Getting Ready for Summer Blooms

June is an exciting month for any florist or flower farmer. After months of sowing, tending, and waiting through Montana’s long, slow spring, we’re finally on the cusp of the first wave of vibrant summer blooms. There’s lots of moving parts in June and an endless list of tasks to be done on the farm as things shift into high gear. The last of the hardy annuals are settling in, the directly sown seeds are sprouting in the field, and the heat-loving summer starts including zinnias, cosmos, and strawflower are well on their way in the greenhouse!

Here are the major tasks keeping me busy this month:

1. Transplanting
We’re officially past the average last frost date here in our Western Montana growing zone, which is a major turning point in the season! This means the risk of hard frost is behind us (hopefully), and I can finally begin planting with a little more confidence and less weather anxiety. Cold-tolerant flowers like delphinium, snapdragon, yarrow, statice, and cress are either already in the ground or being planted now. These hardier early summer bloomers thrive in cooler nights and don’t mind the occasional chilly breeze, making them the perfect flowers to kick off the season, before all of the heat-loving blooms.

2. Staking and Netting
Tall crops like snapdragons, dahlias, and amaranth need support before summer winds start blowing. I’m busy setting up netting and corral systems to keep stems long, straight, and market-ready. Tall crops like snapdragons, dahlias, amaranth, scabiosa, and some varieties of cosmos require extra attention throughout the season as they grow. These beauties are known for their long stems which makes them especially vulnerable to wind damage, heavy rain, or even just their own weight as blooms start to form. A single storm or a few gusty days can bend or snap precious stems, which is why support structures need to be installed now, so the plants are supported through every stage of growing.

I’ll be busy installing netting to create a grid system suspended horizontally above the beds. This will encourage the plants to grow straight up through the openings of the net. For the heavier or bushier crops like dahlias and cosmos, I’ll use more of a corral systems using T-posts and twine to create a supportive frame around the rows. These systems act like a safety net, preventing flopping and breakage while also making harvest much more efficient.

3. Weeding, Weeding, Weeding
With warm temperatures, spring rain, and long daylight hours, everything is growing fast, and unfortunately, that includes the weeds. This time of year, it feels like the task of weeding is never-ending. They’re relentless, aggressive, and they’ll happily outcompete tender young flowers for sunlight, water, and nutrients. That’s why June is a critical time for weed management. I’m doubling down to keep the growing rows as clean and clear as possible this month. This is essential for the long-term health of the flowers. Young seedlings and transplants need room to breathe and easy access to nutrients in the soil, and weeds can choke them out fast so it’s important to stay on top of the weeds.

4. Irrigation Maintenance
As the days heat up and the number of plants in the field increases, irrigation becomes one of the most important systems on the farm. Spring rains become less reliable as summer sets in and with more and more starts being transplanted to the field, getting the drip irrigation set up is top priority right now. Drip delivers water right to the root zone of each plant, minimizing waste and keeping foliage dry, which helps reduce diseases and molds from forming. It's also much more efficient than overhead watering, using less water and preserving our natural resources as much as possible!

There’s no natural shade on the farm, so the field is fully exposed to the intense Montana sun all day long. That full-sun exposure means the plants require a consistent and carefully managed watering schedule to stay healthy and happy. Finding the right balance is key, I want to give the flowers enough water to thrive without overdoing it, which can lead to wasting resources and even root rot for certain flowers. keeping a close eye on how each crop responds so we can conserve water while still giving the flowers exactly what they need to flourish in the summer sun.

This season, I’m starting with two watering cycles per day: one in the early morning around 6 a.m. and another in the evening around 6 p.m., each running for about 45 minutes to an hour. On especially hot days, when temperatures are above 85°F, I’ll add a midday 30-minute cycle to help the plants through the heat.

Farmers Market Season Is Close!

I’m also thrilled to share my 2025 market dates! This will be my first season at the Missoula Farmers Market with my first date being July 12th! You'll find the Beverly Blooms booth several Saturdays and maybe even some Tuesdays, if the flowers allow, throughout the whole Summer and Fall. Each week I will have a mix of bouquets, mason jar arrangements, flower bunches, and more depending on the month! Stop by the booth any of the following dates and keep an eye out for extra dates being added throughout the season!

Missoula Farmers Market, 534 N Higgins Ave

July 12, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm

July 19, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm

August 2, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm

August 16, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm *Stop by this date to build your own bouquet at the market!

September 13, 025 · 8:00am-12pm

September 20, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm

September 27, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm

October 25, 2025 · 8:00am-12pm *Offering dried flower wreaths and bouquets

For now, I’ll be prepping materials for the booth and display and, of course, tending to all the flowers that will soon be in your home. Things like buckets, signs, labels and price tags, and table displays all get a seasonal refresh to make sure the stand is both beautiful and functional :) Each June, I take some time to give everything a little love. Buckets are scrubbed clean, labels and tags are restocked, any new signage is ordered or created, and the booth layout is refreshed. So be sure to stop by this Summer, say hello, and pick up some beautiful blooms! I can’t wait to meet new faces and hopefully see some familiar ones. It means so much to share my flowers with people who value local, seasonal beauty and who choose to support a small business like Beverly Blooms!

More Ways I’ll Be Sharing Flowers This Summer

My goal has always been to bring more joy and beauty to as many people as I can through flowers. I’m working on finding as many ways as possible to do this, for now here’s how you can find BB flowers this season:

• Flower CSA Subscriptions: Weekly or bi-weekly bouquets delivered straight to your doorstep or picked up. Sign-ups close July 1, and the summer CSA begins mid-July. Don’t miss your chance to get 6-10 weeks of fresh flowers!

• Pop-Up Bouquets at Local Businesses: Keep an eye out for bouquet pop-ups at some amazing local businesses in Missoula throughout the season and spread the love to other local spots.

• Custom Orders & Special Events: Need flowers for a small wedding, baby shower, or backyard gathering? BB offers fresh-cut buckets and a la carte design services. Reach out early as the calendar fills up fast!

• Workshops: Schedule a private workshop with BB this Summer! Learn how to put together a garden bouquet, centerpiece arrangement, or even flower crowns. And stay tuned for workshops in the Fall and Winter. Learn how to create your very own dried flower or holiday wreath using flowers that have been grown and dried by me! More info coming soon!

Thank you, as always, for being part of the Beverly Blooms community. June is a busy, beautiful month. I’m working hard to grow these babies and I can’t wait to share them with this community and see where my first season in Montana takes me! Stay tuned for more!

With gratitude,

Chase