3 things to do now to prep your garden for the spring!
Fall is a busy season on the flower farm, filled with the essential tasks that set us up for success in the next growing year. As the blooms fade and the weather cools, it’s time to clear out the old and prepare the beds for future flowers. Here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to as we roll up our sleeves and get the flower farm ready for the seasons ahead.
Clearing Out the Beds
The first order of business is clearing out our flower beds. After a long, beautiful growing season, it’s time to remove the remnants of spent flowers, weeds, and any debris that’s accumulated. This isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about making room for the next round of seedlings and giving our future flowers a clean, fresh start. By removing old plant material, we also reduce the chances of pests and diseases overwintering in the soil, setting the stage for healthy growth in the spring. Not gonna lie, I feel a little sad to say goodbye to these flowers that have been so good to us this season. But it's not not goodbye, just "see ya later." And we still have some flowers going strong so we'll keep those until first frost. We're changing all of our row lay out next season, but that's a whole different story.
Amending the Soil: 
After clearing the beds, we move on to one of the most important fall tasks: soil amendment. We recently received our soil test results, which gave us valuable insight into what our soil needs to be its healthiest. Every farm is different, and soil can change over time depending on what’s been growing in it, how much rain we’ve had, and many other factors.
Based on our test results, we’re adding the right blend of fertilizers and nutrients to ensure our soil has everything it needs. This process is crucial for promoting strong root systems and vibrant blooms next season. By working on soil health now, we’re giving our flowers the best possible foundation for a successful growing year.
Prepping for Next Season
Once the beds are cleared and the soil is amended, we start prepping for next season. Fall is the time to plant all of our spring bulbs (daffodils, anemones, ranunculus) as well as many of our perennials and cool flowers. This part is especially difficult for those of us who really thrive from instant gratification. Unlike our summer annuals that only need about a month from seed to bloom, the wait for these blooms feels like ETERNITY. And eternity of keeping tiny seedlings alive through our see-saw Texas winter weather is a bit stressful.
The work we put in during fall ensures that our flower farm is ready to bloom beautifully when the time comes. While it might seem like everything is winding down, this season is a key part of the cycle, ensuring that we’ll be met with healthy, vibrant flowers when the next growing season begins. We may not see much happening up here, but just beneath the surface the seeds are growing strong and mighty root that will give them a fighting chance at surviving our hellish summers here in Texas.