I've grown plants and flowers for the better part of 14 years. Like one giant science experiment.

In summer of 2024, I had a random plant pop up in my cut flower bed. I planted dahlia tubers the bed, but they never came up, So I presumed I'd done something wrong. This plant was tall, leggy, and honestly looked just like a weed. As I regularly do, I shared on my Instagram platform telling everyone that I was pretty sure I had in fact grown a darn weed.

Luckily for that plant, several followers convinced me it was a dahlia and to trust the process and I’m glad I did. Fast forward to 2025 and this post. My love for dahlias has grown. Actually, my love for cut flowers goes far back even farther than 2024, to my earliest memories of being in my nanny's yard helping her with her rose trees.

I've always had a love for flowers. Sunflowers are my birth month flower, hydrangeas are my favorite shade of blue and my wedding flower, peonies remind me of my aunt Pam and her mountain home in the Seattle area. Along with her love for growing as well. Flowers bring a sense of nostalgia and connect me with memories I cherish.

Dahlias make me happy - absolutely and completely happy. Throw in zinnias and herbal stems and I'll spend hours playing, pruning, and praying. Yes, I pray over my plants. Sounds a little like "dear Jesus let them grow and be productive... and protect them from all pestilence". And all the gardeners said, "amen".

Over the last year, I've realized not only my passion for growing and farming my kitchen garden, but a deeper passion rooted in love for flowers and the joy they bring to others.

The past 12 months have brought storms, both physically and metaphorically, have blown through our lives. However, it's in the storm that God reveals his plans for you and helps your vision become crystal clear.

After some personal wrestling over what my focus and next steps are, I woke up on a random Saturday morning and laid all of my fear, worry, jealousy, and control on the cross. I've never felt a burden lift like it did that day and instantaneously, I found my focus:

a flower farm and a website focused on the intentional home and kitchen garden. This will be my niche.

From that point forward, I knew what to do. I realized the space behind my beehive was the absolute perfect place to till and plant rows of beautiful cutting flowers. Hurricane Helene did a number on our hardwoods back there and left us with a opening that gets perfect sunlight and has rich soil. It was the perfect reminder that God can use storms to clear the way for His great plans.

Flowers will be my primary focus for 2026 and beyond. Starting slow and intentionally, growing and serving the community around me. Filling my heart with joy while also bringing joy to my community.

Simply Flowers | The Farm at Newell is a dream knitted deep in my heart. It's a way to serve those around me, get my hands in the dirt, and revel in the glorious creation God is allowing me to steward.

Orders and our farmstand will open this spring. We can't wait to share this journey with you.

🤍, Sydney