Sowing Seeds for Fall Blooms - The Last Round Is Done!
There's a pretty big feeling of satisfaction to be able to tackle starting seeds in the middle of summer. The lavender is finishing up bloom, the fields need weeding (always), and every day feels like there's one more thing to do than there are hands AND hours to do it in. But last week, because of the extreme heat wave, we managed to carve out a little pocket of time for our team to come inside for a reprieve from the heat to start our the last of our fall seeds.
Seedlings and a lavender plant grown at PepperHarrow
This time of year usually gets away from us. Between harvesting lavender, staying ahead of the weeds in every field, and all the other tasks that stack up in high summer, seed starting for fall can slip past before you realize it. So getting these trays going feels like a real win.
We went a little lighter than usual this year, but here's what's coming for fall:
The last zinnias of the season, in orange, red, and yellow. Zinnias are one of those flowers we can't quite say goodbye to, because they’re so useful for bouquets and so in demand, so we like to squeeze in one final planting to carry us into the shoulder season. The fall colors that we start are especially helpful!
A beautiful mix of fall colored zinnias grown at PepperHarrow
Cosmos in white and pink. They're such a light, airy addition to fall bouquets, and by the time these bloom, the softer palette will feel like a lovely contrast to everything else happening on the farm. They also add such a soft and romantic look to the farm that we can’t help but plant lots of these beauties!
Another versatile seed we started for fall blooms is amaranth, in both burgundy and brown. I’m still debating if we should also add a few coral into the mix this year too.
These are the workhorses of fall arrangements for us. Their color is great, they add a wonderful textural element, and hold beautifully into the cooler months. If you've ever taken one of our arranging classes, you know how much we lean on amaranth during the autumn months.
Also…pumpkins. Okay, I know it’s not a flower, but come on. How do you skip pumpkins? These are pure fun, they'll be a big part of what we've got going on come autumn, and they just bring me a lot of joy.
That's the list! A little shorter than some years, but we're okay with that. Farming has taught us again and again that trying to do everything usually means nothing gets done very well and we end up making ourselves feel bad and it’s just not worth it. So this just feels right. A very manageable round of seeds, that we can actually tend properly through the summer heat and into the fall.
We'll keep you posted as they come up. Fall on the farm always sneaks up faster than we think, and before you know it these little trays will be in the ground, blooming, and ready for the last big harvests of the year.
XX Jenn
