Quality!
"Quality means doing it right when no one is looking."
It is so easy to take shortcuts in life - I think, at one time or another, all of us have tried to take a shortcut a time or two. Living in Vermont’s NE Kingdom, traveling dirt roads is a given. There is a particular dirt road off the Macks Mountain Road in Peacham, VT, that we always labeled “The Super Shortcut”. Over the years, that road has afforded great adventures, of which some were not so great and not so fun!
Sometimes what seems like a great idea, because it is quicker, newer, and exciting, turns out not to be the best choice in the end. I certainly have pondered this a time or two in my life. I am guessing you have as well.
I thought with Mother’s Day quickly approaching, it would be helpful to chat a bit in this blog post about the “World of Flowers,” especially about growing them, because honestly, that is truly where the quality begins. There are so many options today when it comes to purchasing your summer flowers. It seems everywhere you go in the warm weather months, there are always potted flowers to purchase, be it the grocery store, farm store, or big box store. Most of these retail outlets purchase from a wholesale grower, usually in the South, who themselves know they are growing for wholesale, vs. for local folks they rub shoulders with every day, so the quality, honestly, just is not there. Many corners are cut in their “mass production” of potted annuals to afford selling so cheaply. Wandering around box store garden centers makes me a bit edgy! And working with plants for as many years as I have, from the beginning of their life to the time they go home with you, has taught me a lot about spotting real quality vs. fake quality. A great example of this is my brother, a woodworker and carpenter by trade, who easily spots half-hearted or DIY carpentry (probably a lot of my DIY, no doubt) because he is always honed in on quality and knows from years of experience what it takes to make a Quality product. And because we are siblings, I can guess it drives him crazy when he sees my failed attempts at projects that he could do so much better at. It drives me equally crazy and at the same time makes me sad to see low-quality flowers being sold at dirt-cheap prices by people who know nothing about actually growing the flowers themselves. Like brother, like sister, I guess!
So what goes into a Somers Family Farm Hanging Basket, Deck pot, or potted annual?
It all begins in August, believe it or not. This is the time of year that I sit down and make all the growing decisions for next year’s flowers. From start to finish, just making these decisions takes us about 2 months. We take into accountl the feedback we have received over the summer from all of you, along with the suggestions for specific plants, colors, varieties, etc: We think hard on what you might like, and what new flower, or color we can incorporate, and sadly, what must go to make room for something new. Once we know what we are growing, the next step is the ordering process. Most of our potted plant material comes to us over several weeks in the form of tiny plant plugs or liners, often in a tray of close to 500. For many years, I have purchased with another larger grower in the area so that I could get a larger variety in smaller quantities by sharing large trays with her. It takes an immense amount of coordination and communication to make this all work, but so worth it in the end.
It seems that as soon as the “Flower Order” is finalized, it is time to order all the supplies. Trays, Pots, packs, hanging baskets, deck pots, and the most important ingredients, soil mix and Nutrients. I could talk forever about potting mix, because honestly, it is the make-or-break ingredient that sets a hanging basket or deck pot apart from all the “big box specials”. Quality soil is equivalent to quality ingredients in baking, quality food for our bellies, and quality carpentry when building a house. It truly is the foundation for the longevity and health of a plant. (Someday, in a future blog, I will dedicate my time to purchasing potting mixes and how to know what is good and what is not.)
In February, the flower plugs and liners we have chosen, along with seeds, begin to arrive. They are shipped every week, based on type, and the length of growing days needed. Just like a newborn, these plants come with many needs. Light, water, nutrients, heat, and a larger footprint to grow in. Transplanting into their final home means lots of potting, many pallets of potting mix, and proper nutrients for long-term longevity and growth. Again, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”
Once our plugs are firmly grounded in their final homes, be it a pack, pot, hanging basket, or deck pot, every day care and attention begins in earnest. Water requirements for each plant are vastly different, heat requirements are different, and nutrient requirements also vary. It takes time, dedication, knowledge, and a careful, watchful eye to make it all work. Not only are we growing a plant that looks good just at the time of purchase, but we are growing a quality plant that will provide beauty all season long with your ongoing home care. There can be no cutting corners when it comes to the balance of heat, nutrients, and water. As you can imagine, heating greenhouses in early March is not a costless endeavor. Purchasing quality nutrients, and not skimping on them, also requires investment (again- Quality matters)
We do not believe in taking shortcuts along the way!
Know that when you are purchasing a hanging basket, deck planter, 6 pack, or veggie transplants from Somers Family Farm, you are receiving what you should expect to receive. Nothing less. No shortcuts. We work hard to educate each of you on proper flower care once you take your plants home, as ongoing care is vital. With a few simple steps and following our “Free” Hanging Basket Care Guide, you will be set for success. If you have not yet signed up for our “Newsletter,” we would like to invite you to do so. In turn, we will send you our Guide for success!
How can you know you are purchasing from a reputable source? A few questions to ask:
Are you the grower or just the seller? A seller vs. a grower has not put the hard work into the product they are selling… they have not made the investment that assures quality, and are at the mercy of the wholesaler. They had no control over the inputs and therefore cannot guarantee quality or longevity.
Are the plant varieties in my “hanging basket” actually meant for that application? A great example of this is the world of Petunia’s. There are special petunias best suited for hanging baskets due to their spreading nature, height, and longevity of continuous blooms (no deadheading required). Many “inexpensive” or “lesser priced” hanging Petunia baskets on the market today are created with bedding petunias, never meant for hanging baskets. This strategy is often used because of cost.
Peek inside the basket and take a look at the soil mix used. It is highly compacted, which will eventually suffocate your plant’s roots, or is it made with material to allow life-giving oxygen and flow of nutrients?
Plant nutrients: What is keeping this plant alive, and what should I expect when I bring it home? So important! Just like our own bodies, proper nutrients are vital. Anyone you purchase plants from should be able to readily tell you how they have cared for your plant up to the time of purchase and what you should continue to do once you take it home. A quality hanging basket, deck pot, or potted plant should have longevity of quality nutrients on board at the time of purchase, and once home, you will be able to supplement this with occasional liquid feed if needed.
Summer flower beauty is an investment not only for you but also for us. Making sure your investment counts is so important to us. We go the extra mile for you, we do not take any shortcuts, and our inputs are top quality. To us, when we send plants home with you, we are sending our “Babies” that we have cared for since the beginning…. We have given them the same care you desire to continue giving them at home. More than making a sale, we want you to be successful because we know the vital role flowers play in our mental and physical well-being.
Thanks for reading, and here is to a beautiful flower-filled summer!
Farming for you,
Kathy
