Marlborough farm blooms with flower business

In early 2024, Sam Forsyth and Lucy McKnight decided to turn part of Te Rapa, their 900-hectare sheep and beef farm in Ure Valley, Marlborough, into a large flower garden.

What started as a small passion project is slowly growing into a blooming business called Picks and Petals, where they can share seasonal flowers and create a place for people to enjoy the beauty of the farm.

Picks and Petals grew from Lucy’s love of gardening and cut flowers.

“We started from scratch, gradually building the gardens, learning as we went, and adding new flower varieties each season,” Lucy explained.

“Like any small business; it’s taken plenty of hard work and patience.”

Although there is only a relatively small area of the farm dedicated to the flower patch, there are ways that growing the flowers is having a positive impact on the property.

“The sunflower field is worked into our normal paddock crop rotation - one season it’s planted in winter feed for livestock, and the next it’s transformed into our Pick Your Own sunflower field,” Lucy says.

“It’s a great way to make the most of the land, while keeping the farming and flower businesses working hand in hand.”

Sam manages the farming of livestock for prime meat and wool production, including quarter-bred ewes and Angus cattle, as well as fattening cattle.

He also helps with the bigger jobs in the flower paddock, while Lucy looks after the growing, harvesting and business side.

According to Lucy, it’s a real team effort completing the farming and flower duties, along with raising three young children, which although challenging at times, can be very satisfying.

“Some days are organised, others are wonderfully chaotic,” Lucy exclaims.

“Our children are often alongside us, and we’ve learned to be flexible and involve them in what we do.”

“Gardening has always been a passion, and it’s incredibly rewarding seeing our children grow up with the same appreciation for nature, flowers and farm life.”

Lucy grows a range of seasonal cut flowers, including peonies, sunflowers, snapdragons, cosmos, zinnias, lilies and dahlias, along with making bouquets and hosting a Pick Your Own sunflower season.

They are planning to get to some markets and fetes this coming season, too.

“Our Pick Your Own sunflower field was our biggest attraction over our first summer, with peonies also proving very popular,” Lucy says.

Visitors are welcome during their seasonal opening times, along with any other updates, which are announced on the Picks and Petals social media pages.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received,” she says.

“It’s been amazing to see a small idea grow into something people enjoy, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to Picks and Petals in the seasons ahead,” Lucy concludes.