October on the Farm

When I first started flower farming, I envisioned the fall as being a laid-back, easy end to the growing season. The farm would come to a sleepy close as chilly nights set in, and work for the year would be done.

Boy, was I wrong.

Other than the spring planting season, fall is probably the busiest time of the year! Even as the growing season comes to a close, preparation for spring and for the upcoming year is in full swing.

One of the most important things that fall brings is the planting of the hardy annuals. Even though it might crazy, I’m transplanting seedlings out into the field at the beginning of October to set us up for success in May. Hardy annuals are flowers that still only live for one growing season but are hardy enough to survive winter frosts and start to grow again in the spring. They establish good root systems during the last warm days of fall, lay dormant during the winter, and burst back to life when spring weather appears. Luckily here in zone 6a there are several annuals that are tough enough to survive our finnicky Midwestern winters. I have transplanted out hundreds of snapdragons, feverfew, foxglove and dianthus seedlings, which will hopefully translate into an early influx of flowers for Mother’s Day and late May. Though they could probably handle the cold uncovered, I use hoops and frost cloth row cover to get them through the coldest nights. Anytime the temperature drops below 40 degrees, I tuck them in for a little nap!

Our maple trees always put on such a good show in the fall

Seedlings all tucked in for the first chilly night of the year

I’ve also been direct seeding several varieties. I may not see a lot of growth on these during the fall, but they seem to benefit from a period of contact with cold soil so that they can start growing in the spring. Larkspur, nigella, orlaya, and bupleurum all reliably grow this way, and I’m trialing Iceland poppies and Bells of Ireland. I’ve had good luck transplanting Bells of Ireland in the spring, but I’m hoping this way might give me two good successions of them. People claim that Iceland poppies are easy to grow, but I must not have the magic touch. They don’t seem to germinate well (maybe it’s too warm in my seedling area?) and those I have gotten to germinate haven’t transplanted well. I’m hoping that a direct seeding approach might finally be what’s needed.

The other thing I’ve doubled down on this fall is planting perennials to help get a jump on spring flowers. This year I’ve added scabiosa fama, sea holly, and yarrow to the mix. If the birds stop messing with it, we may also have some delphinium! Delphinium has been my “white whale” the last few years—not only because it is difficult to start from seed, but because the last several trays I have started have been decimated by birds! I’m not sure what the fascination is for this plant specifically, but birds really seem to love destroying it.

One of the things I love most about flower farming is the constant experimentation and trialing of how plants will fare in different conditions. I’ll be keeping good notes on what does and doesn’t overwinter well and adjust for next year.  So far I’ve been thankful for the very mild fall weather, which is probably letting me get away with later plantings than would normally be possible.

October is also the month that my tulip bulb order arrives from the wholesaler. This year, however, tulip bulbs are on backorder, so they probably won’t arrive until November. Given all that’s going on, I’m ok with that. As long as the weather stays mild and I’m not planting tulips in the December snow, a later planting is fine with me.

In personal news, we wrapped up October by celebrating my youngest son’s birthday and by taking two little wolves trick or treating! It was fun to see how excited both of them were for Halloween festivities this year.

I stumbled across these fall violets and they made me smile!

Let’s hope that November leaves us a little less busy (probably wishful thinking!) and with time to turn to some other farm projects that need to be accomplished before winter sets in!