Spring has Arrived - In the Thick of IT!
Spring may be a little late to arrive in Western Montana, but April is when it feels like the season is finally starting to wake up and we are officially in the thick of it! As the ground begins to thaw, it’s finally the time to start prepping the field. This month, we’re focusing on two key tasks: building a budget-friendly fence and starting the rest of the flower seeds in the greenhouse.
One of the first big projects of the season is to build a fence around the entire field. Up where we are, there’s wildlife everywhere. Deer, coyotes, foxes, bears, all sorts of rodents, and more! In order to protect the flowers from any hungry invaders we’ll need a minimum 6-foot-tall fence, with at least a foot underground for those underground rodents. Since this year is all about starting over, we’ll also be building the fence on a budget which means using as many secondhand or scrap materials we can and finding the best deals for what we need to purchase. So how do we do this? First, we’ll need to collect the materials.
Materials We’ll Be Using:
8-foot T-posts
Chicken wire or barbed wire
Post driver (or a sledgehammer if you don’t have one)
Wire cutters and pliers
Zip ties or fencing staples
Shovel for digging a trench
Steps to Build a Simple Fence:
Plan Your Perimeter: Measure and mark where your fence will go. Make sure to account for access points like gates.
Install the T-Posts: Drive the T-posts into the ground every 8–10 feet using a post driver. They should be deep enough to stand firmly on their own, about 2 feet.
Dig a Rodent Barrier Trench: Using a shovel, dig a 1-foot-deep trench along the fence line. This will help prevent underground critters from sneaking into the growing space.
Attach the Wire: Unroll your chosen wire fencing (chicken wire for small pests, barbed wire for larger intruders) and attach it to the T-posts using zip ties or fencing staples.
Bury the Wire Skirt: Extend the bottom of the wire fencing into the trench and cover it with soil. This extra step makes it difficult for burrowing pests to get through.
Secure the Fence: Check for any loose sections and reinforce with additional zip ties or staples. Be sure to leave at least one area un-stapled as an access point. I’ll be using hooks to secure this part closed when I’m not working in the field.
I’ll be sharing updates on social media along the way, stay tuned to see how the fence turns out!
This month, I’ll also be starting the final seeds in the greenhouse and direct sowing cold-tolerant varieties outdoors. Nigella (love in a mist) and marigolds are some of the seeds that are next up to be started in the greenhouse. Later in the month I’ll be starting cosmos and zinnias as they are warm-weather lovers and germinate very quickly so they are often the last seeds to be started. Some flowers I’ve found do best when they are sown directly into the field rather than started indoors or in a greenhouse. This year, these flowers include:
Bells of Ireland: Needs cold stratification, so planting in April while nights are still chilly helps with germination. Sow seeds directly in well-prepped soil and lightly cover them.
Dill: Scatter seeds in rows, cover lightly with soil, and keep moist. Dill thrives in cooler temps and makes a great companion for other flowers.
Sunflowers: Sow seeds 1 inch deep once the soil is consistently above 50°F. Space them according to variety size.
Bachelor Buttons (Cornflower): These hardy annuals thrive in cool weather and can be sown early in the season. Scatter seeds over well-prepared soil, lightly cover, and keep moist until germination.
In addition to all of these seeds, I will be transplanting lots of perennials to the field. Some I brought from Washington with me, others will be new this year. My goal is to increase the number of perennials I’m growing each year. If properly cared for, flowers like yarrow, feverfew, delphinium, coneflower, allium, phlox, and more will continue to produce for years to come. Each year, producing more flowers. I started a number of feverfew and yarrow seeds last month to start this process!
Now Offering Private Workshops
I’m so excited to share that Beverly Blooms is now offering private workshops! If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate a birthday, bridal shower, or just enjoy a creative outing with friends then this is the perfect thing for you. Gather your group and enjoy a hands-on experience designing beautiful arrangements, bouquets, or flower crowns while surrounded by fresh blooms. Workshops are available year-round, check out the Workshops page to learn more and stay tuned for some public workshops this Fall!
CSA Subscriptions Still Available
There’s still a few bouquet subscriptions spots available, so if you love fresh local flowers grab your spot soon! Beverly Blooms’ flower CSA subscriptions are still open for the season! Sign up to receive weekly bouquets filled with farm-fresh, seasonal blooms. A perfect way to bring a touch of nature’s beauty into your home all season long. Reach out with any questions!
That’s all for now! Happy Spring!
Chase
