Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Spring Blooms
Now that we're halfway through January, the farm feels full in a way that’s both exciting and a little overwhelming—in the best possible sense. Nearly every inch of our protected growing space is spoken for, and it’s a clear reminder that spring doesn’t just happen here. It’s prepared for, carefully and intentionally, long before the calendar says it’s time.
Right now, the grow space is dominated by tulips. We have gorgeous double pinks, double reds, striped bicolor singles, and ruffled parrot tulips popping up for our early February CSA and pop-ups. In the Walk-in Cooler - crates are stacked, bulbs are rooted, and holding steady while the bulbs focus on developing strong stems and buds. From the outside, it might look uneventful, but this is the most critical part of the process. Everything that happens later depends on what’s happening now.
The high tunnel has also been doing exceptionally well for our first growing season. This is where our fall high tunnel construction and late summer seed starting really pays off. Consistent protection from wind and managing temperature swings has allowed crops to establish evenly, and so far, most-everything is right on track. We had some really cold days in early December, and while we saw some early die-back, most of the seedlings have rebounded. Seeing healthy growth across the tunnel is both reassuring and energizing—it’s proof that the systems we’ve put in place are working.
Our farm looks a little different from most farms in our area because so much of our growing happens in the first half of the year. That means we have to be extremely thoughtful about what we grow and when we plant it. Winter on a flower farm is a balancing act—while crops are actively growing, we’re constantly monitoring temperature, airflow, humidity, soil moisture, and spacing. Adjustments happen daily, and sometimes hourly. It’s quiet, focused work, but it’s the kind of attention that makes our extra-early spring harvests possible.
As much as we love the visual payoff of bouquets and blooms, this stage—the quiet, full, behind-the-scenes work—is where the season is truly built. These weeks shape not just what flowers look like later, but how long they last, how well they perform, and how consistently we can harvest.
We’re heading into the heart of winter growing tulips, with full tunnels, full coolers, and a long to-do list. Spring is coming—but first, we keep tending what’s already in motion.