ROARING FORK VALLEY
THE FARM
Natural Pest Management
We grow using sustainable and regenerative practices including the use of cover cropping, minimum tillage, adding composts and organic fertilizer, using integrated pest management, and creating pollinator habitats.
Building Soil
Our flowers are grown with deep care and our aim is to build soil fertility and support the land, local wildlife, and ecosystem. A healthy soil is key to a healthy garden! Our goal is to increase soil organic matter each season; creating ecosystem services like improved water retention, nutrient retention, and carbon sequestration. We rely on composts, manures, and organic fertilizers to help our fields thrive. We also practice minimum tillage techniques to limit soil disturbance and contribute to increasing organic matter over time.
Crop Diversity
Our flower growing spaces are incorporated in the rotation of the crops, as well as grown alongside the vegetables of Two Roots Farm in Emma, Colorado.
THE
FLOWERS
Our mission as floral designers is to express joy and celebration with the art of flowers. We support weddings and life events with unique, seasonal, locally-grown and arranged flowers. Our flowers and designs reflect the changing seasons in the mountains. Along with providing services, we also serve our flower loving community by offering flowers through weekly sales channels, our Flower CSA, and wholesale options.
About Me
Abby Zlotnick
Abby, owner and founder of Juniper Flowers, has been consistently inspired by farming since her first farming experience in 2012. Since then, Abby has made it her mission to share a slice of the Earth’s greatest joys with her community. In 2018, Abby moved to the Roaring Fork Valley and quickly after started Juniper Farm. After four years of selling flowers and produce at the Basalt Farmers Market, Abby chose to focus on the crop that everyone (including her) was most excited by – flowers. Abby chose to start Juniper Flowers to strengthen her passion for growing flowers and creating organic arrangements.
FAQ’S
Abby, do you live on the farm? Do you own the farm?
No. I sublease land on Pitkin County Open Space. It is a really incredible program where Pitkin County leases land to farmers in exchange for maintenance of the land. This allows open spaces to remain productive will allowing our open spaces to remain wild, a space for pollinators/wildlife, and ecosystem services.
Where did you learn to farm?
I mostly learned to farm by farming but also have a degree from CSU in Soil Science, Organic Agriculture. My first farming experience though was at age 18 - I 'WWOOF'ed (volunteered) at an amazingly fun farm with hundreds of acres of agroforestry and an awesome crew. I was mostly just messing around and trying to find ways to travel.. from there though I always kept one hand in the soil and have been farming ever since.
Where can I find you most often?
While the actual farm is by appointment only, we offer delivery and services to many locations including Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass, Glenwood Springs, Redstone and Crystal River Valley, Colorado.
What is your favorite flower?
I shouldn’t say… because I love them all so much for their own reasons. Maybe Nigella though.. when they bloom they look like tiny lotuses and are truly plants that are of another world.
Why don’t you have tomatoes and Zinnias in April?
Welcome to the Roaring Fork Valley!
We are in a high altitude-growing season. This looks like a 90- day growing season, frosts in June, and snow on the ground in April. The beautiful crops you see at the Farmers’ Market are started months before they bloom and too often the outdoor growing conditions don’t permit these more tender plants to bloom until later in the season. Enjoy the sweet peas and greens with us though! Tomato season is just around the corner.
What is the history of the land?
The land Juniper Farm exists on was originally inhabited by the Ute Indian Tribe. Across the country there are efforts being made to return stolen lands back to Indigenous communities. For more information, visit www.utelandtrust.org
What varieties does your flower garden grow?
Snapdragons, Sweet Pea, Sunflowers, Zinnia, Nigella, Larkspur, Cress, Bachelor's Button, Baby's Breath, Chamomile, Bells of Ireland, Asters, Dahlia, Assorted Grasses and Grains, Poppies, Marigold, Calendula, Statice, Cerinthe, Strawflower, Scabiosa, Cosmo, Tulips, Dill, Celosia, Mignonette, Amaranth, Nasturtium, Pansy