February Farm Tasks at Green Willow Gardens
February might still be winter here in Southwest Michigan, but on the farm, it’s a month filled with preparation, planting, and propagation. While the fields may be quiet, the greenhouse and seed trays are bustling with new life as we gear up for another abundant season. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this month!
Starting Seeds for Spring
Even though it’s still cold outside, February is the perfect time to start seeds indoors for early-season blooms. Here’s what we’ve been sowing:
Snapdragons – We’ve started Madame Butterfly and Potomac varieties in various colors. My favorite? Lavender—it’s such an elegant and soft shade!
Yarrow – We’re adding a new variety this year—Love Parade! With its soft pink florets, I can already picture it in bouquets. I’m so excited to see how it performs in our fields.
Feverfew – In past seasons, we used feverfew as a cutting flower, but this year, we’ve moved our established plants into the perennial beds to let them thrive. That means we’re starting new feverfew plants for cutting this season!
Lisianthus – These were started in January, but since they are slow growers, my focus has been on keeping them healthy. Germination wasn’t great, but I’m excited to see the ones that survived continue to grow and (hopefully!) bloom by mid-summer.
Expanding Our Dahlia & Mum Stock
Dahlia Cuttings – We’ve been busy taking dahlia cuttings to increase our stock for the new, larger dahlia field. Each cutting means another plant and more blooms, helping us expand both for our use and for our local florist customers.
This season, we’re excited to propagate some standout dahlia varieties. Rock Run Ashley, Pink Pearl, Tory P, Castle Drive, Silver Years, and White Nettie plus many more are all making their way into our expanded dahlia field. These varieties were chosen for their exceptional color, strong stems, and prolific blooms—perfect for cutting and arranging. Whether it’s the soft blush tones of Castle Drive, the vintage charm of Silver Years, or the delicate beauty of White Nettie, each of these dahlias brings something special to our farm. Propagating dahlias allows us to increase our stock, share more blooms, and continue growing the varieties that perform best in our conditions. We can’t wait to see these beauties in full bloom!
Mums – Our mums are awake and triving, and it’s truly amazing how many plants can be created from cuttings! We’re increasing our stock for both our own use and to fulfill customer orders—these fall favorites deserve a bigger presence on the farm.
Even though February still feels like the heart of winter, it’s a crucial month for planning and planting. Every seed tray and cutting is a step closer to the lush, colorful fields we’ll enjoy later this year!
