LIVE THE BOTANICAL LIFE
The garden-to-kitchen botanical lifestyle is about bringing all the benefits and joy of botanicals, especially flowers, from the garden to all areas of our lives. Through years of pursuing my passion by serving the community and contributing to building relationship with plants, I believe I’ve settled in right where I am supposed to be—among the flowers, and connecting people with the botanicals that meet their needs. I’m lucky to be a part of sparking joy and building excitement over people’s relationships with plants and flowers.
That relationship can be completely different for each person. For some, it may be enjoying a fresh bouquet every week or treating themselves to lavender ice cream. For others, planting flowers in the garden or starting a compost in their backyard is preferred. I have found there are stages people go through as they explore the world of botanicals, and each stage gets a bit more complex as they challenge themselves to dig deeper and learn more.
It typically begins with something that sparks joy, and, in turn, it becomes therapeutic. At that point, they’re developing their own botanical lifestyle by integrating, for example, flowers into other areas in their lives. This could be cooking, painting, crafting, or self-care. Sometimes, it even leads to a new career path. I myself have experienced this journey of turning my passion for botanicals and working with the community into my profession.
Our community is very interested in all types of botanicals. I often guide people who are starting to cultivate their botanical lifestyle to first learn about the botanicals that inspire them the most. How do they hope botanicals will influence their life? If it’s cooking, we share the best edible flowers and recipes as well as knowledge on designing an edible home garden. For those who wish to transform their backyard into a garden sanctuary or a usable space, our landscape designs are influenced by the homeowners’ desired experience. Whatever it is you’re seeking, remember that this is an important extension of your life and home.
One of the most sought-after botanical products at Magnolia’s Yarden is edible flowers. They are used in professional and home kitchens alike for both their flavor and beauty, and introduce a seasonal component to your creations. It’s always important to source high-quality, food-grade edible flowers that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this, and, as a result, some resort to using grocery store arrangements. Floristry flowers are not grown in accordance with food safety standards and typically are sprayed with chemicals that are not meant to be, and should never be, in contact with food. Plus, some flowers are just naturally toxic. Culinary creators love to collaborate with Magnolia’s Yarden because we take the guesswork out of what can be consumed.
A unique edible flower product for the hostess, baker, and bride are pressed edible flowers and arrangements. They are often used for birthday and wedding cakes. Because they are preserved, they are incredibly easy to arrange like a pro. In fact, that is why bakers love to decorate with them, too! Pressed edible flowers and arrangements highlight one’s love and relationship with flowers, while complementing the carefully thought-out details of any event. Moreover, brides and planners relish the opportunity to select months in advance an arrangement that dried selections provide.
With slow food and flower movements gaining traction and becoming more familiar, we share in this common mission and follow through by organizing our own local flower market that provides all types of locally grown botanicals. This is a valuable resource for those that don’t wish to or are not able to grow their own flowers and botanicals. Sourcing locally grown cut, edible, and potted is the next best option. This is significant because the convenience for flower lovers provides an efficient sales avenue for local growers, large or small, who get to sell directly to consumers.
In the spring of 2022, the Flower Market launched first as a pop-up flower market event—think farmers’ market with only flower growers—in Clovis, with Fresno debuting shortly after. It was so well received that not only is it returning this year, it’s also expanding to provide even more access to local botanicals and products. More local growers will be attending, such as Belmont Nursery, Sweet Acres Flower Farm, Blooms on Lincoln Ave, Sweet Thistle Farms, Fleurie Flower Studio, Solace Lavender Farm, Silver Frog Flowers, Magnolia’s Yarden, and more.
This season’s first in-person market opens in March, welcoming a mix of flower lovers, garden enthusiasts, and culinary creators who will soon again source their botanicals from these local flower farms. With overflowing buckets of gorgeous flowers, this is a unique botanical destination in the Central Valley. Building a flower bouquet, by selecting favorite stems from a few different growers, is a crowd-favorite experience. The flowers change seasonally, so each week’s offerings include a little something different. In addition to cut flowers, there are also potted flowers for your home and garden.
We are often asked questions that begin with “how.” How do I plant this? How do I cook this? How do I make that myself? To share our knowledge, we host special events—some are even taught by local growers. Attending hands-on botanical workshops and occasions is a fun way for new and seasoned flower lovers to learn a new skill or expand on an existing one. The workshops tap into areas like growing, gardening, composting, sustainable practices from the garden to the kitchen, and specialty projects like succulent pumpkins or flower crowns. In this way, everyone has the opportunity to learn the full circle of growing, designing, and eating botanicals. Get on the invite list to receive these special event invitations and local bloom news when you subscribe at www.flowermarketca.com.
Flowers partake in our most joyous and painful experiences and occasions throughout life, yet I would love to see them intertwined with our everyday. Growing, serving, and working with local growers to make them even more accessible increases the likelihood that more people will incorporate blooms into their everyday to cultivate their own botanical lifestyle. The public is invited to shop at the in-person Flower Markets, where you can meet growers while you sip coffee and shop farm-fresh blooms. Let this be the year your botanical lifestyle blooms in a brand-new way.
Visit the Flower Market
Clovis
Monthly in Old Town Clovis at On The Edge Coffee House. Every first Thursday of the month from April to October.
Fresno
Every Saturday at the indoor market in Downtown Fresno at Sun Stereo Warehouse from March 18th to October 14th.
Social Media
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@magnolias_yarden
@flower_market_california
Facebook
@magnoliasyarden
@flowermarketca
Features Contributor Danielle Fischer, Owner & CEO of Magnolia’s Yarden and Owner of Flower Market
Photographers DC Photography Studios, Magnolia’s Yarden and Outsiders Studio
Danielle Fischer
Features Contributor
Danielle is a designer, grower, and entrepreneur based in the Central Valley with a passion for flowers. She believes in the power of plants and their ability to bring joy and wellness to all areas of our lives. Danielle’s vision for her botanical businesses, Magnolia’s Yarden and the Flower Market, was inspired by her love of nature and continued service to the community. Danielle is dedicated to inspiring people to incorporate the beauty of flowers into their daily lives.
