By Raquel DeSouza
Everybody is familiar with the classic golden yellow sunflower, named after the shining star it resembles, but these buds come in all types of shades at Burnside Farms.
Sunflower season kicks off in mid-July at this 80-acre “Holland in Haymarket,” and visitors will find about 30 varieties of the bright flower. With white, yellow, peach, red, purple, ombre and bicolored petals, there is major potential for a striking handpicked bouquet.
To get prepped, we spoke with co-owner Leslie Dawley about how to get the most out of your sunflower-picking experience.
– Beat the scorching summer sun. Stopping by in the morning is best for avoiding the afternoon heat, and Dawley says umbrellas will be available for people to stay cool in the flower patches. She also suggests bringing a picnic to munch in the shady eating area. They will also introduce cooling pads where you can take a break and stand on them for a rush of cool, moist air.
– Mix it up. There will be over 25 kinds of gladiolus for $1 each. “The gladiolus make an incredible compliment to the sunflowers because they’re tall and pointy. Together in a vase it’s just a great combination,” Dawley says. White, yellow and burgundy calla lilies will be selling for $1 each also. To finish up the diverse bouquet, there will be cosmos in a range of colors, including lavender, orange and pink, for just 50 cents each.
– Cut for optimal options. The farm gives everybody a pair of snips to use. Dawley cautions that it is better to keep the stems long rather than cutting them short: “You might go home and find a perfect vase for a tall flower, and if you cut the bottom off, then you’re out of luck.”
– Hydrate the harvest. Burnside Farms will offer to fill up visitors’ buckets with water to make sure the flowers do not wilt during picking. Then when you head home, Dawley advises to “cut the ends about every other day and give them fresh water.” Room temperature tap water will do the trick.
– Make one more stop before the frost. Come by in mid-September at their location across Dominion Valley for one last flower-picking. Then buy organic produce at the market. There will also be fall favorites such as apples, cider, corn and pumpkins.
Burnisde Farms
2570 Logmill Road Haymarket, 20169
703-930-3052
