The first signs of the coming spring are here! Crocus are sprouting in my garden near the kitchen door and temps are warming up the ground making it soft underfoot. In general, it's been a very mild, dry winter for New England. I read last week that daffodils are already in bloom on Cape Cod! Here at Dandelion House I've been cleaning the existing flower beds and having fun sneaking a peak at what's already coming up!
As I uncovered the large patch of newly sprouted Jacobs' Climb ( bee balm ) the scent of damp earth and mint traveled up to meet my nose. Birds are beginning to chirp and sing. I think they've given up on any showing of Old Man Winter. Between you, me and the garden gate, it's fine by me if he forgets us all together this year! I'm ready for SPRING!
Much of my winter reading has been about Cut Flower Farming. I'm adding 16 4x8 garden beds to an area in my yard I've dubbed " My Backyard Flower Farm "
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| The Garden Plan |
I'm feeling so excited about my new flower growing AD- venture! I just had to share my journey from the beginning with all of you! I'll need you by my side in the garden along the way to *stake me up* for the inevitable ups and downs I'm sure to have! The Cottage Hens will be doing their part by supplying me with plenty of fresh cock a doodle do straight from the chicken run!
I hope you'll join me in my Cut Flowers 101 series where each week I'll focus on one or two cut flower varieties! Why not learn together?
This weeks flower pic is a spring bulb called Ranuculus which is planted in early to mid spring in our zone 6A near upper Cape Cod. It's bloom time is April- May outside, but it's season could be extended if planted in a hoop house or cold frame!
It is delicate with paper thin petals, yet packs a romantic punch when grouped together in a vase or a bouquet.
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Martha Stewart Wedding  Soft and bold alike. I love them all! |
Thanks so much for joining me on My Backyard Flower Farm journey friends!
Do any of you grow cut flowers and/or ranuculus? I would love to hear about your experiences along the way too so be sure to leave a note on the flower cart on your way out!
This post is linked to the Homestead Barn Hop .
10 comments:
i'm jealous that spring is on it's way there!! :-) The pink ranuculus is my favorite.
The weather here keeps teasing us , one day it feels like spring the next lots of snow is falling ! I cant wait to get my hands dirty in my gardens . Beautiful photos . Have a wonderful day !
Deborah
You have flowers coming up and blooming? Yea for you!
We got some rain this afternoon and now have big wet snow flakes. A little winter weather moving in.
Good Luck with your new flower adventure. Excited to watch your progress in pictures.
My daffodils are in full bloom here in Tennessee (and my tulip magnolia would have been, but for a 20 degree night last week which froze its buds). I love ranunculus, but it gets too hot too fast here to grow it well. We do have a wild ranunculus (folks call them buttercups here) that grows in fields and everywhere else it's allowed to. In the summer I mostly rely on zinnias, roses, and rudbeckia for cut flowers.
I am looking forward to reading every flower garden post. Looking at your soon to be backyard flower garden got me anxious for flowers too. Congratulations Deb.
As usual, such great information but I do agree this makes me want spring really bad!
Hi all! Today was in the mid 50's but we still have to worry about a frost or two before our seeds can be sewn outside...We are just happy there is no frozen snow on the ground! Spring will be here for all of us before we know it!
I have always love the Ranuculus (can't spell it), but never had the courage to plant them, but I think I will try this year. They are very beautiful. You have inspired me.
I don't currently. But I'm using one of my existing beds for a cutting garden this year. I planted daffodils in it last fall and I'm trying to decide what else I want in there.
We've been watching the flowers poke up here too, crocuses, daffodils, and snowbells... all so pretty and welcome! I love the idea for your garden plan, so much fun to fill the long winter with plant plans. I've been working on my new and improved vegetable garden.... :)
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