What Is Happening at the Greenhouse Right Now?

Spring may be winding down for customers. But for growers, the next season is already beginning.

Right now we’re:

• ✓ Sowing zinnias
• ✓ Sowing marigolds
• ✓ Preparing to propagate SuperCal Petchoas
• ✓ Preparing to propagate Monarch Magic Ageratum

These crops will form a major part of our fall color program.

We’re also preparing pots for our first round of garden mums. These crops will be ready in late August. A lot of people are surprised to learn mums are started this early.

Years ago we grew a larger number of “shade mums.” These are mums that are artificially exposed to shorter days earlier in the season.

Mums are naturally triggered to flower by longer nights. By reducing light exposure, growers can convince mums that autumn is arriving earlier than it actually is. The result: earlier flowering mums.

Historically these were sold in early August. Today, customer demand has shifted toward more traditional late-August and September timing, so we’ve scaled the practice back.

As spring winds down, we’re also:

• ✓ Cleaning production areas
• ✓ Evaluating this spring’s performance
• ✓ Reviewing varieties
• ✓ Reviewing customer demand
• ✓ Planning future improvements

Spring planning for next year begins sooner than most people realize.

The flowers may be sold, but the work of growing never really stops.

Reference: National Weather Service, Purdue University Extension, Ball Seed industry reports — Indiana gardening resources