Blog

Drying Peonies

January 10, 2021

Over the past 14 years of growing peonies, there has been one question asked many times but one I didn’t think I had an interest—until!! When I saw some peonies dried, I just fell in love with...

Peony Varieties There are literally thousands of peony varieties. Breeders are constantly coming up with 'new' discoveries. Often these 'new' varieties look very, very much like an already existing variety. In my opinion, the intent perhaps to have a flower...

Peony Varieties Part 1 : General Habits of Varieties

January 1, 2021

Your bloom season timing will depend on your farm's geographical location, your climate and even your particular micro climates. The heat index will further define when and how long your harvest season will be. If you have very hot days...

Staking Reasons

December 11, 2019

Staking Reasons Why and How Reasons Why Many years ago, when I had my retail garden center, I was researching soil nutrients. For those who know me, you know I’m not a scientist. So often, when I’m reading...

Cutting Gardens

March 21, 2019

I‘m sure you‘ve been reading and hearing about one of the latest trends for florists, CUTTING GARDENS. It only makes sense with all the movements for local grown, Certified American Grown, sustainable, unusual varieties, environmental issues...

THE FIRST TWO YEARS GROWING PEONIES

February 6, 2019

SOMETIMES SURPRISES ARE NO FUN The first step of preparing your soils is done. I've written several blogs going into detail about this stage of peony production and what a challenge--right? Your irrigation plan is in place and you've selected...

Marketing Take Two - The Small Farm

November 24, 2017

In my blog Marketing 101 I identified the different markets. In this blog, let‘s talk about which avenue will fit the small farm program best. I‘m assuming you have a website, business cards and all the fundamental...

Marketing 101

June 2, 2017

Who is your market? If you are first starting out, anytime the phone rings, you try to get the order. If you‘ve been around a while you are starting to realize which customers you like to work with...

Coolers/Chillers

January 6, 2017

The costs of building a cooler are substantial so you want to do a lot of planning and research. Sufficient space and capabilities to keep the temperature between 33 and 34F is the goal. Of course if you have the funds...

Vases

May 2, 2016

Along with my passion for peonies, I‘ve become impassioned with vases. Vases offer an entire pallet of different appearances. The same 6 pink peonies will look totally different in different vases. And before you even think you can&lsquo...