Business blooming at Amanda's Flowers

Amanda Kirschenmann was wanting something to do about three years ago, recently relocating from the Santa Cruz area with her husband, Elliot. She noticed that there was some ground at her place and wanted to plant something in it.

She read an article about sweet peas and thought, "I would love to do that!"

She researched a bit and that first year was a "learn on the job" experience. She ended up with some beautiful flowers, and she decided that it was something that she would like to expand on.

Last year, Amanda, with the help of her husband and her in-laws, Kenny and Julie Kirschenmann, used a field that was formerly a cow pasture and grew a lot more flowers. She set up a table at the Tin Cup coffee shop and sold the flowers, with some good success.

In addition to the fragrant sweet peas, Kirschenmann grows several varieties of ranunculus and anemones. These come in a variety of colors, from white, orange and purple to a vibrant red. Kirschenmann originally grew the flowers from seed, but the amount of time and work that went into it was a bit much, and she decided to start growing from bulbs, which is better on time and more cost effective.

She has sold some flowers to the local flower shops, but the majority of her business has come via Instagram. "Instagram has been a godsend. I get so many orders off of it," said Kirschenmann.

She can make arrangements for a special occasion, supply the flowers for a wedding, a shower or other event.

She's excited to report that this spring she is going to open up the property located on her in-laws' land, where her new greenhouse and sweet pea climbing walls are located, so that the public can come out and pick their own sweet peas and other flowers on specific days and times. There will be different packages available, and customers can create their own collection or bouquets.

Kirschenmann said that she has enjoyed the experience so much and she hopes that the venture keeps growing as she gets more experience. "I actually learned this from reading articles and watching a video have learned as I went along."

She said that she couldn't have gone into business without the help of her husband and her in-laws, who have supplied land, been babysitters while she is working in the greenhouse and helped in building the structures.

Kirschenmann is available on Instagram at @Amandaflowers.