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The Best of Skagit Valley: A Visitor Guide

Growing with Landscape FabricHere in the Skagit Valley, the tulip fields are about to burst into the most phenomenal show of color. Even after living in this area for nearly 20 years, I still can’t get over how beautiful it is. No wonder every year over a million people come from all over the world to experience the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. This annual event started as a three day festival and has grown into a month long celebration that now features art shows, concerts, street fairs, bike rides and more.

Today I’m excited to share our guide for visiting this incredible area. As our farm is closed to the public, I’m happy to share some of our favorite restaurants, shops, and other places of interest. There are so many wonderful things to do in this area! You could easily spend a few days exploring and having fun. If you can’t make it for the Tulip Festival, not to worry since all of these spots are great any time of the year.

A few things to take note of when visiting the Skagit Valley during tulip season:

Weekdays are best! We’ve found that the traffic can be pretty bad on the weekends, so try to plan for a mid-week adventure if you don’t want to spend hours in grid lock. If you brave the weekend crowds be sure to pack snacks and note that there are limited restroom facilities along the way.

Respect the signs, farms and notices around the tulip fields. There are designated areas to stop and enjoy the beauty. Please don’t go walking into any fields that are marked “No Trespassing” just for a photo. The tulip fields are a photographer’s dream, just be sure to enjoy them in the designated areas. Information for seeing the tulips can be found vancouver florist.

Check ahead. As always, hours of operation are subject to change so before you head out, verify your plans with the businesses you intend to visit.

Places to visit with your kids

Padilla Bay Research Reserve: As a living field laboratory with support facilities and professional staff, Padilla Bay Reserve has a free indoor aquarium with lots of opportunities for kids to see what plants and animals are native to this area. Be sure to call (360) 428-1558 for their hours of operation. You’ll also find lots of wonderful nature trails and places to explore.

Drive or hike up Mount Erie: Either drive to the top, or enjoy a hike. Mount Erie is a favorite for the locals and the views at the top are incredible! If you’re in the Anacortes area, you’ll enjoy this spot.

Visit Deception Pass: One of our personal favorite places in the park is Rosario Beach. My grandfather was a biologist and taught there, so I’ve been visiting this amazing place as long as I can remember. It’s worth planning to spend at least a few hours exploring the park and the beaches. If your family enjoys camping, you’ll want to come back in the summer.

Please note that you’ll need a Discover Pass to access the Washington state recreation lands.

Storvik Park, Anacortes: This playground has a huge place for the kids to run, climb and get all their energy out. During the summer it’s a favorite, as there’s also a splash pad for the little guys.

Washington Park, Anacortes: Located along the water, this is a beautiful place to bring your picnic. Enjoy views of the boats going in and out, while the kids play on the playground.

Places to go for a walk or enjoy views of the valley

Padilla Bay Trail: Stroller and bike friendly, you’ll enjoy a beautiful and flat walk along the bay, where the Skagit River meets the Salish Sea.

Little Mountain Park: A covered viewpoint provides a spectacular look at the Skagit Valley, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains, and the tulip fields. The park also provides miles and miles of hiking trails.

A few must-dos when you visit this area

Christianson’s Nursery:. One of my all time top favorite places, this is the ultimate stop for every gardener. In addition to having an amazing selection of plants, they have a beautiful garden themed gift shop, vintage glass greenhouses and the largest selection of potted garden roses in the state. Bring your checkbook and plan to stay a couple of hours!

Enjoy Chuckanut drive: This 24 mile curvy route hugs the Chuckanut mountains. Chuckanut Drive overlooks Samish Bay and offers gorgeous views of the San Juan Islands and Chuckanut Bay.

Take a ride into the San Juan Islands on a ferry: From Anacortes you can park your car and walk on the ferry for a fun day trip. Enjoy a relaxing ride, while watching for whales. You can also drive on and then spend the day or take a longer vacation exploring one of the islands.

The Red Door Antique Mall: Located in historic downtown Mount Vernon, this is one of the best places to look for unique treasures. The gals who own it are a riot and I always find so many wonderful things to take home. With 20 vendors under one roof, inventory changes on a daily basis and the selection is unmatched. Many of the props and vases that we use in our studio and photoshoots come from the Red Door. If you get a chance to visit tell the ladies we sent you!

Recommended places to eat

Seeds Bistro in LaConner: Featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms, free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, and fresh seafood from our local fishing community, there are a million reasons to visit this charming place. It’s one of our favorite restaurants in the area.

LaConner Pub and Eatery: For the best fish and chips and a beautiful view while you enjoy your meal, LaConner Pub and Eatery is the place to be. Call ahead of time and have them save you a spot right on the water.

Nell Thorn in LaConner: A little jewel of northwest! They offer a fresh, daily menu of artisan made, sustainable, farm to table NW fare, craft cocktails, fine wines, & microbrews on tap. Awesome food with incredible views!

COA Mexican Eatery: We love this place! Everything is super fresh and they have awesome margaritas. Locations are in LaConner and Mt. Vernon.

Il Granaio: If you’re craving amazing Italian food, this is your place. Having earned the reputation as the Skagit Valley’s best authentic Italian restaurant, Il Granaio incorporates the flavors of fresh, local ingredients into traditional Italian recipes. The bonus is that it’s located in the old grainary building of Mount Vernon. A true beauty!

Skagit Valley Food Co-Op: If you’re looking for a sustainably sourced deli or some wonderful grocery items, go here. This is the natural marketplace for our community and it features something perfect for everyone.

Valley Shine Distillery: Valley Shine Distillery provides an inviting atmosphere to enjoy small batch spirits, craft cocktails and unique tapas. They offer a delicious lunch and dinner menu that they refer to as “Farm to Market Classic Comfort Food with a Twist”. All ages are welcome.

C•Square and Third Street Cafe: C•SQUARE is a wonderful marketplace of specialty food shops and a farm-to-table restaurant, the Third Street Cafe. Bonus tip- try their coffee!

Snowgoose Produce: Known for their “Immodest Ice Cream Cones” Snowgoose Produce is a seasonal, family run, country market located in the Skagit Valley. They offer incredible organic produce and local fare such as fresh and smoked seafood, baked breads, artisan cheeses and carefully selected wines. When you stop by be sure to tell the owner Vico hello! What a nice guy he is!

The Donut House, Anacortes: A fun little stop before heading to a park or onto one of the San Juan Island ferries. This shop has a huge selection of fresh baked goodies and very affordable prices.  

Taylor Shellfish: If you like oysters, you’ll love this spot. Since the 1890’s Taylor Shellfish has been farming high quality, sustainable shellfish. Feast in the waterfront picnic area, or take your goodies to go.

Slough Foods, Edison: Awesome for wine, fancy meat and cheese. Our good friend John owns it- tell him we sent you!

Breadfarm, Edison: Located in the small village of Edison, Washington, just off of scenic Chuckanut Drive in beautiful Skagit Valley. Breadfarm is an artisan bakery focusing on naturally leavened breads,  rustic pastry and pantry staples.  Every item is beautifully handcrafted.

Tweets Cafe, Edison: Tweets has great food, especially breakfast and ice cream. Featuring an artisan cafe, organic coffee, and farm to table northwest cuisine. Cash or check only!

As you enjoy the beauty of Skagit Valley, I hope these ideas help you feel welcomed, and a little bit more like a local.

And if you’re from around here, and you have a few favorite places you’d like to share, please post them in the comments below!

Read more: Growing with Landscape Fabric

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Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals

Hardy annuals are some of the hardest-working, most productive plants in the late spring/early summer cutting garden. Their ability to withstand cold temperatures, thrive with minimal care, and produce abundantly for more than a month from just one sowing makes them an indispensable addition to the cut flower garden.

Familiar flowers such as pansies and snapdragons are part of this group of flowers—but the tall varieties are distinct from those you see at many garden centers. We carry a wide range of hardy annual varieties, and here we highlight new varieties for 2020, along with a few other favorites.

Note that in warmer regions where winter weather is mild, sweet peas can be added to the list of hardy annuals sown and planted in autumn for earliest bloom. My flower journey began with the sweet peas in my Grammy’s garden, and they hold a special place in my heart. We have so many new sweet pea varieties for 2020—including varieties developed by renowned breeder Dr. Keith Hammett of New Zealand—that we’ve devoted an entire blog post to them.

In colder climates, start seeds of hardy annuals indoors or in a greenhouse in early spring. After seedlings have 3 sets of true leaves, plant them outdoors while the weather is still cool, usually about a month before the last spring frost. They are quite tough and can handle some chill, so they need no major protection during periods of frost.

In milder climates, plant them in the garden in autumn for an even earlier spring bloom.

Some hardy annuals, including larkspur, do best direct-sown. Seed should be planted in the garden at the same time you sow seed for other varieties indoors.

All of these plants are moderately productive, and the more you pick, the more they flower. But to extend the harvest window, I highly recommend succession planting at least a few times for each type.

I generally sow a large batch in the autumn, then another in early spring, followed by 2 more sowings spaced a few weeks apart after that. This approach gives me an abundance of foliage and filler for almost 3 months.

Every climate is different, so you’ll want to experiment a little to find out which hardy annuals perform best for you, but I can guarantee these plant delivery vancouver will become some of your favorites.

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Mother’s Day in the burbs! Top flower shops

Five suburban Vancouver flower shops

Sophie’s Flower Pedals

Pick up flower delivery vancouver from a charming a pedal-powered flower shop. Tanya is the chief floral mama behind Vancouver and the North Shore’s first mobile flower boutique named after her daughter Sophie. They specialize in personalized floral boxes and fresh flower crowns made to order.

735 15th Street West, North Vancouver | (604) 202-0880Passion Floral

Charming and creative arrangements are their forte! They have locations in Burnaby and New Westminster, catering gorgeous arrangements to fit your needs and budget. They are also one of the floral designers taking part in Fleur de Villes this year at Metropolis at Metrotown.

223 – 7155 Kingsway HighGate Village, Burnaby | 604-540-8328

Coquitlam Florist

Having served the TriCities area for 67 years, they can create anything from elegant bouquets to delicate air plants. They were nominated as a Chamber of Commerce finalist as well! If your mama is more into cacti than florals, pick up a cute succulent in a mug.

Unit 104 2020 Oxford Connector, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 0A4 | 604-942-7337

Port Moody Flowers

Owner Celia’s passion for florals truly shows through with her beautiful designs. We really love her unique, rustic arrangements.

259 B Newport Drive, Port Moody | (604) 492-0880

Adele Rae Florist

This popular family-owned Burnaby florist has been creating their whimsical, artful bouquets for over 50 years.

4714 Hastings Street, Burnaby | 604-299-0585

99 Florist and Nursery Inc

They are a huge hit with wedding planners but they also do beautiful bouquets for Mother’s Day. They are super reliable and have a wide assortment of plants and florals (they’ve been known to save the day or two!).

Readmore: 8 Places To Get Plants And Flowers Delivered From In Vancouver

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8 Places To Get Plants And Flowers Delivered From In Vancouver

It’s spring and with that comes amazing blooms across the city. And while we love seeing all the plants outdoors, sometimes we want to bring them indoors. So with that in mind, here are 8 places to get plants and flowers delivered from in Vancouver.

THE FLOWER FACTORY

This Main Street gem has been around since 1996! And they’re known for making beautiful bouquets of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Best of all, they have an easy online ordering system and deliver 7 days a week.

HUNTERS GARDEN CENTER

Hunters has pretty much everything, ranging from indoor plants to garden staples. Not to mention they also do floral arrangements. And what’s best is that they deliver as well! So if you’ve been looking for some new plant babies, be sure to check out Hunters.

BLOSSOM & VINE FLORAL CO.

This bespoke florist is offering delivery once a week on Fridays with the offerings of the week posted on Tuesdays. And while it’s not quite as available as other services, we love the unique arrangements they are offering. Be sure to check out Blossom for your next unique bouquet.

FIGARO’S GARDEN

We definitely agree that plants make everything better and that’s why we love Figaro’s Garden. They have both indoor and outdoor plants as well as a whole host of supplies you might need to keep your plant babies happy. And as they are a very popular place, they’re a little backlogged with orders at the moment. So they will soon reopen their website for online orders and delivery and we highly recommend checking back so that you can snag all those plants you want.

CELSIA FLORAL

If you want eye-catching bouquets and floral arrangements you should definitely check out Celsia. Not to mention they have select house plants available and some pretty planters. And of course, they are offering delivery. So if you’re looking for that perfectly Instagrammable bouquet, check out vancouver florist

BLOOM ROOM BOTANICAL GALLERY

This East Van favorite has a selection of beautiful indoor plants and also does floral arrangements. So whether you need new plant babies or a bouquet to cheer up your home, be sure to check out the Bloom Room. And they do delivery as well!

THE GRANVILLE ISLAND FLORIST

If you’re looking to knock it out of the ballpark with a bougie as bougie gets floral arrangement then The Granville Island Florist should be your pick. They do it all from big to small and are a well-loved and local florist. And of course, they deliver so you might as well go big.

HILARY MILES

And if you need a star-studded floral arrangement, Hilary Miles should be your choice. This local florist was known for her amazing floral work in film as well as for many many events around the city. And while she has passed on, the present owner Jenha is equally as skillful and will fulfill your wildest floral dreams. And you’ve probably guessed it already but delivery is available.

We hope you enjoy this list of places to get plants and flowers delivered from in Vancouver. And we hope you take this opportunity to bring some greenery to your life. Or maybe send plants and flowers to a friend! You know what might make someone’s day.

Have a great day Vancouver! Readmore: Floret Joins the Magnolia Network