Into the Soil
Once our seedlings have gained enough strength and spent ample time in the greenhouse, it's time to move them outdoors! Preparing the ground for planting is a team effort, as it requires quite a bit of physical labor. First, we till the soil to loosen it up and make it easier for the roots to establish. This is usually Todd’s job since he enjoys working with the tractor. We also reuse our weed barrier each season, so we already have the spots mapped out for planting. Each type of flower has specific spacing requirements to thrive, so we carefully plan where each group of plants will go for the season.
Next, we lay down the fertilizer and position the weed barrier according to the map we've prepared ahead of time. This is an important step because we want to ensure that each plant gets the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy, while also minimizing the amount of weeding we have to do later in the season. Once that’s all set, it’s time for the best part—planting our flowers!
We walk through the fields, making individual holes for each plant. This process can be time-consuming because we plant hundreds of varieties every year, and each flower needs its own space to grow. But it’s also a process that’s filled with anticipation, knowing that each little seedling will soon become part of a vibrant, blooming field. We bring the seedlings out of the greenhouse and set them next to their designated spots. Then, it’s all hands on deck to get everything into the ground.
One by one, we gently remove the plants from their trays and transplant them into the soil. This requires a lot of care because we want to avoid disturbing the roots too much and give each plant the best chance to take hold. After that, it’s a matter of giving them plenty of attention—watering them regularly, checking for pests, and keeping an eye on the weather to make sure they’re not too hot or too cold.
As the weeks go by, we continue to nurture them, watching as they grow stronger and start to form buds. Finally, the day comes when the first blooms start to appear, and all the hard work pays off.
