06/11/2026
Every year I grow ranunculus and I’m always glad I did.
It’s a labor intensive flower to grow in our area of upstate New York. With a short growing season, corms need to be started in late winter in cold temps. I start mine in trays and leave by a window in the garage. For the longest harvest window they should be planted in covered beds in late March. Since I have limited space, I don’t have the ability to plant them early and cover.
Instead I plant them when the soil temp is warm enough to be worked, around late April. The corms are interplanted around the lily beds. They start blooming after the peonies and collapse quickly under the heat.
With the small window of time to enjoy them, sometimes it feels like it’s not worth all the effort. Then I get to make a beautiful bouquet like the one pictured, and I remember why….they are pure JOY.