December Reflections

December has always been a time for slowing down, savoring the season, and soaking in moments with loved ones. After months of planning, planting, and dreaming, we’re finally giving ourselves the gift of rest and time with family before diving into a new year—and what a year it will be! 2025 is the year I’ve been dreaming of and working towards for so long, and it feels surreal to say it’s finally here. The excitement on the horizon is impossible to contain!

Speaking of excitement, this December, we surprised the boys with a family trip to Disneyland for Christmas! The sunny skies, magical moments, and break from the every day gave us all a chance to reconnect and enjoy a much-needed adventure together. It was a special reminder to pause and create memories with those we love most, especially during this cozy and sentimental time.

Back home, we’ve also been soaking up moments with extended family, celebrating traditions, and reflecting on all we’ve accomplished in 2024. The farm has been buzzing with activity even in this quieter season, and there’s so much to share as we look ahead to January.

What’s Ahead in 2025

The biggest news is that the book launch is less than eight weeks away! After so much work and heart poured into this project, I can’t wait to finally share it with you. It’s a dream come true, and I’m beyond grateful for your support along the way. The events and plans that have felt so far away are now mere weeks away, and I am so excited to have it all unfold.

On the farm, we’re already preparing for spring. This month, I soaked ranunculus and anemone corms, a meditative task that always fills me with anticipation for the colorful blooms to come. These little moments of quiet, hands in dirt, remind me why I love what I do.

Speaking of Spring, this year we’re growing Japanese sweet peas for the first time ever! These beauties are rare and highly sought after for their extra frilly blooms atop of long stems. I’ve been hoping to grow them for a long time, and am thrilled to share more about them as the season progresses!

We’re also busy packaging seeds for our biggest seed sale yet, launching on January 7th! This year, the catalog includes a stunning 71 varieties of sweet peas alongside so many other garden favorites. Sweet peas hold such a special place in my heart, and I’m thrilled to offer such a diverse collection to help you fill your gardens with fragrance and beauty this year. 2025 will truly be the year of the sweet pea!

January Garden To-Do List

As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to prepare for a successful growing season. Here are a few things I’ll be working on in January:

Start seeds indoors: Early seed starting is just around the corner, depending on your zone! Make sure your seed starting setup is ready to go. Ensure your trays are prepared and your grow light bulbs are working correctly. Of course, the fun part is ordering seeds!
Plant ranunculus and anemones: If your corms are pre-sprouted, plant them in a hoop house or protected area to jumpstart on spring blooms.
Prune fruit trees and roses: Clear away dead or crossing branches to encourage healthy growth when they wake up in the spring.
Organize garden tools and seeds: Take inventory of what you have and prep for the season ahead.
Dream big: Pour a cup of tea, flip through seed catalogs, and plan out the garden of your dreams for 2025!

As we close out 2024 and enter 2025, thank you for being part of this journey. Your love and support make everything possible, and I can’t wait to share all the blooms, milestones, and joy this new year has in store. Here’s to a year of growth, beauty, and making dreams come true.