Once planted in the Farmstand, seedlings start their life cycle from young seedlings to mature plants. Maturity can start as early as 3 weeks and as late as 3 - 4 months depending on the variety and what season you are growing. Plants can be harvested throughout this time; however, they will need to eventually be removed from the Farmstand.

Frequently harvesting your plants is the best way to keep Farmstand maintenance low! It can be tempting to leave your plants in the Farmstand for long periods of time, however, this can lead to a number of issues inside and outside of the Farmstand. Here are some of the most common issues:

As plants grow, they produce large root systems inside of your Farmstand and develop thick, woody stems. This can make it very difficult to eventually remove them from the Farmstand and lead to internal blockages. Large roots tend to block water from other plants causing them to wilt and/or die, and make their way into the Farmstand’s reservoir which can result in pump failures.

Trimming your plants’ roots can delay these issues but grow cups will ultimately expand making it difficult to remove them from the Farmstand. Learn more about root trimming here!

The longer plants are in your Farmstand, the more time they have to be exposed to pests and disease. You can decrease the risk of your plants coming into contact with them by routinely harvesting and replacing mature seedlings.

 

Learn more about common garden pests and how to handle them here!

Bolting is the process in which plants develop a thick, flowering stalk that produces seeds. It can also lead to sparse, non-compact growth and abnormal leaf shapes. This occurs when a plant has been growing for an extended period of time or is exposed to stressful conditions like the changing of seasons or extreme weather, and it tries to reproduce before dying.

Bolting can change the texture and flavor of plants causing them to become tough and bitter. This is because the plant is redirecting its energy and resources to seed production instead of developing vegetative growth. As a result, we recommend harvesting bolted plants and tasting them to decide if they are still usable.

Specific varieties are best suited to be grown in certain weather conditions. This is why we offer a seasonally curated seedling selection in order to ensure our seedlings will thrive and develop a proper flavor profile. If a plant is growing across seasons it may bolt, produce abnormal growth, or develop an irregular flavor and texture.

Start thinking about the next round of plants you want to grow when you’re about a week away from your first, or next, harvest. This will keep you in a rhythm of growing new plants to harvest in the future as you harvest mature plants that are currently on your Farmstand. Try something from our 100+ varieties in our iOS and Android apps and in our online store!

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