Hope & Light Return
Our family farm turns five this season, making this spring even more joyful around the farm! Although accustomed to seasonal cycles on the farm, there’s always one surprising morning when the scritch crunch of my muck boots on frosty grass transitions into soft, squishy footfalls on matted grass clumps the texture of pudding.
Everything seems to wake up at once. Robins dig through the ground and grass for worms. Red-winged blackbirds squawk from the neighbor’s tall grasses. We’ve also heard that bluebirds are back, so we keep an eye out for Mary’s favorite bird. Before going in for the night, we stop and listen to spring peepers where the brook backs up into small vernal pools at the back of the farm. There are no better science lessons than in nature’s classroom.
Ignoring the calendar, what tells you that spring is really here? Is it the pleasant, earthy smell that often follows rain when it falls on dry soil, hinting at warmth and the earth’s sweetness, even if it’s still 34 degrees? Is it the empty suet feeders (a high-fat mixture that birds eat for extra energy in cold weather) you have no plan to refill? Or is it the Canadian geese who’ve returned to the school’s playing fields, much to the grounds crew’s dismay?
However you notice spring, if you’re like me, you’re itching to get growing. Here at the farm, we grow all year-round, but it’s the proliferation of variety and color exploding in beds and high tunnels that makes my heart sing.
So what can you do right now when it’s 50 degrees one day and 28 degrees the next? Now is a fabulous time to make your garden plan, and one decision you need to make soon is whether to start seeds yourself or pre-order starts from our plant collections in our garden shop.
It’s easy to refill established flower beds or raised beds year after year, but when was the last time you sat down with a cup of tea and listened to what your heart longs to see, smell, and cut in those beds? Maybe the mosaic of the sunny faces of cosmos make you smile, or perhaps you enjoy revealing the (snap)dragon’s mouth to make your grandchildren laugh. Whatever keeps you coming outside to watch plants grow, imagining the possibilities for arranging and drying bouquets, or remembering someone dear is the right garden for you. This is the time to plant hope, foster creativity, and seed joy for the season to come.
The space and setting of your garden partly determine which plants will thrive. Our region has famously rich soil along the Connecticut River, but throughout Hampden County, it can vary from stand-a-fork-in-it clay to stony, gravelly ground. We’ll dive deeper into soil soon, but for now, remember that the kind of soil you have—and where it’s located—makes all the difference for your plants. If you’ve struggled with a patch that just won’t thrive, or you’re starting fresh, think about building a raised bed from scratch using our foolproof method—it’s often the best way to give new life to your growing space.
It's helpful to start with a good plan. Early spring is the perfect time to take some measurements and take existing beds in your yard into account. You might decide to start some varieties from seed, and then plant seedlings of others, depending on your space.
Whether you’re sowing seeds or planting seedlings, my blog on How to Plan for Seed Starting Indoors has all the basic planning info you need, plus a complete guide to get you started. If you have visions of a cut flower garden this year, be sure to check out my step-by-step video –it’ll walk you through each stage and help you bring that vision to life.
You still have time to start seeds! Because we grow beautiful blooms for you, we start our seeds earlier, to ensure our plant collections will be ready for the week of Mother’s Day. We use organic practices to grow bountiful bouquets for your family’s celebrations and memorable moments. (Did you know your son or daughter can order prom flowers on our website?)
Everything we do is rooted in this place, growing beauty for our community. When you celebrate—be it prom, a birthday, or a life well-lived—we’re right there celebrating with you. Just as we sow seeds for vibrant flowers, we sow seeds for a strong, connected community. This is who we are.
Our farm and family are committed to 100% farm-to-table florals for you and yours. Stop by the farm stand or take a look around our website for spring inspiration today.
Stay connected to the farm to follow the seasons, learn how to cultivate beauty in your own spaces, and enjoy all the promises of spring. I can’t wait to see what this season will bring, and we can’t wait to have you along for the ride with us.
Resources:
Step-by-step seed starting instructions
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Behind the Scenes: Sowing Seeds for Our Specialty Cut-Flower Collections
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