Locally Grown Blooms vs. Grocery Store Flowers: What’s the Difference?
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At Flower Moon Farm here in Westlock County, we know the power of flowers. They brighten your table, lift your spirits, and make every day feel a little more special. But as farmers who pours care into every bloom, we also know there’s a big difference between flowers grown locally and those you find at the grocery store. Let us take you behind the scenes to share why locally grown flowers offer something truly unique.
The Journey of Flowers
Every flower we grow at Flower Moon Farm has a short but meaningful journey. Harvested at its peak, often just hours before it reaches you, our blooms come straight from the field to your vase. Whether you pick up a bouquet at the farmers’ market, enjoy a subscription, or stop by the farm, you’re getting flowers that are as fresh as they come.
Grocery store flowers, on the other hand, typically travel thousands of miles. Most are imported from countries like Colombia or Ecuador and spend days, if not weeks, in transit. Can you imagine? To survive such long journeys, they’re harvested early and treated with chemicals. By the time they reach your vase, they’ve lost much of their vibrancy and fragrance.
Environmental Impact
At Flower Moon Farm, we’re committed to growing flowers sustainably. Our blooms don’t need to travel far, so they have a much lower carbon footprint compared to imported flowers. Many of our farming practices are designed to work with nature—supporting pollinators, (we actually have TWO rare & natural wild honey bee colonies living on the farm!) enriching the soil, and keeping chemicals out of the ecosystem. Plus, our flowers reflect the rhythm of the seasons, offering you an ever-changing selection that celebrates the natural beauty of Alberta.
By contrast, grocery store flowers often have a significant environmental cost. Transporting them across continents requires air freight, cold storage, and chemical preservatives. While it’s convenient to have roses year-round, this convenience often comes at the expense of sustainability.
Supporting Local Economies
When you buy a bouquet from Flower Moon Farm, you’re supporting a local farmer—someone who lives, works, and invests in your community. Your purchase helps sustain small-scale agriculture here in Westlock County and allows us to keep doing what we love: growing flowers that bring joy.
Grocery store flowers, while beautiful, don’t offer the same connection. Most of the profits go to large corporations, and the flowers themselves are often grown on industrial-scale farms thousands of miles away.
Aesthetic and Quality Differences
One of the joys of farming flowers is the variety we can grow. At Flower Moon Farm, we love growing unique blooms—delicate heirloom varieties, unexpected textures, and fragrant blossoms that you won’t find at the grocery store. Our flowers are harvested at their peak, giving them vibrant colors, rich fragrances, and a longer vase life.
Grocery store flowers, on the other hand, are bred for durability and uniformity. While they’re convenient, they lack the character and personality of a locally grown bouquet. Their extended journey often means muted colors and shortened vase life.
Cost and Perceived Value
Yes, locally grown flowers can cost a little more upfront—but that price reflects fair wages, sustainable practices, and unparalleled quality. When you invest in a bouquet from Flower Moon Farm, you’re not just buying flowers—you’re investing in a story, a place, and a community.
Grocery store flowers might seem like a bargain, but the hidden costs—environmental impact, lower quality, and shorter vase life—often outweigh the savings.
Why Choose Locally Grown Flowers?
When you choose flowers from Flower Moon Farm, you’re choosing more than beauty. You’re supporting sustainable farming, reducing your environmental impact, and connecting with your local community. Most importantly, you’re filling your home with blooms that are fresh, fragrant, and full of life.
So, the next time you’re thinking about flowers, consider skipping the grocery store aisle. Let us at Flower Moon Farm share the joy of locally grown blooms with you. Whether it’s a hand-tied bouquet, a seasonal subscription, or a stop by the market, we’d love to bring a little piece of Westlock County into your home.
Let’s celebrate the beauty of local, one bloom at a time. 🌸