These oats will sprout and then protect the soil through the winter.  In the spring, the frost killed oats will then be tilled into the soil to add nutrients and benefit the soil structure.

Strawflower

I made the last CSA bouquets for East Troy outside the steer shed at MFAI at sunset. Everyone had gone home for the evening…it was so peaceful and I had a chance to reflect on the CSA season.

Celosia

Scabiosa

CSA Bouquets

It was fun making bouquets this week.  And that’s not always the case.  I love have buckets and buckets of flowers to choose from while arranging. The flowers are really enjoying the cooler temps.  Some of the cool season flowers are starting to emerge again.  We may see snapdragons again soon!

Remember to change your bouquet’s water every other day.  And try to recut the stems at that time too.  You will be happy you did!!

Loves-Lies-Bleeding with Turtle Creek’s brassicas growing next to them.

The Verbena, even though it got in the field late, has caught up and is looking beautiful.  I have been using lots of it in the CSA bouquets the last few weeks.

The garden in some areas is looking a little rough, this is one of those areas.

Verbena with a bee visiting from a nearby hive, perhaps it’s one of Joy’s hives.

Field Update

- Garlic harvest is complete.  Joy and I found a next cool spot yesterday, absent of mosquitoes to clean and sort the garlic. I’m not sure how we were so lucky! Hopefully next week the braiding will begin.

- Still busy cleaning and prepping the finished beds for the winter.

-Harvesting and weeding daily.

Sorry, I missed the blog last week.  I was so productive in the gardens that I forgot to pause to sit down and write about it.  Enjoy your new blooms this week!

Jodie

Field Update:

-the rain last week did wonders for the flowers, this weeks bouquets will be very full

-the early beds of snapdragons, bachelor buttons, and bupleurum are in the process of being mowed, tilled, and cover crop planted

-the cover crop will keep weeds from growing in the beds, put nutrients back into the soil, and keep the soil from eroding

-as always weeding, weeding, weeding

Wisconsin sky at dusk

Piper Road Gardens Field Update:

- It’s still hot in the field.  I can’t remember the last rain…the flowers would all greatly benefit from an old fashion rain…the irrigation is great, but sometimes you need the real stuff.  Like right now!!

- today I started many projects…tomorrow I hope to finish a few

- transplanted, dianthus, celosia, and strawflower

- The first of the garlic looks great. I can’t wait to begin the braiding process in a couple weeks after the garlic cures a little.

- The garlic braids will be for sale in the area.  I’ll keep you updated here, when and where they will be available.

Take time to smell the flowers!!! – Jodie

Piper Road Gardens Field Update:

-it’s hot in the field

-most of the flowers that are coming on now, zinnias, sunflowers, statice, salvia, celosia, ageratum, cosmos are really enjoying the heat, they are thriving

-this next week will transplant dianthus, sunflowers and plume celosia

-time to harvest the garlic, this is always fun

Enjoy your bouquet!!!

Morgan showing off bouquets, as I’m about to make a delivery to Basics Co-op in Janesville.

I love these early summer bouquets.  All the flowers are coming on like crazy.  The insects have not started chewing yet.  It won’t be long and we will have full bouquets of Zinnias and the celosia will be abundant.

Piper Road Gardens Field Update:

-irrigation is up and running strong

-third planting of Snapdragons were transplanted into the field Sat. Morning

-keeping up nicely with the  weeds, due to dryness and help from a fellow local grower that is helping me out several times a week

I believe that your bouquets should be lasting you pretty much until you get your next one.  If it isn’t, you may consider the cleanliness of your vase ( use a well washed vase, must be free of bactieria). Change the water at least every other day.  And at the same time recut the stems with a sharp blade. The flowers need to have a clean cut stem to allow for the best water take up. They also should be kept in a cool location.  Best not in direct sunlight.  If you are still having problems give me a call or email me.  We can chat about what may be going on.

Enjoy your flowers,

Jodie

Ok, he can do more than lounge. Morgan with his garlic scape bracelet.  The garlic will be harvested in the next week or two.  It will then cure for several weeks. Then I will make beautiful garlic braids with the harvest.

Piper Road Gardens field update:

-the flowers are looking great, today I harvested bunches and bunches of Snaps

-drip irrigation to be completed in the next couple days, no rain in the forecast

-today planted a second raised bed of Celosia, Bells of Ireland

-harvested first stems of Sunflowers, always a good sign that summer is here

If you have any of my black floral buckets, could I please pick them up when I drop off your bouquets.  I’m getting a little low.  If you won’t be home and you have a bucket please leave it at your door with water in it.  Thanks.

I also, wanted to invite anyone that would be interested to tour the gardens.  Just call or email me first and we can set something up.

Thanks,

Jodie

Weeds !!!!!

Piper Road Gardens field update:

-the recent storms this week have been hard on the flowers in the field, the bachelor buttons all lay on their side

-I have been busy this week trying to keep up with the weeds

-support netting went up in two of the raised beds, this will greatly help with the wind and storms

-the geese are back!!

-continue to hope the fields will dry soon!!!!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekly bouquets!

Jodie

Piper Road Gardens field update:

-the rain needs to stop!
-the geese are gone!!!!!
-transplanted some new sunflowers to replace the ones the geese destroyed
-as soon as the soils drys will transplant, more celosia, amaranth, zinnias, statice
-snapdragons are coming on nicely