How We Farm
Growing flowers in a northern climate comes with its challenges. Shorter seasons, cold temperatures, minimal rain, and windy landscapes, ask for patience, flexibility, and careful stewardship for the land and how things grow. We farm in Zone 3, this means we have to work with the land instead of against it. As such, we use farming methods that help the soil stay healthy for a long time and have as little effect on the environment as possible.
Growing With the Land in Mind
We know how important community and stewardship are at The Marigold Market, which is why we grow, design, and run our business in a way that is good for the environment and the people who love flowers! We know that flowers are part of a larger ecosystem, and that what we do affects the land, the people who enjoy our flowers, and the creatures that share it with us.
For us, being responsible when growing means being open, intentional, and always being willing to learn and improve. Therefor we practice the following:
Minimize/avoid the use of harmful materials like peat moss, plastic, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers
Choosing safer alternatives to commonly used products i.e. coco coir vs peat moss
Soil-blocking seeds for zero waste
Building healthy soil through composting
For us, sustainability isn't about being perfect; it's about trial and error, and making smart choices that improve our practices over time.
Supporting Pollinators and Local Ecosystems
Pollinators play a critical role in healthy landscapes, and supporting them is a priority on our farm. This means we:
Grow pollinator-friendly flowers
Include native and introduced species in our fields
Use farming methods that benefit the environment and attract helpful insects and animals
We do our best to focus on helping local ecosystems and biodiversity by growing flowers that do well in this region.
Practical Materials and Reduced Waste
Farming can generate a surprising amount of waste. In order to combat this, we reduce that amount wherever possible by:
Choosing plastic-free or alternatives whenever possible
Reuse the plastic materials we do use and avoid replacing them
Thrift and reuse vases and vessels in some of our arrangements
Compost plant material whenever possible, no flower goes to waste!
We prioritize reuse over replacement and try to choose solutions that are practical, long-lasting, and responsible.
Pet-Friendly and People-Conscious Choices
Our farm is also our home, and we share that home with our fluffy companions! Because of this, we are especially mindful of the products we use and grow, which means we:
Clearly mark both pet-friendly and pet-toxic on our products
Consider the safety of both animals and people when making growing decisions
This same care extends to our customers. Transparency and education matter to us, and we want people to feel confident and knowledgeable about what they’re bringing into their homes.
Always Learning & Improving
Sustainable farming is not static. As our farm grows, our practices will continue to grow with it. We believe in and are committed to:
Learning from research, experience, and our community
Being honest about what we do well and where we can improve
Making changes when better options become available by pivoting and adapting
Our goal is to grow flowers in a way that is responsible, respectful, and rooted in care for the land, the ecosystem, and the people who enjoy them.
If you ever have questions about how we grow or have suggestions, we’re always happy to talk!
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