March on the Farm: The Season Starts TO Awaken!
March is a month of in-betweens—one foot still in winter, but the other stepping eagerly into spring. March in Western Montana is a lesson in patience. The days are longer now, and while there’s still a bite in the morning air, the sun has a new warmth to it. But winter doesn’t let go easily here. Snow still lingers in the shady spots and we’re still likely to get more before Spring truly hits! Here in Montana, we call this time of year “fake spring”. The sun may be shining but the air still carries a crispness that reminds us spring is not in a hurry.
Preparing for Montana’s harsh and unpredictable spring climate requires a combination of protective structures, strategic planning, and sturdy support systems. Since late frosts, strong winds, and sudden temperature shifts are common this time of year, using hoophouses, low tunnels, or greenhouses is essential for giving seedlings a good start. We will be setting up a greenhouse this week! Since we are a new farm, this year we will be putting up a temporary greenhouse to get us through the season. Next year, we’ll work on setting up an even bigger, more permanent, greenhouse to do all of the seed starting and to provide a warmer place for earlier flowers and more tropical plants to grow and thrive in the cold Montana climate! For my field, I also plan to get a few low tunnels for spring flowers like ranunculus and tulips, which will allow me to extend my season even more! For now though, our little space will soon be bursting with trays of flower starts and I’ll be taking all of the precautions to make sure the little plant babies stay safe in the notorious weather of Montana!
We are also planning to secure all coverings for the greenhouse and field with sandbags, rocks, heavy-duty clips, or tie downs to prevent them from being ripped away by strong gusts of wind. Row covers and frost cloths will also be kept on hand for unexpected cold snaps, and on the other end of the spectrum, proper ventilation on warmer days are necessary to help prevent overheating in the greenhouse. As the flowers begin to grow, there are other approaches I’ll be taking to ensure each plant is as strong as it can be to face the harsher climate I’m now in, including:
For taller, wind-sensitive flowers like sunflowers, dahlias, or cosmos, sturdy staking and support systems are crucial. Installing T-posts with netting can help prevent wind damage, while individual stakes and soft ties give extra reinforcement for delicate stems like scabiosa, cosmos, or bunny tails. These kinds of preparations will begin in the “real” Spring, when the seedlings begin to be transplanted. Waiting to set up support too late can be detrimental to the quality of your flowers, I’ve learned first hand, so don’t wait until the flowers have grown. Anticipate and start early!
Encouraging strong root growth through consistent watering and gradual hardening-off before transplanting strengthens plants against harsh conditions too. Creating a schedule for seed starting, hardening off, transplanting, and watering will help ensure each flower goes through the whole process. The soil blocking method also comes into play here, it helps naturally strengthen the roots and sets them up for success during the transplanting process.
The slumber of winter is over, for the most part, and we’re waking up with the earth! Seed trays are starting to fill my house, and soon will be moved to the greenhouse, where delicate little sprouts will push through the soil, defying the snow still thick on the ground outside. Foxglove, lisianthus, delphinium, sweet peas, and snapdragons are some of the first to sprout, stretching toward the light of the sun. This year I sourced the majority of my seeds from Johnny’s Select Seeds, Eden Brothers, and Botanical Interests. I also recently learned about a few more hardy seed sources that I’ll be eager to try out.
The seedlings are fragile during this stage and can’t be exposed to the freezing temperatures at night. To insulate our greenhouse during colder nights, any time temperatures drop below 30°F, I’ve learned that layering and heat retention strategies are essential! We plan to add a layer of rocks on the ground of the greenhouse to serve as a thermal mass. They will help absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night. I’ll also be using frost cloths or bubble wrap on the inside of the greenhouse to add an extra layer of insulation without blocking sunlight during the day. If you have power available in your greenhouse, space heaters or heated mats under seed trays can also provide warmth!
Outside, the fields are still resting beneath the last of the winter snow, but not for much longer (hopefully). By the end of the month, I’ll be hauling compost, spreading it across the rows, and feeding the soil that will, in turn, feed those beautiful blooms. The tractor will make its first slow pass through the field with a till attachment, turning over and loosening the earth that has been frozen for months and starting to get everything prepared. Once this is done, I’ll cover the field with weighted down tarps to protect it from any future snow, and to help produce more nitrogen in the soil, which we need more of based on the soil test we conducted in the Fall.
This time of year may be unpredictable, but it’s the first real sign that the season is shifting and there’s something deeply satisfying about this work, the rhythm of it, and the feeling of momentum building. March is a month of motion and transition, of small beginnings that will lead to something grand, and it’s so exciting! The farm isn’t fully awake yet, but it’s stirring. So we wait, seed sowing and preparing, knowing that soon, the land will reflect the spring that we know is coming!
Here’s to the slow, beautiful march (hah) toward spring!
Chase
