and it begins..

2020 Seed starting has begun!
well, actually it already began a few weeks ago when I started onions (which are doing great so far!),
 yesterday I started 12 flats of flowers! 
Most of flowers will be going in our 1/4 acre U-Pick flower garden.  Snapdragons, Sweet Peas, Pansies, and multi-colored pastel Yarrow (we have TONS of white yarrow that grows wild on the farm!) as well as 6 flats of native wildflowers (honestly not sure where exactly I'll put those!)  In the grand scheme of things this isn't that much, and it is only the beginning - but it was nice to get started! The new greenhouse is not yet completed and the old one maxes out at about 2 dozen flats! I can squeeze in a few more on the floor but we're just about at capacity!  Fingers crossed for good weather. 

Are you interested in spring flower seed starting? Here are some tips for you! 

Snap dragon seeds are TINY - where your glasses!  and more importantly, they require light to germinate so make sure you do NOT cover them!   Yarrow also needs light to germinate (and also has a tiny seed!) ! 

Pansy seeds are also tiny (though well over twice the size of snapdragon seeds) and they require darkness to germinate!  this may sound simple, but last year I had no idea and couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time with both of these growing in the same tray.   

Sweet Peas prefer more space in their pots than I was able to give them (they need more room for their roots! fingers crossed this works!)  and they also tend to germinate faster if you soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting.  

Who knew I'd need new glasses to  be a flower farmer? I'm off to get a new prescription this week!