Starting Seeds and Setting Goals
March always feels like the true beginning of the season, even if the field isn’t quite awake yet. It’s less about instant gratification and more about intention. It’s the month of sowing seeds, setting goals, and laying the groundwork! The days will get longer, the greenhouse will become fuller, and the slow steady work of the season really begins.
This month is peak seed starting season on the farm. This is when the greenhouse, garage, and every sunny corner start to fill with trays of seeds! Most seeds take weeks to germinate, and months before they’re ready to go outside, so in a short growing season like Montana’s, getting a head start matters. While seed starting can be repetitive, meticulous, and sometimes humbling (looking at you, lisianthus) it’s also so exciting and I’m filled with anticipation for what these seeds will bring.
Starting seeds also means a lot of thought about timing. When to sow the seeds (including successions), when to move the seedlings outside of the greenhouse to harden off, when to transplant to the field, and this is all based around the average last frost date. Here in Montana, the last frost date is hard to predict, requiring some creativity when growing flowers. March is when experimentation really kicks in. This year, that comes in the form of low tunnels, frost cloth, and row covers to help warm the soil earlier, protect tender starts, and try to get those blooms just a little sooner than nature might normally allow.
In a short growing season, these strategies can mean the difference between early spring bouquets and waiting until true summer. There’s a lot of observation involved, sometimes over many seasons. Watching weather patterns, testing what works, learning where the limits are. Some experiments succeed, some fail, but all of them teach me something!
The official start of the season also means setting new goals for the coming year. Before the pace of things gets too crazy, I like to take some time to ask myself: What do I want this season to look like? For 2026, my goals are rooted in sustainability and longevity all around.
Personal Goals
This season, taking care of myself is a high priority. Farming is physically demanding work, and burnout doesn’t serve me, my business, or the people who are receiving the flowers! Last season, while successful, did take a toll on me. So, this season, I’m setting goals to take better care of myself while growing this business. Showing up consistently means honoring rest just as much as effort. This season, my personal goals are:
Prioritizing 8 hours of sleep each night, even during the busy weeks.
Protecting one full day off each week to rest, reset, and be a human!
Stretching regularly and taking care of my body throughout the entire season, not just once something starts hurting. I’ve started doing assisted stretching with Mood Club and I’m already feeling the difference!
Environmental Goals
Environmental awareness has been a part of every decision made at Beverly Blooms, from how flowers are grown to how they’re designed and delivered. For the 2026 season, my environmental goals focus on reducing waste and building new systems. This season, I’m committed to:
Minimizing and eliminating single-use materials wherever possible. Slowly replacing with reusable, compostable, or longer-lasting alternatives.
Starting a compost system on the farm. Flower farming produces a ton of organic material so why not close the loop and return those nutrients to the soil!
Designing with AgraWool only and eliminating floral foam entirely from my design plans.
These choices may mean more planning and creativity, but they move the farm and this business toward a more regenerative and responsible future.
Business Goals
A sustainable farm must also be financially sustainable. Clear business goals allow the farm to grow with more stability and intention. For 2026, my business goals are focused on strengthening the foundation so the farm can continue to grow without burning out. For 2026, those goals include:
Increase my net profit margin and reduce expenses through smarter systems and purchasing
Continuing to grow my CSA subscriber base, strengthening community support and creating more stability
My last, biggest, most exciting goal for 2026 is renting a dedicated studio space. A studio would support better workflow for floral design, organization, and creative work. This space would represent huge growth for BB! So, if you’re in Missoula and hear of a good deal, let me know ;)
All of this work and planning is about laying the foundation and kicking of the season the right way. Getting ahead however I can and setting intentions for another successful season. Can’t wait for you all to see the flowers I’m growing this year! Stay tuned for seedling progress, field prep, and BB’s 2026 market schedule!
All for now,
Chase
