​     In our climate here in Minnesota, plants and many other organisms emerge in the spring.  In the greenhouse we are fortunate to experience spring in February.  We are busy sowing seeds every day, which means that every seed flat needs to be accurately tagged.  We now begin to see the newly germinated seedlings fighting their way toward the sunlight.  Watering systems are ready and everything is in ‘spring go’ mode. It is good to be emerging again.

In the greenhouses drip tubes are all fixed and now await the soon-to-be transplanted hanging baskets.  These basket lines and drippers save on water and labor.
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Meanwhile our heated germination benches are covered and our roll-up germination chambers are set.  These chambers allow us to heat jus the area where the seeded trays are germinated.  This system saves on heat yet keeps the seed warm enough to sprout.

Our spring soil is stored warm and cozy in our soil room.  It is all now in large, bulk totes – eliminating the use of plastic bags.
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Jeremiah is still enjoying our new all-electric forklift, as he fills our flat-filling machine.  The result is many carts of filled hanging baskets that are ready for the plants which will soon be planted.

Corey is putting the finishing touches on the plumbing in the new headhouses; getting them ready for the 2023 crop.
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Meanwhile, Mamie has masterfully assembled the new shipping carts as we look ahead to the shipping season. 

​Our native cactus, Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is now in full bloom and we await seed production from it.  Meanwhile a field of Large-flowered beardtongue (Penstemon gandiflorus) also is in bloom with its heart set upon abundant seed production.  Our Lead plant (Amorpha canescens) in front of our office in radiant color, has many attendant bumble bees paying it a visit. 

​     The display of blooming Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) has been long and incredible as spring moves along. Our native Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) which survives our -30-degree winters is now sending out new pads and will eventually put forth its yellow blossoms. Meanwhile the prairie lands are deep in new grass after ample spring rains.

​     Although we had a bit of a relapse of winter outside, the greenhouses on the inside are very spring-like.  One of our newest plant enthusiasts, Mamie, braved the white stuff outside to be here to nurture the green inside.
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     We are on the edge of April, the month when we hope to begin sending our “green” recruits to where they will be planted into waiting gardens.