At Country Flower Farms There's Room to Grow

It's already been a busy spring at in Middlefield.

The popular garden center on Route 147 opened last week amid a wave of balmy weather and as construction continued on the farm's new greenhouse. 

"This allows us to have more available right here," owner  says about the 15,000 square foot addition to the farm which now covers a field where she once planted mums.

Cheryl, who was raised in a farming family (her brother Joe, a third generation farmer, runs Geremia Farm in Wallingford), and her husband, Paul, have been growing flowers, plants and shrubs on the nearly 300-year-old farm for the past 18 years. The couple says about 90 percent of what customers buy at Country Flower Farms is grown on location.

"We like to use all organic methods, we don't use pesticides. It's done very naturally," says Paul.

The new greenhouse fits perfectly into that approach.

"It's all naturally ventilated. The roof opens and the walls open up and it allows natural air to come in. It makes for a better plant because it tones the plant. When you buy that plant to take it home it's already been acclimated to the outside.

The couple, who also own Specialty Growers, a wholesale facility in Cheshire, say the business itself has managed to weather the economy.

"We have a very loyal following of customers," Paul says. "I don't think we're feeling the pullback quite as much as other businesses. For a little bit of money at least you can make your own oasis in your backyard, not to mention gardening is a healthy thing."

For more information on Country Flower Farms visit their website or visit 320 Baileyville Road (Route 147), Middlefield, CT. Follow CFF on Twitter @countryflowers and like them on Facebook.