The White Carpathians are mountains shaped by water from cold flysch lifted from an ancient seabed. The slopes are steep and the valleys deep. The local climate is generally moderately warm and moderately humid, but the growing season is relatively short. Cold air flowing down from the ridge cools the valleys and lets water vapour condense on the surfaces of plants. This creates a fresh beauty in which colours take on new depth in drops of dew. And it is this fleeting beauty that is the theme of the Černuška farm.
The farm consists of a small plot surrounding a house tucked into the eastern slope of the Ivanovská dolina valley. The forest above the house belongs to the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area - an area with plenty worth protecting, from old fruit varieties and orchids to well-preserved historical landscape features. This wealth has survived thanks to harsh natural conditions and the determination of conservationists. It must be said, though, that because of intensive farming the meadows around the farm are already poor in flowers. Meltwater from the meadow runs down into the garden. The municipality of Bošáca is classed as an agriculturally disadvantaged area with low yields. The soils on the farm are medium-heavy cambisols formed on mineral-rich weathered flysch.
The idea of growing cut flowers in such conditions sounds odd. We are used to thinking that flowers need the very best because they are delicate and fragile. We have come to associate beauty with comfort and luxury. We have forgotten that in every village garden the women of the house also tended small beds of zinnias, asters and dahlias. That geraniums stood in the windows of village houses. That the most beautiful flowers were tied into bouquets for the bride and buttonholes for the groom and his groomsmen.
The flower farm itself feels gentle too. The house is shaped like a traditional folk building, set in a bed of flowers. There is a home-made greenhouse and small beds of perennials and annuals. We were shown around by the smiling owner, Danka Mošková. She and her husband have had the farm for 7 years - they inherited the land from their parents, rented some more and built the house to blend into the natural surroundings. They decided to grow plants because Daniela used to work in a florist's and loves flowers. They grow them without artificial chemicals or fertilisers. For feeding they use macerates of their own plants, such as nettle, as well as horse manure and vermicompost.
„The Černuška flower farm is a beautiful, harmonious space where the growing areas flow into the living and relaxation areas. The lovely bed by the house is also a production area that makes a real contribution to the family budget. It is truly incredible to me that viable organic flower growing can exist on such a small area. I think many of us would gladly call the place created here home„, says Farma živá expert committee member and fruit grower Bruno Jakubec
The garden is divided into two parts. The lower part is mainly annuals and dahlias, the upper part perennials. Among the annuals we saw colourful cosmos, strawflowers in various colours and nigella seed heads. The garden is at its most beautiful in spring, when tulips, daffodils and ranunculus are in bloom. Even now, despite the recent heavy rain, the garden offered a lovely view not only of the surrounding countryside but also of colourful dahlias, anemones, echinacea, red scabious, purple and white asters, while lupins and tall phlox were still finishing flowering. The range is rounded off with non-flowering plants for bouquets such as eucalyptus. In the greenhouse, zinnias and lisianthus were blooming in many colours, and there was even room for cucumbers and other vegetables.
The wooden steps to the upper part were lined with pots of shade-loving plants such as hostas and heucheras, grown for their ornamental leaves, which complement the picturesque setting of this White Carpathian garden. In the upper part of the garden we saw echinacea, anemones, gauras and asters. The soil is not without its problems, as flysch does not hold water, yet the natural lawn was green and full of species such as bird's-foot trefoil, which enriches the soil with nitrogen. Greenery was all around us, giving a sense of freshness and calm.
They water the plants with rainwater. For now they have two smaller tanks to store it, but they are planning a larger one, as a small tank is empty after 2 months of drought. They fight slugs with the natural product Ferramol; otherwise they would not be able to grow dahlias. Amaranth is used to deter moles, although it can easily spread by its seeds, so it needs to be grown with care. The fruit trees provide not only fruit but also shade. There is also a patch of unmown grass and a small paddock for sheep.
In the workshop where the lady of the house prepares bouquets and wedding arrangements and teaches flower-arranging courses, everything is tidy and has its place. Small metal vases in the corner of the room stand ready for use. They used to take flowers as far as Bratislava, to a patisserie where wedding parties collected them along with their cakes. This small farm can provide everything floral a wedding needs - even garden rose petals, which wilt quickly in bouquets but on their own lift the atmosphere of the day. Confectioners buy the unsprayed flowers to decorate cakes. People from the area have got used to having their own local flowers here, and a florist who can turn them into unique seasonal bouquets.
„The family background and interesting setting, together with the owner's unique approach, make this a rare example of a family farm focused on an unconventional commodity in relatively unusual conditions in terms of altitude. The owner has put her deliberate choices and many years of experience to good use in a wide range of plants. The care and well-chosen combinations in the beds reflect a conscious approach to growing fresh cut flowers and dried flowers for interior decorations. The owner's creativity and sense of aesthetics, not only in the garden but also in the products she makes from her own produce, have brought a satisfied and growing clientele. The quality of the produce has also made it possible to build a local community of customers and stable sales, giving the farm full self-sufficiency“, says Ľubomír Marhavý, a member of the Farma živá expert panel and adviser on soil conservation technologies, of the farm
The flowers are grown, arranged and sold by a young family with children, though without the grandparents' help it would probably be impossible. Because they grow seasonal flowers in beds and in an unheated greenhouse, their income is seasonal too. That is why the father of the family also works as a masseur.
The lady of the house teaches how to grow and tie garden flowers at flower courses held in their home. They are also raising the topic of Slovak-grown flowers among florists, which is why the couple visit schools that teach floristry. During grant-funded visits they talk about garden flowers, grandmothers' flowers and wild flowers, and about fair trade in the flower industry.
As a member of our evaluation committee, hydrobiologist Eva Bulánková, noted in conclusion: „This natural beauty is sure to enchant anyone looking for the pure beauty hidden in the flowers of our grandmothers and grandfathers. The whole setting looks as if it had been painted by an old master and brings peace and joy above all to the farm's owners, but also to their visitors. We are grateful that flower farms supporting home-grown flowers are springing up in Slovakia. A bouquet brought from far away not only carries a large ecological footprint, but is also preserved with chemicals to survive the journey.“
The Krajina živá programme was financially supported by VÚB banka.
