Freighter View Farms

There’s something special about the way flowers can transform a garden. Here at Freighter View Farms, the bright blooms of zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers bring bursts of color and life to the garden, whether they’re mixed among the vegetables or nestled in containers that line the patio. On a breezy summer day, with the sun high in the sky and the freighters drifting by in the distance, these flowers become more than just decoration—they create a sense of movement, joy, and energy that carries through the garden.

Imagine the scene: the breeze from Saginaw Bay rolls in, gently nudging the flowers, and they respond by swaying in rhythm. The pops of color from the zinnias, the soft flutter of the cosmos, and the towering strength of the sunflowers fill the garden with life. Whether you’re walking through the raised beds of vegetables or enjoying the view from the porch, these flowers create points of interest for the eye, drawing you in and inviting you to linger just a little longer.

Zinnias: Bold Color in the Garden

Zinnias are the bold artists of the garden, filling the space with bright, unapologetic splashes of color. At Freighter View Farms, I love to mix these blooms among the vegetables and in large containers around the garden. Their vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and purples stand out against the deep greens of tomatoes and peppers, creating a visual feast as well as an edible one.

They’re not just pretty—they’re tough, standing tall even in the summer heat, blooming again and again, each flower like a little burst of sunshine. On a breezy day, the sturdy stems of zinnias stand firm, their petals fluttering in the wind but never losing their shape. In the garden, they bring that bold pop of color that catches the eye and makes you pause for a moment to appreciate their simple beauty.

Cosmos: The Gentle Dancers

In contrast to the boldness of zinnias, cosmos are the gentle dancers of the garden. Their delicate, airy petals catch the wind in the most graceful way, almost as if they’re floating. I often plant cosmos in containers and mix them throughout the garden’s edge, where they add a light, carefree feeling to the space.

The soft pinks, whites, and purples of cosmos flutter in the breeze, drawing the eye with their movement. Whether they’re standing tall among the veggies or adding texture to the container gardens, cosmos bring a soft, natural elegance. They add a whimsical charm to Freighter View Farms, their motion reminding you to slow down and take in the peaceful, rhythmic beauty of nature.

Sunflowers: The Giants of the Garden

There’s no mistaking the sunflowers in the garden—they’re the giants, towering over everything else with their wide, golden faces turned toward the sun. Planted strategically in corners or along the edges of the vegetable beds, sunflowers at Freighter View Farms serve as both a structural element and a beacon of joy. Their height adds vertical interest to the garden, while their bright yellow blooms create an undeniable focal point.

On breezy days, sunflowers sway gently but always seem to maintain their stance, as if they’re the anchors of the garden. Mixed with the vegetables or standing tall in containers, they bring warmth and a sense of strength to the space. Their towering presence is a reminder of the energy and vibrancy that summer brings to the farm.

The Magic of Mixing Flowers with Veggies

At Freighter View Farms, the flowers don’t just live in their own space—they’re intermingled with the vegetables, adding pops of color throughout the garden. This mix creates a visual journey, where your eyes are drawn from the lush green of a tomato plant to the bright, cheerful bloom of a zinnia or the soft flutter of a cosmos. It’s a garden that’s not just productive, but beautiful in every corner.

The containers of zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers add depth and layers to the garden. Whether they’re framing the entry to a path or providing contrast to the raised beds of beans and peppers, these flowers transform the garden into a living painting, full of color, movement, and life.

A Summer Day at Freighter View Farms

There’s something truly special about a summer day on the Saginaw Bay, standing in the garden at Freighter View Farms. The breeze is gentle, the sun warm, and the air filled with the sweet scent of flowers and earth. The bright blooms of zinnias, the delicate dance of cosmos, and the towering sunflowers all come together to create a space that feels alive with possibility.

As the freighters glide silently by in the distance, you can’t help but feel a connection to the garden, to the rhythm of the wind and the life that fills the space. It’s a reminder that the beauty of a garden isn’t just in what we grow—it’s in the way we experience it, in the joy of seeing flowers dance in the breeze, in the peace that comes from knowing you’ve created something truly magical.