March 19, 2026
"A little bit of spring, a lot a bit of winter."
That’s been the theme of this past week here in Minnesota. Like many of you, we spent last weekend glued to the weather forecast as we braced for the March blizzard. While we don't mind a dusting of snow, the high winds are what truly keep us on edge.
Our greenhouses rely entirely on consistent power to stay warm. If we lose power for even a few hours when temperatures are below freezing, we risk losing our entire crop of young plants. During the peak of the storm, our dedicated crews were on-site through the night, monitoring heat and power levels. We did experience a power outage in one greenhouse, but thanks to our team's quick response, we restored it before temperatures dropped to a dangerous level.
The snow is actually a welcome sight for our soil moisture, but we are officially ready to trade the snowplows for field plows!
What’s Next: High Tunnels & Cold Crops
As we move into the third and fourth week of March, we will keep a close eye on the snow forecast. Once the threat of heavy accumulation lowers, we will begin covering our high tunnels. We’ll start slowly, allowing a few tunnels to warm up just from the power of the sun. It’s actually quite strong at this time of year! Once the soil is warm enough, we can begin planting our first round of hardy, cold-weather crops.
Start Your Seeds: Indoor Vegetable Gardening
Now is the perfect time to start your vegetable garden indoors! Starting seeds inside gives your plants a head start on our short growing season.
Best Plants to Start Indoors in March:
- Tomatoes & Peppers: These heat-lovers need a long lead time to reach maturity.
- Broccoli & Cauliflower: These can handle cooler transplanting temperatures later.
- Leafy Greens: Get a jump on your kale and head lettuce.
How to Get Started:
- The Setup: Use seed-starting trays and a high-quality, sterile seed-starting mix (not garden soil).
- Light & Heat: Place your trays in a very sunny south-facing window or under a shop light. Many seeds also benefit from a heat mat to encourage germination.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Use a spray bottle to avoid washing away tiny seeds.
Get more tips on vegetable gardening from our experts in Vegetable Gardening 101!
Planning Your Landscape
Are you dreaming of the best patio pots on the block? Before you buy, monitor your light. Has a tree grown significantly since last year, or perhaps you’ve removed one? The amount of sunlight your space receives determines which plants will thrive. We highly recommend checking out The Gardener’s Idea Book online for some stunning inspiration.
See You Soon!
We are so excited to welcome you back to the Farm Stands soon. Our retail managers are currently busy hiring and training our seasonal team. The flowers are already looking beautiful, and they’ll be in full glory by the end of April!
While the retail managers are busy getting ready to welcome you all back, Paul and crew are embracing for the impact of planting season. With a fresh foot of snow on the ground, it may seem hard to imagine spring, but it will be here before you know it.
