In the summer of 2006 Steph and I bought two greenhouses and related equipment from the former Yankee Gardener Greenhouses. In the spring of 2007 we dug about 400 balsam firs from one of our only fairly flat areas below the pond that was near the existing electrical and water connections. It was leveled off by our neighbor who runs an excavator and bulldozer. Several truckloads of gravel were brought in and leveled. By late March I was sledging posts into the ground for the large greenhouse. (and often stopping to dig up rocks, fill the hole, and start over!) We had part of the frame up by June and the ends framed in with the help of my Dad. Then we were able to get the rest of the pieces as Yankee Gardener was taken down. In mid July our son Kabray and daughter in law Erin helped lift the large heaters in place and I was able to get everything wired up. We had our first crop growing by early August. There was much more to the job than that short explanation, including the erection of a nearby storage garage, but it gives you an idea of the start of our nursery operation. We also went way over our estimated budget!
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The first couple seasons we fought with the water, fertilizer, and lighting systems who apparently didn’t like being moved after 20 or more years, but still managed to grow our seedlings. Most of the initial difficulties and learning curve have been overcome by our persistence and we’ll start our fourth crop in early July with much less stress. |
We start firs, spruces, pines, and cedars – only evergreens – from seed in some 1500 trays that have 67 holes each, that’s around 100,000 started holes! By early November they have had one growing season and are slowly put into dormancy by lowering the nighttime temperature in the greenhouse. By the end of November the low is 24 degrees F, where it remains until the spring sun warms the seedlings, starting them growing about mid March. Then we get another growing season until June when we bring them out of the greenhouse for sales and start another crop. We do put some of the previous crop back in the greenhouse in the fall for sales over the winter.
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WHAT KINDS OF PLUG SEEDLINGS DO WE GROW?
We grow balsam, Fraser, Canaan, and concolor firs.
We grow blue, white, Norway, and Oriental spruces.
We grow white and red pine.
We grow white cedar (arborvitae).
All of our seed comes from commercial, proven, seed sources. |
GROWING THEM
Evergreens – and thus our seedlings – must go dormant as part of their life cycle. Therefore, they will only grow where it gets cold enough in winter. Other considerations are sun and soil drainage – they all prefer full sun and well drained soil. Another consideration for some areas is soil ph, which needs to be slightly acid-around 6.
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HOW DO WE PACKAGE PLUG SEEDLINGS FOR SHIPMENT TO YOU?
We put each seedling, after moistening, in a clear 1 mil plastic bag that covers the soil plug. If requested, we then put them in burlap bags or any other package that the customer may want. We also put ties for the plastic bags in the box with the seedlings if that is their only form of packaging. Since the seedlings are moist when they are put in bags, they will last a couple weeks as long as they are not exposed to extreme heat.
We put a planting instructions sheet and planting instruction cards in each order.
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CAN WE ORDER ODD NUMBERS OR COMBINE THE DIFFERENT KINDS?
CAN WE PACKAGE THEM DIFFERENTLY?
We will work with you for any number or kind of order you wish to have. Just call or email us! 866-685-4343 or redrock.farm@hughes.net |
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
Exact pricing can be found in our secure online store, but we can ship 100 plug seedlings packaged in clear 1 mil bags anywhere in the country for under $100. If the seedlings are “dressed up” a little the cost goes up, but our prices are the most reasonable you will find for seedling favors. |
WHEN ARE THEY AVAILABLE?
They are available year around, but there are times when they can’t be shipped because of temperatures below 20 degrees F. We don’t want the soil plugs to freeze below 24 degrees F.
White cedars turn brown when they go dormant (December through March) and wouldn’t make a nice “green” gift in the middle of winter. |
HARDINESS ZONE CHART
All evergreens are Northern species, but some are more adaptable to shorter winters, drought, and different soil conditions.
Blue Spruce Zones 2 – 8 White Spruce Zones 2 – 6 Norway Spruce Zones 3 – 7 Oriental Spruce Zones 4 – 7
Balsam Fir Zones 3 – 6 Fraser Fir Zones 4 – 7 Canaan Fir Zones 3 – 8 Concolor Fir Zones 4 – 7
White Cedar Zones 3 – 7
White Pine Zones 3 – 8 Red Pine Zones 2 - 7 |
