Galena Berkompas

Micro Flower Farm

Image credit: Hayden Smith at The Perennial Victorian

Hi, my name is Galena Berkompas and I farm 1/2 acre at my home in Vancouver, WA.  I started my micro farm back in 2020, out of a desire to fill my property with as many flowers as possible! It was a hobby that quickly morphed into something more and in 2021 I dove head first into farming with the goal of creating a profitable business! My husband and four kids help when they can, but for the most part I’m a one-woman show and have learned to balance all the hats of farmer and business woman.

I have a huge passion for local flowers and helping others grow their own gardens and farms into a sustainable, beautiful haven! So in addition to farming in the PNW, I also teach a number of online live classes where I do deep dives into flower-growing topics!

Even though I’m short on space (my 1/2 acre includes my home and outbuildings), I still manage to grow over 2000 dahlias, 1500 ranunculus, 13,000 tulips, 200 peonies, 150 roses and countless annuals and perennials!  Recently I’ve also partnered with Kristine Albrecht to help grow out her amazing dahlia cultivators and help spread them into the flower world! I have a giant love for pollinator life, so I grow everything organically, follow no-till methods, and have massive borders filled with my perennial shrubs, natives, flowers and roses which I both cut from and leave for pollinator habitats and homes! A favorite past-time is watching all the new varieties of insects that find their way to the gardens each year! 

Show Notes

  1. When growing on a limited space for business, it’s also important to focus on high value crops like roses, dahlias, ranunculus, tulips, and peonies.  Then fill in with crops like snapdragons, zinnias, and sweet peas if your zone allows.

  2. Reblooming varieties of flowers and shrubs are helpful when growing on smaller properties.  This may help you narrow down your search for varieties you grow.

  3. Look for areas of the world with similar climates and explore what they’re growing.

  4. Learn about companion planting to help repel and trap unwanted insects.  There are also plants that can help attract beneficial insects.  She mentions alliums and marigolds as some of the flowers she planted for repelling some insects.

  5. Soil health is vital for growing, especially on a micro farm.  Galena practices no-till farming which helps her save on fertilizers, time weeding, and creates healthier soil.

  6. Galena also found that having a diversity of plantings on her property has helped bring in beneficial insects and wildlife like birds for her flowers.

  7. Make sure when you source compost that it is good quality compost, free of herbicides and unnatural wood products like railroad ties.  Doing the bean test is a great way to get a quick idea of the quality of your compost just to double check.