Laughing Goat Botanical Gardens

Laughing Goat Botanical Gardens Building our dream garden, one day at a time. We hope to inspire, educate and delight your senses through education, in beautiful spaces. A. Q. Yes, soon.

A former dairy farm getting a facelift into European-inspired Botanical Gardens for use as a private garden venue for life’s celebrations—bespoke events, weddings, workshops, and educational experiences that unite gardeners and garden lovers alike. On our private, 10-acre now-converted dairy-farm, we use sustainable growing practices to grow better-than-organic plants, flowers, vegetables, herbs,

fruit and seed for our community at large. We believe everyone should have access to beautiful spaces, and seek to create a unique, destination event and pleasure garden. Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Can we visit your farm and tour your gardens? We are currently not opening our gardens for visitors during this phase of implementing our new gardens, outside of private events or hosted events put on by us. Please see our website and newsletter for upcoming events and activities. When do your flowers bloom? We specialize in peonies, dahlias, perennials, and annuals; along with specimen trees and shrubs that add interest to the garden. Our goal is to create year-round interest in our gardens, but the best time to see things in bloom is Spring - Fall. We have no control over when plants bloom, and so cannot with any specificity tell you when a peony or dahlia blooms, as it is climate and weather dependent. We try to update our social media with happenings, but can never guarantee that a specific plant or variety will be in bloom when you visit us. We truly hope you enjoy what is blooming, and realize that the fleeting nature of a plant's exact bloom time is special and unique. Why do you charge to walk around your gardens? The fee to enter our gardens is a nominal one, and frankly, it is to foster mutual respect for the work we are doing here. We trust you see the value of our vision, and our wanting to share this, thus we need to charge to cover the expenses of allowing the general public on to our property, not the least of which is paying our employees a living wage. We are not funded by grants, subsidies, or any government agencies. It is not inexpensive to do this type of work, and most, if not all, public & private gardens charge a fee. Can I host an event, or get married at Laughing Goat Flower Farm? We are working on developing our multiple sites on the property, which will be able to host different size groups for weddings, memorial services, birthday parties, corporate events, bridal showers, baby showers, family reunions, you name it. We would love to be a part of your special day, and will announce as soon as we are ready to start scheduling. Can we bring our pet? We are sorry, but it has not been a good experience for our resident farm animals and pets to have new and unfamiliar animals in their space. We do ask that you leave your pets at home, for the safety and comfort of farm animals, as well as all of our visiting guests and employees. Where do you sell your flowers? Right here. What we grow on site is available exclusively in our Garden Shop, to our customers. We are not currently shipping our flowers off the farm, and we do not sell any flowers we do not ourselves grow. We love your support, as we are hoping to inspire and educate on what seasonal blooms and product are, that are grown as healthfully as possible. Do you sell your plants? We are a certified nursery in the state of Washington. As such, we sell plants that we grow on property, as well as some from our trusted grower partners. We do not sell our peony plants that are in the ground, but can order in roots. We are taking a break from selling dahlia tubers. If there is a specific plant you are looking for, please let us know, and we will be happy to grow it for you (if we can) or try to find it for you.

Attention Garden Friends, Guests, and any and all with reservations for an upcoming event on Saturday, August 22:I'm afr...
08/16/2026

Attention Garden Friends, Guests, and any and all with reservations for an upcoming event on Saturday, August 22:

I'm afraid that due to unforeseen circumstances, Laughing Goat has to pause activity and cancel all events scheduled on
Saturday, August 22. The Gardens will be shuttered for the time being, and will resume activities at a future disclosed date.

The Perennial Plant Walk & Talk scheduled for 10am is cancelled, and will be rescheduled. All participants have been emailed.

The Garden Dinner Party scheduled for 5pm is also cancelled, and all Guests have been notified via email.

Please, Hug your Beloveds. Life is precious. Be Kind.

Just a little bit of this and that from the Gardens. I've been taking it easy in the Gardens. I was diagnosed with  De Q...
08/14/2026

Just a little bit of this and that from the Gardens.

I've been taking it easy in the Gardens. I was diagnosed with De Quervain's tenosynovitis, which is actually good news, as I thought it was carpal tunnel and was dreading having to deal with that.

There's been some other, really heavy stuff to deal with as well, and frankly, made it hard to focus. So, not much been getting done as far as the big stuff goes, just little jaunts here and there to get what I can done.

I have a Perennial Plant Walk & Talk tomorrow (Saturday, August 15) so the Garden Shop will be closed for the next 2 weeks, as I manage our Guests and other responsibilities.

Here's my weekend advice, take it or leave it:

Eat all the Peaches 🍑
Cut the Flowers 💐
Stroll your Gardens, often 🪴
Make great food, and sit down to eat with loved ones 💕

We are, in fact, a bit behind. This seems to happen every year, and causes me much less stress than it used to. Really n...
08/13/2026

We are, in fact, a bit behind. This seems to happen every year, and causes me much less stress than it used to. Really none, in fact, as it turns out, there are bigger things in life to be concerned with than whether we prune our wisteria vines in July or August. I think, no, I know, they will be just fine, and so will I.

Now, one should not be pruning their lilacs now, unless it's dead wood, spent flowers, as you will, in fact, be cutting off next season's blooms if you get a bit too ambitious with the shears.

But, you should be deadheading roses, and cleaning up spent perennials, annuals, and harvesting things. Things to eat, things to dry, things to save (seed, etc.) and things to preserve.

I am not quite yet sick of tomatoes and peaches, given the large amounts we have been consuming. I think the combination of trying out new recipes, and we just haven't quite had our fill, but that time may come.

Also, I'd love to share a recently found recipe, yes, in a cookbook, which has quickly become a new favorite, and is currently holding the space of honor in my kitchen. I'm not giving up the recipe in it's entirety, as it is not mine to share/print, but I will happily share a portion: for a pesto vinaigrette, which is honestly a game changer.

I got burnt out on pesto a few years back, when in an overabundance of exuberance threw caution to the wind, and turned all the basil into pesto. We had so much pesto we didn't want to even look at it.

But, try this pesto vinaigrette, and I promise you may, like me, fall back in love. Last night I dressed sliced tomato slices with it, and I couldn't stop eating them.

Basil Pesto Vinaigrette
2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine or champagne vinegar
1/4 cup basil pesto
Salt, Pepper to taste (always and forever)
Mix well, and add to whatever veggies, meat or dish you like.

I'm going to challenge anyone that says eating well, and cooking your own food is time-consuming, and too much work. Mic...
08/12/2026

I'm going to challenge anyone that says eating well, and cooking your own food is time-consuming, and too much work.

Michael Pollan just said in an interview "we make time for what we value", and then said "we've managed to find several hours a day to look at screens, despite being busier than ever" and I can't agree more. This one is a head scratcher to me.

Taking the time to cook our meals has been a game changer for us - we have more energy, sleep better, don't have digestion issues as much and we actually enjoy what we eat, rather than just going through the motions.

Sitting down to eat a meal doesn't have to be a production, unless you want it to be.

Aside from the 5 minutes I spent picking tomatoes, and pulling an onion, this lunch came together in about half an hour, and was delicious, light, packed with protein, low in fat, and absolutely zero preservatives or junk. And yes, I used those fresh tomatoes in place of canned chunk tomatoes, and it was perfection.

Healthy Chicken and Cottage Cheese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Garden Delights, and Garden Gifts. This is just a random collection of things seen in the Garden, things gifted from the...
08/12/2026

Garden Delights, and Garden Gifts.

This is just a random collection of things seen in the Garden, things gifted from the Garden, and while I know this may not be the most interesting or news-worthy to share, the Garden gives when we need it.

The Gardens provide much, and when life gets heavy, or a bit much, chaotic, and stressful, it's so nice to have a calm place to go to. Even if one is just tackling an overly woody, aggressive and overgrown rosemary plant (bye-bye!) to make room for the new, it's so nice to have a Garden to call one's own.

May your Garden bring you infinite joy, calm, and opportunities to share with those you love.

It's the season for Sedum to shine! And Echinacea, Rudbeckia...all the fairly drought-tolerant summer perennials to stru...
08/11/2026

It's the season for Sedum to shine! And Echinacea, Rudbeckia...all the fairly drought-tolerant summer perennials to strut their stuff!

I love adding these cheery, and frothy beauties to the Garden, for this last bit of summer heading into Fall hurrah, and color! They really bring it, adding form, structure, texture, and movement - love watching those cheery Echinacea heads dance in the summer breeze.

When a plant is "drought-tolerant" that doesn't mean it never gets or needs water, it just can handle longer periods without, but all plants need water to get established, and then an occasional drink. Also, these plants prefer to be in well-draining soils, so if your Garden tends to wish them farewell over our wetter winters, don't give up, look at how you can amend your beds to create better conditions for these beauties.

I am, self-admittedly, like a magpie. Seeking out, and gathering shiny objects, things that hold my gaze or interest, an...
08/10/2026

I am, self-admittedly, like a magpie. Seeking out, and gathering shiny objects, things that hold my gaze or interest, and collecting items I can group together.

There is nothing that isn't suspect for this activity: plants, gardens, tabletop items, and even photos for inspiration. My eyes constantly are scanning, looking, searching...

I'm not even certain at this point, that it's conscious. I don't always keep lists of things I'm looking for, though I do for things I really really want to find, like plants. And I am relentless until I find them.

Right now, my fascination turns to color, paint, plants, and home decor. I suppose, as summer slowly starts to wane into shorter days, and the plants are putting all their energy into the bursting into as many flowers as possible before leaf drop and the big sleep, so too does my mind wander into nesting, and how I will spend my days and nights in the darker PNW winters. Planning for next year's Garden, what worked, what didn't, what to add, what to subtract, move, or cull from the herd.

Here are just a few photos gathered, from Facebook, websites, Pinterest, wherever, that hold my gaze, that inspire me in some way or another. None are mine, and none are credited. Apologies for that, but they were never meant to be used for monetary purposes or gain, and as such, they are just simply to find pleasure in, to find some kernel of interest, or motivation.

I do find inspiration from many sources, and in many genres. Art, Photography, Home Decor, Architecture, History...

May you find a bit of inspiration in this too.

T'is the season for delicious things to eat, fresh and simple, straight from the Garden.Our Olive Oil and Balsamic Vineg...
08/09/2026

T'is the season for delicious things to eat, fresh and simple, straight from the Garden.

Our Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar combo are a must in my kitchen, and on the plate. While I keep them year round, this season is their Playoffs.

Olive oil to drizzle over tomatoes, or peaches, with burrata, to garnish on simple tomato soups, and as a finisher to steamed or roasted veggies with some Maldon salt is perfection.

Obviously I'm obsessed with our Balsamic, as it is already reduced, making it the perfect drizzle on any salad, veg, or even meat to just add a punch of flavor, and color. It's straight from Italy, and the bottle looks great on the counter.

We carry what we love, and use, in our Garden Shop.

Stop by sometime.

Happy Sunday!After closing up the shop yesterday, I got to work on my dinner for friends coming over, and was so excited...
08/09/2026

Happy Sunday!

After closing up the shop yesterday, I got to work on my dinner for friends coming over, and was so excited to share some new recipes with them, using things we grew in the Cutting Garden and Orchard. It's such a treat to have these beautiful things to work with, and share, and I knew they would be game to being my recipe guinea pigs.

Those beautiful, luscious strawberries? They made their way into a bruschetta-style appetizer. Our tomatoes? A gazpacho with some crab, and slow roasted in the oven to go alongside rib-eye steak.

I made a beautiful peach and blueberry cornbread cobbler, which I have been dying to make, and it was worth the wait!

It was so lovely to sit outside, with friends, and just have a slow evening eating and chatting around the table. We walked the Garden, and admired the plants, and just had a great time in fellowship together.

Worth playing hooky from the weeds for. 😉

Address

43017 212th Avenue SE
Enumclaw, WA
98022

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