It’s been a super “slow motion” sort of spring transition this year. So much rain and very cool temps. It’s causing our early season flowers to grow very, very slowly. Once we get some warmth and sun, I’m confident those babies are going to shoot up and grow like crazy. My hope is they are building strong root systems to support abundant blooms…at some point. C’mon spring! Let’s do this!
Another big project for the spring has been our high tunnel. We started building the tunnel last year, and with everything crazy that happened last season, it just didn’t get done. Then, with all the snow this winter, we were not able to get back to work on it until a few weeks ago. I’m super excited to say that the high tunnel is OFFICIALLY DONE and is ready for planting! Since we missed the cool season growing, we are going to give summer season high tunnel growing a try. It will be a test to see how much heat our “heat-loving” flowers will love.
Although the tunnel will provide our flowers with protection from wind, rain and hail, it will also add some extra heat (even with the tunnel sidewalls open). Growing in the field versus high tunnel growing are two different animals. Rest assured, we are growing a portion of our flowers in the tunnel, but still the majority out in the field where we have experience. I love a good learning opportunity, but I’m not totally crazy! HAHA!
Check out these Dianthus shown below. They are looking so good (as they grow so slowly this year). And the second picture is a “throwback” to last summer. I can’t wait to see the farm in full bloom again.
One final topic for today. Friends, can you help us?
If you follow us on Instagram and Facebook, you’ve been kept pretty much up to speed on the daily activities at the farm. However, I wanted to be sure you knew about three very important ways you can support our farm this year:
- Please join us for our 1st Annual Bochner Farms LilyFest in July. Details can be found at bochnerfarms.com. Our flower farm is not typically open to the public, so this is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes view. Even better, we strategically planned this event to sync up with peak blooming time for the thousands of daylilies we have in the field. It’s going to be a blast, and so very beautiful.
- Do you know anyone who works at a large Des Moines-based employer, loves flowers and local business? I’d like to make a connection for a 5 minute chat about our BloomBiz mobile flower cart. We think BloomBiz is a great idea, but we need to find 2-3 businesses who are willing to help pilot this concept with us. Who doesn’t want to enjoy locally grown farm-fresh flowers AND feed the world? If you can help, please email me at info@bochnerfarms.com. Info on BloomBiz can be found on our website.
- Visit us at the Indianola Farmers Market this summer! We will be there on Saturday mornings starting in June, and we will have fresh bouquets, flower bunches and potted daylilies for you. Avoid the Saturday morning massive crowds and parking hassles, and come visit our sweet, small-town Farmers Market at the Indianola Fairgrounds. Hope to see you there!
In closing, don’t forget! All flower sales qualify for our GivingColor initiative where we donate a meal through Meals from the Heartland for every purchase from our farm. Learn more about this great organization by visiting http://www.mealsfromtheheartland.org.
We believe flowers feed the soul, why shouldn’t they feed the world too? Thank you for supporting our farm. Happy spring!
Bochner Farms Journal 