Flowers & Grapes Spring 2022 Issue - Online

GARDEN | FLORAL | HOME | LIFESTYLE 

Northern California Wine Country 

Spring 2022 

Garden inspiration, potting benches, quiches, basket bouquets, and more!

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Founder + Publisher 

Maya Bartolf 

Special Thanks 

| Catherine Clark | Erin Benzakein | Tom Ecklund | 

| Rosa Bravo | 

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Volume 2, Issue 1, Flowers & Grapes magazine is published in Marin County California by Maya Bartolf in 

All rights reserved. Copyright ©2022. No part of this magazine may be reproduced 

in any form without written permission from the publisher.

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You’ll find no paid ads on our pages. We rely on contributions from our 

readers to offer this magazine to you online for free. We invite our fans to 

support us by donating so that we can continue to publish this new artful 

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Spring 2022 

7. Editor’s Note 

Vibrancy & New Beginnings 

8. Cover 

Mustard, Vines, and Springtime at 

Bartholomew Estate Winery & Park 

24. Crafted 

One-Of-A-Kind: The Potting Benches 

of Tom Ecklund 

32. In Bloom 

Beautiful Basket Bouquets 

36. Wine Country 

Wanderings 

Picture Perfect: Tenfold Farmstand 

Mustard, Vines, and Springtime 

at Bartholomew Estate Winery 

p. 8 

p. 50 

p. 24 

Sowing Seeds of Inspiration 

Erin Benzakein & Floret Farm 

One-Of-A-Kind: The Potting Benches 

of Tom Ecklund

Edible Spring: Flowers You Can Eat 

p. 62 

Happy Spring! 

p.56 

50. Book Notes 

Sowing Seeds of Inspiration: 

Erin Benzakein & Floret Farm 

p. 36 

Picture Perfect: 

Tenfold Farmstand 

56. What’s Cooking 

Edible Spring: Flowers You Can Eat 

61. Fresh Picks 2022 

Our favorite events not to miss in 2022! 

62. Seasonal 

Celebration 

From Flowers & Grapes 

Spring 2022

Blossom by 

Blossom it 

Becomes 

Spring! 

6 flowers & grapes spring 2022

New life abounds this spring at Las Gallinas Ponds in Marin County: Cob and Pen with their cygnets. 

Spring is already here in wine country! It’s magic lies in the power of new beginnings in nature and in life. At the 

ponds near my home in spring, I look for our lovey swans, the Cob and the Pen, with their new fluffy cygnets. This 

sweet annual scene is a hopeful reminder of a new beginning and the natural cycle of life. Our issue is full of all the 

usual signs of spring, eggs, tulips, bunnies, and all of the inspiration and vitality of the season in the wine country. 

March rolled out carpets of bright yellow mustard flowers covering the landscape in the region. While this magnificent 

seasonal display announces the coming of spring, the bright yellow mustard also is an integral part of winemaking 

by adding nitrogen to the soil surrounding the awaking vines that lay dormant all winter. See the splendor 

of these yellow blooms announcing the coming of spring at Bartholomew Estate Winery in Sonoma. 

Catherine Clark of Tenfold Farmstand shares her story of how growing the most picture-perfect produce led to 

growing community with her neighbors and the region. Erin Benzakein, the most celebrated flower farmer, florist 

and best selling author will inspire you to go out into your yard and get your hands dirty this spring, so you can 

have beautiful flowers all summer long. 

Tom Ecklund's artful upcycled vintage potting benches will brighten up your garden and are perfect for making 

beautiful spring bouquets, planting seed trays, or repotting plants. Beautiful Basket Bouquets will help you to make 

vibrant flower arrangements perfect for any celebration this spring. Edible Spring will make an ordinary brunch 

more festive with edible flowers from your garden. We'll share some of our favorite edible flowers to add pop to 

your spring cooking, desserts, and celebrations. 

As the color and vitality fill this season, cultivate and share its magic with family, friends, and community. 

“Remember a flower blossoms for its own joy!” –Oscar Wild 

Maya Bartolf 

Editor | Publisher 

Follow me on Instagram @MayaBartolf 

flowersandgrapes.com 7

Mustard, Vines, and Springtime 

Bartholomew Estate Winery & Park 



Left: A vintage press brimming with our favorite spring flowers is the perfect arrangement for our cover shoot to 

celebrate the mustard display carpeting the vineyards at Bartholomew Estate Winery and Park in Sonoma this 

March. Above: Count Agoston Haraszthy's original residence and vineyard are now the site of the park and considered 

the birthplace of California's premium wine industry. 

A 

fter a gray dormant winter in wine country, the magnificent show of mustard 

blooms among the grapevines announces the coming of spring in 

Northern California. Bright yellow blooms seem to pop up out of nowhere 

at winter's end, blanketing hillsides, meadows, and vineyards. A mustard 

seed can remain dormant for nearly 20 years, waiting for just the right weather and 

soil conditions. And just like that, this bright seasonal display appears, blooming 

vibrantly and making spring one of the most exciting times to visit the wine country 

and the perfect time to shoot a cover feature story for Flowers & Grapes. 

This spectacular bloom happens for just a few short weeks, welcoming visitors with 

a sunny warm glow to this stunning spot, both a winery and a popular public 

park. Bartholomew Estate Winery, nestled within the 375-acre Bartholomew Park, 

offers public walking trails that will bring you up close to the mustard growing in 

the vineyard. Public trails leading throughout the vineyard to stunning backdrops 

draw many visitors from afar to capture the breathtaking seasonal moment in portraits 

and photos. 



The Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation owns the vineyards and manages Bartholomew 

Park. Just northeast of the town of Sonoma, the park is a perfect spot for 

your first spring outing. Picnic in the winery's gardens or purchase a bottle of 

wine to enjoy on the Oak Knoll while taking in the mesmerizing mustard covering 

the surrounding vineyards and hillsides. Explore this seasonal show up close on 

one of the many dog-friendly scenic trails along a creek or winding surrounding 

vineyard and hillsides. The park is a protected space where the public can enjoy 

the beauty and history of the land. 

While a fleeting moment of stunning natural beauty for all to enjoy, the mustard 

bloom is an essential and beneficial element of the landscape and winemaking in 

the region. After the bloom, mustard tilled into the soil is a necessary beneficial 

mulch, and provides valuable nutrients and phosphorus to feed the soil, vines, 

and emerging plants. Mustard is also a natural biofumigant, and the pungency of 




12 flowers & grapes spring

its glucosinolate compounds deters nematodes 

that damage vines. 

Mustard has been essential to making the awardwinning 

wines at this site for over a hundred years. 

Visitors to the winery and public park should be 

mindful of its importance in winemaking and respect 

its presence in the vineyard and landscape. 

The mustard plants should never be damaged by 

picking, stepping, or sitting on them. While a public 

space, it is also a winery whose proceeds generously 

fund the park for all to enjoy! 

The park is the site of Count Agoston Haraszthy's 

original residence and vineyards, considered the 

birthplace of California's premium wine industry. 

With over 160 years of history since the Count 



purchased the property, this historic site has a 

colorful story, all well documented on the winery's 

and foundation's websites. 

Bartholomew Estate Winery opened its doors 

as a brand-new winery in the heart of Bartholomew 

Park in the spring of 2019. The winery 

and tasting rooms are in the historic, newly 

renovated mission-style building originally 

built in 1922. After many years of living on this 

beautiful property, the Bartholomews, in an act 

of incredible generosity, established the Frank 

H. Bartholomew Foundation — a trust to protect 

and preserve the winery and surrounding 

land after they were gone. The winery was 

formed to honor the legacy of the Bartholomews 

and maintain the spectacular landscape 

by Anna Pope, as Trustee of the Frank H. Bartholomew 

Foundation, and noted winemaker 

Kevin Holt. 

A gift to the community, the 375-acre private 

park, open to the public at no charge, ensures 

that the Bartholomew's commitment to this 

magnificent place lives on today. Bartholomew 

Estate Winery continues focusing on the creation 

of the most exquisite wines possible from 

this iconic location; sharing information on 

California winemaking and viticulture with all 

those who visit; and supporting Bartholomew 

Park. All profits from wine sales from the Frank 

H. Bartholomew Foundation go directly to support 

the park. When you purchase wine or join 




the wine club, you are helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy the 

coming of spring, a unique part of the Valley of the Moon throughout the year. 

This spring Bartholomew Estate Winery and park offer the perfect pairing to enjoy 

the spectacular mustard bloom and the fine estate wines of the surrounding 

vineyards. It is open year round for all visitors, including your doggies. At Bartholomew 

Estate Winery, they love your dog as much as you do! When your pup visits 

the winery, they will be welcomed with a special water bowl exclusively for 

their canine members – dogs always drink free at Bartholomew Estate, and with 

each wine club shipment, a special doggy goodie can be added. You can follow 

the seasonal beauty of this spectacular winery and landscape 

@bartholomewestatewinery or follow the doggo love at #dogslovebartestate or 

#dogsdigbartestate. Celebrate the coming spring with perfect paring and more 

flowers and grapes! 


Silver & Gold 

One-Of-A-Kind 

Courtesy: © GardenGlory2021 

52 24 flowers & grapes spring 2022


Tom Ecklund is a local legend and celebrity 

craftsman known for his charming 

upcycled potting benches made from 

vintage relics found in the wine country. 




T 

om Ecklund is as one-of-a-kind as his unique handcrafted upcycled potting 

benches. A resident of Sebastopol for over 40 years, Tom knows all of this agricultural 

community's backroads, farms, and wineries. For over 15 years, Tom 

has been designing and building unique potting benches made from architectural salvage, 

reclaimed wood, and vintage finds. This master craftsman has become a local 

legend known for his wonderful personality, knowledge of the region, and charming 

benches made from materials of farm outbuildings and rural houses in the wine country. 

Tom and his potting benches have taken on celebrity with feature stories in Sunset 

Magazine, Bay Area Backroads, and local papers. 

Tom is a gardener at heart and loves the natural landscape of the wine country that 

surrounds his home. His garden style reflects an appreciation for native birds, plants, 

and a passion for collecting a variety of vintage garden ornaments. From antique bird 

baths to bronze Asian lanterns that hang from tree branches, Tom's garden is punctuated 

by eclecticism and his deep love of vintage. "Every decorative garden ornament 

tells a story," recounted Tom. " I found this beauty half-buried behind a barn and 

Below: Daffodils from Tom Ecklund's garden in Sebastopol, CA and detail of the vintage ceiling tile that creates a historic 

backing for the potting bench and shelf.

thought it was a redwood trunk…only to find this rare 

hand-carved fertility goddess," speaking of a magnificent 

native redwood trunk carving that greets visitors 

in his front yard. 

Tom's upcycled potting benches are unique. "No two 

potting benches are alike," Tom said. "The potting 

benches are made mostly from reclaimed wood, architectural 

salvage, and it depends on my finds," 

shared Tom. "I go to yard sales, junkyards, or sometimes 

just spot old stuff on properties and ask the residents 

if they want to get rid of it," said Tom. "I top 

some of the benches with old paned glass window 

frames or headboards of old iron bed frames. Each 

potting bench is an expression of Tom's collecting adventures. 

He scours the country for material, and his 

work area on his property resembles a salvage yard 

full of old iron bed frames, paned window frames, and 

Above: One of many antique bird baths collected by Tom Ecklund. 

Middle: Redwood Fertility Goddess. Below: A charming new bird house by Home Bazar 

Architectural Birdhouses. Right: Vintage Potting bench washed in red paint with an enameled 

sink bowl for dirt when potting or ice when entertaining. A Concrete winking moon face is a whimsical garden décor created 

by Tom Ecklund.



found objects. A treasure trove of artifacts from past lives of residents in the region. 

When it comes to selling these beautiful potting benches (and rustic handcrafted 

birdhouses too!), Tom is as old school as the materials from which his signature are 

made. He does not have a website or Etsy profile. "You can only purchase them directly 

from me at my home or one of the local antique fairs or flea markets," said Tom. 

You can find Tom selling his handcrafted wares throughout the Bay Area. He attends 

the Antique Fair in Petaluma each year and also periodically sells his vintage garden 

wares at the Alameda Flea Market. The Antique French Market in Marin County is another 

favorite place he likes to sell, and that's where we first discovered his work. 

The great part about purchasing directly from Tom is that you also get to hear the stories 

of how your charming potting bench came to be. Tom is a rare find and legend, 

and his unique upcycled potting benches are so lovely that many in wine country use 

them as cocktail bars for garden entertaining. Cheers to Tom and original stories of 

lost garden relics in wine country. You can contact him at tomecklund@sbcglobal.net. 

Left and Detail Above: Tom’s charming rustic potting benches are perfect for beginner gardeners being small and 

compact with just enough storage for a few posts. 


Antique white spirea 

makes a dreamy base 

for this beautiful spring 

arrangement in this vintage 

silver basket .

Beautiful 

Basket Bouquets 

Make a beautiful basket bouquet for your spring celebrations. Baskets 

of flowers are super easy to make. Simply gather your favorite spring 

flowers and begin filling your baskets. First, select your basket. It can be 

made of any material: straw, rattan, glass, or metal. Just make sure there 

is a vessel to contain the water for flowers. For our arrangement, we 

used a vintage silver basket with glass vessel insert. Next gather your 

spring flowers in a vibrant pallet as in the picture below. We used colorful 

spring flowers including orange and pink ranunculus, bright yellow 


Vintage glass basket vase makes a perfect seasonal gift 

for your favorite hostess this spring. 

daffodils, white Narcissus, bright blue anemones, purple sweet 

peas, and pink and purple tulips (not shown). As filler we used 

branches of antique white spirea and wiry stems of yellow Japanese 

rose. We began the arrangement with delicate antique 

white spirea, then filled the basket by alternating three stems of 

each color of the vibrant spring flowers to look as if gathered 

from the garden. Then, we topped the arrangement with yellow 

puffs on wiry stems of Japanese roses. We made an additional 

small arrangement using a vintage crystal glass basket vase with 

our leftover flowers. This small arrangement is perfect for a hostess 

gift or to be placed on a side table. Brighten your home with 

beautiful baskets filled with your favorite spring flowers from 

your garden or farmer’s market seasonal bouquets! 


Photo Courtesy: ©2022TenfoldFarmstand 

Catherine Clark’s Tenfold Farmstand is located on a charming small 10-acre rural property in Petaluma, California. 


Picture Perfect 

Tenfold Farmstand 

F 

resh baked bread, bright bouquets of daffodils, and dew-drop leafy 

greens are just some of the beautiful square images of picture-perfect 

posts sharing dreamy rural life @TenfoldFarmstand. The allure of these 

rich images entice followers to venture off the beaten path to discover the 

story of Catherine Clark, homestead farmer and proprietor of Tenfold 

Farmstand located at 1094 Middle Two Rock Road, in Petaluma, California. For 

most residents in the Bay Area, discovering a farmstand usually coincides with 

a family trip to the mountains, wine country, or the beach. Today, social media 

introduces us to farmstands that many may otherwise bypass -- if not for their 

stunning posts of dreamy rural life and the produce grown from the land like 

that at Tenfold Farmstand. 

Catherine's adventures as a novice gardener first captured Flowers & Grapes’ 

attention on Instagram in 2018, making us huge fans instantly. Inspired by a 

yearning to eat healthy and delicious food without pesticides, and live a more 

sustainable life, Catherine dreamed of creating a garden on the 10-acre property 

of her rural home where she resides with her husband. A longtime fan 

visiting local farmstands and buying farm-fresh organic produce, Catherine 

became inspired to grow her own. Now Catherine grows a robust garden 

harvest and still supplements her grocery list with items purchased from local 

Images & Quotes Courtesy of Catherine Clark Instagram @TenfoldFarmstand Instagram 


Word of mouth and social media have made a world of 

difference for my business—Catherine Clark 


Weekly abundant offerings from the garden, orchard, and kitchen at Tenfold Farmstand. 



The baby lettuce loves this cloudy day. 

So do I actually—Catherine Clark 

farms, and the organic grocery store. "Sure, it takes longer this way, but I support 

my neighborhood farms, find produce not carried in chain grocery stores, and 

enjoy shopping so much more," Catherine shared. 

In 2018, Catherine and her husband began planning her dream garden and 

began clearing land on the north side of the property. "We chopped down thistle 

and nettles, cleared the land of grass and weeds, laid cardboard and weed fabric, 

covered it with wood chips, built the raised beds, and added gopher wire to the 

bottoms," Catherine said. "I had never done any of this before..." She confided 

that she learned a lot about gardening via Google, like so many. 

By summer, her fledgling garden was bountiful, yielding the typical surplus of 



Bright and cheery spring offerings at Tenfold Farm 



zucchinis common of most novice gardeners. 

"I'm still pretty new to gardening, 

so being able to gather ingredients for a 

meal from my yard hasn't lost its novelty 

for me. It makes me ridiculously happy," 

Catherine confessed. Sharing her 

garden's abundance with the neighbors 

and baking zucchini bread planted the 

seeds of her vision for a homestead life 

and Tenfold Farmstand. By October, the 

foundation had been poured for her 

farmstand, and the logo designed. Like a 

holiday gift, the shed that was to become 

the home of Tenfold Farmstand was 

delivered on December 22nd. 

2020 would bring the launch of Tenfold 

Farmstand and a global pandemic. With 

no business plan in place for a lockdown 

and sheltering-in-place, the farmstand 

surprisingly thrived, bringing neighbors 

and customers throughout wine country 

together by offering a safer alternative 

than going shopping in a large 

Top: Catherine in front of the farmstand poses in 

mask and gloves to mark the Covid19 pandemic on 

Instagram. 

Middle: “Does anyone else think that turnip looks like 

an alien?? “ Catherine Clark 

Bottom: “The early summer garden is looking unruly 

already! Soon to be a jungle of melon and tomato 

vines.” Catherine Clark 


We chopped down thistle and nettles, cleared the land of 

grass and weeds, laid cardboard and weed fabric, covered 

it with wood chips, built the raised beds, and added 

gopher wire to the bottoms—Catherine Clark 

Winter Sparkle 

at Domaine Carneros 

A productive winter garden at Tenfold Farmstand in February 2022

Someone please do me a favor and make cupcakes topped 

with edible flowers ..and send me a photo so I know these 

beauties went to good use—Catherine Clark 

Above: Vibrant edible flowers that we purchased 

to use in our What’s Cooking feature 

on page 59. Below: Catherine offers farm 

fresh eggs from chickens raised by her young 

neighbor’s 4H Agriculture Club. 

commercial grocery store. By April, 

Catherine hosted her very first socially 

distanced pandemic plant sale after 

growing over 400 seedlings. “It makes me 

happy to know the little plants I grew from 

seed and lovingly nurtured will go on to 

provide nourishment to others." An image 

of Catherine masked and gloved along with 

a post shared, "that it will be a poignant 

reminder of what our lives were like when 

the farmstand opened…I grieve for those 

who have lost loved ones and livelihood. 




Just a little spring beauty for you—Catherine Clark 

And, I am heartened to have met so many 

people who have chosen this time to start 

gardens and grow a few vegetables…" 

Today Tenfold Farmstand is a charming and 

productive homestead farm that sits on a 

small rural property with an orchard and 

huge garden. Catherine shared that they 

named it “Tenfold Farmstand" because “it's 

on ten acres, and whatever we put into it, 

we are given back tenfold, whether it be 

peace, shelter, or an abundance of gifts 

from the garden." Inside this tiny beadboard 

cottage farmstand, you'll find great 

Above: A variety of flowers from Catherine’s summer 

garden fill recycled jars at the farmstand. 


veggies, rich microgreens, stone fruit, 

herbs, and lavender. Catherine also likes 

experimenting in the kitchen, so come 

early to taste limited items like olives, 

dried chiles, and yummy baked goods. 

Or bring your coffee to take in the 

dreamy rural life and community the 

farmstand draws. Cash is king and an 

honor system is used for purchasing. 

Catherine not only has cultivated a productive 

farmstand, but she has also 

grown a passionate community. At first, 

the farmstand serviced neighbors and 

provided a safe outdoor gathering spot 

for her community during the pandemic. 

Then Instagram attracted visitors 

throughout the region. However, Catherine's 

posts inviting people to the farm 

makes visitors feel welcome to enjoy the 

seasonal beauty of farm life. Also, she 

periodically hosts local artisans who sell 


Top: ‘This weather we’re having is crazy. In the early 

morning I have to wait until the frost melts before harvesting 

these gorgeous winter greens, but then have to 

rush to get them in before it gets too hot and they wilt. 

It’s supposed to hit 80 degrees again today’ —Catherine 

Clark 

Middle: ‘Herbs are harvested in the early morning then 

air-dried before packaging in compostable packets.‘ — 

Catherine Clark 

46 flowers & grapes spring 2022 

Bottom: ‘Meyer lemon cake with lemon buttercream and 

sugar-frosted flowers.’ —Catherine Clark


It’s a joy to serve food freshly harvested from the garden— 

Catherine Clark 


their wares, making Tenfold a destination 

for finding unusual hand-crafted items. 

Farm fresh eggs produced by a young 

neighbor in 4H are offered for sale to 

support the young farmer's club and 

agricultural inspirations. 

Catherine and her husband manifested 

their homestead dream by creating an 

endearing cottage farmstand. In 

addition to growing beautiful organic 

produce and offering delicious 

foodstuffs, Tenfold Farmstand fosters a 

community that supports local artisans 

and agriculture while adding to the 

region's biodiversity. We are excited for 

you to hop in your car and take a drive 

out to Tenfold Farmstand for some 

picture-perfect produce and a dreamy 

farmstead experience. 


You can follow Catherine Clark's gardening and 

seasonal farmstand adventures on Instagram 

@TenfoldFarmstand 

Top: ‘Mmmm....I’ll be having roasted root vegetables 

with dinner! ‘—Catherine Clark 

Middle: ‘So, what do you think my husband is saying 

to them?? #captiveaudience ‘—Catherine Clark 

Bottom ‘The daffodils are fading rapidly, but tulips 

are blooming in abundance.’—Catherine Clark 



I made this decadent Meyer lemon curd with duck eggs from 

@lilypadsgarden and it is so rich and delicious! Spread on brioche, 

scones, English muffins, crepes, pancakes, or use as cake 

filling. Or just eat straight out of the jar!—Catherine Clark 


Sowing 

Seeds of 

Inspiration 

Photos Courtesy: ©2022LFloretFarms 

Photography: Chris Benzakein 


Erin Benzakein & 

Floret Farms 

Courtesy: © LewisMiller2021 

Quotes from ,“A long Night of ‘Flower Flashing with Lewis Miller,” by Jessica Shaw. Published in New York Times June 20, 2020.

When you start growing flowers, whether it’s a 

large cut flower garden or the seeds from a 

single packet of cosmos, you’re forever 

changed. Once you’ve been bitten by the flower 

bug there’s no going back, you’re a gardener 

for life.–Erin Benzakein 

Courtesy Floret Farms 2022 Photography: Chris Benzakein

Courtesy Floret Farms 2022 Photography: Chris Benzakein 

O 

ur favorite seeds of garden inspiration can be found at your local bookstore or online 

at Floret Farms. Erin Benzakein, considered to be the country’s most influential 

farmer-florist, continues to inspire thousands to grow and share seasonal flowers 

through her wonderful award-winning books and online resources for growing and arranging 

flowers. A Year in Flowers, Cut Flower Garden, and her most recent book, Discovering Dahlias 

[pictured below] along with her online resources, are sure to inspire not only the beginner gardener, 

but also experienced gardeners alike. 

Erin’s passion is cultivating beauty in the world by helping others discover the joy of growing 

and sharing seasonal flowers. A gifted writer, photographer, and teacher, Erin has influenced 

the flower industry in big and small ways through her popular blog, books, workshops, documentary 

series, social media channels, and specialty seeds. Thousands of aspiring and established 

flower growers and florists, including virtually all the emerging leaders in the field, have 

honed their craft at one of Floret’s workshops. Floret’s training has helped growers from more 

than 40 countries build thriving flower-based businesses and fuel a global seasonal flower 

movement. However, her books not only inspire the novice, but also provide in-depth 

knowledge for the experienced gardener. 

Flower Flash 

Written by Lewis Miller 

Monacelli Press 2021 

ISBN:9781580935852c | Buy A Signed Book 


While vegetables feed your body, flowers are 

food for your soul, and the amount of beauty 

that can be added to both your garden and 

your life from a single packet of seeds is really 

quite amazing.–Erin Benzakein 




Courtesy: ©2021 LewisMiller 

What started as a tiny backyard cutting garden years ago has blossomed into a thriving research 

and education farm, specializing in giving flower lovers the tools and information they 

need to grow the gardens of their dreams. Floret later expanded into specialty flower seed and 

bulb sales and now offers a curated collection of cut flower seeds, tools, supplies, and gifts in 

their online store. Floret also hosts on-farm workshops focused on seasonal flower production 

and natural floral design. These wildly popular events brought together flower lovers from 

across the U.S. and from as far away as Australia, England, and Brazil. Unable to scale these inperson 

trainings to meet demand, Floret converted the workshop content into a six-week video 

-based course all about growing flowers. The Floret Online Workshop is offered each fall and 

has trained thousands of flower growers from nearly 50 countries on how to grow flowers on a 

small scale. Each year Floret also offers free resources and educational programs to help others 

have success growing flowers. 

Floret Farm and Erin Benzakein continue to inspire gardeners each spring to live a flower-filled 

life. Check out her family farm specializing in unique, uncommon and heirloom flowers on her 

website. Gardeners will not only find inspiration but the tools, specialty seeds, and educational 

resources to have success in growing flowers throughout the summer.

Edible Spring 

Flowers You Can Eat 

B 

righten up your traditional spring dishes and desserts 

with edible flowers. While edible flowers seem to be all 

the rage, eating and preparing flowers have been traced 

back to early civilizations, including the Romans’, Chinese, 

Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures. Today, various edible 

flowers add elegance and are typical plate garnish at restaurants. 

They also add unique and delicate flavors to many recipes. 

While not all blooms are edible, you certainly can use 

your favorite flowers decoratively, but just don’t eat them, and 

make them easily removable. 

Above: Assorted container of edible flowers purchased from Tenfold Farmstand including calendula, mustard, pansies, and 

violas. Right: Make your ordinary frittata extraordinary by topping with vibrant edible flowers lightly spray-coated with 

cooking oil. Your brunch favorite will be transformed with farm fresh eggs and a container of edible flowers from Tenfold 

Farmstand. 


It is essential to know that 

all flowers are not edible, 

and even sampling petals 

can make you very ill. Before 

consuming your favorite 

bloom, you must do 

reasearch. Also, it is always 

a god idea to taste test to see 

if you are allergic. The blog 

@FreshTrimmings has an 

excellent list and guide. 

Additionally, you must know 

where your edible blooms 

are grown. It would be best 

to harvest them from your 

organic garden or purchase 

them from a specialty store 

or farmstand. To stay safe, 

look for edible flowers labeled 

for human consumption; 

otherwise, you run the 

risk of consuming flowers 

sprayed with toxic pesticides 

and herbicides. 

We added some of our favorite 

edible flowers to add a 

pop of color for some of our 

spring brunch dishes! 

Left: Lemon Tart topped with blue borage 

flowers marking edges and edible floral confetti 

center made with violas, pansies, tiny pink 

dianthus pedals, and tiny pink Sweet William. 

Top: A home grown culinary nosegay of vibrant 

edible pansies, and violas. Bottom: 

Brighten your favorite brunch cocktail with edible 

flowers toppers. 


60 flowers & grapes spring 2022 

Colorful Spring!

Tulip Bloom at Ferrari-Carano Wineries | March | Reservation Required 

8761 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448 

No matter the season, the gardens are a delight, changing constantly in color scheme and 

plantings, beginning each year with over 10,000 tulips and daffodils that take center stage in 

the spring. Tulip fans may call the Tulip Hotline, (707) 433-5349, in the late winter/early spring 

months to find out when the tulips will be in full bloom. 

Far Niente | March | Reservation Required 

1350 Acacia Dr, Oakville, CA 94562 

Spring brings on a dazzling show of azaleas and tulips at this lovely woodland garden. This enchanting 

winery will delight any time of year. 

Nickel & Nickel | March | Reservation Required 

8164 St Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA 94562 

Daffodils dazzle at this winery known for its year-round rustic charm and cottage garden. Think 

white-railed fences with a pop of spring color! 

Russian River Rose Company | March – April | 

1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg, CA 95448 | (707) 433 -7455 

Iris takes center stage at the Russian River Rose Company in March. Also enjoy wild mustard 

bloom and early roses in bloom. April brings Rose crescendo and late iris bloom 

San Francisco Garden Show | April 7 –10 | Purchase Tickets 

4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566—Entry: Valley Ave. Gate 8 or Gate 12 

Stroll through gorgeous designer gardens with artfully arranged plants, trees, and flowers in 

full bloom. See the designs and watch the demonstrations by world-class floral designers. Discover 

how to create your own remarkable garden with hands-on demonstrations and inspiring 

seminars. Browse a wide selection of specialty shops featuring unique flowers, plants, gifts, 

tools, and more. 


It’s spring in our garden at flowers & grapes!

icons by Flaticon at www.feepik.com 

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Flowers & Grapes Spring 2022 Issue - Online

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