I'm selling plants, mostly plants native, or nearly so, to our eastern deciduous forest region of the Upper Midwest. Many I am growing by seed, some are transplanted from the trails and gardens, others are grown by a greenhouse about two hours away. Was focusing on ephemerals, but it became difficult not to grow the shade plants, and then the part shade plants, and then the sun plants.
I built a deer pen for the shade plants, still need one for the sun plants (and a place to put that). After two months of non-stop work, I've come to realize growing plants in year one is really setting the stage for year two. Ultimately I would like to take customers at our place, not be at the market, but it is a way to get people to know the nursery exists, and our place isn't as ready for display and sales as I would prefer.
The idea is to funnel future profitability into our artist-in-residence studio build, ultimately creating a more complex human and environmental ecology in our woods. There is a lot of work to be done -we could really use some volunteers!
Along with this, there are classes I am preparing to teach at MCAD, art-funding grants to spend and apply for, a couple of sculptural installations to plan for at regional art parks, photography trips to make, and more. Busy busy.
Wish I were in Upper Midwest to check out your nursery. Sadly, Central Virginia is way too far to commute! Hope all goes well. A great enterprise.
ReplyDeleteIncredible endeavor! Creating a City opportunity in the Midwest seems arduous, but exciting! “May The Force Be With You!”
ReplyDeleteIncredible endeavor! Creating a City opportunity in the Midwest seems arduous, but exciting! “May The Force Be With You!”
ReplyDeleteI hope the squirrels eat them.
ReplyDelete