When Ann Gaynor and her husband Bill moved to Wilton, New Zealand, in 2015, they saw potential where others might have seen a challenge. Their new property had no trees, limited greenery, and a clay base riddled with rocky fill, making it inhospitable for gardening. Despite these hurdles, the couple transformed their land into a flourishing oasis that would eventually become the foundation of Ann’s flower farm, Poppyseed Garden.
This is a story of resilience, creativity, and how a passion for gardening brought not only beauty to the community but also healing and purpose to Ann herself.
From Bare Lawn to Food Forest
The property’s initial state was far from ideal for cultivation. “There was just a lawn and steep banks,” recalls Gaynor. Yet, the site’s sunny, north-facing orientation and sheltered spots gave them hope.
Determined to create a food forest, Bill got to work. He built retaining walls, gardens, and terraces to manage the sloping terrain. The first additions were fruit trees: quinces, crabapples, lemons, limes, apples, and a mix of peaches, pears, and figs.
While not all the trees thrived equally, Gaynor notes that the pear, quince, and crabapple trees were especially successful. Their initial focus on edible landscaping set the stage for what would eventually evolve into a flower-focused endeavor.
Illness Sparks a New Passion
A turning point came when Gaynor faced an extended period of illness, forcing her to take six months off from her nursing career. During her recovery, she stumbled upon Cut Flower Garden – Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms by Erin Benzakein.
“I loved that book so much that I followed up with a six-week online course,” says Gaynor. The inspiration led her to start planting flowers, initially for the sheer joy of watching them grow. She soon realized that the garden was more than a hobby—it was a source of healing. “I gradually found my health in the garden,” she reflects.
Sharing Beauty with the Community
As Gaynor’s garden began to flourish, she found herself with an abundance of flowers. Looking for a way to share them, she discovered Everybody Eats, a community-based restaurant in central Wellington that offers meals to those in need.
Each table at Everybody Eats was adorned with small vases holding roadside flowers. Gaynor saw an opportunity to contribute and began providing fresh, vibrant bouquets every week during summer and autumn.
“The flowers I provided looked like love too,” Gaynor explains. “They really transformed the room.” Her contributions added warmth and beauty to the restaurant’s mission of feeding and supporting the community.
Launching a Flower Business
Encouraged by the positive feedback, Gaynor decided to expand her efforts. She approached a local florist in Kelburn, who eagerly accepted a supply of fresh flowers. Soon, buckets of zinnias, cosmos, larkspur, dahlias, poppies, and roses were making their way to the shop.
To reach even more people, Gaynor started selling bunches of flowers on Saturday mornings from Wilton’s Warwick Street. Armed with a sign, a trolley, a box, and her colorful creations, she quickly gained a following.
Her small business, Poppyseed Garden, blossomed as word spread. Requests for birthday bouquets poured in, and businesses like Wadestown Medical Practice began ordering flowers for staff celebrations. The venture grew organically, driven by Gaynor’s passion and the community’s appreciation for her blooms.
Joining a Network of Flower Farmers
Gaynor’s journey took another turn when she joined the Floral Business Activator, an online network supporting flower farmers across New Zealand.
“I discovered that lots of people, mostly women, all over New Zealand are growing flowers,” she shares. The group provided a platform for collaboration, especially for supplying flowers for weddings and other large events. This sense of community further fueled her ambitions.
Overcoming Space and Topography Challenges
Despite the growing demand for her flowers, Gaynor faced a significant limitation: space. Her garden spans just 40 square meters, a small area for a flower farm. The property’s steep terrain added another layer of difficulty.
Bill’s skills as a handyman proved invaluable. He continued building retaining walls and raised beds, maximizing the available space for flower cultivation.
Thanks to their efforts, the garden now bursts with color during spring, summer, and autumn. Ranunculus, scabiosa, bearded iris, daffodils, hellebores, and tulips thrive alongside versatile foliage plants like mint, basil, and scented geranium.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of Gaynor’s gardening philosophy. She avoids chemical sprays and practices “chopping and dropping,” where plants are cut off below the soil line, leaving roots in the ground to enrich the soil.
To suppress weeds, Gaynor layers compost with blood and bone, followed by newspaper and a final layer of mulch. This method not only minimizes soil disturbance but also supports healthy plant growth.
A Full Bloom of Creativity and Joy
During the peak seasons of spring, summer, and autumn, Gaynor’s days are filled with growing flowers and fulfilling orders for bouquets and buckets. Her creations are also available at David’s Hairstylist in Wadestown, adding a touch of nature to the salon’s ambiance.
For Gaynor, the joy of gardening extends beyond the blooms themselves. “My garden and my business provide abundant joy and beauty,” she says. “The people contact is lovely. There’s nothing healthier than doing this.”
Conclusion
What began as a personal journey to recovery has grown into a thriving flower business that brings beauty and joy to the community. From transforming a bare patch of land into a vibrant garden to sharing her blooms with neighbors and businesses, Ann Gaynor’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the healing power of nature.
Through Poppyseed Garden, Gaynor not only cultivated flowers but also found a deeper connection to herself and those around her. Her story is a testament to the transformative impact of following one’s passion and the unifying power of flowers.
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