I made the most of the remaining mild autumn weather by visiting Holland Ridge Farm Fall Flowers for their last U-pick event. As you know, I love flowers and glory in seeing the Philly Flower Show and Longwood Gardens annually. And most recently, the Holland Ridge Farms Tulip Festival in New Jersey.
It’s not surprising that flowers and houseplants can positively impact our well-being. Numerous scientific studies highlight the benefits of plants, such as reducing stress, boosting creativity, and potentially contributing to overall health.
The drive to Holland Ridge Farms from Central Pennsylvania is quite an adventure. Still, the experience is worth it, especially for enjoying the beautiful fall flowers, mainly the vibrant, unique sunflowers.
Why do I love sunflowers? First, I love seeing these cheery, bold flowers. Sunflowers symbolize strength, good fortune, admiration, and loyalty. It’s fascinating that these pretty blooms face the rising sun in the morning and then move to follow the sun throughout the day. Lastly, a common way for sunflowers to pollinate is by attracting bees that transfer self-created pollen.
While at Holland Ridge Farms in the spring, I heard about the fall flower U-pick fields. I wondered about converting 300+ acres of tulip fields to fall flowers. The succession planting schedule is similar to farmers’ crop rotation. Once tulip foliage dies, the removal of the bulb from the ground is subsequent, then placed in a cool place for the next planting.
I focused on the sunflowers, but the flower beds included other flowers, primarily annuals: Calla Lillys, Dianthus, Gladiolus, Celosia, Statice Marigolds, Cosmos, Sorghum, and Snapdragon.
On another note, fall is for planting! Since the squirrels dug up all my bulbs, I decided to grow tulips in containers for spring next year. Holland Ridge Farms sells tulip bulbs, and I received my order last week.
However, 50 bulbs in two pots was too many, so I divided the bulbs into three pots.
If you want an adventurous floral experience in the spring or fall, Holland Ridge Farms is the place for you.
🚙 Free parking in a large open field
🪣 Free use of clippers and buckets to hold flowers
🎫 Only online ticket purchases
Physically challenged? You will receive a wristband and free access to a golf cart ride to and from your vehicle or to the back or front of the fields.
🖍 Lots of free activities for children
📸 A Content Creator’s Paradise for floral photo props
🛻 Food trucks
🧵 Vendors with Handmade Crafts
Holland Ridge Farms’ motto is “Don’t Fly to Holland, Drive to Holland.” The Garden State is an appropriate nickname for New Jersey because of its fertile land and history of growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
For future events, the Holland Ridge Farms holiday light show opens on November 30th for the Christmas holiday: U-pick Tulips Winter Wonderland.
Thank you for visiting the Age of Grace; I appreciate your support.
