By Lauren Wade Walsh

As many of us know, there is no flower bouquet quite like the one you make from seasonal flowers out of your own garden or yard. Whether you use it as a centerpiece on your own dining table or give a vase full of your homegrown flowers to someone special, the flowers always seem more dear and beautiful than ones you find at the grocery store or florist.  I adore making huge bouquets of peonies the first week of May for teacher appreciation week at my children’s school.  However, I am now a dedicated fan and customer of some of the local, urban micro flower farms that are popping up in neighborhoods and farmer’s markets. Their bouquets are something special; you can feel the passion and knowledge the owners of these farms bring to their flowers…and now to my dining table and friends. 

McIntosh Field & Flower sells at local farmer’s markets, including East Nashville, Richland Park, & Murfreesboro. Tara and Erin, two sisters from Atlanta, both who work other jobs, own and run this flower farm on the northside of Murfreesboro.  The sisters have fascinating and contrasting backgrounds, but in 2019, they decided to buy a few acres and turn their retirement dream into reality much, much sooner.  They began selling flowers direct to consumer in 2022 and quickly expanded to farmer’s markets.  With a background in Agriculture Science, Tara was well aware the land was low on nutrients when they purchased it, and she worked extensively with the TN Dept of Agriculture on soil testing and diligently listened to recommendations on how to improve soil quality.  Currently, they farm three acres with three high tunnels and have goats and pigs on two acres.  When I spoke to Tara and asked about any tips she might have, she was very clear that -  even with a background in Agricultural Science and lots of research on what others were doing - being patient and truly understanding the microclimate, soil, and other conditions of your specific property is the best way to learn and be successful.

McIntosh offers flowers nearly year round, particularly at the Richland Farmer’s Market which runs eleven months a year.  Last year, the sisters forced tulips  - all in the TV room of Tara’s home - but with a high tunnel this year, they should have even more. Of course, they will also have many gorgeous varieties in spring, summer and fall.  You can find them on social media @mcintoshflowerfarm (IG & FB), www.mcintoshfieldandflowerfarm.com, and  at the Richland Park, East Nashville, and Murfreesboro Farmer’s Markets.  

Riverside Gardens Flower Farm is a smaller scale operation in East Nashville.  Liz, the owner, started as a hobby farm, just growing flowers for her family and friends.  She is a full-time teacher with a young son, but her husband suggested she might start a business selling her flowers after the covid years accelerated her hobby and skill.  Though she uses the term ‘farm’, her growing space is about 2,000sq ft and has both raised beds as well a cottage garden with perennials and herbs.  Her goal is to eventually grow 60-70% perennials, and she loves planning and growing with the color palettes of her bouquets in mind.  She also intends to find land where she can expand and grow flowers full-time.  Liz offers individual bouquets, seasonal flower subscriptions, and currently has gorgeous dried flower holiday wreaths available.  You can find her on social media @theriversidegardens or at riverside-gardens.com.