Thursday, October 29, 2009

Planning




So I have been contemplating what flowers I wanted to grow this year for a few months now. I would sit down on my couch at home and look at all the catalogs (SO MANY! Look above), and I would just get overwhelmed. So much stuff I really liked but had to narrow it down since I only have so much space. After many lists, then many changes, finally I have sent my order in!!! It feels like such a relief and I feel good about the flowers I have chosen.

I'm going to do some seed flowers still but I am branching out and will try...what are they called?...vegetative cuttings. The cuttings are pieces taken from plant stock instead of started from seed. The flower companies stick them and get the cuttings growing roots, then they send them out to places like me. Then we grow them to full size. I'm excited about them because there is so much more selection of colors, types of plants. Plus they tell me they grow much more vigorously and full of even more flowers. Can't wait to learn a lot this year.

Even just ordering the plugs was a huge learning experience to me. You can't order directly from the grower/propogator, instead you have to order through a broker. Then there are all these things to know, like how many trays fit in a box when you order, the minimum amount of trays you need to order, a phytotoxicity fee if you order from places outside the state....etc, etc :) The lady who works for the broker company has been good to talk to because she use to own her own nursery. She has lots of information that has helped me.

I will also be growing lots of hanging baskets this year. She helped me figure out how to get a whole bunch of baskets to fit in my greenhouse.

Can't wait to see how this coming year goes!

2 comments:

  1. Oh we love hanging baskets! We get one every year, and kill it every year. But maybe next year we will have to swing by the farm and get one!

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  2. Haha Ranae! Yeah hanging baskets take dedication :) You guys should swing by next year. It would be so fun to see you.

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