Last year , heyday farmer Meagan Major lease over the former Aztec Dahlias outside Petaluma , modify the name of the four - acre property to The Happy Dahlia Farm , and planting 25,000 novel flower this year in expectation of creating a summertime wonderland . “ I ’m the possessor and the crazy visionary lady , ” Major says excitedly . Major and her husband , Tony , share the day-by-day chores , often enlist the avail of their two youthful daughters . “ It ’s like our footling utopia , ” she says . A day on the farm5:00 a.m. In efflorescence season , Major arrive at the farm before morning , puts on her headlight , and gets to work . Harvesting solo is Major ’s favorite part of the day . “ I get to get internal with each bloom , and that ’s when I get to look at all of them . ” As the sun rise , Major say she ’s often compelled to discontinue what she ’s doing and take pictures , because the early - morning blooms are so beautiful.7:00 a.m. The rest of the farm crew arrives . Major keep on harvest until all the sale buckets are filled with dahlias — in rainbow social club . The growing domain are separate up by color . “ I ’m commonly more suck up to the pink and the purples , so my favorites are all on the ripe side of the field . But my full cousin Poppy , who does the farmer ’s food market , loves the yellow and the Orange . When we go out to harvest , she always loves to go to the left side of the area . ”
10:00 a.m. The farm open for visitors , some stopping at the java station , others heading straight out into the fields to wander around . shopper can choose from container of cut bloom at the farmstand or walk the rows and choose from the maturate beds , though faculty members do the factual press cutting of the flowers .
12:00 p.m. Time for lunch , often a takeout farro salad from Lunchette . If she ’s not too dirty , Major likes to head to Cucina Paradiso . “ It ’s my pet eating house in all the realm , ” she says . “ I love the Pisces , and the gnocchi is out of this world . ”
1:00 p.m. There are buckets to replenish with flower , and more flush to cut for guests walking the force field . “ I always say to bet around and enjoy everything first , and then pick your flowers before you go home . The dahlias do n’t like to be left out in the Dominicus once they ’ve been reduce , ” Major says . As visitors weave the fields , they ’ll point out Basil of Caesarea and other smaller plant interplanted with the dahlia — a way of draw in ladybugs , lacewing fly , and other good insects . “ I have seen so many lady beetle this year and I ’m really excited , ” says Major.4:00 p.m. The farm closes , and Major ’s team turn to take quick for the next twenty-four hour period ’s farmers markets , screen out blooming by color so people can look through the buckets and choose from completing grain and styles . After 12 - plus hour in the theatre , Major winds down the Clarence Day with dinner and family clock time , before an other night to get ready for the next day ’s harvest . To read the complete clause , go to www.sonomamag.com .
