New Beginnings
It's no doubt all this warmer weather has got us gardeners itching to get out and play in the dirt! At the farm, we start in January sowing seeds for spring crops in the greenhouse, but the color starts around Easter time with the bulb crops. Easter brings visions of Spring...a new beginning for us all. Lilies are bursting with blooms in the stores and Tulips spring to life even though it is still a bit chilly outside. Bulb crops are cold tolerant for the most part, but if you are thinking of planting those Lilies or other Easter plants outside in hopes of them growing back next year, think again as most of the varieties sold at Easter are not hardy in our area. Bulb crops are very short lived as far as flowering is concerned as they quickly go into a phase known as senescense, where the leaves and stems yellow, or biologically age. The longer they are kept at cooler temperatures, the longer they will last. It is important to allow this process to continue without interf