I’ve got the night before the first day of school jitters. Excitement with some anxiety. This week the first seeds of 2022 will be germinating. Currently our farm grows produce 3 seasons of the year. Once we start plants, our dormancy ends, and our roles as farmers change.
Looking after living creatures requires a new rhythm. Plants like humans have certain needs and wants to thrive. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. This means making sure heaters are running, proper air flow, and watering at the right time. As a grower you develop an intuition that deeply ties you to the crops. When I am on my game I know exactly how my plants are feeling, especially in the nursery.
Our process for starting seeds follows some basic guidelines. The first choice is what the crop will be planted in. We are implementing the Paper-pot Transplanter to our growing system which requires specific flats. In using this tool we plant regionally adapted seeds into a tray made of paper cells. The plants grow in these cells until they are loaded onto the machine and transplanted directly into the soil. We are hopeful this tool will dramatically increase our efficiency with certain crops in our production, namely Hearts and Soul Salad Mix.
For other crops we use standard 1020 plug flats. These grow the plants until they are ready to plant. We use sizes ranging from 200 (the smallest) to 72 cells depending on the crop.
Once trays are filled with soil, planted, covered, and watered they get set out on the nursery decks or enter the germination chamber. I have experimented with all kinds of DIY germ chambers from coolers with heaters (my favorite) to lining our planting table with blankets and tarps (my least favorite). This year we are using a wire rack lined with plastic for humidity and blankets to insulate. Germ chambers create a very warm, very humid environment for the seeds to germinate. Instead of heating our entire structure to 75 degrees, we can heat a small space for the same effect. Some plants namely perennial herbs and flowers require sunlight to germinate. These flats will be placed directly on the nursery decks to bathe in the delicious February light.
The key to nursery growing is timing. It is easy to plant crops too early which can lead to problems. We have all struggled to plant a leggy tomato only to watch a wind storm break it in half. Annual crops have a certain amount of time to flourish and issues like being “root bound” from sitting in trays too long can hinder growth. We strive for unimpeded growth. Once a plant has hit its edges in the nursery, it needs to be planted or potted-up. Steady wins the race as those plants will continue growing without missing a beat from transplant shock. This practice, combined with using a Biodynamic Calendar and consistent germination, separates the novice from the professional.
Our CSA members from past years helped dramatically lessen the labor needed to run a nursery. Their investment in the 2021 growing season allowed us to install thermostats, fans, and vents controlling ambient temperatures during sunny days. Soon, I plan to install an irrigation system specifically for the nursery run through a timer. Not having to worry about daily watering would save the Folks hours of labor annually and relieve many worries about crop development.
Folks we are hiring! If you or someone you know wants to farm check out our posting for a Full-Time Farmer. Our ideal candidate has farming experience and knows how to work hard.
On a final note, for those interested, the Colorado Grain Chain is hosting a gathering this Thursday from 4:30-6pm at the Colorado Feed and Grain in Timnath, CO. The Colorado Grain Chain links growers to millers and brewers with local or heirloom grain sources. As seed farmers, I am always interested in ways to diversify our seed production and am very excited to see what markets might be available for grains. Hope to see you there!