Patience & Prep Work

There’s a special kind of patience required when separating a rack of 50 cell pack trays. You have to wrestle them apart with your finger tips, often getting clipped by the sharp plastic edges. I prefer being through with that part of the process. Other than my frustration with planting trays, things around the farm are feeling fruitful. Quite literally, in fact. We’re separating and potting strawberries and filling our field entirely with fruiting plants. This year we plan to add more blueberries, raspberries, and a gleaming row of elderberries. Beyond bursting with berries, our apple and pear trees are budding after a long winter of acclimating to their new home here on the farm. It takes a different kind of patience to get from one year to the next, not knowing what’s in store.

Today was a zinnia seeding day. We topped off ten trays of pre-dampened topsoil after prepping and laying out trays. Then we poked holes in each cell deep enough for the seeds to drop into, about 1/2.” We individually seeded each cell and labeled the trays with the names of each variety and the date. Give them a drink and let them rest in a warm spot like a greenhouse or indoors on a heated mat with a tray cover until they sprout. Once sprouted they will need anywhere from 12-16 hours of light until they’re ready to be planted outdoors. Zinnias are beautiful and easy to grow, especially for beginners! Be sure to stake them after transplanting to prevent them from toppling over in heavy rain.