Although tomorrow is the 4th, I will be down with flowers. This week I'll have many colors to choose from. Everything from whites to deed reds, yellows to pink blush, and many shades in between. Many customers rave about my bud bunches, so, along with cut lilies, I'll also have a great selection of colors in small buds. They are jus right for that small spot - night table, bathrooms, office desk, and, as they last 5-7 days, you'll have fragrance throughout. Maybe tomorrow will be one of those days where we won't have any rain, see you tomorrow, Jack. Don't forget, you can find me near the Broadway entrance to the park directly across from 15th Street.
June 27th News Moving again! This is getting really frustrating. I'll be on the park side (corner spot) by 15th Street, close to the steps entering the Park. Last year, my focus color was red, this year, it's pink and pink with white blush. All of the lilies in this group are large, save one, which has a compact stem and flower color that varies from deep pink to blush white on the same stem. Also this week I have the first of my deep wine (almost burgundy) lily - the bud count is much better than last year's - with a staggering 6 to 8 buds to a stem! Truly one of the deepest reds to be found. I have lots of bud bunches in a full range of color from yellows, whites, pinks and blush pink. See you in my new spot, 'til tomorrow, Jack.
June 20th News This week I'll again be moving, hoping that this will be it for a while. My new spot is close to 15th Street on the west side (street side) between Cherry Lane Farms and Paffenroth Farm.
This week I'll be down with a nice variety of lilies and many bud bunches. So far this year has been very cool with just the right amount of light to produce a very good crop. I had a few days of 90 degrees which burned some to a crisp and I'm hoping the intense heat stays down South. With summer just a few days away, anything can happen. Early this week hail came down for a few minutes and, had I been growing outside, it would have resulted in a disaster! At this time, I'd like to mention that as Summer approaches, lily buds tend to open quicker with many opening at once, its okay, that's just what they do this time of year. They will still give you many days of enjoyment. Some folks ask for all tight ones, but that's almost impossible because I cut just before or as the first blossoms start to open. This enables all buds to mature enough so they will open for you. See you tomorrow in my new spot, Jack.
June 13th News
Sorry to post so late, my cooler froze over just before I was to leave this afternoon so I just walked in at 9:00.
I'll make it short. Tomorrow every variety of lily will be available along with small bud bunches.
My last crop of hyacinths failed, so no more until next year. I will still be in my old spot but I'm sure that by next week I'll be moving into my new one. I'll post a map next week before Friday's post. See you tomorrow, Jack.
June 6th News Well, tulips are no more than just a memory. I too, go through tulip withdrawal. Tulips are a big part of my life. Now, without any to cut and bunch, I start making my list for next year, for it's only three months before I begin to plant again in September. We all know how quickly three months passes!
Last week I promised everyone that my white Oriental Lilies would be ready this week and are they ever! This variety backfired last year with a poor crop. This year I was hoping to have a chance to make up to all my customers who couldn't get a good white. I posted a few pics this week of what they look like because words really can't. These are as good as you will ever get. I do believe I could never grow better than what I have to offer tomorrow. The stems are strong, the bud count is way above normal and combining those two factors with their size makes these lilies a perfect 10. Along with whites, I'll have about 11 or 12 varieties in total, ranging in colors from white and yellows through salmons to pink blush to reds. Hyacinths are still around in almost all colors. This week is the last of my peonies (I don't have many.) I also have many bud bunches in different colors for you to choose from. See you tomorrow, hopefully early, Jack.
May 30th News This Saturday will be the last day for tulips, so, if you need to go through withdrawal, tomorrow will be your last 'fix.' Sorry, but nothing lasts forever. Hyacinths are still available... but they too are fast dwindling.
Lilies are now becoming the main attraction, with more gvarieties coming into bloom each day. This week, I still have no whites. The first ones will be ready by next week, I promise. For this week, I have a large white with yellow center, two types of cream with red centers, soft cream with slight markings (their scent is almost like vanilla), a soft solid yellow and, of course, giant Conca's. I will also have two types of pink with white blush - each unique with different type of flowers, a beautiful salmon, and some large, heavy budded deep reds. I also have some of the first copper colored L.A. Hybrids - the lilies without scent. Tomorrow should be a beautiful day so come out early for your selections. Jack.
May 23rd News As May becomes a memory, and summer is coming on fast, I always think back to cutting my first tulips and being so excited about what is to come. Will each be true to what I asked for? Could they be substituted with something else? As this season comes to a close, (next week should be the last) this year was a tough one. Many of the bulbs that I ordered were substitutes, many just couldn't be had, and a few pleasant surprises also came my way. This coming year is already looking much better. So, with my fingers crossed, I'm already planning next year's crop.
This week I'll have some tulips and hyacinths in a nice range of colors. In lilies this week, I'll have many different varieties. No whites for tomorrow, but, that being said, I'll have pink with yellow centers, deep reds, cherry pie, soft cream with a red blush, the first soft yellows (baby duck!) along with a new batch of Conca's. A new one for this year is a soft blush pink with white centers. They have very large buds, light in color, which, when open, turn to a dark pink blush. Five to seven buds on strong stems makes this a beautiful addition to bring into my group of outstanding lilies. I am glad I picked this one. And, last, but not least, I was lucky to get a few of the popular salmon oriental bulbs that I had a few years back. These remind me of the color of a "creamsicle". This one is quite rare and a welcome to my summer line up. More on lilies next week. If your in town, come early as always for a good selection. If not, have a great weekend. See you tomorrow, rain or shine, Jack.
May 16th News Sorry it's so late, but I just can't seem to get my chores done. Anyway, tulips are still happening along with hyacinths and, slowly, my Dutch lilies are coming in. I have some new varieties this week. Last year, I couldn't get this beautiful salmon-orange lily that I had done the year before. This year, only a few crates were to be had, and I got them! They will be available through summer. Next is this soft, creamy edged with blush centers, similar to cherry pie but softer and down-facing. Nothing quite like it. Red lilies are back along with a few whites, white with yellow centers, and soft cream with light markings of deep burgundy. Sorry, no Conca's this week, see you tomorrow, Jack.
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May 9th News This year I decided to do many flowers in white for Mother's Day. I'll start with tulips - two special varieties I've selected are a pure white which grows very large with gorgeous bright yellow centers, and the other, is a double white which matures to a rose blush that is absolutely stunning when in full bloom. Of course, lilies, with their fragrance can't be beat for their long-lasting blooms of over a week. I have a very large blossom pure white with wide petals that is the size of a small plate when fully opened. For my next pick, I have an upright white with bright yellow centers, this one is truly spectacular! And, of course in hyacinths, I have a pure white when fully opened.
Along with the above, I'll have many varieties of tulips, lilies and hyacinths in a full range of colors. With spotty rain forecasted, please shop early for your best selections. See you tomorrow, Jack
May 2nd News This last week saw most of my tulip crop burn up before my eyes. After two days of nearly to 90 degrees, it did then reach it by the fourth day, only to destroy almost every lily ready to flower. The timing was just right for disaster, cold and cloudy weather for weeks before positioned every lily to being that much more vulnerable. As the sun came out and temperatures climbed to 90 degrees, those tender leaves and buds succumbed to the extreme light and heat. Now, even days after, more buds are showing stress by curling and twisting, distorted by high temperature. It is so distressing to see what can happen in a few days to after so much hard work. Well, I've learned that the best way to succeed is to get right back up.
This week I do have tulips, hyacinths and lilies but not that many of each. Although not many, I still have a nice variety of tulips. In lilies I'll have a few whites, some pink with yellow centers and lovely soft cream with red centers. Hopefully it won't rain the whole day, but as you know, I'll be there rain or shine. See you tomorrow, Jack.
April 25th news Last Saturday in April, blossoms are everywhere and it looks like Spring. Unfortunately, tomorrow will feel like summer. I say unfortunate for me because my tender lilies in the greenhouse will be ripe for leaf scorch and buds burning brown.
This week I have a good variety of tulips, hyacinths and freesia. I also have lilies in white, white with yellow centers, pinks, reds and a few Conca's. With the hot weather, try shopping early, see you tomorrow, Jack.
April 18th News Tomorrow it will feel like Spring, last week it felt like Winter. That's April!
Well, I will have tulips in all colors and hyacinth in most. The freesia are slowing down, one or two more weeks and it will be over for my lovely freesia.
I'll have lilies in white, white with yellow centers, reds in two varieties, "cherry pie" and those extra large Conca's. I have also made many "tiny delights" bud bunches this week. The flowers will be waiting for you, see you tomorrow, Jack
April 11th News Yes, I will be at Union Square, rain or shine. Yes, I have lots of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, freesia, and lilies. All are just perfect for this Easter weekend. So, whether your staying home or traveling, and you need flowers, I'll have that beautiful selection waiting for you. Scroll down the page a little to see some of the many beautiful tulip varieties available. Hope to see you all tomorrow, Jack.
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April 4th News Well against all odds, I'll be down again another week. This week, I'll be back across from the pavilion on the North Side, just in front of Barnes and Noble. You should be able to find me easily enough, just look for those tulips.
This Saturday its all about lilies since the warm Spring weather pushed lots of them into bud. I'll have all types, from pure whites, with yellow centers, two types of pinks, three types of reds, yellow with red centers and those huge Conca's. Not many tulips this week but still a nice variety. More coming for next week. There are lots of hyacinths ready in every color except deep burgundy. Also a few freesias. And last but not least, I'll be starting bud bunches this week (tiny delights.) Remember, come early for a good selection and see you tomorrow in my old spot. Regards, Jack
March 28th News When tulips are blooming there just aren't enough hours in the day. I'm sorry I'm posting so late, but tulips are demanding, they must be cut at least twice a day. It's already past eight and I need some sleep before getting up at 1 am.
Okay, now the laundry list of flowers. In cut freesias I will have all colors. In cut hyacinths they're are light blue, blush pink, white, deep burgundy and some lavender. For tulips this week I will have two types of parrots, a white and a white with edged in pink. This week I offer a new fringed, blush tulip (very nice) some double yellows, double whites that turn blush, and the big orange one with babies. I will also have the deep orange edged in yellow, a new yellow edged in red, solid reds with black centers, apricots, and I'm sure I've forgotten a few.
In lilies I will finally have some solid whites, the white with yellow centers, blush compact pinks and a pink with yellow center. I will also have a deep red (in two different varieties,) a deep crimson, large Conca's, and the yellow with red center (cherry pie). As always come early for a good selection. See you tomorrow, Jack.
March 21st News Hello Everyone. Tulips are blooming and when it gets warn and sunny, so it seems my work just never gets done. I'll be quick because I need to get up at 1:00 am and it's 8:30 already.
I'll have cut hyacinths in all colors except for the deep burgundy.
For tulips, I will have parrots in white, red and the beautiful white blushed with pink. In the doubles I'll have yellows and the pink and white. In the single tulips I will have the yellow with pink blush, orange edged in yellow, a solid yellow edged in red and maybe some others I can't remember.
In cut freesias I will have all colors and these are very nice with long stems.
For cut lilies I will have some of the best, large Conca's, a white with yellow center, three different types of reds, the "cherry pie" (yellow edge with a red center) and two different types of pinks. I won't have any whites, next week for certain.
If all this reads like a laundry list, my apologies, this is the direct result of sleep deprivation! See you at the market, Jack
March 14th News SPRING IS COMING! Last weeks temperatures hit 70 degrees and tomorrows will be around 50, we should be alright.
In tulips I'll have double yellows and a new double white edged in a pink blush. I'll also have two types of orange, a solid pink and a yellow with pink blush. In parrots, I will have two beauties, a white and a white blushed with pink.
All freesias this week are first cuts and big! They are available in all colors. I will also have hyacinths in all colors.
In lilies I'll have lots of Conca's, and they are enormous! There are some deep reds, the cherry pie (cream with red centers) a soft yellow with apricot blush, deep pinks and a few large soft raspberry pinks. See you tomorrow, Jack.
March 7th News
This week I have tulips in many colors along with two types of parrots - a pure white and a white tipped in pink. Other tulips include the orange ones (with babies,) a yellow with pink blush, double yellows (peony type,) and last but not least, that special tulip that opens like a star each day.
The freesias are starting to color up and I'll have a nice assortment tomorrow ranging from whites, yellows, reds, pinks and deep blues. I'll have hyacinths in all colors including light and deep blues, deep burgundy lavender, pinks and whites.
Lilies are also coming on strong. I'll be offering pure whites, white with yellow centers, soft yellow with apricot blush, plus a few reds and just a few Conca's. I will also have the last of the white L.A. Hybrids.
Last week I offered some French tulips, much to my horror, after two or three days, I found stems toppling over in our bunch at home. Gorgeous, but temperamental. I'm sure that its happened to a few that I sold. Please let me know! I've tried pulsing the ones that I'm bringing this week to prevent it from happening but I don't know if that will even prove successful. The problem is such rapid cell growth in the stem occurs with this variety that it gets weak at a random spot and the stem topples.
This week, one of my customers posted an article in her website about my tulips (along with stunning photograph.) Celia features and reviews some of the joyous pleasures of life...good food and wine and of course flowers! Thanks Celia. Just click on the link to check out her website. http://www.findyourcraving.com/musing/jacks-tulips
With warm weather well into the 60's, come early for a nice selection.
February 28th News
Its already the end of February and I still have a hard time writing 2009 on my checks. Time sure does fly. Okay, this week I have more tulips and these are not the common little ones you see everywhere. These are big, tall, and some even have little baby ones off the sides. Tomorrow I'll have two different orange with yellows, solid pinks, yellow with pink blush and a double soft yellow, that when open, looks like a peony. The "surprise" tulip is back, this is a species tulip that opens and closes each day, to expose a colorful little "face" inside. I will also have some beautiful parrots edged in pink and, finally, I have salmon "French" tulips that are not from France, but from my own greenhouses and are nearly three feet tall. This is the largest tulip I have ever grown. For you hyacinth lovers, I will have them in every color but the deep blue.
This week in lilies I have deep reds, soft yellows with a tinge of salmon, pure whites, and white with yellow centers. I also have a few of the white L.A. Hybrids (the non-fragrant lilies).
This is my last week for amaryllis. In paperwhites I have 6 and 8 inch pots as well as the wooden boxes. Come early for a good selection. See you tomorrow, Jack.
February 21st News Tulips are in. Everyone who has asked for tulips the last few weeks can come for a nice selection. I have big orange - edged in yellow (with babies) yellow with pink blush, and double pale yellows. I will also have cut hyacinths in all colors. For lilies, I have deep reds, pale yellows with red centers, some soft yellows, and a small crop of white L.A. Hybrids (the non-fragrant lilies) Not much in amaryllis because I believe it just might be too cold tomorrow. I will have paperwhites in pots and boxes. See you tomorrow, Jack.
February 14th News Sorry I'm late...just so much to do. I'll be down this week with a few lilies, reds and the 'cherry pie' lily. Cut hyacinths in all colors, a nice variety of potted amaryllis in 6 and 8 inch pots, paperwhites in pots and handmade wooden boxes. I'll also have my first CUT TULIPS in soft yellow with pink blush and tall pinks, not many, so come early. See you tomorrow, Jack.
February 7th News With this fortunate break in the temperature for tomorrow, I will be coming down. It will still be somewhat cold in the morning but it should warm up nicely by mid-day.
I'll have lilies in reds, salmon, soft yellows, and pale yellow with red centers. Cut hyacinths in all colors. Paperwhites in 6 and 8 inch clay pots and wooden boxes. Finally, amaryllis in singles and triples in an array of colors. Looking forward to seeing everyone, Jack.
January 31st News Well, it really has been one of those winters. I'm sad to say that with a low temperature of 21 and a high of only 31, it's too cold for flowers. You wouldn't be able to get them home without freezing. Hope to see you next week, Jack
January 24th News This week I'll have every color of hyacinth along with 6 and 8 inch pots of amaryllis, paperwhites in 6 and 8 inch pots as well as in my handmade wooden boxes. Lilies this week range from a few whites, Conca's, pink and white blush, reds, soft pinks, and a beautiful new salmon. As always, come early for a good selection. See you tomorrow, Jack
January 17th News To all my dedicated customers, sadly, because of this miserable winter, I cannot come to market tomorrow. With temperatures as low as they are, you couldn't bring your flowers home without them freezing. Hopefully next week will be more generous and I will be there with a fresh batch of flowers. Sadly, Jack
January 10th News I've waited til now to figure out what to do, and I feel that if next week is frigid cold, it would be best to at least try and come down this week with temps around 30. It is a hard call, but I will be down tomorrow. Most important is that we all move again to the south side of the park. I will be right next to the Broadway subway entrance. The next important thing is that snow is coming tomorrow and I will be leaving early. Depending on the track of the storm, will determine the time, I'm thinking no later than 2 o'clock so please come early.
I will bring lilies, I have a great selection from Conca's, yellows, pink and white blush, reds, and a few new varieties. I will not have much in pots this week. But I do have the first of the cut hyacinths, whites and blues this week! Again, please come early, see you tomorrow, Jack.
January 3rd News With the start of this New Year, I've been told that we are going to move again. So, its this week in the same spot and next week at a new location. They haven't shown we where but I will post it as soon as I find out.
This week I have a nice variety of lilies starting with Conca's, solid soft yellows, and upright yellow - deeper than Conca's, two types of pink and white blush and two types of reds. Paper whites are short this week because they are still young, but I have them in 6 and 8 inch clay pots, along with wooden boxes. In amaryllis, I have a nice selection in both single and triple pots. Hope to see you tomorrow, Jack.
