Take it’s temp!
A compost thermometer makes all the difference in making sure your pile is active and breaking down... and it's so satisfying to watch that temp climb. Most people don't realize how hot compost piles can get. Over 120 degrees is ideal when the pile is new and just starting to crank. I've temped mine at 140 degrees before and in the winter an active pile will release steam. The temp will slow down once most of the bigger chunks of material begin to breakdown, but the pile will continue to be warm for a good amount of time. #coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #composting
Weedy Wednesday - Compost it!
Weeding Wednesday - Compost it!
The common field thistle was used for prairie restoration and is native to many states including Colorado. It also has beautiful purple flowers that bloom! 🌱 #lambsquarter #weeding #weedingwednesday #eatit #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Protect your dahlias!
To protect our beautiful dahlia petals from being nibbled by Japanese beetles, earwigs and the like, we cover each bloom with a reusable vellum bag. This allows light and air to still get through, but not crawling (or flying!) critters. We use 4x6" bags for most of our blooms and 6x9" blooms for our dinner plate blooms. You can find these bags online.
Cover the flower when it's in its bud stage, cinch below the bud and un-cinch once your bloom is ready for harvesting. 💐 #coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #baggingbuds
What’s happening on the farm this week?
What’s happening on the farm this week? We are seeing some sunflowers, zinnias and snapdragons getting ready to bloom. We are looking forward to a break from this heat! 💐🌻🌻#coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Dahlia corralling results!
Here are the results form our previous video! Feel free to comment any questions.
Corralling your dahlias
On our 65 foot long beds, we use nine T-post per bed. Three on each end and three in the middle of the bed, at roughly 32 feet, for extra support. We stake the T-post in about 9 inches from the edge of the bed, so they are fairly close to the line that we planted the tubers along. This will help give support to the base of each plant. We cut binding twine to roughly 66 feet in length, tie a double knot on the corner T-post, about 12 inches above the ground, string it to the center post where we pull it tight (tighter than feels necessary), wrap it around the center post twice and then string to the post at the other end and double knot there. We do the same thing at the very top of the T-post. We repeat this down the center of the bed (length wise) and also on the other side of the bed. This creates a supportive coraling system to help your dahlias stand tall and straight as they begin to become top heavy with all the blooms they will create.
If growing dahlias in an ornamental garden, you can support them with either stakes for flower cages. Some of the shorter varieties don't need support at all. Result video coming shortly!💐💐 #dahlias #corraling #coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Composting tips- Turn that pile!
You now know what greens and browns can go into your backyard compost and how to layer them in the correct ratio. You also know what to keep out of your backyard pile. Now it's time to turn your pile! This will add oxygen to the composting process, speeding it up. This also allows you to add and evenly disperse water throughout your pile, preventing the pile from drying and slowing the process. Your pile should be damp, like a wrung out sponge, not soaking wet. To "turn" your pile, grab your best compost/pitchfork and completely move the pile from one area or bin to another, adding water as you go. Think of it as a free gym membership :-) #compostingtips #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #compostingbrowns #compostingtips #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #reuse
Weedy Wednesday - Compost it!
Weedy Wednesday - Compost it!
Today we talk about mallow. This is a compost it, although there are signs that it may have been eaten in the past, we don’t feel that it should be encouraged since we are unfamiliar. Be sure to get the whole root, it grabs the center of the Earth! Let us know if you have any questions 🌱🌱 #mallow #weedywednesday #weeding #weedingwednesday #compostit #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Dahlia debudding!
Dahlia debudding! Leave a comment if you have any questions!💐 #dahlias #debudding #coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
What’s happening on the farm this week?
What’s happening on the farm this week? We are finishing up with yarrow and seeing some snap dragons. We will continue to clean up this week as well! 💐 #coloradofarming #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Composting tips!
Composting tips! In this video we explain what not to put in your backyard composting pile. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment! #compostingtips #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #compostingbrowns #compostingtips #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #reuse
Weedy Wednesday- Eat it!
Today we are talking about purslane which is in the succulent family. This weed we can eat! We will be trying out a recipe or two and will share the results. Have you tried purslane? 🌱#purslane #weedywednesday #weeding #weedingwednesday #eatit #farmweeds #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
What’s happening at the farm this week? We are doing some catching up and seeing some new blooms! 💐#flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #peonies #dahlias #zinnias #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #whatshappeningatthefarm
We have a slug problem!
Do you also have an army of slugs nibbling up your prized plant starts? We've been overtaken here. Instead of sprinkling slug bait, made of who-knows-what, around our plants and in our soil, we treat them like college kids and bait them with cheap beer. #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #slugs #slugtrap
Part 3 Composting tips!
Reach out with any questions! Happy Thursday!
Composting tips part 2!
Here is part 2, stay tuned for part 3!
Composting tips! Compost browns, you have it
Browns... our carbon. Part 2 and 3 will be posted shortly!
* fall leaves
* wood chips
* sawdust
* straw
* seed free weeds you've left out to dry
* paper (consider recycling first if possible)
* paper town, toilet paper and tissues
#flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #compostingbrowns #compostingtips #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability #reuse
Weedy Wednesday! Marsh Elder: COMPOST It!
A false sunflower... similar in shape at the start of growth and can grow just as tall. Its seeds were once harvested for good by Native Americans, but due to it being a common allergen, most people stopped eating it once other options like maize became readily available. Not really worth the foraging trouble. Pull early when the roots aren't too deep and it will come out easily. And then toss it in the compost! 🌱🌱 #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #compostit #weedywednesday #marshelder #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
Dahlia pinching!
This small little pinch, when your dahlia is roughly 1 foot tall, will give you so many more blooms! 💐💐 #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #dahlias #dahliapinching #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
What’s happening on the farm this week? We are harvesting some penstemon! We are also starting to pinch our dahlias, so stay tuned for our in depth video on dahlia pinching coming tomorrow. Happy Monday!💐 #flowerfarm #flowers #florist #flowerfarming #composting #compostinggreens #crescendumflowerfarm #farming #flowergram #boquets #sustainability
