In the past few weeks, the weather has been getting consistently warmer, though it seems we are still experiencing many rainy and stormy days. Meg and I have been profiting from this warm then cool weather as it is ideal for planting crops outside. For the past month, a huge portion of our work has involved transferring plants from the greenhouse to the plant beds. While this sounds like a very direct and straightforward process, the reality is much more complicated and labor intensive. Below is a list of the steps involved in planting ornamental crops outside:
- Prepare the bed where the plants are to be put- This involves weeding, breaking up the soil (either with hands or a rototiller), edging and laying down compost (nutrient rich soil which is ideal for feeding new plants).
- Prepare the plants- Plants need to be watered and healthy before they are planted. Plants that are too dry or which contain mold (especially with Lobelia and Impatients) can be composted. Some plants may be overgrown and may need to be trimmed back before being planted- we found this especially necessary for the Necotiana and the Impatients.
- Transport the plants- Plants can be carefully spaced in the Gator box and in an attached trailer then moved to the desired bed. It is important to drive slower when driving with an attached trailer and to take extra precaution when turning, breaking and going over bumps.
- Planting plants- Different beds require different plant spacing which is always planned out by Meg. Once the hole is dug with a shovel or trowel (depending on the size of the plant and the firmness of the soil), we commonly put a small amount of fertilizer in the hole, mix it in with the soil, then put the plant in the hole. Occasionally, the hole is too deep or too shallow and we have to adjust accordingly the amount of dirt accordingly. Once the plant is in the hole, we fill it in with soil and firmly press the plant into the ground to avoid it shifting or tilting over time.
- Fertilize and/or water crop- Every plant has different water and nutritional needs (meaning some need more/less water and some need more/less fertilizer) so we plan our post planted crop care according to the plants needs. Immediately after having planted the crop, we turn on their sprinkler or irrigation system for a long soak (1.5 hours minimum) so the plants are well hydrated and have a better chance of a successful transition to outdoor living. For some plants, water is not enough and they need to be fertilized as well as watered- this is especially true for our Angels Trumpet (Brugmansia) crop.
- Monitor crop as it grows- It is critical to closely monitor the crops in the first few weeks after they have been planted to see if they are adjusting to living outside. For most crops, we lay a layer of composted bark mulch over the dirt which reduces the amount of weeds that grow and improves the appearance of the planted bed. If the weeds return and are in large enough numbers that a passerby will notice, it is necessary to weed that bed. It is also important to water the beds which do not have an irrigation system and to make sure all irrigation systems are working properly (running on time, for the right amount of time and the right frequency). As the weather changes throughout the summer, so must our care of the beds. In hot dry weather, we must pay particular attention to the beds to see if they need to be watered. For the Angels Trumpets, they need to be fertilized at least twice a week or their leaves will turn yellow to indicate they are starving. Comparatively, some crops require additional structural stability as they are more delicate. Stakes and string can be used, as was done with our Dhalias and tomatoes.
Once the plant crops have been planted, the majority of our work moves to the outdoors so we spend less time in the greenhouse. I’m really enjoying this opportunity to be completely surrounded in nature all the time, though the weather variability can make me more tired by the days end. I’ve been fortunate to continue one of my favorite hobbies here- wildlife watching. With the help of my binoculars, I’ve watched some of my favorite creatures like the Bald Eagle and the Barn Swallow and I’ve been fortunate to see more rare animal like the Black Bear and the Bobcat. I can conclude in this blog entry that I am thoroughly enjoying myself here out among the animals and the trees!