Seth Hubert, the owner of Hubert Family Farms in New Market, Alabama, has always had a passion for agriculture that stems from his childhood experiences watching his father work the land. Despite envisioning himself as a farmer from a young age, Seth faced unexpected challenges that led him to shift his focus towards cultivating tulips on the family farm.
After inheriting a smaller portion of the farm and recognizing the need for a sustainable crop, Seth and his wife, Kaylee, decided to plant tulips inspired by his fond memories of visiting gardens in Colonial Williamsburg. With guidance from friends at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Oregon, the Huberts planted a variety of bulbs on 4 acres, meticulously planning the layout to create a vibrant field that blooms throughout March.
While the harsh climate of the South presented challenges for growing tulips, the Huberts persevered by treating the bulbs as annuals and importing new ones from the Netherlands each year. Despite the difficulties, they have established a successful you-pick farm that attracts visitors during the short tulip season in early spring and also offers sunflower picking in late summer.
Looking ahead, the Huberts are focused on building a lasting legacy for their children and future generations, ensuring that the farm can be passed down through the family. Seth reflects on his unexpected journey into tulip cultivation, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for his children to continue the farming tradition.
For those interested in planting their own tulips, proper storage and good airflow are essential to ensure successful growth in your backyard.
To prevent fungus growth, it is important to minimize moisture. To prepare for planting, you should replicate the natural chill cycle of the bulbs by storing them in a refrigerator set at 35 to 45 degrees for approximately 10 weeks. In the South, it is recommended to start this process in early October to be ready for the next steps. By late November, plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep with their pointed ends facing up to encourage stem growth, spacing them about 2 to 4 inches apart in loose, fertile soil. Avoid watering until green shoots begin to emerge. Expect to see blooms in your yard by March.
Tulips are renowned for their subtle beauty and can be effortlessly arranged in a bouquet with a mix of vibrant colors. When selecting tulips for a bouquet, choose ones that are still tightly closed and just beginning to show color for a longer vase life. Creating a beautiful bouquet is easy with tulips – simply place a variety of flowers in a wide-mouthed container, allowing them to cascade naturally.
Discover these six tulip varieties and more at Hubert Family Farms each spring:
– ‘Dee Jay Parrot’: Known for their striking colors and fringed edges, these petals transition from bright red to creamy yellow to white.
– ‘Gavota’: Unique for their plum and golden yellow color combination, these tulips exude sophistication.
– ‘Split’: These fringed tulips feature petals with frayed edges that give the appearance of being sliced or split.
– ‘Dream Touch’: With extra petals resembling a tulip within a tulip, these flowers closely resemble peonies.
– ‘Hella Lights’: Vibrant and cheerful Single Late tulips that bloom later in the season, well-suited for Southern climates.
– ‘Dafeng’: Flourishing in Alabama’s climate, these tulips boast tall stems and large blooms in bold tropical shades of red, orange, and yellow.
