Fresh Cuts: April 22

This is an insect hotel--people all over the world are creating habitats for bugs, the good bugs.  Good bugs are referred to as beneficial insects because they either provide a service or create a product.  Like bees, they pollinate myriads of crops and create honey.  Other insects--like lady bugs, lace wings and praying mantis, prey on crop destroying pests.  As farmers we try to attract these beneficial insects by providing habitat.  Habitat for these beneficial insects is disappearing so people all over the world are creating "hotels" on their farms and in their gardens.  Follow the link to see some of these enchanting creations.  I think Carlee and I need to make an insect hotel.

She was here last week "helping" on the farm.  I dug out the last of the tulip bulbs in the greenhouse and Carlee collected earthworms.

It absolutely delights me that this Barbie loving/future princess/queen of all things pink LOVES to play in the dirt!!  You would not have believed the ring she left in the bathtub.

Even though it has been a cold week there are signs of spring--if you know where to look.

We received thousands of seedlings yesterday and began planting them in the newly cleaned-out tulip beds in the greenhouse--out with one crop and in with another.

Tomorrow we will have a crew here to help with the plants in the beds outside.

In the meantime we are busy harvesting tulips from the hoop house.  The Impressions have begun to bloom first so we have red, pink and apricot Impression tulips.  (You can follow the link to my post of our 2013 varieties for good photos.)

We also have orange, yellow and white French tulips.  We have Flaming Parrot, Red Cap Parrot, Salmon Parrot and Rococo Parrot tulips too.

We have daffodils, Icelandic poppies and giant hyacinth.

 

This crop of Icelandic poppies is our best EVER.  We tried a new variety, Champagne Bubbles, and timed them to bloom early.  They are stunning, they love the cool and are bursting with life and color.

 

We have a beautiful crop of white Foxglove.  They are divine! 

 

The Chantilly snaps we planted on Ground Hog's Day are just beginning to bloom too.  We only have a bunch or two this week but soon the greenhouse with be full of snaps.

As always, please check your email and fax for full availability and have a gorgeous day.