At the beginning of February, I turn a grow light on and bring 8-12 trays with soil and seeds into the house to start seedlings. I work on starting slow-growing varieties like pansy, lisianthus, snapdragon and sweet peas. This allows me to get an economical jump-start on the season.
I crate up a few lily bulbs as well.
March 1 is the BIG DAY: I turn the heat on in the greenhouse. I move everything I started inside out to the greenhouse and start seriously seeding. By April, it is standing room only in there. Friends stop over to visit me in the greenhouse saying “whats that.. and that..OHH its so wonderful in here, all the green.” I love visits and showing off my hard-won solitary work in the late winter. All of our green babies that made it through the last chills!
Our cold frame is starting to come alive too: mid-February I planted the pre-sprouted Ranunculus and Anemone under a protective cover.In a few days we will put sweet peas in the cold frame so they can have more room to grow.
Some Dianthus overwintered in there…it wasn’t supposed to…but I’ll take it!
The daffodils and tulips are popping up their early greens. Hoping for some blooms in 6 weeks or so.
The long journey of the growing season has begun. As the farmer, here is when I wake from my winter slumber, come alive, start to grow and set down roots. Back to do battle with nature: the weather, the bugs, the deer and our favorite: Mr. Woodchuck.
Every day is a new adventure on the farm, and when we are growing flowers I enjoy it to the fullest! I wouldn’t want it another way…well except maybe less weeds to pull.
Fabulous! : )
Great post….. And as far as weeds….. it’s like that old saying….the weeds will win because Mother Nature always bats last…or something like that!