Freeze!

The freeze came about two weeks later than expected and killed almost all the annuals over the course of three days of dipping into the very low thirties! It’s a bittersweet time as the season ends and we all enter into a period of rest. 

While most annuals die during the frost, hardy annuals love the cold weather and actually thrive! Like this baby campanula seedling. Other hardy annuals include Bupleurum, Bachelor Buttons, Bells of Ireland, Scabiosa, Rudbeckia and Dianthus. Learn more about these “cool flowers” at The Gardener’s Workshop. 

It’s also the perfect time to get a soil test. This year I’m working with Ellen Polishuk of Plant to Profit Farm Consulting. She has been so helpful talking me through the how, what and why of soil testing. 

Tulip planting is also on the “to do” list. This year with the assistance of two lovely ladies and my husband we got 1400 tulips planted in less than 2 hours, using the “no dig” method described in detail by Jennie Love of Love n Fresh Flowers in Philadelphia. 

To prepare the farm for winter and protect the beds from wind and rain erosion, we add leaves, straw, tarps and cover crop. Grateful for friends who bag up leaves from their yards for me to pick up and use on the beds! 

This concept is explained in the books Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown and The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost. 

And at long last the Paperwhite bulbs have arrived and the Celadon Hill Holiday Shop is open for ordering! First rounds of pick ups and deliveries will be November 26th and 27th and then December 15th and 16th. We’re offering our popular Paperwhite Kits and Paperwhite Bulbs in a Bag along with the new Christmas in a Jar! 

As we enjoy chilly fall sunsets and enter into this time of retreat and recharge, I’m immensely grateful for the local flower lover community and especially to you for following and supporting this small sustainable flower farm.

Thank You!