Winter progress

The winter activities at Overflow Farm include reviewing last year's successes and failures, continuing education, and planning out the upcoming season. As I looked through the numbers for total sales in 2022, I was encouraged to see that they increased 165% over 2021.  It is something to celebrate. 

I also looked at how many of each product we produced last year -for planning purposes this year- and how those products can be improved. One thing I believe the farm was short on in 2022 was a consistant flow of great focal flowers, so I just ordered 200 lily bulbs (25 each of 8 varieties) to help fill that need. I am so excited! Not sure where I will plant them, but I will figure it out. All of them are zone 3, so if I don't kill them, they should come back year after year, slowly multiplying. Hopefully.

I have the layout for the beds inside the greenhouse pretty much figured out- we will grow 272 dahlia tubers/plants in two beds, and in the other beds there will be 9 types of zinnias, 5 kinds of celosia, 5 kinds of basil, plus tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and a few melon plants. The rest of the garden planning is still in process. Because the greenhouse- 30' X 72'- is a new structure we are constructing this spring and finishing by April 30 (God willing), it changes the entire garden layout. Planning it out is all new in that respect. 

Part of the 2023 business plan brings  a new product line: floral note cards/greeting cards. I am excited about designing and producing these over the next few months. Additionally, Overflow Farm has 1-2 (potential) collaborations in the works with two other Dillon businesses- details to follow in the next blog post.

We are currently growing more herb pots and combo planters since they were such a big success last year, selling out at Town and Country (except for the parsley, so do not expect parsley this year as a single herb pot). Pansy pots and planters were another big hit, so a new crop of those is in the works, including new colors. Can you say Mulberry?

That sums up some of this January's activity so far. The days are getting longer and spring will be here before we know it.