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Home Blog The Floret Farm Journal: Year In Review
January 12th 2026

The Floret Farm Journal: Year In Review

Written by
Floret

Today I’m thrilled to share that the December episode of The Floret Farm Journal is now available to watch!

In the final episode of this special series, we take a look back on the year at Floret and some of the highlights of the 2025 growing season. It was a year of big projects, hard work, and growth, and there were so many important lessons that we learned along the way.  

The Floret Farm Journal was by far the most special thing we created this past season. Committing to telling the story of the farm every single month, no matter what, stretched us in the best possible way. In the end, we created something that we’re all very proud of and this project allowed us to connect with people all over the world in a deeper, more meaningful way.

It was such a gift to hear from so many of you about how much this series impacted your life. It had the same wonderful effect on ours too.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Plant Preservation

Over the past several years, we’ve been in the process of adopting the full collection of old European roses from The Friends of Vintage Roses, a California-based nonprofit focused on preserving and protecting old rose varieties. To learn more about our rose preservation efforts here on the farm, be sure to watch The Rose Ark: Our Journey to Preserve Heritage Roses.

We also brought more lilacs, daffodils, chrysanthemums, and crabapples to the farm this year in an expansion of our “ark for plants,” our growing collection of forgotten and endangered flowers and plants that need protection to prevent them from disappearing entirely. To explore these expanding collections, visit the Floret Library. And if you’re looking for plants to add to your own garden, read our Favorite Bulb & Plant Sources blog post. 

Flower Breeding

Our flower breeding efforts continued this season and we have so many wonderful new varieties of zinnias, celosia, and dahlias in the works. These special farm-bred varieties are still in development and are not ready to share quite yet, but we’ll keep you posted on our progress. If you want to learn more about the background and goals of the breeding program, watch Let Me Introduce You: Floret Original Flowers

Flower Arranging Workshop

This special workshop shares everything we’ve learned about designing with garden-grown ingredients over the past 2 decades. I’m so happy it’s finally out in the world, empowering students through learning new skills and seeing their gardens in a whole new way. Registration for our next class will be open March 2–6. If you’d like to learn more, visit our workshop page. 

My Creative Practice

The launch of the Flower Arranging Workshop inspired me to recommit to the practice of making an arrangement each week of the growing season. This year I experimented more and more with timelapse photography, which was a fun new challenge. There is so much value in establishing a regular creative practice, no matter the medium. You can watch an inspiring short film about my creative practice here

Seed-Saving Book

A huge focus of the year was finishing a book all about flower seed saving. This special project has been 4 years in the making and covers everything we’ve learned about growing flowers for seed, plus how to harvest, dry, and clean more than 60 unique varieties. The manuscript has been turned in, we’re in the final stages of design, and it’s slated for a spring 2027 release! We’ll be sharing updates through the Floret newsletter


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Floret only lists companies and products that we love, use, and recommend. All opinions expressed here are our own and Floret does not offer sponsored content or accept money for editorial reviews. If you buy something using the retail links in this post, Floret may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

59 Comments

  1. Devin on

    Honestly, you are a floral philosopher. Watching your films is more calming than a good book by the fireplace and more inspirational than a TED talk. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Susan Cicero on

    Once again, thank you for sharing your journals. It touches my heart when you talk about the roses and the lilacs, how the smell of the rose was the same smell in the 1500s. You are such an inspiration and you have the best team working right beside you. Looking forward to where your journey leads next.

    Reply
  3. Pat O'Brien on

    Thank you for the inspiration on so many fronts. Thank you for talking about overwhelm as well as your successes. Thank you for your commitment of sharing your knowledge. And thank you for welcoming the kids who had no one to eat lunch with. It is such a wonderful approach to your work.. It seems there are quite a few of us.

    Reply
  4. Peggy G on

    Simply put, beautiful and inspirational
    I have looked so forward to each episode.
    Thank you to you and your team. You make the world a more beautiful place.

    Reply
  5. Darlene MacDonald on

    Love your journals! Thank you for sharing & for making “adding beauty” through growing flowers, fillers, trees, shrubs, bulbs, tubers & the list goes on, such a loving, awesome, heartbreaking, beautiful, touching, journey! Your experiences that you share are so relatable & are so inspiring & exhausting at the same time. I don’t know where you get the energy; I love how you bring other growers into the fold & make every species (new & old) look magnificent!! For example lilacs have been around for a very long time you make them again so popular; you make them a revived beauty that everyone needs.
    Thank you again for sharing!
    I cant wait for your new book!

    Reply
  6. Irma on

    Happy 2026!
    Erin, you’re so inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, passion, dreams, goals, your failures and your faith in the future for all plants you come in contact with!

    It truly feels like I am in there with you. It also feels like I can too try and that’s empowering.

    I cannot wait for your new book & I am so excited for you on your new projects. Keep on Growing!

    Reply
  7. Daria on

    re – lilacs Have you considered carving out some time in your schedule to visit Highland Park in Rochester NY when the lilacs are in bloom? Over 500 varieties. It’s not a beautiful landscape the way the arboretum in Seattle is, or at least it wasn’t when I visited decades ago, but lots o lilacs.

    Reply
  8. Sara Dwyer on

    I am always amazed and in awe of your energy, creativity, generosity and courage Erin. So can’t wait for the next book! Thank you for sharing the farm and projects through the seasons for 2025.

    Reply
  9. Verena on

    Thank you for this wonderful journey through the past year at floret. It has been amazing to follow you and your team around. It has been so inspiring and beautiful, with opening up your farm life, your projects and your wisdom to the world. Thank you for sharing all this. I felt like I was actually there.
    In this episode I especially appreciated the honesty of what such a huge project means to the ones doing it, the ups and the downs, the struggles. But it never showed. All the interviews, the stories, it sounded so natural and heart felt.
    Thank you so much for pushing through (with all your projects in general). It is very inspiring and I look forward to see what you will tackle next. And can’t wait to read the new book!

    Reply
  10. Rick Donahoe on

    Thank you Erin. You and others have me “addicted” to growing dahliahs in northern Michigan. I continue to be inspired by your videos and blog.
    Looking forward to plannting season (if it ever gets warm again!)

    Reply
  11. Mary Heym on

    Thank you Erin, for the continuation of education on everything flowers. And your reflection on life itself. I have enjoyed all of the Floret Farm monthly reviews. I’m looking forward to your new book on saving seeds.

    Reply
  12. Minfi Cahilig on

    With so much admiration. Erin and staff are just so hardworking. Thank you for your story, it encourages not to let go of our dream to continue to propagate and be happy with flowers.

    Reply
  13. Tracy Noon on

    Just beautiful…again. Thank you all. Erin, I loved your reflection that life is up and down, up and down, but there’s a through-line. I’m excited to go and pick up two of your books that I ordered that have just come in. Can’t wait to read them.

    Reply
  14. Yasmin on

    Watching this series has been the most delicious, nourishing food for my soul. It’s incredibly inspiring to see what Floret has become over the years, and all the dedication so many beings have poured into making that happen — from flies to humans and everyone in between. Thank you, each of you, for all that you do and all that you ARE. Floret is a beacon of goodness and beauty and love on a planet that is so often awash in everything but that.

    Reply
  15. Lily Halem on

    I love you Erin and the Floret staff! What an inspiration! I have taken a few flower arranging classes and I often come across a dianthus that is green and makes almost Pom Pom like flowers. It seems common among florists, but despite many searches, I cannot find seed to grow them. Do you know why? Do you know the flowers I am talking about?

    Reply
  16. LoriAnn Curtin on

    After the first vlog, I’ve looked forward to every single month’s episode! They are like gifts to unwrap!! The photography is stunningly beautiful – of course it is – the farm is heavenly, but it is captured so beautifully, the music is so calming, and of course, Erin – you just speak in poetry. You are not only a poet in the garden, but a poet on the page! I also love watching the interaction between you and your husband. It is so lovely to see a couple that works together to create beauty, and laughs together. What a treasure! Of course, it all comes from your sharing heart – everything you say shows that you have compassion and empathy for all living things. Perhaps if everyone lived with their hands in the dirt/close to nature, we’d all have the chance to feel and emanate love, compassion and beauty. Thank you to the entire Floret Farm team for bringing us all closer to that. Honestly, a year-long package of these vlogs deserves an Emmy in my opinion!!!

    Reply
  17. Sherri on

    Year In Review brought tears and a feeling of fullness. A visual feast always. You and your remarkable team give us so much to be grateful for. Inviting us into all the processes and special moments on the farm bring us beauty and fulfillment. The smell of a rose from the 1800’s! Your work goes straight to the heart! Thank you so much. With abundance and gratitude.

    Reply
  18. Cindy Nyberg on

    With appreciation and admiration, Thank you! Whatever you do, the intention and excellence shines through. You continue to educate and bring awareness. I cannot wait to for your book and to see what this year brings.

    With gratitude for all of you!

    Reply
  19. Peggy on

    Aye Erin. Simply beautiful. I have enjoyed all your videos, but this one was beautifully shot. Please share with your husband. Very inspiring.

    Reply
  20. Lorrin on

    The way that I am physically ITCHING for any grain of information about the breeding matrixes. I cannot wait!

    Reply
  21. Dora Allen on

    Thank you so much for that last, very relaxing video. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. I will eagerly await your book.

    Reply
  22. Lynn Pearson on

    Your monthly videos about the farm are so spectacular and inspiring. I watch them more than once to create a calm environment …to dream of more flowers in my life to share with my 5 year old granddaughter, Charli.
    Since finding Floret Farm …We have gone weekly to a local horse barn and gathered manure to amend our very sandy Florida soil. I ordered some of your zinnia seeds … waiting expectantly with enthusiasm for them to arrive !
    Thank you to the entire Floret team for creating such joy in my life. I look forward to watching what’s next.
    Lynn

    Reply
  23. Peggy on

    All the videos have been so inspiring! Thank you for not giving up in spite of so many challenges.

    Reply
  24. Jenny Modaffari on

    I have come to love these monthly movies. One of my favorite things you have created! Thank you

    Reply
  25. Christine on

    Just amazing. I loved all of these episodes. Many brought tears to my eyes. You can sit at my table any day. You, Chris and your team do such beautiful work and you are so generous with sharing your knowledge. There is nobody i would trust more to save the “old” out of favor plants than you. Thank you Erin

    Reply
  26. Joni Pecor on

    WOW. That was cool. I’ve followed all your projects, all year, and I appreciate the visual reflective journey. I’m not sure what was my favorite…. They all impacted me and my flower farming journey positively. Thank you for staying connected in original and beautiful ways.

    Reply
  27. Lanna on

    “You can sit at my table”. Your table is inviting and huge. That is your generous gift through sharing your knowledge, enthusiasm and vulnerability.
    I am glad you are blessed with a life partner Chris who is “walking you home.”

    Reply
  28. Ainee Beland on

    Nesting and cozy time; hunkering down; the flowers are gone, resting to rise next two seasons ahead. Thank you for sharing such a lovely video. Peace!

    Reply
  29. Sandra Garrett on

    Erin, will you ever sell cuttings or plants like the heirloom roses?

    Reply
  30. Meg on

    May seem simple to say but sincerely, THANK YOU!

    Reply
  31. Soledad on

    Hello! Thank you for so much valuable information; you are a great source of inspiration for me and a huge motivator for my daily work. I’m from Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina, and I would love it if your videos were available with Spanish subtitles—that would be exceptional. Greetings from here!

    Reply
  32. Donna P. on

    Every time I watch any of your videos, journals, etc. I am in total awe of everything you share and accomplish. The beauty is so spectacular. You and your group are such an inspiration. You are all truly blessed. I look forward to 2026 to see what this magnificent garden will produce. Thank you for all your hard work and creativity.

    Reply
  33. Susan Harding on

    Erin
    Your videos are always seeds for my soul !! Would love to come down some day snd see your beautiful farm . Farm tours ??? I live in surrey bc so close.
    I also noticed a Morgan painting in your home . Mine is being framed this week . Yippee
    Looking firward to the season hope you continue the journal
    Best wishes
    Susan Harding

    Reply
  34. Marie on

    Just beautiful. Just so inspiring. Thank you. Merci 🙏

    Reply
  35. Greg Cannistraci on

    Bruce Lee wrote a book, “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do”. In it he shared his passions, martial arts and philosophy. This year I feel like I have watched, The Tao of Floret. Three parts experience, two parts philosophy and a dash of contemplation. Finishing with the poignent metaphor of things unfolding just as they are supposed to be even when we have other plans really struck me. Thanks to all the Team.

    Reply
  36. Tina B. on

    Remarkable. I’ve watched many of these through the year and seeing it wrapped up so succinctly was moving for me. Imagery was stunning and your talk about the roses and lilacs made me both hopeful and profoundly sad at the same time. I had tried to purchase lilacs from the vendor you mentioned in an earlier blog post, they are already out of inventory. Glad you were able to save so many varieties.

    Reply
  37. Kristi Hein on

    Love it, beginning to end. Hard-earned wisdom AND a fresh openness to whatever may happen, regardless of our plans. But look at where your plans have brought you!
    I hope the video journals will continue, even if you decide to scale back to . . . seasonal?
    Enjoy these dark, windy, wet, cozy-indoors days. Spring will be sneaking up on us before we know it!

    Reply
  38. Liz DeKam on

    Just watched “December.” I smiled throughout. Thank you!
    Question, please.
    In the opening of “December,” where are you, please, Erin, that you are overlooking what I am going to guess is the Skagit Valley?
    Many, many thanks for all of your efforts, Erin, Chris, Rob, Pickles, and all of the Floret crew! Your work, and the sharing of your work, means more than you will ever know…

    Reply
    • Team Floret on

      The overlook is called the Samish Bay Overlook.

  39. Christy on

    It is so fun to see what you do and the direction you’ve taken over the years. The feats of you and your team are admirable and encouraging to watch. Thank you for taking the time to share and create the content to share as that is another level… and as for that blasted lunchroom… aren’t we thankful God isn’t finished with us when we’re 13!!

    Reply
  40. Robin Nierychlo on

    Thank you for making this series. It is so beautiful and inspiring. I’ll be rewatching it through this year. The thought and care you put into each project shines through. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  41. Laura on

    So how would you and Chris feel about taking on a farm documentation/photography/videography class and workbook?

    Reply
  42. Rhonda Chilton on

    Thank you for taking the time to share your farm with the world on a monthly basis. The episodes are beautiful and calms my soul.

    Reply
  43. Connie Ambrose on

    I’m so thankful for your journey with all you have embraced on the farm that inspires me and others who want and do create beauty around them. I love gardening from a young age with my maternal grandmother and mother. I have taken Iris with me from move to move that originated from my childhood and I share with my daughter now. I remember the lilacs, roses, Iris and gooseberries. I love that you take on these massive projects so that we too can learn and grow through your efforts. Your staff and crew work diligently and are so deserving of recognition and respect for the hard work and dedication to bringing this knowledge forward.

    Amazing to me that in January2026 is that I have sweet peas still climbing on a trellis I built! I have a tea rose that is still blooming! I have carnations in bloom in a container on my patio along with hanging baskets of fuschias putting out new growth. I’m amazed, inspired and happy.

    Thank you Floret Farm!

    Reply
  44. Anne Gassner on

    Thank you Erin to you and your whole team. I really loved seeing Chris laugh in the videos; it is rare to see Chris in the videos! His videos and photos are truly beautiful! How is it possible that both of you have amazingly self taught yourselves to do the things you love to do with such success?! It is inspirational for sure.

    The “Land of Misfits” is a wonderful analogy of showing how you choose plants to save on the farm. I am older than you but if I had known you in school, I would have sat at your lunch table!

    When I watch you sitting in your garage, by the window, with the background shelves filled with urns and pots, I dream of a similar place to call my own. The time lapse videos of your “Wall of Flowers” is just gorgeous!

    I look forward to your new book on seed saving and another opportunity to learn from your wealth of knowledge!

    Reply
  45. Catherine Hamilton on

    What a massive undertaking. Absolutely beautiful. You make me cry and smile at the same time. May you remember what you learned and go onward and upward from there this year. Please don’t stop. Thank you!

    Reply
  46. Faith Simonson on

    Thank you for the beautiful story. A moment of peace and joy so needed right now. Your dedication and energy makes us all better. I, for one, am so grateful for your gift!

    Reply
  47. Darlene on

    This whole series has been 10/10 phenomenal! Thank you for sharing your vision and dreams and loss and victory with the world. It has been so inspiring to hear out your internal process and see the beauty of like minded people banded together for a bigger mission. Thanks for the journey!

    Darlene

    Reply
  48. MJT on

    Magnificent! The entire video series has been such a wealth of knowledge, so inspiring, gorgeous and encouraging. Thanks so much for all the time, effort and magic that went into the filming. Such a terrific group of people that have come together to create and grow so many plants and organisms. Love that all of you have create an ark, I am certain the Earth thanks you. So appreciate all the beauty, on so many levels. Also, I would have been honoured to be your lunch mate in school, Erin. Take care and be well, Melanie

    Reply
  49. Mona Isaacs on

    I live in Minneapolis. Watching this helps restore my soul. Thank you.

    Reply
  50. Kia V on

    I feel as though this is your most powerful and compelling episode. Thank you and your team for sharing.

    Reply
  51. Jimmy N on

    Would be nice to end the season with a free giveaway of seed of your choice. Hi hi.

    Reply
  52. Lindsay on

    Beautiful ❤️ I watched this as I packed lunches and got ready for work this morning. I hope to make flower growing my career one day and seeing all that you’ve accomplished is inspiring. And sooo relieved that the flooding didn’t reach the farm! Hope you all get some well-deserved rest.

    Reply
  53. Kim on

    That was amazing!!!! You are a Flower Bodhisattva! Thank you!

    Reply
  54. Suzanne on

    An exquisite and inspiring love story! Thank you

    Reply
  55. Lee on

    How beautiful! Your life, that you build..piece by piece…seed by seed, saplings, a new variety, each sunrise…breathtaking. The perfect bloom, the plant you save! The beauty in the blooms..and most of all the smiles you share…working so hard for everyone to reap the reward..natures bounty and raw beauty in Abundance…everyday a 🌺 🌹 🌼 blooms for me, I’m home..and living in hope and gratitude…ty for sharing your hopes &/farm…🙏🦋

    Reply
  56. Raquel Gónzalez Llamazares on

    Hello Erin, and the rest of the team, what’s going to happen with the missing episodes? January, February, March, and April to complete the whole year. We all hope you have the change to record them. It’s one of the most special things to watch this year. I always waited for a special moment during the weekend to watch it.
    I hope to make it happens, thank you very much.
    Raquel

    Reply
  57. Veronika on

    You are becoming a real flower library – both in written knowledge, and the actual plants!

    Reply

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