Here in upstate SC, February is really our last month of dormancy. Lots of plants are in the ground, but no one is growing much just yet. They aren’t fooled ~usually~ by the false spring, warm days…which we’ve had a lot of lately.
Since our last farm update, the poppies have really taken off! Their green leaves are looking healthy and happy. At this rate, it’s going to be a beautiful year for poppies!
We’ve also gotten our lisianthus in the ground. This year we’re growing 3 varieties, one white and two shades of pink!
Tulips hit the dirt, too! We planted 4 or 5 varieties ranging from sunny yellow to pinky-pink.
Last season we planted a variety of tulip that didn’t do much. We think unpredictable temps caused their poor performance. Much to my surprise, they started popping up this month where we grew zinnias all last summer. We peeled back the weed suppression and layered them with leaves. Maybe they’ll be a bonus flower this season…Who knows?!
Bed preparation has been a focus of this month as well. Luckily we’ve got a trusted source of leaves which are so nice for bulking up and loosening our native and very dense red clay! Slowly but surely, we are working towards a no till operation at the farm–bulking with organic material, cover cropping, and strategically cultivating florals.
Finally, we’ve done some pruning. Alllllll of the woody perennials have gotten a visit. The limelight hydrangeas, some of which were monstrous, have been reigned in. We also had some trees, like sweet gums and pines, removed that we’re starting to pop up amongst the perennial beds. Now we’ve got some loose and vacant soil.
P.S: We’re now taking suggestions for what we might add in their place :)
