In 2026, some floral designers are moving away from the stiff, symmetrical rose domes of the past, beyond meadow-core, toward "veggie-core"—designs that look like they naturally grow out of the earth.

While I usually focus on farming and floral design, this blog post makes a sharp departure. As a food systems leader, I know that food security is a hollow term if the people growing our food live in fear. As a wedding florist, I see how that same fear ripples into the floral industry, turning a season of celebration into one of uncertainty. 

Today, I want to pull back the curtain and talk about the other side of my floral life: the dirt under my fingernails, the crack of dawn harvests, and my seasonal flower stand.

The 2025 season was one of immense growth, breathtaking beauty, and a few "weed-induced" mental breakdowns, but I wouldn't trade any of it for a moment.