Surya + Petal and Bee Flower Farm
We recently completed a series of mini shoots with an indepedent local female run small business; Petal and Bee Flower Farm.
It was Dahlia season, and I had wanted to snap some pics with Nerida for a while – the timing was perfect!
It was a stunning Autumn morning on the half acre farm she and her husband own, and Chris and I were in awe of the beautiful floral horizon that was dotted with colour like hundreds and thousands.
"I feel really lucky to have grown up around two very different but equally amazing gardens. One of my grandparents had a really structured, neat garden near Sydney, where everything had its place and was always beautiful. It was filled with roses, irises and dahlias. The other was the complete opposite— in the bush, wild, full of colour, a bit chaotic in the best way, and just overflowing with life.
During school holidays, I’d spend time with both of my grandparents and just potter around in their gardens. Each of them taught me different things—what certain plants were, what they liked, how they grew, and how to look after them. Those little lessons really stuck with me."
"My mum picked up pretty early that I loved being outside and playing in the garden, so she’d often take me to local nurseries. We’d come home and “design” little garden beds together, which I absolutely loved. It made me feel like I was part of it, even as a kid.
At the time I don’t think I realised how much all of that was shaping me. It was just normal life—being outside, digging and creating. But looking back, it’s definitely where my love of both beauty and function started, in the garden."
"I spent many years working in an office, and I’m genuinely grateful for the experience, but I always had that pull to be outside, in the garden, amongst the flowers and trees, playing in the dirt."
"In 2020, right at the start of covid lockdown, I was diagnosed with cancer, and that really changed everything for me. It made me stop and properly reassess what I wanted my life to look like.
That pull to be outdoors wasn’t something I could ignore anymore—it actually became really clear that I needed to follow it.
Flower farming had always been in the background as something I loved, but that was the moment it became something I wanted to actually build a life around.
I actually began the flower farm in the Hawksbury, however in the space of about six months we had three floods, which completely wiped us out.
We were already house hunting at the time, so instead of starting again there, we decided to wait until we moved and pick it back up once we were settled."
"We moved to the South Coast (of NSW) in July 2022, so it’s been nearly four years now. This place came up and even though it’s only half an acre, it’s actually perfect for what I need. You’d be surprised how much you can grow in a small space when you plan it well.
Pretty much everything about life has changed since we moved and I started the flower farm again.
It’s a lot more hands-on, much dirtier, but also a lot more connected. The flower stand, chatting at the gate, seeing familiar faces each week— it’s become one of my favourite parts of what I do. That, and seeing their faces light up when they see their flowers. It’s a wonderful feeling."
"It’s that local connection that’s grown everything. People like knowing where their flowers come from, and there’s something really nice about being able to support something small and local just down the road."
"After my cancer diagnosis, it taught me to actually listen to my body more, which I wasn’t always great at before. Farming is physical, and there are definitely days where you just need to slow down—even when there’s a million things still to do. I’m still learning that balance.
Flower farming keeps you humble; weather, pests, things not growing how you expected… it’s just part of it, and you have to go with the flow.
I’ve had to learn pretty quickly that you can’t control nature, so a lot of it is about adapting and not getting too stuck on how you thought things were going to go."
"I have plans for the farm, but I’m also really mindful of keeping things manageable, especially with three busy boys at home.
One of the things I’m really excited about is doing small on-farm experiences—pick-your-own flowers and little workshops. I’d keep them small and intimate so people can actually enjoy it, slow down a bit, and not feel like it’s overcrowded or rushed.
I’d also love to start offering seeds from what we grow here on the farm, so people can grow some of those same beautiful cut flowers in their own gardens at home.
I also get quite a few enquiries for bridal bouquets, and that’s something I’m starting to look into more. I’m thinking about maybe offering small elopement-style packages. It’s still very much in the idea stage, but it’s definitely something I’m interested in exploring."
"For now though, I’m going to continue growing those beautiful, unique, hard-to-find flowers that you all love so much, trialling new varieties, and enjoying the journey as it keeps evolving."
"I love clothing that's practical, but still feels good to wear—things I can move in, get dirty in, and not think too much about."
"The Traveller Overalls are perfect for farm life. They’re practical, comfortable, and I love having pockets everywhere because I’m always carrying snips, pencils and paper, my phone, or something I’ve picked up along the way. It’s the kind of thing you throw on and forget about, which is exactly what I need."
"The Wrap Skirt is a bit more soft and easy, but still really practical. I can wear it on the farm whilst harvesting, at the flower stand, or while chatting with customers and still feel like myself. It moves well, feels comfortable, and just fits into my day without any effort.
Both pieces just suit how I actually live and work, which is what I love about them."
Thanks so much Nerida for showing us your gorgeous farm, and sharing your beautiful positive energy with us!
We had a blast both days, and I'm definitely nabbing myself some dahlia tubers when they come up for sale this Spring.
Follow along on Petal and Bee's journey:
Until next time,
Mel Xx
