Pick your own bouquet at Tramping Lake
By Joan Janzen
A field of flowers is waiting to be picked at Ferguslea Floral Gardens, located on a farm southwest of Tramping Lake, Sask. Owner/operator Leanne Kohlman registers bookings for afternoon or evening dates for groups wanting to come out and create their own bouquets.
“So far, everybody has absolutely loved it. They really enjoy picking the bouquets,” Leanne said. People in the area appreciate having the floral gardens close by, where they can spend a weeknight picking flowers. Moms, daughters and grammas enjoy picking together, groups of friends and clubs will take the opportunity to get together, or new moms with their babies will push a stroller along the pathways.
“The reason I do a u-pick is I really don’t like making bouquets,” Leanne admitted. “I like the idea of people coming and picking what they like.” The picking usually begins at the end of July, and the flowers continue to bloom until the first frost. “Last year was my first year, and I had people picking all the way until October. It was kind of crazy during harvest because I’m pretty active on the farm.”
Leanne and her husband have four children and a farming operation, so she is a very busy lady. When she’s not working in the floral gardens, she is helping on the family grain farm or gardening fresh fruits and vegetables. When asked how many hours she spends each day in her floral gardens, she quickly responded, “Lots! I honestly don’t know how many hours. During the summer, I’m outside every day - steady.” It takes many hours of work to care for a quarter of an acre of flowers.
“I do 99 percent of the work, but my husband helps with major projects, like setting up the water. This year he built a shaded sitting area for people to hang out. My oldest daughter, Annika, does my social media,” Leanne explained.
After starting up her new venture in 2021, Leanne has incorporated a few new ideas during the 2022 season. A website has been added, as well as private u-pick bookings for groups. The website offers information on how to care for the bouquets so they last longer. The helpful tips include trimming, removing debris, replacing water in vases, storing bouquets in cool temperatures, and using a clean vase.
“I’ve had so many comments on how long the bouquets last because they’re so fresh,” Leanne said.
She also teamed up with This Little Light Photography. Photographer Debra Scholer from Luseland offers a few mini photo sessions in the gardens.
Last year, Leanne watered all her flowers by hand with a hose. This year her husband set up a tank and drip line sprinklers in the plots. “It’s a time saver, that’s for sure,” Leanne commented.
Even though the gardens received hail damage in mid-July, the plants bounced back really well. “When a storm cloud blows over, I kind of cringe,” Leanne admitted.
“I’ve got booking dates all the way up to mid-September. After that, I’ll watch the weather and update the website constantly on different dates available and how long we can go,” Leanne said. “The flowers are flourishing right now. With all the rain we had this year, the garden looks even better than last year. Most of the flowers I plant really like heat, so it’s been good.”
Upon arrival, guests are given a tour of the garden, where Leanne points out every flower and gives directions on how to cut them. After the tour, each guest receives a medium-sized bucket and pair of snips, and they begin, while enjoying music in the background. “They can fill their bucket as full as they want. At the end of it all, they get a nice-sized bouquet,” she concluded. And Leanne packages up the blooms to ensure a safe ride home.