July Field Notes: Mid-Summer Maintenance in Full Swing

As July settles in, the nursery is buzzing with activity under the summer sun. With our spring dig season behind us and fall prep still on the horizon, July is all about maintaining healthy trees and tidy rows. The trees have been soaking up some sunshine and heat, which is adding some good growth and caliper. It’s the time of year when we shift gears into focused care and upkeep, and our field crews are hard at work!

Weeding, Pruning & Staking — Oh My!

Keeping our trees healthy and looking their best starts from the ground up. We’re staying on top of weed management throughout the field to ensure young trees aren’t competing for nutrients. Our nursery is primarily hand-weeded to limit the amount of chemicals sprayed. Crews are also out pruning and staking, giving each tree a strong structure and clean shape as it grows. In the Oak blocks we have been taking trees off the stakes, letting the flex around a bit, pruning the heads back, and re-staking as needed. These mid-summer touch-ups help us set the stage for a successful fall growing and harvest season.

Sales Yard Tune-Up

Our above-ground Sales Yard is also getting plenty of attention. We’re keeping the area organized and irrigated so that every tree stays healthy and accessible for customers picking out summer, Fall, or next Spring’s orders. It’s a great time to stop by and walk the rows–the trees are lush and looking beautiful!

Mowing & Maintenance

We take pride in a well-kept nursery. Mowing helps maintain clear access for crews and customers alike while promoting a healthy environment for the trees. A tidy field is a happy field, and our clover and grass filter strips provide important ground cover and organic matter for our trees!

Garden Update: Growing Good Things

Over in the garden, things are thriving! Our herbs are flourishing–the basil, mint, cilantro, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, rosemary, and thyme are especially happy with all the sunshine. The leafy greens are going wild, with spinach, lettuce, and kale putting on a lush mid-summer show. Beans and peas are steadily climbing their trellises, and the tomato plants are stretching tall and strong, winding their way up their cages with clusters of blossoms starting to set fruit. It’s a joy to watch everything grow, and the garden is quickly becoming a daily source of fresh inspiration (and snacks!).

We’re grateful for our hard-working crew who make all of this possible through the heat of summer. Their care and consistency keep the nursery thriving!

Stay tuned for more updates as we begin planning ahead for the fall dig season. In the meantime, we’re soaking up the beauty of summer in the field and growing strong, healthy trees for future landscapes.