiful shapes, sizes, colours and textures to work with. I gathered this handful from the garden to show you just how much variety you might already have growing at home.

1. Cyclamen – I’ve always loved the beautiful patterns on these leaves.
2. Jasmine – Pointed leaves with a lovely red glow through autumn.
3. Bay – Aromatic foliage, I like the red on new growth.
4. Ivy – Long rambling vines, perfect for weaving into wreaths.
5. Magnolia – Large glossy leaves with a warm, velvety underside.
6. Olive – Delicate sage green leaves with a soft silvery reverse.
7. Camellia – Glossy evergreen leaves that come in a range of sizes.
8. Heuchera – Frilly foliage in the most beautiful colours and tones.

Do you have a one favourite? Is there another evergreen you love using in the garden or for arranging?

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http://www.thejoyfarmer.com/

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