From the Farm · Newsletter Archive
Spring Shipping Season: April Field Notes
· The Terra Ceia Farms Family
Your plants are packed and heading your way. Here's everything you need to get them in the ground.
Field Notes, April 2026
Spring shipping kicked off April 1st, and the packing barn has been running at full speed ever since. The crew is working through orders zone by zone, and if you ordered summer-blooming bulbs or bareroot perennials from us, your box is either already on its way or heading out this week.
Peony Season Update
Peony harvest is in full swing right now. Our fields are loaded with blooms, and the crew is cutting fresh stems daily. If you've ever wanted to see a peony farm at peak season, this is the moment. Fresh-cut peonies are available at our local showroom while the season lasts, so stop by and grab a bundle while you can.
Out in the fields, things are moving fast. Daylilies are up and growing strong, and we finished planting the last of our canna production beds earlier this week. Those rhizomes went in about an inch deep, spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. They'll be pushing new growth before you know it.
Soil temps here in Eastern NC crossed 65°F last week, so we're in the clear for planting tender summer bulbs. If you're further north, you might be a week or two behind us still. Worth checking your soil before you put anything in the ground. A cheap soil thermometer is one of the best tools you can have this time of year, and once you start using one you'll wonder how you gardened without it.
New for 2026
We added over 30 new perennials this year, including Agastache 'Blue Fortune', hardy hibiscus like 'Midnight Marvel' and 'Watermelon Ruffles', garden phlox including 'Glamour Girl' and 'Material Girl', plus beautiful salvias and sedums. Old fashioned bleeding heart and Kniphofia 'High Roller' are also in the lineup.
When Your Box Arrives: What to Do First
Bareroot Perennials:
Daylilies, Hostas, Iris, Lilies
- Plant within one week of delivery
- Crown about 1" below soil level
- Soak roots 1-2 hours before planting
- Deep water once, then let settle
Summer Bulbs:
Caladiums, Cannas, Dahlias
- Wait for soil to reach 65°F
- Keep dry at room temp until ready
- Most go about 1" deep
- Gladiolus: 5-6" deep for support
Soil Temperature Guide
<55° · Too Cold for Summer Bulbs
Focus on bareroot perennials or continue prepping beds.
55–65° · Bareroot Planting Window
Ideal for peonies, daylilies, hostas, Siberian iris, and hybrid lilies. Get them in while it's cool so roots establish before summer heat.
65°+ · Go Time for Summer Bulbs
Caladiums, cannas, elephant ears, gloriosa, calla lilies, and dahlias all need warm soil. Mid to late April in the Southeast. Early to mid May further north.
Planting Depth Made Simple
One rule covers about 90% of bulbs: plant them 2-3x as deep as the bulb is tall, pointy side up. A two-inch tulip bulb goes 4-6 inches deep. Most summer bulbs like caladiums and cannas only need about an inch of soil. When in doubt, go a little deeper. Bulbs are pretty good at finding their way up.
Summer Bulbs Worth Exploring
Shipping now through June 15. Here are some ideas by use.
For Shade
Caladiums
Fancy leaf, strap leaf, and dwarf varieties. Also try Achimenes for containers.
Bold Foliage
Elephant Ears
Colocasia and Alocasia for statement plantings. Ginger lily for texture and fragrance.
Cut Flowers
Gladiolus & Dahlias
Stagger planting every two weeks to extend your cut flower harvest all summer.
Naturalizing
Crocosmia & Lycoris
Plant once and enjoy for years. Rain lilies and liatris also spread beautifully over time.
Ask Terra Ceia
My bareroot plants look like dead sticks. Are they still alive?
That's completely normal. Bareroot peonies, daylilies, and hostas don't look like much when they arrive. You're getting a bundle of roots with some growth points attached. Check that the roots are firm, not mushy. They might be slightly dry but shouldn't be brittle. If you see pink or white buds on peonies, or green tips on daylilies, that's a good sign.
Plant them anyway, even if they look questionable. We've seen plenty of sad-looking bareroot plants come back strong once they're in the ground with consistent moisture. Give them a few weeks before you write them off.
Have a question about staking, spacing, or pest management? Contact Terra Ceia Farms.
Fall 2026 Preorders Are Open
Already thinking ahead to tulips, daffodils, alliums, and hyacinths? Locking in early guarantees availability on popular varieties and helps us plan our harvest. Fall bulbs ship September through November.
With gratitude from our family to yours,
The Terra Ceia Farms Family