As the vibrant hues of summer begin to fade, there’s a special week dedicated to celebrating the beauty and joy that flowers bring into our lives. From Aug. 15-21, Canadian Flowers Week takes centre stage, inviting flower enthusiasts and casual admirers alike to revel in nature’s colorful creations. At the heart of this celebration is Elsa VanLaar’s Quiet Mile Flower Co. Quiet Mile Flower Co., a blossoming gem nestled in Carman.
VanLaar was born and raised in Carman. She was the daughter of a farmer and a flower lover. She inherited her love of plants and gardening from both of her parents.
“I can thank my parents for my love of plants and flowers,” said VanLaar. “In 2015, my husband and I, with our family, moved back to my childhood home to help take care of my Mom. Both of my parents passed away in 2021, and I found working with the soil and flowers to be a comfort and reminder of God’s care.”
VanLaar completed the Floret Cut Flower Course in early 2022 and soon after started Quiet Mile Flower Co. This small specialty cut flower business sells fresh seasonal bouquets and bunches at the Carman Farmer’s Market, through bouquet subscriptions, and custom orders. She also supplies local flowers for some area florists and some weddings.
“I love to share my love of flowers,” said Van Laar. “We were privileged to be a part of the Celebration of Gardens Tour this year and really enjoyed having people come out to see the gardens.”
VanLaar grows a mix of annuals, perennials, and bulbs; almost all of them are started in the winter months in her “Flower Shed.” The first ones to hit the dirt are lisianthus and eucalyptus, which she begins in the first week of January. These are followed by snapdragons, asters, strawflowers, zinnias, sunflowers and many more. Bulbs, tubers and corms such as lilies, dahlias and ranunculus are also pre-started inside.
“We grow more than 80 types of flowers, many of them in different varieties and colours. The flower shed fills right up and is bursting at the seams by the time the weather warms up enough to move some into a small, unheated greenhouse. We usually have to drag them in and out for a few weeks before it’s totally safe to leave them outside and plant them in the soil.”
The main flower patch at VanLaar’s home contains 4’ wide beds covered with landscape fabric to help maintain moisture and keep down the weeds. Because Quiet Mile plants so intensively, they add a good layer of compost before planting. Irrigation with drip tape helps them keep up with some of the watering, though nothing beats a good rainfall.
“Since most cut flower varieties are tall, we use support netting to help keep them upright. The prairie wind can do a lot of damage, and so can weeds, bugs, pests and diseases. It’s a steep learning curve to meet these challenges, and there will always be something to deal with.”
Through it all, VanLaar has learned that flowers are an essential part of life and is keen on showing off her flowers to others.
“They help us communicate friendship, love, concern, sympathy and celebration,” said VanLaar. “Sometimes, we need to treat those around us or enjoy a vaseful of beauty on our kitchen tables. Find yourself some flowers in the garden, at the florists, or visit us at the Farmer’s Market for wrapped bouquets. During the month of August, try your hand at making your own bouquet with our stem buckets.”
VanLaar works very hard for her business and is thankful for the help from her husband and family. In this crazy world, working with soils and flowers gives hope and a strong reminder that we are loved. It’s her goal to share that love through locally grown flowers. The love really shows in her beautiful garden.
For more information, please visit the Quiet Mile Flower Co. website at www.quietmileflowers.ca or on Instagram @quietmileflowerco.
