From seed to stem: A Saskatchewan flower farm in full summer bloom

CLAVET, SASK. — The Saskatchewan sun stretches long across the sky, warming the rows of blossoms that ripple like waves through Kristen Raney’s flower farm.

Summer is in full swing at Shifting Blooms. It’s the season when the garden truly comes alive — a vivid symphony of color, scent and buzzing bees.

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With a good season of rain and careful tending, this year’s garden has come to life. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

This is the moment Raney has been working toward since the first seeds went into the soil back in early spring.

Raney grows a wide variety of flowers, all gathered from the soil she tends with love. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

“Things are either in full bloom or very close to it,” Raney said as she bent to harvest sunflowers glowing gold under the morning light.

“I’m harvesting every two to three days. We work from the moment we wake up until supper, and often late into the evening. There’s always watering to do, or garden chores that didn’t get done earlier.”

Listen to Raney’s conversation with Brittany Caffet:

Raney’s children aren’t the only ones leaving tiny footprints in the garden. Kittens and chickens — including these baby silkies — all wander among the flowers. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

This summer, the garden feels more lush than ever — a welcome change after years shadowed by drought.

“The garden is definitely better because we had a lot more rain, which was so, so helpful,” Raney reflected.

Even the setbacks have a place in the story. These few statice plants are the survivors, after most of her seedlings were lost to hungry chickens. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The garden isn’t without its setbacks — like the chickens that decided to munch on her statice — but Raney looks ahead optimistically.

“I still wish I started more zinnias and cosmos,” she admitted, “and demand for ranunculus in June was so high I even bought four more raised beds for next year.”

Every few days, the harvest rolls in — a wagon brimming with the week’s best blooms. Zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos and more make their way to markets, weddings and the little stand by the road. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

With blooms coming fast, there’s been little time to dwell.

“My July has been insanely busy. For some flower farmers August is the big month, but for me, it’s really June and July that are the peak.”

Zinnias are Raney’s favorites. This year, she planted more than ever before, and still wishes she had extra space. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Yet even amid the busiest days, this flower farm is a family affair. Raney’s oldest, 13-year-old Dominic, isn’t much for gardening, but he has found his own way to help at markets.

“He’s very good at making sure the stand is always restocked and looking perfect,” she said. “He loves helping customers, so that’s been a real blessing. It’s way more fun when he’s there.”

Dominic, 13, may not love gardening, but at markets, he shines. He helps customers, keeps the stand looking perfect, and brings his own quiet joy to the hustle. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The younger three children — Aulaire, Felicity, and Julia — have different ways of joining in.

“Aulaire and Felicity more just like to follow along, or they’ll come out and kind of try to help me do arrangements,” Raney explained. “I let them do the little bud vases. That’s their favourite thing.”

Side by side in the garden, Aulaire and Felicity are often found gathering blooms or playing pretend — building bouquets and watering plants just like their mom. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Julia, just two, is a little shadow.

“Any chore that she sees me do, she will try and imitate herself, which is adorable,” Raney laughed, adding that all three girls especially love watering.

“Their favourite thing is when I give them the hose and I’m like, ‘OK, any plant you see, go at it.’”

Two-year-old Julia is always close by — Raney’s tiny shadow in the garden. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

And when their mother isn’t around, the girls still find ways to be part of the farm life.

“The babysitter has said when I’m gone, they’ll get their buckets and their flowers, and they’ll pretend to be ‘Mommy flower farmer,’” Raney said proudly. “She’s got to do the chores and she’s got to water and she’s got to stock the stand.”

A simple stand under prairie skies, overflowing with color. Raney’s roadside farm stand welcomes neighbors and passersby with bundles of homegrown beauty. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Six-year-old Aulaire is already dreaming of following in her mother’s footsteps. When asked if she wants to be a flower farmer when she grows up, she answered simply, “Yeah.” What she loves most about flowers? “They’re pretty.” Her favourite thing to do in the garden with her mom? “Help her make flowers.” Her favourite flower? “Pumpkin.”

Six-year-old Aulaire dreams of being a flower farmer when she grows up. Her favorite part of the job? “Helping Mom make flowers” — especially the tiny bud vase arrangements. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Felicity, who’s five, is a little expert on how flowers grow.

“My favourite flowers are poppies,” she said proudly. “They start with a poppy seed of course, then you add some… I think you add poppy water. Then it blooms, blooms, blooms until it’s a poppy flower! Do you want to see it? I’ll give you a tour!”

Five-year-old Felicity is a budding flower expert, ready to give anyone a tour of her family farm. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Summer is a busy time on a flower farm, and for Raney, the pace won’t slow anytime soon.

In early spring, everything begins here. Under the gentle shelter of the greenhouse, seeds stir to life — the promise of summer in every tray. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

But even with wedding bouquets to build, markets to prep for and beds to tend, she still carves out time for the small, sweet moments: a toddler following close behind, a child with a watering can, a miniature bouquet made with tiny hands.

Cosmos weren’t always in style, but this season, their airy petals and romantic feel have captured Raney’s heart. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

In a season defined by beauty and abundance, it’s the roots she’s putting down with her children that may turn out to be the most enduring bloom of all.

The flower farm is a family affair. While Kristen Raney sows and harvests, her children are often close behind — watering plants, restocking bouquets, or simply playing “Mommy flower farmer” in the garden. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)