" consumer are amazed by the miscellanea of flowers that are grown on US soil and last twelvemonth , we even received asking from florist " , says Rebecca Rowley of Ingadi Flower Farm , a pocket-sized - scale blossom agriculturist in Chelsea , AL . In 2020 , they decided to apply 1 acre , of their 5 - acre property , to grow flowers , which are primarily dedicated to the flowered course Rebecca get up . However , since last year , she has progressively received requests to trade the flowers . Therefore , they decide to bid wholesale too , and more ideas are in the pipeline . According to Rebecca , all thanks to the pandemic . " People start to apprise flush more and they have become fascinated with the locally grow peak as they have never seen them at the grocery memory board or florist shop . "
Rebekah in the field . The number of little scurf flower farmers ( in all size of it , from 1/4 Accho to 20 + ) , is increasing in the US over the last years , but exploded during the pandemic , she explains .
Why a blossom farm?Rebecca comes from a recollective tradition of farmers on both sides of her family and is a certified Master Gardener . Together with her hubby Bill , they were garden director for a surrogate facility where they both grew seedlings to give forth to their community for several years . They had never originate cut flowers before but learned it in 2019 . After a few seasons of growing and trade at farmer ’s market place , the mania stayed . Unfortunately , Covid-19 confound a wrench into the gardening job and both detect themselves at home , wondering what the futurity held for them . Another wrench was thrown when Rebecca substantiate she need to be useable to help her female parent , the sole caregiver to Rebecca ’s father , who suffer from Alzheimer ’s . After evaluating all their option , they put what little they had into get down a flower farm in 2020 .
On the left over : summer corsage . On the right : wholesale DIY bucket .
People amazed by the different style of flowersRebecca uses the legal age of her own - grow flush for the heyday arranging classes , and she clear notices that masses got to apprize flowers more during the pandemic . On top of that , she find out that they are highly concerned in the locally grown flower . " The act of participants is increase all the time and the singular thing is that they mostly come to see the different mixed bag of bloom , arranging is just the incentive . During the class , I give them more info about the efflorescence , how they are grow , and how they are season dependent . It is so interesting to see that almost none of my player know that the bulk of the flowers that are sold in the US are imported . "
And flower store tooFlorists seem to be astonished by the locally grown flowers as well . In times when it was difficult to import flowers , Rebecca received several request from florist . " I was quite surprised because florist shop usually have their own post to get the blossom , that ’s why most of the time it is difficult to get a foot in the door . But due to logistic challenges and the lack of blossom , they ask us for flowers and even they were happily surprise by our flower . " And florists are still contacting Rebecca . For this cause , they decide to start sell wholesale as well . " Every hebdomad , we will place out an email with what we have . "
get flowers and plants in AlabamaGrowing flowers in Alabama is n’t that easy , she explains . " The large bloom farms are based in California or Washington , so it was quite a challenge to instruct how to grow flowers in the Alabama mood , which is fond and more humid . " Rebecca grows a gravid variety show of flowers from seed and constantly trials new varieties . Besides flowers , she also grows several tender annual and perennial , also from seed . " I do homeschool workshop and we hope to start a community of interests garden , teaching people how to grow them . "
Wedding trendsWhen look at wedding party trends , Rebecca notices a change in style . " Covid changed the direction weddings are organized . More are make place outside and the Saint Bridget seem to prefer the brighter colors . I do not make love if it is a big or national style , but it is definitely a trend we are seeing . "
Flowers and plants - not a trend but a lifestyleCovid fuel the appreciation of flowers and plants and , like many in the industry , Rebecca is certain that the movement , or better order lifestyle , is here to stay . " Regarding the garden , we are now buy the farm into the third season since the pandemic and we ’ve seen the demand for plant increase . Many masses I meet did not have a garden before but are now loving it . In my opinion , it is not a trend anymore , but flowers and plants are now becoming part of their life-style . "
More plans in the futureRebecca is glad that their farm , the class and workshops have become such a success and they are eager to expand . " We have the distance to expand , not only for the flower land area , but we are working on a walk garden , where people will come and maybe even use for some upshot . "
For more informationIngadi Flower FarmRebecca RowleyEmail:[email protected]https://ingadiflowerfarm.com/
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
