Hello all,
I've definitely done some lurking on this forum to get info and after kicking around various ideas of what to do with the land (from pumpkin patch, onion patch, having chickens for eggs etc.), I think I've settled on daylily farming. The thing that steered me away from the other types of farming is the type of work required. I have a full-time job with an unpredictable schedule and a growing family. I sometime go stretches of days without any free time and then stretches of days with lots of free time. The daily responsibilities of things like caring for chickens make them impractical. I don't want to be nailed down during a vegetable "harvest time" either. I would like to make a little money off the land but I'm not in a rush to do so. In comes daylily farming (I think). I also love the idea of permaculture and supporting bee populations but I have other sections of land to do that with in the future and, for now, I want to focus on the daylilies...
There doesn't seem to be much consolidated info in websites or any books on starting a daylily farm. Perhaps this is due, in part, to how easy they are to grow. However, I still think that good planning will pay off.
We're in zone 6a, the land gets enough sun for daylilies and has been a horse pasture for many years. We have some established daylilies on property that seem to be doing well without any care. I also have a metal frame that I could put plastic over and turn into an 8x12 greenhouse and lots of big southern facing windows in the house. I haven't decided on timeline but I'm thinking 3-5 years to have the 1/3 acre mostly covered in daylilies, without really selling any before then. My main questions right now... if someone could be so kind?
1. I have the patience and the desire to start from seed if it will save me lots of money, however I don't see many seeds for sale online. Any recommendations on whether I should start with seed, bare roots, or mature plants?
2. Do you think the end goal should be beds, rows or just try to fill the whole field? What kind of spacing? (I like the idea of mulching with organic matter to cut down on weeding.)
3. How much weeding and deadheading needs to be done to maintain healthy plants?
4. How long do you have to wait after planting a seedling before you can divide it? Do you have to wait until after it blooms for the first time?
5. Do you think I should target specific best-selling varieties or save money and just buy "white daylilies" and "pink daylilies" (which may be cheaper)
Really appreciate any helpful info!!!
Thank you,
Matt
