On an episode of The Upper Cumberland Lifestyle Show, Serina Wells of Petal and Rake shares how growing up in her grandparents' nursery, earning a psychology degree, and spending 30 years in the building trade somehow led her right back to the soil.

Serina Wells, owner of Petal and Rake, is a specialized flower farmer and designer operating a nano-farm in the Upper Cumberland region near Nashville, Tennessee. With a background in the nursery trade and a career in the building industry, she returned to horticulture to create sustainable, locally grown flower arrangements.

Background and Philosophy

• Return to Soil: After growing up in her grandparents' nursery, earning a psychology degree, and spending over 30 years in the building trades, Serina returned to her horticultural roots, founding Petal and Rake in May 2018.
• Sustainable Farming: She utilizes an organic, "no-till" hybrid system on her farm, focusing on soil health by adding compost on top of the soil, which reduces weed pressure.
• Locally Grown: Her farm specializes in seasonal blooms, cut flowers, and herbal foliage, serving the Nashville and Upper Cumberland region.

Petal and Rake Services

• Bouquets and Blooms: Offers "garden-style" arrangements, market bouquets, and bulk buckets for DIY brides.
• Spring/Winter Offerings: Despite colder months, her operation provides seasonal flowers, including tulips available for Valentine's Day.
• Education and Events: She hosts on-farm workshops and "bouquet bar" events, educating homeowners on flower farming and design.
• Community Involvement: She is a certified Master Gardener with Putnam County, focusing on community education.

Gardening Approach

• Year-Round Growing: She notes that her growing season often lasts all year, starting with winter seed sowing and ending after the first frost in November.
• Technique: Her methods involve a mix of traditional perennial display gardens and row cropping for high production.

For more information, she can be reached at serina@petalandrake.com or through her Instagram @petalandrake