How our peony roots go from our field to your garden!

From our farm to your garden, here’s the process of how your peony roots go from our field to you!

Step 1: The Dig List

There’s a big spreadsheet I make up letting Bryan and I know how many of each variety we need to dig.

Step 2: Digging.

We use a small, stand behind Bobcat with a small spade attachment to individually dig each peony plant. Some varieties are dug by hand if they are in a more delicate location. We have to make sure the Bobcat only travels in the pathways so roots and eyes are not damaged by the tracks.

The roots are placed in labeled crates. We don’t want the varieties getting mixed up!

One piece of the root is put back in the ground to regrow.

Step 3: Wash Table

Below is a picture of Bianca (8) helping at the wash table. In the field we try to gently pry and shake as much of the soil off as we can but any remaining soil is washed off. Again we have to be careful that we only are washing one variety at a time so they don’t get mixed with another variety. There are a lot of nooks and crannies to spray out!

We’ve got the right water pressure dialed in on our nozzle to effectively remove the soil but not damage the roots or eyes.

Step 4: Dividing

The large peony roots are divided into sections so that every mailed root has the standard 3 to 5 eyes. This will lead to 1 to 3 stems in the first spring. Some of the eyes remain dormant. Eyes are the term used for buds in the world of peonies.

Step 5: Labeling

Each root is labeled with a tag that notes its variety. This is the slowest and most tedious part of the process. Not my favorite but very necessary.

Step 6: Storage

Storing the peonies correctly is oh so important at this stage of the game. We don’t want them too wet or they will get moldy. We don’t want them to dry out either! We keep them in a high humidity cooler while they wait for the following steps.

If you can’t plant right away you can keep your peonies in the refrigerator, inside the bag the arrive in.

Step 7: Packaging

Order by order I compile the correct varieties for each of you! They are packaged in a compostable bag with some slightly damp pine shavings.

Step 8: Shipping

With shredded newspaper to fill the box and keep your roots from rattling around too much, your order is boxed up in a USPS Priority Mail box. I include your order, planting and growing instructions and a special little surprise inside every box. The shipping label is printed. On goes a peony farm sticker and it’s off to the post office. Your roots are on the way!