We’ve reached the end of July, and early morning hours in the garden are beginning to feel like autumn. The change from one season to another keeps us flower farmers and gardeners on our toes as we anxiously await what lies ahead. While we embrace the current season, we make plans for the next. Each season has its purpose and offers both beauty and challenges. And winter is just as important as spring, summer and fall because that’s when we have time for some serious planning.
I’m sure you’re seeing changes in your garden right now. Summer blooms are putting on a show, and late bloomers are budding up in great form.
Here at the farm, we’re gearing up for fall with deep preparation seeding and the transplanting or planting of perennials in a new field. We’re also marking the areas where we want to plant fall bulbs. By doing these tasks, our work as flower farmers is much more manageable.
We’ve also begun our summer clean up in the gardens and fields, preparing for the second flush of blooms. In late July and early August, we’re paying particular attention to perennials to see if they’re looking spent and in need of some maintenance. We’re cleaning up around the base of daylilies, cutting back spent stems and removing any seed pods that have formed. The Stella d’Oro daylilies are budding up again, looking refreshed after some basic maintenance. With the iris, we’re removing old stems before seed pods form. Doing this sends nutrients back to the rhizomes in preparation for next year’s growth.
But since it’s still summer, our main concern here at the farm is keeping our customers supplied with flowers, whether harvested in the early morning or late evening.
Depending on your USDA Gardening Zone, seasonal changes come at different times and in different ways. There are long growing seasons, and then there are short seasons, which can be a bit stressful given all that needs to occur before Jack Frost comes calling.
Wherever you garden, I hope you will embrace the seasonal changes and find joy and fulfillment in all your garden duties.
Happy Summer, Garden Friends
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden