Starting a New Farm

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..........

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...

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...

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...