Author: Rhonda b

Starting Seeds indoors ” Not to do”

I thought I would share my seed starting failures today! Here is a list of 5 mistakes I made when starting seeds indoors. 

1. Do not plant 2 types of seeds in the same tray. Why? Well my experience was that the 2 types of seeds grew at different times and grew to different heights. So when I adjusted the lights for the taller plants the shorter ones were then that much further away from the light source obviously, and now they are tending to grow a little spindly then I would like. 

2. Do not plant too early. Why? I was so excited to start my plants that I started a few things too early. The package for the snapdragons said to plant 8-10 weeks before the last frost and the sweet pea package said 10-12 weeks before last frost. I think I planted them both about 12 weeks before out last frost date and they are getting so tall!! I moved them out to the garage in front of a north facing window and they are doing good out there, except that I think by the time I plant them outside they will be monsters in tiny little seed trays!! 

3. Over water. Why? This seems so so obvious, but well I over watered a few trays. Low and behold. Root rot and damping off. I had to throw the trays away. It was so sad. I need to get over the fact that they are JUST seedlings and I can always regrow more.

4. Underwater. Why? Hello self,,,little plants need drinks too. After over watering and killing some, I under watered and killed some more. 

5. Forget to label. Why? I thought I would totally remember what I planted where……oh yeah sure!!! 

It has been such a learning curve. I am sure I will repeat some of these failures again and again. I probably could have did a list of 10 things or 20 for that matter. Oh well it has been interesting. I am learning a bunch. In my next post I will share what I did to have indoor seed planting success. So fun…see you soon



Starting a flower farm

Welcome!

I hope you enjoy this journey with me!
I am starting a new flower farm this year. It is a daunting and exciting process. I have thought about it for years and decided to jump in feet first!!! I thought it would be fun to document my progress and decided to do it in blog form. My little farm (puney) farm is called Midwest Cut Flowers. I am located in the wonderful state of Minnesota. I live about 30 miles west of the twin cities. We live on 2 acres…..so you are wondering if that is enough land to have a farm? Well according to Erin Benzakein from Floret flowers 2 acres is enough. I have read her new book Cut flower garden front to back. I have also bought a book The flower farmer by Lynn Byczynski and read that beautiful piece probably 5 times. Both books have great information of planting seeds, growing and tending the precious plants. I have loved flowers for as long as I can remember. So this sudden dive into flower farming does not surprise the hubby.
I have spent hours looking a seed magazines and trying to remind myself that I need to start at a reasonable….yes “reasonable” size. So I have decided to start with 6 20ft beds. Oh and I have a small plot up by the house and oh yeah I can stick some plants by the shop……see this could be dangerous. The kids do need some yard!! Don’ they????

I peeled up the grass…..what a pain in the back. I covered the beds w black plastic. Weed control. I am so excited about the soil. It is beautiful. I am adding compost and a few other goodies to it. I am trying a low till method of farming. I have watched this amazing guy and am trying to apply his techniques to my little dream. I am going to say this now and I will probably repeat myself again and again. ” This is a lot of work. Fun work. Hard work. but work no less” So please follow me and keep up with my successes and failures…..as there will be those…already has been those…but pull up the socks in my rubber boots and continue on.