Summer Flowers

Welcome back! We hope you all enjoyed a safe and fun-filled Fourth. We returned to the farm to a pleasant surprise: our dahlias reaching skyward! We've been busy pinching back these beauties, and we've also started staking and twining the dahlia rows to keep these climbers growing up instead of out.

Another beauty we've harvested this week is Verbascum! This one comes with some seriously fun history as its stalks are so sturdy and long-lasting that medieval and pioneer folks would dry them, dip them in tallow or pitch, and turn them into torches (basically nature's glow sticks). Its ancient Latin name, candela regia, even means "king's candle", pretty fitting for a plant that once lit up the night. And before blush existed, medieval women had their own beauty hack: give your cheeks a good rub with Verbascum's fuzzy leaves, and voilà an instant rosy glow, no makeup required. The more you know, whether it's a beauty or survival hack!

Need something to do this week? We've got you covered.

This week you can catch us at:

• Wednesday, July 8 — Scandia Farmers Market | 3–6 PM

• Thursday, July 9 — White Bear Marketfest | 6–9 PM