Seedlings, Grown-to-Order

Photography by Deanne Tibbetts

I love every aspect of growing seedlings; researching new varieties, planning and scheduling start times, experimenting with different growing methods. The byproduct of this seedling addiction is a wealth of new plants each spring and summer.

Right Seeds, Right Time=Healthier Plants

Spreading out your planting window from April through August makes sense for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s best for growing healthy plants. Some plants benefit from growing their roots and getting established during cooler conditions. Others only thrive in warm conditions. A third group of plants bloom early in the spring and are best planted in the fall so they are established when the ground thaws and the temperatures rise. Having three designated planting windows spreads out the work load, reduces stress on you, and makes it easier to keep your garden full and flowering all year long.

Spring Plant Sale

Seedlings can also be purchased at my spring sale each May on the Saturday before Memorial Day Weekend. Plant choices include annuals and perennials. Dahlias, heirloom mums and some herbs and veg may also available. There will only be a handful of each variety so early birds will have the best selection. Selections are most suitable for cottage garden beds and pot gardens.

Organically Grown

Seedlings are grown in organic potting soil in 2” soil blocks. Some are potted up into 4” pots. Organic fertilizers are used in the growing process. Members will receive their seedlings in returnable trays and pots. Trays and pots must be returned before the next pick-up. A $20 deposit will be collected at the time of purchase.

Cool Flowers Farm Stand-Mid April

Cool flowers are primarily annuals that begin and end their growing cycle in one year. They can withstand frost and even snow. Ideally, they should be planted when the seedlings are a few inches tall so that they can establish roots before they start flowering. They perform best under cool conditions and will look leggy and even stop growing when the temperatures are warmer. Some, like violas, will self seed and come back on their own next spring. Perennials like yarrow will come back every year. They can be planted in the garden or in pots. A selection of cool flowers helps provide early spring nourishment for pollinators.

Cool Flowers

Annuals:

Viola

Snapdragons

Stock

Statice

Rudbeckia

Alyssum

Poppy

Specific colors and varieties of these selections vary from year-to-year. Email me for more information.

Perennials:

Delphinium

Yarrow

Globe Thistle

Photo by Deanne Tibbetts

Warm Flowers-Memorial Day Weekend Planting

Memorial Day Weekend is when I plant out my Warm Flowers. This includes the bulk of what I plant out in my gardens and always includes dahlias, sunflowers, nasturtiums, dusty miller, and zinnias. I like to focus on a particular color each year to keep things new and interesting.

Warm Flowers

Annuals:

  • Dusty Miller

  • Celosia

  • Aster

  • Vines (Asarina, Cup & Saucer, Hyacinth Bean)

  • Cornflower

  • Lobelia

  • Marigold

  • Petunia

  • Salvia

  • Sunflower

  • Nasturtium

  • Zinnia

  • Basketflower

  • Rudbeckia

Perennial:

  • Dianthus

  • Echinacea

  • Globe Thistle

  • Bee Balm

  • Daisy

  • Nepeta

  • Sea Holly

Photography by Deanne Tibbetts

Fall Planted Perennials and Pots

Fall planted perennials are ones that bloom very early in the spring like Rose Rhapsody Salvia or perennials that don’t bloom the first year like some Echinacea or Daisies. You plant them in late August so that they can get established in cooler weather rather than in hot summer sun and possible drought conditions. This makes for a happier, healthier plant. This may also be a time to add fall colors to your pot garden with some annuals or to pot up some geraniums or coleus for house plants.

Fall Flowers

Perennials

  • Foxglove

  • Delphinium

  • Echinacea (Cone Flower)

  • Globe Thistle

  • Sea Holly

  • Lavender

  • Daisy

  • Salvia, Rose Rhapsody or Sky Blue

  • Heirloom Mum*

Annuals

  • Dwarf Zinnia

  • Viola

  • Rudbeckia

  • Marigold

  • Coleus*

  • Geranium*

Photography by Deanne Tibbetts