May 11, 2017
Carlino’s new blog series ‘Meet the Vendor’, brings you behind the scenes of the local companies, and more importantly, the people that supply their wonderful products into our markets. In the first edition, we meet Madeline Frankel and Jay Pressman, the gracious couple behind Farm and Garden Flowers in Chester County.
No matter what point you’re at in life, it’s important to find your passion and commit to it! For many years, both Madeline Frankel and Jay Pressman enjoyed home gardening as a hobby. This was until over 30 years at large corporation for Madeline and decades as a private practice lawyer for Jay, did they decide to spend the next stage of their life doing what they loved full-time, and more importantly, do it together! Farm and Garden Flowers was born.
Originally, the couple started growing small batches of flowers in their backyard and on a nearby farm. Now in their 5th season, they have taken their game to the next level! Back in October, they purchased 18 acres in Chester County. The land contained an historic 1920s era barn, a house form 1948, a creek flowing through and so much land to roam. Where once grass fed beef, chickens and hens roamed previously, there is now plenty of room for the couple to plant their favorite types of flowers.
On a daily basis, you will find the couple up with the sun (or perhaps even before) planning, planting, and picking, ensuring only the best flowers they grow make it into our market for sale. Peonies and perennials are just two of the dozens of types of flowers that are in bloom right now on their land.
I was proud to have learned something, when Madeline stumped my naivety. Farm and Garden Flowers is a 24/7, 365 operation, not just the April through October season that their flowers are available at Carlino’s. October 15th is the first frost date, and that begins a new season of work. That time period up through the end of November is their clean up time where they recap what went on the previous year and look forward to the coming year.The next season is carefully worked out on spreadsheets before anything is planted. Both Madeline and Jay emphasized the importance of thinking not just a season ahead, but for the year ahead. A flower can’t only be planted, watered and expected to be of the highest quality. Where they are planted, how they are planted, what flowers are planted near each other, and how irrigation systems run through their beds are just a few of the factors that the couple take into consideration to help grow the best flowers possible.
Another important factor that is always on the grower’s minds is practicing environmentally safe methods. Both Madeline and Jay are constantly educating themselves on best practices in their industry, and buying safe products for their flowers and land. This is a big factor in the work Farm and Garden Flowers produces, not only the best flowers but also ones that are produced and grown safely. Not only is that better for the planet we inhabit, but it helps the flowers last longer when you buy them as well!
The best advice Madeline has received in this industry is to figure what you grow well and grow a lot of it! They grow a lot of flowers well, and on their gorgeous property, they sure do grow a lot of it!
We’re thankful to have Farm and Garden Flowers available in both our Ardmore and West Chester markets. Please take the time to find out more about them online, and stop in our market to pick up a lovely bouquet for any occasion- your happiness will come into full bloom!
