Freezing Temps + Wild Weeds

May 1
3 min read

Hey y'all! Welcome back to the Agape Farm blog.

This month was a doozy! From the weather to the weeds, we were working hard.

FOOL’S SPRING

Last month I mentioned the wild weather, and April decided to keep that theme going strong. We saw everything from 80+ degree afternoons to freezing nights, with Mother Nature clearly saying “Gotcha!” It truly felt like a classic case of “fool’s spring”—just enough warmth to get your hopes up, followed quickly by a cold snap to keep me on my toes.

There were plenty of nights when I jolted out of bed realizing I had forgotten to cover the flowers with frost blankets—those essential layers that help protect tender plants from dropping temperatures. And just as many mornings started in a bit of a rush, racing outside to pull those same blankets off before the sun came up and temperatures climbed again. It was a month of constant adjustment, quick decisions, and staying one step ahead of the forecast whenever possible– which sometimes doesn’t seem possible at all.

This headlamp has been one of the season’s most valuable farm tools. It’s truly earned its keep during those late-night scrambles to get everything covered before Mr. Frost makes his appearance :)

LESSONS FROM THE LAND

reflections from the farmer

So far this year, it’s the weeds that are teaching me about persistence. I am definitely paying the price of not staying on top of weeding last year– because y’all, these weeds are already putting me to work! They are relentless. Some of their roots run deep which means they’re determined to stay put. When I think about it, that’s the same kind of persistence I need walking into year three of farming. Like these weeds, I have to remember when the days are hot and the task list seems never ending, to stay rooted in what matters and to keep showing up.

So I’ll keep reminding myself throughout this season—and I’ll remind you too—

be like the weeds: stay rooted and don’t give up.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE FARM

With spring in full swing, the days are getting longer—and so are the to-do lists. We’re in the thick of sowing seeds, prepping beds, and transplanting seedlings, all while getting ready for the start of market season just a few weeks away. And when I say getting ready, I mean those late nights spent deep in Pinterest, dreaming up and planning all the little details that make market days special. While this isn’t my first rodeo, there’s always a sense of anticipation and excitement as market season approaches.

The tulips truly showed out in April! They were the standout blooms of the month—but with such warm temperatures, it felt like they were here one day and gone the next. Harvesting tulips as a flower farmer requires watching them like a hawk to catch them at just the right stage, which can mean harvesting multiple times a day.

For farmers like myself who also balance off-farm work, that window can be especially challenging to navigate. Despite the heat trying to rush spring along, I’m grateful we were able to harvest and share so many tulips with the community this season. It’s always a joy to see them brighten someone’s day.

We’re also working extra hard to keep all of spring’s furry friends out of your flowers! From the rabbits to the groundhogs, there seems to always be critters who would happily snack their way through the fields if given the chance. Thankfully, we have the infrastructure in place to keep them at bay and ensure that the flowers make it to you as beautifully as we intended.

If you want to know where to find our blooms this season, click below to check out the second Field Note of the season or join our Bloom Club subscription.

CHECK OUT THE FIELD NOTE

JOIN THE BLOOM CLUB