This weekend we finally moved outside and let the outdoor season begin. The terrace becomes the new livingroom and diningroom. Just like most people I love eating and drinking outside and I think it’s a deep, almost primal desire we all share. As much as I love eating outdoor I also love cooking outside so I improvised a little outdoorkitchen. Nothing complicated or fancy, all the contrary. A small, simple and flexible kitchen that I can move around and easily store away if I want. You really don’t need that much to cook outside.

I also put up some windshields made of straw or reed, well actually it gives more protection from the sun than the wind. But I mainly put it up so it would create a sense of a room. It gives a bit of privacy as well. Usually I put up white curtains and a ‘sailroof’ but this year I wanted to try someting different.

It turned out to be a bit too long and I was just about to cut the part hanging done as a curtain when I realized that it kind of was cozy with it hanging down. It really created a sense of a room and thats exactly what I like when creating spaces outside. So I left it long but added some thin ribbons so I can roll it and tie it when I want too. Just like a blind curtain. Next step is to clean up our barbeque and move it here next to the stove. Now I can do all the cooking out here, otherwise I always had to boil the rice or potatos innide in the kitchen while we barbequed the rest outside. It feels a lot easier now and since I love simplifying and making life uncomplicated this turned out to be a great idea.

Let’s talk about slow flowers for a moment and why they matter. I talk a lot about gardening lately but it’s the season so I hope you don’t mind. This year I’m planting and growing more flowers than ever before. I’m growing them from seed and mixing perrenials with annual flowers. Last year I learned about growing food and vegetables thanks to the TV Crew of ‘En bondgård mitt i stan’ (A farm in the city) This year I feel ready to learn more about growing flowers by myself. As local and fresh as it gets.
The Slow Flower movement was inspired by the same philosophical tenets of the similarly named Slow Food and Slow Fashion movements.  It suggests we take a mindful look at where our flowers come from and who grows them, for the health of the planet but for our own health as well.
Slow Flowers for me means first of all seasonal flowers. There is a certain magic that comes from focusing on what nature has to offer in any particular season, whether that’s the first colors of spring, or the warm palette of autumn. People tend to fixate on certain types of flowers, but there is so much more to discover when we think seasonally. You will likely find new beauty in flowers you never knew existed or maybe even rediscover some old favorites from childhood, like the zucchini flowers in your grandmother’s garden.

Slow vs conventional flowers
Slow Flower farmers use sustainable, organic growing practices to maintain the overall health of their farm’s ecosystem and the health of their flowers. On the other hand,  conventional store-bought bouquets are often full with cancer causing chemicals. The National Wildlife Federation reports there is virtually “no limit” on the amount of pesticides used by floral importers.  Most cut flowers are imported from other countries. Importers are required to pass strict inspection requirements and as a result, use untold amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides on their flowers to ensure that they get to market as quickly as possible.  

Growing your own flowers or supporting local flower farmers means your flowers’ travel times are much smaller, unlike imported flowers that require large amounts of fossil fuels to get to where they are going, which leads to the next point about quality…

Because your flowers don’t have to travel far, they are usually cut within a day or so of your purchase, your flowers are fresher and will likely last longer than conventional bouquets.

Ethically Grown

Most flower farmers grow organically which means happier healthier soils, water, flowers & pollinators.  Choosing a slow flower bouquet says, “I’ve made a conscious choice. It’s a choice that reflects my support of a healthier lifestyle for my planet and for myself.”  

If you liked this post there’s a pretty big chance you like this one on ‘Slow gardening’ too