Eight years ago, I dined in this big blue barn in Blanco at a magical American Grown Field to Vase Dinner Tour. Hosted by Arnosky Family Farm, a mom-and-pop-owned flower farm, the event has lived large in my memory ever since. I returned a couple of weeks ago for a quick look around before heading to James Robinson’s garden (click for that tour).

First I inspected the flower fields. Snapdragons in shades of pink, white, and rusty-orange brightened long rows.

Springtime lushness

University of Texas colors — a coincidence? I think not.

Corn poppy with larkspur

Then I popped inside the barn to browse the self-serve farm market. It’s open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, offering fresh-cut flowers, vegetables and herbs, and potted flowers and hanging baskets.

It’s unmanned and on the honor system. Yes, the honor system for payment. Don’t you love it? Check out the sign asking customers not to pay with lottery tickets. Can you imagine the moxie? If you’re lucky you’ll get payment — and then some! — but most likely zilch. Good luck!

The barn was decorated for Cinco de Mayo, and buckets of bundled flowers stood on colorful, oilcloth-covered tables.

Freshly harvested snapdragons were on sale for $10 a bunch.

The flowers are Certified American Grown, not imported all the way from South America. The Arnoskys sell their homegrown flowers at HEB grocery stores, so look for the blue barn on the label the next time you’re in HEB’s floral section, fellow Texans — for Mother’s Day, perhaps?

I wished there was a way to take home a fresh bouquet, but I was going to be traveling all day.

View of the flower fields

Larkspur for sale

One last look at the snapdragon field, and it was time to roll on. I’ll see you at HEB, snaps.

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Digging Deeper

May 11: Tour four Austin gardens on 5/11, from 9 am to 3 pm, on the Inside Austin Gardens Tour. Each garden “is created and cared for by a Travis County Master Gardener and demonstrates realistic gardening practices that inform and inspire.” Tickets are $25, or free for children 12 and under.

May 18: On Austin Home’s Great Outdoors Tour, held 5/18 from 10 am to 3 pm, find “Pinterest-worthy pools and outdoor kitchens to thoughtful plantings and stylish urban density solutions.” Tickets are $30.

May 18: Pop up to Dallas for the 2024 DCMGA Garden Tour on 5/18 from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $18 if purchased online prior to 6 pm on 5/17, or $22 after 6 pm on 5/17 or at the event. For a sneak peek, click here.

June 1-2: Take a self-guided, 2-day tour of ponds and gardens in and around Austin on the annual Austin Pond and Garden Tour, held 6/1 and 6/2, 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 to $25.

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

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