How's it Growing Spring? 2025

April has brought quite a new turn for me and New England Botanicals. Dreams I always had in the back of my mind that maybe someday would come to pass somehow came true in the  month of March.

I've always loved growing my own vegetables, herbs and flowers as a hobby and dreamed someday of running a curated,boutique style nursery from my home. This January I applied,on a whim, to the Connecticut Department of Entomology and received my license within two weeks! So among the usual vegetables,herbs and flowers that I grow hydroponically for my family I am also growing specialty plants. I am a vendor at an Earth Day Expo soon and will be offering one variety of a drought tolerant, kid friendly annual. In spring of 2026 I'll be marketing Swiss Giants Pansies at a Garden Symposium. 

I have tried many different ways to sell flowers grown in my garden over the years with absolutely no results.  In March,  I contacted a memory care center asking if they would like donations of flowers for the residents to arrange bouquets for their tables. The facility was thrilled to receive such a generous offer and in return,  offered to pay for my flowers bi-weekly! All flowers must be non- toxic and I was invited to chat with the residents about gardening as well. It's been fun adding some new blooms to my garden tapestry specifically for the residents in mind.

So with all that said, here is what's growing under grow lights, hydroponics, in the pop-up greenhouse and what is already planted out in the Potager Garden …

Hydroponic 

• Strawflower 

• Salvia

• Zinnia

• Snapdragon

Grow Lights

• Tithonia 

• Bishop's Children Dahlia 

• Anise Hyssop 

• Purple Coneflower 

• Watermelon “mini me”

• Cucumber burpless

• Sunflower 

• Sugar snap peas

• Bunny Tails grass

• Geraniums

• Cosmo

• Nasturtium 

Pop Up GreenHouse

• Pansies for nursing home 

• Strawflower hardening off

• Sugar snap peas hardening off

Potager Garden 

• Kale

• Pansies

  
  

Below is a list of non toxic flowers I created. This list is labeled as 'non-toxic'. It is not intended to replace advice from a healthcare professional or is suitable for all individuals. Always consult with a doctor before making changes in your healthcare routine.