Mow,
mow,
mow your rows.
Careful where you toe.
Cautiously, cautiously, cautiously, cautiously...
Along the iris, we go!
The dwarfs and intermediates had a moment this year. After a few years of mediocre bloom due to late winter droughts, early spring frosts, and shifting fertility protocols, things just didn't look very colorful (unless green was your favorite color, in which case, you probably loved it). All but the newest plantings of miniature and standard dwarfs had full bloom in several places on the farm. Mature stands had swaths of color. It looked like we actually know what we're doing! (hint: we do - we just don't play games with the one in charge - mother earth). Our focus is on healthy plants, first and foremost. And if a variety so chooses to draw all its energy into its rhizomes for future purchase or expansion or just doesn't feel like being playful this year - so be it. Who are we to say a plant must bloom to be useful? That would be like telling your weird uncle he doesn't belong because he just wants to watch the Macy's parade at Thanksgiving and not eat your dad's green bean casserole, again. Come to think of it, neither do I (no green beans or feelings were hurt in the writing of this newsletter).
Got off track there for a second so hopefully you're still with me.
But - my, oh my - when they bloom out their rows, send up multiple buds, and just BLOOM, wowee!
And then. drought. Massive drought. .25in in the Month of May drought. Go back another week into April and a week into June with one-quarter of an inch of sky driven moisture. There were actually tall-bearded blooms that started developing buds and then withered and browned in the field. That is dry!
(For those wondering, our irrigation supply didn't become available until late May. Also for those wondering, a blooming plant is NOT necessarily the best choice for digging as it has no direct relation to that plant's individual health. In fact, digging plants without a bloom stalk allows the plant to focus energy into the root system after transplant more quickly so that it can bloom in the most important spot - your yard!)
The more you know... cue early 90s NBC rainbow graphic. | 
