why local flowers?

Most of the flowers sold in the US are shipped thousands of miles on refrigerated cargo planes, travelling over 1,500 miles (in the case of Colombian imports)  just to reach customs. Our flowers are all sold within 10 miles of our home, where they're grown. Local flowers benefit from this shorter supply chain with vastly reduced carbon emissions; local eaters use the term "food miles," and we encourage you to consider "flower miles" as well! For flowers to be allowed through customs, they must also be free of invasive pests and harmful disease to avoid bringing these into the country (source). However, to arrive meeting these standards, they are often thoroughly treated with pesticides and fungicides prior to shipping. So much so that the USDA Cut Flower and Greenery Import Manual advises inspectors to wear gloves when handling these flowers.

In addition to environmental benefits, locally-grown flowers offer superior quality to their imported counterparts, which may be a week old by the time they reach your table (source). Our commitment to quality means our flowers are harvested the day before delivery, so they last exceptionally long in your vase – usually around a week with proper care, but some varieties can last 10 -14 days! You also gain the benefit of having a relationship with your farmers, which means you can ask us directly about our growing practices. With the confidence that we are less reliant on chemical inputs, you can feel good about the flowers you’re bringing into your home.

Imported flowers must be able to handle intense shipping conditions without suffering too much loss in quality, which limits the variety of blooms on the market (source). By choosing to buy local you gain access to unique varieties of flowers, many of which you might never see in grocery store bouquets, such as dahlias, ranunculus, and specialty zinnias. Local flowers also allow us to embrace the natural rhythm of the seasons. When we bedeck our tables only with what is in season, we deepen our appreciation for the blooms that are available throughout the year – from the first spring tulips to the last autumn dahlias.

Local flowers provide critical pollen and nectar to pollinators as well as food and habitat for other wildlife (source). We love seeing diverse insects, spiders, and birds in our fields! Buying local also stimulates your local economy and keeps your money in your community, helping to fund public services like your community's schools, parks, and libraries through taxation (source). Aside from ensuring that farmers can continue producing high-quality, sustainable products, supporting local flower farmers benefits the entire community.