Northern Colorado is expecting its first snowfall of the year, a reminder that the growing season is officially over. For longtime local flower growers Sue Miller of Blush Flowers on Vine and Debbie Miller of The Farmer’s Wife Flowers, the timing lines up with the winding down of their field tasks and the beginning of next year’s planning.
Thankfully for Sue and Debbie, fall’s tasks are usually fewer than spring’s. Perennials are mulched and some are cut back, irrigation systems are winterized, Dahlia tubers are dug up, and equipment is stored—but the overall fall workload is lighter because of a field management philosophy both have adopted.
Sue and Debbie use an ecological approach that differs from many growers: they leave their annual crops standing through the winter. Instead of clearing beds in the fall, they let the dried plants remain in place until spring. This minimizes unnecessary soil disturbance which protects it from erosion, helps reduce weed pressure, and supports insect and wildlife habitat. Dried stalks, stems and seed heads provide pleasing texture and movement during the stark winter months.
The fall and winter months are also when growers review their notes, catch up on the books, and make calculated business decisions. Deciding what and how much to grow for the 2026 season is a complicated figuring this year for Sue and Debbie who have both been and will continue to be impacted by two recent and significant changes in the region’s floral industry.
In March 2024, the region’s largest buyer of local flowers—Palmer Flowers—was acquired by the Midwestern company Family Flowers– a large, privately owned floral enterprise that operates legacy flower shops nationwide. After the acquisition, Family Flowers ended Palmer’s former practice of purchasing seasonal flowers directly from area farms.
This policy change greatly affected the Northern Colorado Flower Community, a cooperative wholesale collective that served as a primary market for many local growers. The collective announced earlier this month that it was shutting down and closing it’s warehouse.
For Sue, the loss of both markets is significant. For the last two years she has grown exclusively for wholesale purchasers. She plans on adapting by scaling back her operation and focusing more on dried flower production that is easier to sell in Denver markets.
Debbie was greatly impacted this year by Palmer’s changing policy. They had been her primary revenue stream, selling up to 75% of her product to them directly in years past. She plans to streamline her business and plantings to accommodate a cut-your-own operation and more easy pick varieties. Additionally, she plans to market more as a venue for photography, events, and workshops.
Aside from concerns about the viability of their present growing operations, both farmers are concerned about the access to and support for local flowers in our area. Despite the uncertain seasons ahead, Sue and Debbie remain optimistic and committed to growing in the future. The local changes create new challenges and opportunities for a community that has always been hard working and resilient.
The Flower Press 