2023
Frost Hill Farm
Peonies
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Join us for the Great Peony Dig Out
We are retiring and selling a large section of our Peony field, and will be offering dig your own mature plants for $25. per plant.
Sunday, June 11th and Monday, June 12th, 10am-3pm
And
Friday, June 16th through Monday June 19th,
10am-3pm
Cash sales only. Please read below for day of digging information and for how to prepare and plant spring dug peonies.
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About spring planting peonies:
Although fall planting is usually recommended and easier, you can successfully dig out a plant in the spring and replant. Many people do this when they are moving and want to take their plants with them or because of renovations to the space where their garden is. You must be prepared though to have the space ready and be willing to give it plenty of water throughout the summer and into the fall until it is ready to go dormant. Especially true with our droughty summers! So if you are away on vacation, it’s important to have someone water while you are gone. If this works for you, then before you come…
Locate where you will plant and prepare your soil:
For peonies to flower profusely in our northern location, they require full sun. Even all morning sun just isn’t enough for a good bloom. Your location in the garden for them should also be at least 3 -4 feet away from any other perennials and further from any shrubs., if you want a thriving specimen plant. If you crowd them, they will be competing with the roots of other plants for water and nutrients. Peonies do not tolerate soil that stays wet and doesn’t drain. For the easiest transition into your garden, dig your hole before you come! It should be at least 2 feet wide and deep- peony roots are huge! Remove any rocks and supplement your soil with compost or a good organic fertilizer, such as Pro Gro. If the soil is amended well when you plant, it will only need to be fertilized every 4 or 5 years after. Don’t use any Miracle Grow or Scott’s type product- they are too high in nitrogen and will produce lush foliage, but few blooms.
When you come here to dig:
You will need to bring a sharp spade and perhaps a friend, if you need help lifting out the plants and their large roots. Their smaller feeder roots are active and you want to disturb them as little as possible for a successful transplant. That said, there are many plants that are quite large and will need to be divided into two or more plants. If you choose one that is that large, we can advise you on how best to do so. You will need to put them into something to transport them to your car. We recommend strong contractor bags with the top half cut off or tarps.We will have 2 large wheelbarrows for you to transport them to your car. When you get home, gently ease the plants, trying not to disturb their roots too much, into the hole you have dug. It’s important to make sure the plants are at the same depth as when you dug them out. Too deep and they may not flower. Too shallow and they may not survive our harsh winters.You can see where the soil markings are on the plant as a guide. And then, water, water! And you will be rewarded! They may look like they falter at first, but don’t be alarmed, Peonies are tough to kill, though they may be set back a bit. If your plant had flowers on it, deadhead the flowers after blooming to encourage root growth, rather than having the plant’s energy going into making seed.
Parking and garden etiquette we ask you to observe:
No early birds, please. No exceptions.
We may get quite busy at times. Parking is just off our driveway on the grass where it is level. You can park on the road, but be aware that there are ditches on both sides of the road. And please don’t block our neighbor’s drive across the street.
No dogs, please. We love our pets, but many people feel intimidated and your pet may feel overwhelmed with the activity in the field. Absolutely no exceptions.
There will be two of us here to assist you in choosing your plant(s). Please check in with us first before digging- many plants are not available for digging this year. If we are busy, please be patient and we will get to you.
There are vegetables and annuals growing in the field immediately in front of the beginning of our peony rows. Please do not go near this area. If you are digging a plant from the first row next to it, please go to the far side of that row to dig.
We will also be selling cut your own flowers for $1. a stem, Fridays through Mondays only, starting June 19 and every subsequent long weekend through July 3rd. Bring clippers, a bucket with water and we will direct you to where the cut flowers are.
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