Every summer I plant a 4×10-foot raised bed of zinnias. They are such a happy flower that never fail to make me smile. And every year, once they get up a full head of steam, I have many more than I know what to do with. I pick them of course and make bouquets. But with at least 40+ plants in the bed, they quickly get out of control. And once the extreme heat sets in, they are lucky to get dead-headed.
This year I decided to do something I have seen Kris of Late to the Garden Party do in past summers. That is, to make up small jars of bouquets and set them out near the sidewalk for people to take. I always thought that was such a lovely way to share the joy and beauty of what you grow.
So, this week I cleaned up a bench, set it out near the sidewalk, and put out my first offerings.
Sadly, the first day, no one took a bouquet. I was quite discouraged, and felt foolish. Who could resist such happiness in a jar?
I thought, “Should I save face and pull them back in?” “What is wrong with people that they won’t or can’t receive something free?” “Has society slipped so far that they only know how to function online?” “Should I reword the sign?” Lots of questions and self-doubt went through my head. Frankly, it felt like rejection.
I was determined to keep a positive attitude and set out a couple jars the next day.
Returning home from an errand, I noticed one jar was gone, and I smiled.
Later that evening a few more jars were gone and I was happy.
Now sharing zinnias all summer depends on people bringing me jars. That is the second question. Will people bring me their jars? Will they reciprocate so I can keep giving? That remains to be seen.
I watched a video on how to harvest your flowers by Erin of Floret Flowers. She provided techniques and tips which taught me how to know when is the best time to harvest my zinnias and extend their vase life. So early in the morning, while still cool, I go out and harvest my zinnias, trusting that the people and the jars will come. Hoping that the happy jars will bring as much joy to the receiver as it does to the giver.
My neighborhood is essentially one big circle and a lot of people walk the area either with their dogs or simply to get exercise, usually in the morning or late afternoon/early evening. Walkers are probably more likely to see the items I offer as giveaways (which in my case are generally plant cuttings, small potted plants, fruit, or cut flowers). As I’ve done this on no particular schedule off and on for years, people have told me that they now look out for my giveaways even when they drive by so what I put out there goes faster now. I haven’t asked people to return anything, although I’ve occasionally received notes, jars and containers back. My husband is so used to what I do that he washes and saves all the glass bottles of jam and the like so I always have some on hand – and if people keep the plastic pots I use for cuttings and small plants, that’s one less piece of plastic for me to worry about recycling 😉 I expect your flower traffic will pick up, Cindy. In a world rife with division, spreading goodwill in any way you can is a positive act.
I guess I was hoping since people throw out jars every week, that they would want to contribute. But I know people are busy and jars are probably the last thing on their mind. Do you think I should just change the sign and say “Help yourself” or something like that? I don’t want people to feel they can’t take a jar if they don’t bring a jar. It’s just that this experiment will come to an end without more jars and the flowers will go on until October. Maybe it’s too early to tell yet what will happen, and I’ll just keep going until the jars run out. I’m soon going to have an excess of zucchini also, so I was going to set those out next to the flowers.
Thanks for you input Kris. I really appreciate it.
It’s possible people don’t want to take the flowers if they’re not sure they’ll get around to bringing a jar back. I usually just say “free flowers,” or “feel free to take a jar of flowers home to brighten your week” if you want to make it clearer that they should take one. (In a few cases, I’ve suspected that one or 2 people take everything I’ve left out there.) Your could add another note below saying something like “If you have empty jars to spare, feel free to drop them off here so I can give away more flowers in future weeks.” With fruit, I sometimes put out little lunch bags but most people just take a few and skip the bag.
Best wishes with your project!
It is such a lovely idea Cindy and you have brightened the day of several people already! Yoir zinnias are lovely, with a nice mix of colours and types. 😃
Thanks for the encouragement Cathy. Zinnias are such happy flowers. I truly hope people’s days are brightened by them. A little girl stopped today to thank me. She was giving them to her mother. We all certainly need something to brighten these dark days.
Such a lovely thing to do, Cindy!
Keep doing what you do. We need more people like you in our neighborhoods and world!
~Neva
Thank you Neva. I live on a street where people walk a lot, so I am hoping the flowers will be something they look forward to all summer long. It gives me joy to share them.
That’s lovely. The link to the pinching video was also helpful. Seeing someone blithely cutting buds off Dahlias makes it a little less terrifying.
I grew basil plants as a giveaway to my garden club at the start of our summer hiatus–found homes for all of them! A fun little thing. Not many walkers in my somewhat rural neighborhood, so the club giveaway was a good option.
Erin is a great source for growing, pinching, and cutting all kinds of flowers. I have learned so much from her. Lots of work to do what she does, but it must be so rewarding to cut such large amounts of her beautiful flowers. Just the pictures alone are stunning of all the varieties she grows.
It is difficult to pinch out the new growth. Now that I am harvesting my zinnias the way she recommends, I am getting the longest stems. Funny thing is though, people are bringing me short squatty jars and they don’t work very well together.