Where the Magic Happens

Kay in the Seed Shack

It’s now been a year since the Seed Shack has arrived at our farm. One half of it is outfitted with columns of seed-tray shelving, banks of grow lights, and related equipment. From late winter to early spring, a warm, pink glow leaks out of the shack’s windows. Symbolizing the hopes and dreams of a successful coming season, which ride on the successful germination of thousands of seeds.

Once the seedlings are relocated to their homes in the soil and sun, the other half of the Seed Shack springs to life. It is here where Boukay Production takes place. Surrounded by fresh-cut flowers and greens, ribbons and vases, paper and stickers…boukays by Kay are being lovingly created by our President and COO.

Here she is, getting ready to craft the arrangements of beauty and splendor that we’ve all grown fond of. Pretty sure that the magic happens once I leave the shack.

Along Came…

…Charlotte!

Well, that’s what Kay calls her. Making her home in our greenhouse, among the lisianthus stems, she’s been preparing to lay her eggs for the season. Gorging on unsuspecting garden pests, Charlotte is actually quite beneficial to the gardener…helping to control beetles, mosquitos, and flies. Not to mention the odd, unfortunate grasshopper.

Charlotte is a yellow garden spider. Although that seems like such an inadequate name for this impressive beauty. She is sometimes referred to as a McKinley spider, because some have reckoned that the unique pattern of her web design resembles the signature of former President McKinley. Kudos to whoever got close enough to figure that out.

For sure, though, that’s a web design that no autopen can replicate!

My Fair Lady

That was fun! The 2025 Lorain County Fair is a wrap, and the ribbon haul was quite a “patriotic” affair…reds, white, and blue. Being our first year entering our flowers at the fair, we were quite blessed with the results. There were so many beautiful entries from dozens of talented farmers. We learned so much and made many new friends. To everyone who worked the flower barn, and to those who came out to support us and our farmer friends…

Thank you from the Award Winning Kay’s Boukays!

Peachy Keen!

If you take a look at our Featured Boukay page, you’ll get the full story on the creation of these custom-crafted boukays. They were made for our friends at Quarry Hill Orchards to help promote their special Peaches & Cream event this weekend. Their market shop is just loaded with summer goodies, some of which are displayed here behind Kay and her babies!

No Boukay Left Behind

“Leftovers”

Seems such a pedestrian word to ascribe to those “one-of-a-kind”, hand-crafted boukays that haven’t sold when the Saturday markets come to a close.

On such rare occasions, we may set these lovelies on our boukart, and then announce their availability on social media and our Google business profile.

Today, however, these precious, organic explosions of color are coming into our home. Because leftovers look better the next day (and the next…and the next…)

“Many Hands…

…pull many weeds”

Kay and Seth attacking the weeds!

It’s been one of the warmest and most humid summers in recent memory, and it’s not half-over. Customary “pop-up” thunderstorms and copious amounts of timely rain. And, not just a little bit of moist “stickiness”. We’ve realized great results from the flower fields because of the weather, though the insects and the weeds have also flourished.

This is why a timely summer visit from our grandson has been most appreciated. We’re not sure he knew what was in store when he stepped off the plane, but he’s been a blessed addition to our modest workforce of late.

Fresh Cut Flowers

Well, someone has to cut them! That’s what Thursdays are all about at the farm. On Thursdays, Kay cuts the flowers, as you can see here. On Fridays, Kay makes the boukays inside the air-conditioned comfort of the Seed Shack. Then, when Saturday comes, it’s off to the markets, or delivering to the parties, etc. Even though tomorrow is July 4th, Kay will still be making the magic happen in the Shack. Though, time will be set aside for a few dips in the pool and the consumption of a grilled bratwurst.

Happy birthday, America!

June Bride

A common theme, but made quite uncommon when Kay’s Boukays is your florist. Our wedding season is off to a fabulous start as you can see. It all started when the bride-to-be poured her heart into our online event form, and here’s a glimpse at how it turned out.

Arches, tables, bridal bouquets, etc. No longer “to-be” now, but a blushing bride who can enjoy looking at her flowers for some time to come.

A Little Rain Must Fall

Well, we’d settle for a little, but lately? Sheesh. Copious precipitation over the past few weeks. Topped off by a tornado warning this past Wednesday evening.

While attending prayer night at our church that evening, we’d all received mobile network tornado warning blasts on our phones, and immediately departed for our homes before we’d be trapped. So we figured. Turns out, we drove through the teeth of the approaching maelstrom on our way home.

The 80 MPH wind gusts had already visited our flower farm minutes beforewe arrived. In the morning, while assessing the damage, we thanked God that nothing more serious afflicted us than what you see here. We neither lost any structures nor sustained any significant inventory damage.

The Boukart is back in business again!

The Flowers are Coming, the Flowers are Coming!

They may be coming, but it’s only because someone has been pouring her love and alfalfa tablets into dozens of rows and thousands of divots. Countless trays of seedlings, having been under the light in the Seed Shack for months, are now being planted. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now, and now we can begin the joyful anticipation of the colorful results. Pray for rain…and a bit of well-deserved rest.