Blog
Beyond the Vase: Proven Techniques for Long-Term Peony Storage
July 1, 2025
Unlock the secrets to keeping your peonies fresh and vibrant for weeks after harvest. From rapid precooling and meticulous disease inspections to time-tested “coffin” boxes and modern gas-controlled containers, learn practical methods—whether using permeable azalea bags or simple shipping crates—for safely storing everything from delicate whites to challenging reds. Plus, discover why clear care instructions are just as crucial as temperature control to ensure every stem arrives looking its very best...................
Snow, Straw, and Survival: Thirty Years of Peony Hardiness Research in Interior Alaska
June 27, 2025
For three decades at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, every snowflake has mattered. Twice in that time the Georgeson Botanical Garden lost 100% of its peonies—once to bare soils under wind-scoured skies, once to a brutal –30 °F snap that penetrated even frozen ground. What I’ve learned is simple: without at least six inches of snow that stays put, peonies in the Interior simply won’t survive. Whether you rely on natural snowfall or inventive mulches—straw, leaves, spruce boughs, even seaweed—the goal is the same: keep those buds and roots insulated all winter long.......
2021 Losses
January 3, 2022
I blog for several reasons. So, others won't make the same mistakes we made and because I love the farming industry. So, here's a very long, detailed lesson about losses. The 2021 season was a disaster. When everything thawed and the buds started sticking their little heads out of the ground, it became quite obvious we were in trouble...............................
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 Part 2
January 3, 2021
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...
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