For Nikki McComsey, growing flowers in a backyard garden began as part of her healing journey following a health scare six years ago. That passion blossomed quickly as her arrangements continually sold out in local pop-ups. McComsey soon realized she needed a much bigger space for her blooms and her growing business.
“It all started with planting a lot of different things in my garden,” McComsey says. “Then I found a learning course from Floret, which is out of Washington state, and completely fell in love with the idea of flower farming.”
Today, McComsey runs Gather Mountain Blooms flower farm on a parcel of land within the historic Venetucci Farm in southeastern Colorado Springs. Along with her sister, Abby Remacle, McComsey also manages Venetucci and its operations. Gather Mountain Blooms produces zinnias, sweet peas, sunflowers, dahlias, daffodils and dozens of other varieties using sustainable growing methods. Every year from July through October, the farm offers ticketed flower-picking events for the public to stroll the fields and create their own bouquets.
“We’re passionate about letting people experience what made the farm important to us from day one,” says McComsey, who also offers educational workshops on how and when to grow certain flowers.
This month, Gather Mountain Blooms marks the end of summer with Harvest Hootenanny—an artisan market, live music, local food trucks and the opportunity to pick your own flowers. Later this fall, the farm hosts its annual Pumpkin Fest made famous by Nick and Bambi Venetucci in the 1950s. Every weekend in October, visitors can collect pumpkins, explore the flower fields, sip fall-inspired cocktails or pumpkin spice lattes, catch a hayride, get lost in a maze and browse the makers market inside the farm’s red barn.
Cultivating relationships with the community is hugely important for McComsey. The farm regularly partners with local vendors, including Good Gracious Mobile Coffee and 4th Avenue Crepes. A few months ago, McComsey’s 12-year-old son, Noah, opened CoCo’s Candy and Ice Cream shop in a small historic structure on site, where he serves Josh & John’s locally made ice cream plus a selection of other sweets. A farm store also stocks Colorado-made products like Pikes Peak Lemonade, in addition to candles, artisan gifts, books, seeds and more.
“As a small business, we’ve been amazed by how much support there is out there for us,” McComsey says. “It blows us away sometimes how many people come out to support us, love on us and show up when we need them.”
Visit the Gather Mountain Blooms online calendar for news and upcoming events.
Gather Mountain Blooms
5210 S. U.S. Highway 85
gathermountainblooms.com