Pollenation

02/16/2021

Tulips in February??!! 🌷🌷🌷 Time will tell, flower friends! This is the first crate in a tulip forcing experiment I've embarked on this winter. Bulbs were planted in late October (same time as the greenhouse-grown tulips) placed in an unheated bunkie for the required chill period, and then brought to the basement about three weeks ago to gradually warm. After two weeks the first shoots appeared and, well, here we are. ⬇️
Tulip forcing is a bit of a science and I wouldn't dare declare success just yet, but this is an encouraging sign!

02/13/2021

I hope everyone is keeping warm and toasty on this frigid day! ❄️ (I'm working up the energy for a snowshoe, but for now hanging grow lights and seed sowing while drinking hot, hot tea just feels like the right thing to do.) ;)

I've had some inquiries about flower subscriptions, and in light of it being sort-of, almost Valentine's Day I decided to open up a limited number of spaces for the spring bouquet subscription. FYI, these will be the last spots available for the spring subscription service until summer subscriptions open up prior to Mother's Day. Visit the link below for details (and maybe tag your honey as a little "nudge")😉.

https://www.pollenation.ca/flowers/2021-spring-bouquet-subscription

Happy 💕 Day, everyone (and don't forget, spring is only 35 days away!)! 🌿🌼🌹

02/04/2021

Pollenation's cover photo

01/29/2021

It's a long, slow journey to that fragrant bundle of eucalyptus....
(These babes are just over three weeks old!) 🌿

01/22/2021

It's hard to believe that one day, about seven months from now, this tiny seedling will grow into one of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen:
Lisianthus. I grew only "a few" last summer as a trial. Despite their slow germination and lengthy days-to-bloom period, I knew as soon as I saw the first one in bloom that I was growing WAY more in 2021.
These little lisianthus babies, started January 6th, are well on their way, and I can't wait to share them all with you! ❤⚘

01/03/2021

I grew only 100 of these last summer, just to try, and I'd truly forgotten how stunning ProCut White Nite is until I stumbled across one in my photo archives (note to self: take more photos in 2021, and grow ALL the sunflowers!). 🌻🌻🌻

01/01/2021

Hello 2021! Wishing everyone health, happiness and good things ahead. 💕
As I reflect on our first season, I can't help but feel extremely fortunate to continue growing this business amidst uncertain times. I thank each and every one of you for your support and interest in Pollenation, and can't wait to share even MORE flowers with you in 2021! 🌷🌿🌻

12/26/2020

Merry Christmas from my family to yours. 🎄 Wishing all good health, happiness and a positive end to this most unforgettable year. Thank you, again, for following along on this journey with us. 💕

12/23/2020

Admittedly the "blooms" part of the business has gotten all the attention for quite awhile, but the "botanical" side is where Pollenation began in 2013!
I'm in the midst of updating/restocking the Etsy shop but for now local shoppers can visit Landing & Co. to pick up last-minute gifts for their natural skincare-loving friends and family! 😍 (Open until 5 p.m. today and 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.)

12/16/2020

I'm on the wreath-building home stretch! 🎄💃 To everyone who's placed an order, I can't thank you enough. 💜 THIS is what shopping/supporting local, small business looks like; (YES, by purchasing a handmade wreath!).
Christmas wreath orders (and spring bouquet subscriptions) allowed me to press "submit" on my seed orders for 2021. Among the hundreds of varieties included in next year's plans is this gorgeous lavender/blue statice; 1,000 seeds, to be exact. It's beautiful fresh and dried, so versatile, and I can't wait to grow oodles of it in 2021.

12/15/2020

Thank you, thank you, thank you, flower friends!! 🌷I can't tell you how thrilled I am about the interest and support in next spring's bouquet subscription! Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far. 💕
While I truly enjoy winter and make an effort to not wish away one season for the next, I often find myself flipping through my spring catalogue, needing a visual reminder of what's to come. 🌷🌷 Many of this spring's blooms will be back next year, but here are some of the newcomers for spring 2021:
Please note, if you are considering the subscription for yourself or a loved one, there are only THREE spots left!
https://www.pollenation.ca/store1/2021-spring-bouquet-subscription
(Photo credits tagged on each photo.)

12/10/2020

The 2021 Spring Subscription is officially LIVE!! I'm so excited about what's growing this spring; over 30 varieties of specialty tulips, narcissus, ranunculus, anemones and other beautiful spring blooms. 🌷🌷
If you have a flower lover on your Christmas list a bouquet subscription is THE perfect way to usher in the beauty of spring after the long, dark days of winter. ❄
As mentioned in an earlier post, space is limited! Click on the link below for more info. Questions? Send me a direct message or email to [email protected].
https://www.pollenation.ca/store1/2021-spring-bouquet-subscription

12/09/2020

The thing about flower farming is that, despite the fact that (these days) my hands are covered in pine sap and I'm planting up hyacinth bulbs and arranging holiday centre pieces, I'm already thinking spring! 🌷
Spring brings not only my favourite weather but also some of my favourite blooms! Spring 2021 will see us double tulip production, with almost 30 different varieties, as well as narcissus, anemones, ranunculus and other spring blooms. If you LOVE spring flowers head on over to pollenation.ca tomorrow (December 9th) to sign up for our FIRST spring bouquet subscription! The subscription will open up at 7 p.m. and spots are LIMITED! 🌷🌷🌷
Subscribers will receive three bouquets over the course of the subscription (estimated start date is just after Mother's Day, ending in mid-June). The cost is $100, and this includes delivery across St. Joseph Island.
If you're purchasing the spring bouquet subscription as a Christmas gift, please be sure to indicate the recipient (as well as address) in the note section at checkout; a gift certificate will be dropped off or emailed (printable) to the purchaser prior to Christmas. 🎄 If you prefer to pay via e-transfer please message for the appropriate email address.
(Now, back to the pine sap....🎄😉)

12/01/2020

I'd hoped to post these yesterday but experienced a bit of technical difficulties along the way - apologies to those who have messaged about wreaths!
Here are first of the wreaths: sizes, materials used and cost are included in the description of each photo. If interested in purchasing please send a direct message. (First come, first serve.) Payment is via e-transfer or cash on delivery. Delivery to SSM is this Thursday/Friday, and across the Island most days.
If you message about a particular wreath and it's already been snapped up, I can most likely replicate, or at least create something similar. Or, if you have something in mind and don't see it here, just ask! I will try my best to make your wreath dreams come true. 😂

I also wanted to let you all know that gift certificates are on the way! Certificates can be made out for any amount and can be redeemed for anything in the Pollenation shop: natural skincare, spring, summer or fall bouquets, perennials (spring/fall), fall bulbs or seasonal wreaths/arrangements. Gift certificates will be delivered right to your mailbox just in time to gift a flower-loving friend or family member this Christmas. 🎄

11/11/2020

To those who have served and continue to serve this great country of ours, thank you. 🇨🇦
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

10/29/2020

Almost done tucking 3,000 tulip bulbs into the greenhouse. To a large-scale grower that's peanuts, but for this girl it's huge. At this time last year I almost broke my back digging 1,700 bulbs into newly-turned soil, encountering boulder after boulder; rocks so big they required a crow bar and two people to remove. I cursed a bit, shed a tear or two in frustration, but eventually got them all in and worried for the next six months all the effort had been for nothing. But then spring rolled around and the tulips...😍🌷 We were rewarded with the most beautiful blooms and, thankfully, a community of people interested in locally-grown flowers.

These 3,000 tulips mean more work, sure, but most importantly they mean progress. They mean growth, and that's everything for a small business. Grow a little every year. Learn. (A LOT.) Forge on...

🌷🌱🍁

10/25/2020

Congratulations Amy Thomlinson Drouin on winning the 30-pack of mixed tulips! 🌹💕 Thanks to everyone who participated!

10/24/2020

It's GIVEAWAY time, local flower friends! I'm swimming in bulbs over here, and it's time to share a bit of the love with a fellow gardener. Up for grabs is a 30-pack of mixed tulips (you choose one of two colour palettes featured in the photo below). (You know how these things work, but if not, here's what's required if you want to win.) The winner must:

1) "Like" the Pollenation FB page
2) Tag two flower-loving friends on this post
3) Share this post
4) Be a resident of SSM & area (OR, be able to "gift" your win to someone in the immediate area)

The giveaway ends tomorrow, Sunday. October 25, at 4 p.m., and I'll announce the winner at 6 p.m. Good luck! 🌷🌹

10/09/2020

Now that the garden is officially closed for 2020 I want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who's supported us in this first growing season; my flower subscribers, the residents and visitors of St. Joseph Island, all of you who helped spread the word by sharing photos of your blooms and, finally, the wonderful Mary Lou at Black Bear Cafe for allowing me a little piece of real estate to showcase our blooms every weekend! 💕🌻
Now what? It's almost fall bulb planting time, and as soon as mine arrive I'll be posting the giveaway details. Check this page over the next week so you don't miss out on the chance to win some beautiful flowers for your own garden! 🌷
After that all efforts will go into preparing for Christmas! (Yes, Christmas!) Wreaths, garlands, potted hyacinths and narcissus, and natural skincare gift sets are coming your way for the holidays. More details on the Pollenation "pop up shop" coming soon!!

09/30/2020

"Roseanne Brown" lisianthus and "Arbatax" dahlia; two flowers I was eagerly anticipating (and much earlier in the season). Growing lisianthus is a long, slow process (I started them from seed in early February), but well worth the wait in my opinion! 😍🌹
🌻🌻🌻
On another note, last-call for (fresh cut) flowers for this season! I have a limited amount of glads (10/$20) and $20-$30 mixed bouquets (zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, etc.). Delivery to the Sault is free tomorrow (Wednesday) but orders must be received by 10 a.m. Please send orders/requests via messenger or email to [email protected].

09/27/2020

Liisa Allen (@pollenationblooms) • Instagram photos and videos

Liisa Allen (@pollenationblooms) • Instagram photos and videos

635 Followers, 612 Following, 150 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Liisa Allen (@pollenationblooms)

09/26/2020

Other than snapdragons, the "stars" of this first growing season were, hands-down, gladiolus. I succession-planted way more than I care to admit (see following meme 😂), and after believing cool temps had likely finished them off for the season Mother Nature recently reminded me, again, who's in charge. 🌎🌱 (Yes, we've got glads!!) 💐
Sidenote: this little man accompanied me on almost every flower delivery this spring/summer. 🌻 My bud. I'll miss these days when they're gone...

09/22/2020

I hesitate to call it game over for the season when there's still so much beauty coming from the garden! Things have definitely slowed down after two weeks of cool temps but after a few days of sun the dahlias, gladiolus and last-round of sunflowers have perked up and may just bloom if this weather continues. 🌻👏

Now, time to prepare for the 4,000 tulips, anemones, narcissus, allium and hyacinth headed my way next month! 🌷 A limited quantity will be available for purchase, so stay tuned for details about that as well as a fun little fall bulb giveaway I'll announce soon via Instagram and FB. (The only thing better than flowers are free flowers!) ;)

08/30/2020

The weather was the pits this last week, but all the more reason to keep feeding these plants in the hopes of squeezing four more weeks out of this garden! 🌻 I've been looking forward to more sunflowers, celosia, eucalyptus, amaranth and dahlias; all the ingredients for the makings of beautiful fall bouquets for my subscribers and the flower stand! 💐
I've been asked by a few people what I feed the plants. What seems to have worked well this first season is alternating between weekly feedings of seaweed and fish emulsion. 🐟🌱 The plants love it, I stink after the job is done, but the end result is a happy plant that continues to produce after the first cut. Other than that, these plants started off the season with a hefty dose of compost from Lemieux Composting before planting (thanks Phil and Kathy!). Oh, and did I mention LOVE? There's that, too. 🤣😜

08/28/2020

Flash flowers! 🌻🌻🌻 I have a couple of mason jar bouqets made up; the zinnia/sunflower mix is $15 and the snapdragon/sunflower jar is $20. Delivery to the Sault is FREE today, or if you're on the Island they can be left at the Black Bear Cafe for pick-up. Send a message if interested.
Have a great weekend, everyone; hope to see you The Black Bear Cafe and Eatery tomorrow from 10-2 p.m.!

08/25/2020

This week's blooms so far! 🌸🌹🏵I love waking up to new flowers; for me it's akin to a kid on Christmas morning. There's usually a squeal or two, some hand clapping and, if I'm particularly excited (like I was about this first dahlia) I'll even throw in a little jump or something! 😂 (This is normal, right?) 😜

08/23/2020

🌸Wrapping up a weekend of flowers at the Black Bear Cafe today until 2:30 p.m. 🌹 Available today: mixed $10 and $15 bouquets, and gladiolus at $10/bunch. 🌻 Thanks to everyone who's stopped by this weekend; I love meeting and chatting with fellow flower lovers! 🌸

08/13/2020

Something a little different for today; meet the Bloom Bucket (as mentioned on the website)! 🌸 This flower grower is taking a wee break while Grandma and Grandpa Pollenation tend to the garden. 🌻🌱 This meant a whole lot of flowers needed to be harvested first. There are well over 120 stems in this bucket, including sunflowers, rudbeckia, gladiolus, zinnia, feverfew, cosmos, statice, verbena and pincushion flower, and there's only one available! Cost is $80 ($125 value) and delivery is always free across the Island or to the Sault (today only).
If you have a small event coming up this weekend, or want to arrange and gift to loved ones, the bloom bucket will fill roughly six to 10 mason jars (depending on size).
If interested please send a direct message via FB - first come, first serve. 🌻 Please share or tag a flower friend to ensure these beautiful blooms are enjoyed!

08/12/2020

Every time a new flower blooms in the garden I swear it's my new favourite. But today a Rudbeckia mix truly took my breath away! Although I appreciate vibrant, gorgeous blooms I gravitate towards neutral tones and simplicity, and these flowers are just that. I can't wait to grow even more in year two!
These stunning Valkyrie China aster mix were also among this morning's flower harvest! 🌸

08/09/2020

I'll never tire of snapdragons! 🌹🌹🌹There are still a few bouquets left ($15) - pick one up The Black Bear Cafe and Eatery today! We're here until 3 p.m., returning on Saturday. Aug. 22 & 23. 🌻

08/08/2020

It's Saturday, and that means we're back at The Black Bear Cafe and Eatery today from 10-2, and this time with sunflower bouquets! Cash, debit/credit card accepted. See you there! 🌻🌻🌻

08/01/2020

Didn't catch our flowers today The Black Bear Cafe and Eatery? No worries; we'll be there again tomorrow, Sunday, August 2, from 10-2 p.m.! We'll have mixed bouquets available from $12-25. Cash, debit and credit card accepted.

It was great to meet some new people today and chat about these locally-grown blooms. Big thanks to all who stopped by! 🌹🌻

08/01/2020

Happy Friday all! The flowers have begun to bloom, and I'm excited to share their beauty after months of waiting! 🌻🌻
If you're headed to the Island tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 1, stop in and visit us The Black Bear Cafe and Eatery from 9 - 1 p.m. to pick up a bouquet of locally-grown flowers! 🌹🌹🌹

07/23/2020

Though still waiting for most of the summer blooms to arrive, I have been able to harvest a bit almost every day for bouquet subscribers. This mason jar bouquet of Rudbeckia, 'Green envy' zinnia, panicum 'sprinkles', hydrangea, Bells of Ireland, cosmos, spirea and cerinthe went to a lovely young lady celebrating two years in business here on the Island (congratulations!)!