March is one of my favorite, yet most anxiety-provoking, months on the farm. It’s pleasant to work outside, the birds are singing, and the monster weeds and the fire ants are (mostly) still asleep for the winter. March feels like April or May right now with the lovely sunshine and the warm weather, although I must remember that this time last week, I wore a coat when I stood outside on the playground.
The flowers are growing tall, too tall I am afraid. A freeze usually comes in March to damage all the buds of blueberries and peaches and, on my farm, snapdragons and larkspur. I cannot cover them against the cold when they become too tall for the frost cloth. It seems to happen every year, and there is nothing I can do about it. The plants can take cold weather–they went through the latest “Arctic Blast” when the temperature fell to 10 degrees F, but they were small then. The problem occurs when the plants become large, as you can see below. This Queen Anne’s Lace has been severely damaged. Most of it did regrow, as I recall.
I found this post that I wrote on March 5, 2020, just before the world fell apart due to COVID. That March, a section of the large field by the road was devoted to pigs, but most of it was just empty field. I had one small row going along the edge of the field. I put my flowers in the garden down behind my house.
Farmers are eternally optimistic, while also anxious about things over which we have no control.
Even if we have a March frost, I plant things numerous times so that I will have enough survivors. I expect the farm stand (or maybe it will be a “flower shed?” I am not sure) to open towards the end of April or the first of May. I will definitely have arrangements for Mother’s Day and weekly bouquets by May 17 or before.
For Mother’s Day, I will provide Mason Jar arrangements as well as bouquets for the mother in your life. We are also working on a calendar of the dates we will be open for pick your own flowers.
I look forward to seeing you this summer!