One of the biggest pleasures you can enjoy from July fourth till the frost are the summertime farm-fresh local flowers grown at places like Weaver Farms. When Elvin Weaver and his wife Maryann bought their 15 acre farm nine years ago they had no idea they would become flower growers. Elvin was a carpenter and they just wanted the property so they could run a self-sufficient little homestead with vegetables and a few farm animals.
But, Maryann had developed an interest in flowers by age 10 and as a teenager had already persuaded her family to host 2 rows of flowers for retail on their farm. When she married, her family asked that the couple subsidize that product for their clients so they wouldn't have to grow it. Elvin and Maryann started with one field the first year, added another field and three greenhouses the second year, and now a third large field exists - divided by several products. They have been raising flowers now for seven years and the popularity and demand keeps growing.
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The Weavers keep the business close to the family using the help of brothers and cousins for planting and harvesting their five working acres. Their four children absorb the whole process as they play in the yard and fields while the adults get their work done. The Weavers run their farm with a respect for nature. Their half acre pond feeds a drip irrigation system. But it's not organic - Elvin says flowers are very difficult to grow that way because of the pests.
This field of flowers is almost ready for harvest but it started from seed in the greenhouse in late winter. The Weavers use their greenhouse from winter to pre-spring. Snapdragons fill the greenhouses in February. By April the fields are blooming with Peonies. Lisianthus is ready during May and June. And by July — with the fields are aglow with color from zinnias, marigolds, cockscomb, lilies, and more — the Weavers are getting ready to start the fall mum crop in greenhouse.
From December through March the Weavers supplement their offerings with wholesale flowers but still offer some products grown on their farm. In the winter they do mix foliage centerpieces, Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday centerpieces for the farmers markets.
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A fragrant patch of eucalyptus grows in the side yard along the road on the way to the pond — a calming respite from the blazing summer day. Weavers' farm is open to the public during the summer season (25964 Loveville Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659) but if you don't have time for a drive in the country never fear. You might not have to look farther than your neighborhood florist for local farm fresh flowers.
Many floral wholesalers are approaching local farms for floral product for their retail clients — some even arranging deals for what the farmer will grow in the coming season. And at least for the next few months you can get local flowers grown from your "neighbor's gardens" at the farmers markets, the supermarkets, and your favorite flower shop.
You can see designs made with Weavers' Cut Flowers at www.FlowerGodmother.com (Design It Yourself — Shades of Summer / Weaver Farm Designs). Enjoy.
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