The end of one season, the beginning of another.
And just like that, another flower-growing season has come to an end at Bella Sera Farm.
The frost has arrived, the last flowers have been cut, and the fields that were overflowing with colour just a few weeks ago are now quiet.
There's always a mix of emotions that comes with this time of year. A little sadness in saying goodbye to the flowers we've spent months tending, a little relief in knowing the long days are behind us, and an enormous sense of pride in everything our small but mighty team has accomplished.
Growing flowers is a beautiful way to spend your days, but it certainly isn't an easy one.
There are early mornings, long afternoons, unpredictable weather, endless weeds, and plenty of things that don't go according to plan. Some crops thrive, others don't, and every year brings a new set of lessons.
But then there are the moments that make all of it worthwhile. Walking through a field in full bloom, filling buckets with flowers we've grown from seed, and watching those flowers leave the farm to become part of someone's wedding, home, or celebration.
Looking back at everything we've grown, created, and shared this season, we're incredibly proud. Not just of the flowers, but of the people and the work behind them.
A Season for Everything
One of the things we appreciate most about working with the land is the constant reminder that everything has its season.
A time to plant, a time to grow, a time to gather, and a time to rest.
The fields can't produce endlessly. The soil needs time to recover, and we've come to appreciate that our bodies and minds aren't so different.
After months of working around the weather, the daylight, and the demands of the growing season, there's something welcome about the shift into autumn. The pace changes, the work changes, and there's a little more room to breathe.
It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we should always be growing, producing, or moving on to the next thing. But the land is a good reminder that slowing down is just as necessary as all the busy months that came before it.
And while we certainly won't be hibernating all winter, we're grateful to be moving into a season with a different rhythm.
When the Work Moves Indoors
As the fields go to sleep, much of our work moves from the gardens into the studio.
The coming months will be spent making botanical products with ingredients we've grown and gathered, experimenting with new scents and formulations, and designing flowers and installations for the weddings and events ahead.
We're also busy putting the finishing touches on our new studio at Bella Sera Farm.
It's a project we've been working on for some time, and we're looking forward to having a dedicated space for creating, experimenting, and eventually welcoming people to the farm for workshops and gatherings.
There's something satisfying about spending the warmer months growing and harvesting, and the colder months finding new ways to work with what the land has given us.
The work looks different, but it's all part of the same process.
A New Chapter at the Guelph Farmers' Market
We also have some exciting news to share.
Nomadic Fiori has secured a permanent booth at the Guelph Farmers' Market!
Beginning Saturday, November 7th, you'll find us in our new location at the market, where we'll be every Saturday, rain, snow, or shine.
We've spent a lot of time over the years packing trucks, building temporary displays, and taking the farm on the road. So having a permanent little space to call our own is something we're particularly looking forward to.
We'll be bringing our collection of FIORI Botanicals, including our small-batch candles, botanical perfumes, bath and body products, and seasonal offerings from the farm.
And with Christmas just around the corner, we're already making plans for the holiday season.
We're looking forward to decorating our new space for Christmas, bringing in fresh greenery, and filling the shelves with gifts and botanical goods made here at Bella Sera Farm.
In the coming weeks, we'll also begin making our holiday wreaths. It's a part of the season we always look forward to — swapping buckets of flowers for bundles of evergreens, branches, and winter foliage.
We're excited to settle into our new market home, see familiar faces each week, and become a more regular part of the Guelph Farmers' Market community.
Until the Fields Wake Again
For now, there are still beds to clear, bulbs to plant, tools to put away, and plenty of work to do before the farm is ready for winter.
But we're also looking forward to a few slower mornings, a little more time around the table, and the chance to reflect on what has been a very full season.
We're so grateful to our small but mighty team, and to everyone who has supported us this year. Whether you've visited us at a market, trusted us with your wedding or event, or brought something we've grown or made into your home, you've been part of another wonderful year at Bella Sera Farm.
Every season brings its own challenges, rewards, and lessons. And every year, we find ourselves a little more appreciative of the opportunity to do this work.
So, for now, we're putting the farm to bed and turning our attention to everything the colder months have in store.
The fields may be quiet, but there's still plenty happening at Nomadic Fiori.
We'll see you at the Guelph Farmers' Market on November 7th.
With love from Bella Sera Farm,
Emma, Barb & the Nomadic Fiori team