Slow Transitions of September
September is another month of gradual transitions on the farm. We’re still in the heart of Summer, with buckets full of blooms each week, but September is usually the time when I start to notice the fields (and myself) slowing down and preparing for our winter of rest. This month is the final stretch for fresh flowers in the field. By October, the temperatures will be consistently dropping and the plants that have been producing since late June will begin to fade. September is when I notice the subtle shifts: shorter days, cooler mornings, and slower regrowth after each harvest. The zinnias, strawflower, rudbeckia, cosmos and dahlias are all still blooming beautifully, but as the month goes on even those will start to slow. Watching the fields wind down always feels so bittersweet. On one hand, I’m grateful for the chance to rest after such an intense growing season, but on the other, it’s always hard to say goodbye to the colors, textures, and life of the summer. I try to remind myself that letting the fields and myself “go to bed” is just part of the natural rhythm of farming and life, rest makes way for renewal and more growth next year!
This month is all about double harvesting. I’m still cutting plenty of flowers for fresh bouquets at Missoula Makers and the Missoula Farmers Market, but I’m also gathering and setting aside blooms that will dry and be used this fall and winter for wreaths and other dried goodies!
Some of the standout flowers I’m drying this year include:
Strawflower – Their star-like papery petals keep their color long after they’re cut.
Statice – Adds structure and rich jewel tones to dried designs.
Amaranth – Its long-tasseled shape brings length and texture to any dried piece.
Bunny tail grass and seed pods – They bring in such unique texture and movement
Celosia and Yarrow – Both keep their shape and color surprisingly well if dried correctly.
Drying flowers is slow work. Stems are cut at just the right time, bundled, and hung upside down in a cool, dark, airy spot where they can cure for 2-3 weeks. This process ensures they hold their vibrancy and structure. It always feels satisfying to walk into the studio and see all the flowers drying overhead, it makes me feel like the summer season is living on, long past when it really ends.
Prepping for Fall Planting
Fall is also planting season on the farm, and September is the month when I turn my focus to perennials and native flowers. Planting in autumn is the best time for many plants with its more consistent moisture (especially in such a dry place like Montana), roots are able to establish themselves deeply before winter sets in. With proper mulching and protection, by next spring, they’ll be strong, healthy, and ready to thrive! This year, I’m especially focused on adding more native species to the farm. I’ve learned a lot during my first growing season in Montana and I’ve been paying close attention to how I can get an earlier start and have plants that thrive in such a different climate than I’m used to. Native flowers not only require less work, but they also thrive and adapt beautifully in Montana’s often unpredictable climate. They also support local pollinators, birds, and other beneficial wildlife. Perennials serve a similar purpose. They come back early and stronger each year so with the right varieties I can naturally extend my season into late Spring and early Summer are the backbone of a sustainable flower farm. Some of the varieties I’m especially excited about are:
Echinacea (coneflower) – Beloved by pollinators and a sturdy, long-lasting cut flower.
Solidago (goldenrod) – A native filler flower with cheerful golden plumes that light up fall bouquets.
Blanket flower (Gaillardia) – With fiery reds and yellows, they thrive in Montana’s climate.
Geum – Early blooming perennials that add vibrant pops of orange and red.
Campanula (bellflower) – Beautiful bell-shaped blooms that bring a touch of whimsy to arrangements.
Lupine – Spires of color that not only look striking but also help fix nitrogen in the soil.
Prepping the beds for fall planting is one of the biggest jobs to prep for on the farm this month. Once the last flush of summer blooms has been harvested, the focus shifts to caring for the soil itself. Healthy, well-prepared soil is really what makes next season’s flowers possible! This year, I’ll be amending the beds with cow manure, sourced from the neighbor’s cows. The manure is full of organic matter and nutrients, and when spread across the beds in fall, it has all winter to break down, enrich the soil, and feed the microbial life underground! Come spring, those nutrients will be ready and waiting for new seedlings and perennials. After spreading the manure, I cover the beds with a thick layer of mulch and protective tarps. Mulch helps regulate moisture and adds organic matter as it breaks down. Tarping, on the other hand, is an effective way to smother weeds and encourage decomposition of plant residue, leaving behind a clean surface for planting next year. Both methods also help lock in nitrogen and other nutrients, and protect from the heavy snowfall during the winter months.
The work of fall bed prep isn’t glamorous, hauling heavy wheelbarrows of manure, rolling out tarps, and spreading mulch, but it’s deeply satisfying. I often think of it as tucking the farm in for its long winter rest. By the time the snow melts and the tarps are pulled back in spring, the soil will be soft, nourished, and ready to work hard for another season of flowers. These quiet, behind-the-scenes tasks may not look as exciting as the bright beautiful buckets of flowers, but they’re truly the foundation of next year’s abundance. There’s also something very symbolic about this work. Farming has a way of reflecting the natural rhythms of life with its cycles of growth, rest, and renewal. Each season asks something different of the plants, and I notice how I mirror those same needs myself. Just as the fields need time to pause and rebuild, I do too. In many ways, tending to the farm each season also teaches me how to tend to myself.
Announcements
✨ I’m now offering wholesale flower bunches in the BB shop! This is perfect for DIY brides, florists, or flower lovers who want fresh, local stems to create their own designs. The shop will stay updated with what’s available as we move into autumn, all bunches are cut to order to ensure freshness and can be delivered every Tuesday and Thursday to Missoula County only.
✨ If you’re in Missoula, you’ll still find me at the Missoula farmers market almost every Saturday this month! September markets are some of my favorites, there’s so much produce and my tables are filled with all the dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, and rudbeckia! The colors feel richer and deeper and toward the end of the month, I’ll be sharing information about how you can get dried flower wreaths, one of my favorite fall offerings! These wreaths are made entirely with flowers grown, harvested, and dried by Beverly Blooms and they’re the perfect way to bring a long-lasting piece of the farm into your home to celebrate the new season. Keep an eye out at the end of the month for details on when they’ll be available and where!
✨ I’m excited to share that my 2026 books for wedding and event are now open! If you’re planning a wedding, celebration, or special gathering in 2026, now is the perfect time to get in touch with me! Booking early ensures that I can grow and design specifically with your vision in mind, from lush, garden-style bouquets to abundant, seasonal arrangements that highlight the best of what’s blooming here in western Montana. I love collaborating with clients to bring their floral dreams to life, and I can’t wait to start planning for the next season of celebrations!
✨ If you’re in Missoula, I’ll be at Draught Works Brewery on September 6th for a flower pop-up! Stop by anytime between 4–7pm to grab some fresh blooms and a cold beer. I’d love for you to swing by, say hello, and enjoy the evening with flowers and friends.
September is a month of balance with abundance and transition, harvest and preparation. I’m still savoring every bit of the fresh blooms while also tucking away seeds and dried flowers for the future. The cycle of the seasons is what makes farming so humbling and so rewarding. If you see me at the market this month, come stop by and say hi as the season winds down. Enjoy the rich colors and the last of the fresh flowers with me - see you soon!
Chase
