Needless to say that I have been a very busy flower farmer since I wrote to you last week. But all the critical things are done for the year! Yay!
Last Monday and Tuesday all of the tulips were crates and put in the cooler. Was that a feat and a half that was, the hardest part was getting the planting medium wet. I was one muddy mess by the end of the day, but by Monday evening I had planted 2000 bulbs. Tuesday afternoon went much faster having to only plant 750, and because I got smarter on Tuesday wetting the medium went faster because I used hotter water.
So all of that project took Monday and half of Tuesday. But I’m not done yet. Wednesday the weather gods were cooperating and 2750 tulips were planted outside in the raised beds. That was nearly an all day project.
So with that project done, a huge yay, and thank you to Steve who helped, all of the very early spring is taken care of so if all goes to plan, the first crates of tulips should be pulled from the cooler mid January for tulips to be had mid February.
Not that I am resting yet. Although I am really wishing for rain that we so desperately need, I am taking advantage of the beautiful weather by getting the beds prepped for spring. So far, half of the summer annual beds have been composted and a nice layer of leaf mulch added on top. This week I hope to finish that project up, and if the weather still holds, I will get the perennial beds mulched with composted leaves. Meanwhile I am also watering much of the plant material that was planted late this year since we aren’t having any rain. They say rain on Thursday? I certainly hope so.
As you can see my list is getting smaller, but still have things to do. I am looking at seeds for next year, dahlias and woodies as well. I know, I am cutting back I tell Steve, somehow I don’t think he believes me.
So until next week, I hope you all can get out and enjoy the weather because I certainly am.
Allie. I dream of flowers, do you?