Quick Turn Flowers

Last Minute Products for "Fill In" Sales!

Spring has sprung and it's time to fill those holes in your production where you have extra greenhouse space. There's still time- but barely. We call this part of the season "quick turn" because any product ordered now needs to finish FAST.

Quick Turn from Seed
 
Look at zinnias as your first "go to" for a quick turn crop. They are quick, easy germinators and rapidly reach a transplantable stage. Grow in flowering jumbo packs of 4" pots, and expect to move them out within 10 weeks! Bedding-type series Magellan and Dreamland are the most popular, followed by the Zahara and Profusion series.  Double Strawberry Zinnia Zahara pictured left.

Other seed annuals that move quickly at this time of year include dwarf pot sunflowers such as Sunny Smile or Rio Carnival. For quick sales, Thunbergia Spanish Eyes, Alata Mix (pictured right), and Blushing Susie finish fast even when grown in a trellised pot.

Quick Turn from Plugs & Liners

Although we don't recommend this for your entire production, placing last-minute orders using our plug & liner grower specialists' availability lists is an excellent option to fill in your production. Quick turn products are grown in larger cells, allowing you to transplant them into pots and baskets just prior to retail sales.

• Raker- 18 Strip Quick Turn annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents and grasses can be ordered directly from their availability website. Choose Harris Seeds as your broker, and we take it from there! (If you need assistance with the process, give us call. We're happy to help!)
• Four Star- SuperNova^® 28 annuals and 42 annuals. Check availability.
• Pleasant View Gardens- Fast Tracks^™ annuals. Browse available trays.
• Barone Gardens- Grow and finish combination baskets and containers quickly and efficiently with KwikKombo^® multi-liners grown in our newest supplier's economical 17 Strip Tray! View availability.

 

Welcome Back Spring Kwik Combo

Be sure to check each supplier's ship week availability, then call Harris Seeds at 800-544-7938 to place an order.

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Posted by Harris Seeds Ornamentals at 1:00 PM

Spring Has Sprung…. Has It?

Back in early March we were experiencing record high temperatures across the country, giving everyone a premature taste of spring fever. This week it’s been a little colder than normal (at least here in Rochester), and although I’m itching to start planting my garden, the near freezing nighttime temps, tell me to wait, wait, wait.

Okay, if we have to wait, let’s whet our appetite a bit for some of that summer color we can look forward to in the very near future! I enjoy sharing our customers’ ornamentals growing experiences when possible, be they a home gardener or a professional grower, and thought you’d all enjoy the following commentary and pictures from one of our grower customers:

"I have owned a landscape business for 20 years. I built my first greenhouse on our property 7 years ago and started doing plant sales, the second greenhouse 2 seasons ago. My business is modest, but sales have increased every year about 50%. In that time I would say 90% of the seeds I have grown have come from Harris Seeds. Looking forward to next season."

Steve Schwab
Triple Diamond Yard & Garden

Holy Moly, look at the size of those containers!

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Posted by Harris Seeds Ornamentals at 1:31 PM

Winter Chill Brings Warm Thoughts of Spring Flowers

Even in January, thoughts of spring planting come to mind. Truthfully, it hasn’t been much of a winter here in Rochester so far. A few minor freezes and some snow flurries here and there. But nothing of the magnitude that we’ve come to expect from living near one of our Great Lakes. Even so, my thoughts turn to garden color with ideas of what to plant outdoors in just a few months.

We trialed a number of new varieties this summer in our Harris Seeds and home gardens, many with great success. One in particular is a new Angelonia named Serena Blue. There are a number of Angelonia varieties available, but only one series is available from seed, and it stands apart from the rest by virtue of a shorter height (10 - 14") and more flower spikes on a squatty plant habit (12 - 14" wide). I planted Serena Blue last summer in a container by itself and also in a basket paired with Begonia Dragonwing Red. Both looked great and flowered all summer long.

I believe Angelonia is a genus that is underutilized. It loves full sun, is heat and drought tolerate and tolerate a slight frost. Who wouldn’t want to grow these beauties? Give Angelonia a try this summer – Serena Blue and Serena White are my two favorites.

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Posted by Harris Seeds Ornamentals at 11:44 AM