What’s Blooming in Blairstown
March 2024
What’s Happening Now?
This year we are celebrating 18 years of flower farming here at Little Big Farm! We moved to the farm in 2006 and planted our first crops the following spring. We have grown considerably over the years starting with only half an acre in the lower field and slowly working our way up the hill, adding our hoop house along the way. We are still small in terms of scale but we can pack a lot of flowers into our fields. We really are a “Little Big Farm!”
We look forward to seeing you at the farm this year. Whether you join our Flower Club, stop by our Farm Stand, or participate in a Snip and Sip, we are sure you will experience the difference in our fresh local flowers.
Patti
What is Blooming Now
TULIPS!
Our Tulip Shares start April 19th and run through May 10th. You won’t want to miss these beauties! Tulip shares run for 4 weeks. Each week you will get a bucket of tulips in all shapes, sizes and colors. For information on how to sign up, click the button below. Hurry, these sell out fast!
Looking Lovely
SPRING!
Prepping Your Garden for Spring
We get a lot of requests for tips about growing flowers or gardening in general. Here are some things we do…
1. Compost Boost: Amend your soil with well-rotted compost to improve its structure, nutrient content, and water retention.
2. Mulch Magic: Apply organic mulch like straw or shredded leaves to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
3. Crop Rotation: Rotate your crops to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests, promoting overall garden health.
4. Beneficial Insects: Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings by planting flowers such as marigolds and dill, creating a natural pest control system.
5. Natural Fertilizers: Use organic fertilizers like compost tea or fish emulsion to provide nutrients without harmful chemicals.
6. Water Wisely: Practice deep watering to encourage deep root growth, and consider installing a drip irrigation system to conserve water.
7. Companion Planting: Utilize companion planting strategies to enhance growth and repel pests naturally, like planting basil with tomatoes.
8. Weed Prevention: Hand-pull weeds regularly and use natural weed suppressants like corn gluten meal or vinegar-based herbicides.
9. Native Plants: Choose native plants that are adapted to your region, requiring less maintenance and being more resistant to local pests and diseases.
10. Natural Pest Control: Introduce natural predators like nematodes or encourage birds by providing birdhouses to keep pest populations in check.
Remember, a holistic approach to gardening often results in a healthier and more sustainable garden.
If you are interested in learning more about preparing your garden for spring, we are being featured in the Hope Environmental Commission’s “Speaker Series” coming up on April 6th (rain date April 7th). For more information click on the link below.
Happy gardening!