As a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, I have the opportunity to visit other flower farms with fellow members. It is great to be among other flower farmers, especially since so much of the time we are fairly isolated on our own farms. We are fast friends when we gather, having so much in common, happy that we can finally share our experiences.

Michelle Elston of Roots Cut Flower Farm

Last week I made time to attend a tour at Roots Cut Flower Farm in Carlisle, PA. It did not disappoint. The countryside in this part of Pennsylvania is gorgeous—rolling hills, historic farms, and beautifully kept properties everywhere you look.

Michelle Elston has been running Roots for over 20 years, and the operation runs like a well-oiled machine. She and her team cultivate over 6 acres, harvesting from March through early November. They produce 30,000 bouquets a year, with the vast majority sold through Wegmans grocery stores across Pennsylvania. (Side note: Michelle met with Wegmans management for five years before they officially signed on as a partner!)

Gomphrena with Celosia in the background

Harvesting and cleaning Gomphrena demonstrations

Their logistics are amazing. With just a small cooler and one large delivery van, flowers are harvested, arranged, sleeved, and delivered to store shelves within 30 hours. It doesn’t get any fresher than that—and at that pace, massive cold storage isn't necessary.

Nobody starts at this scale, of course; growth at Roots has been slow, steady, and intentional. It was fun to see that it’s becoming a true multi-generational farm, with her son now helping with the harvest. Her husband Mike also runs his business on-site (and with his master’s degree in turfgrass management, even Augusta National would envy their lawn!). Seeing what’s possible in the world of local, American-grown cut flowers is truly inspiring.

While I don’t aspire to process 30,000 bouquets each year, it was great to see what that means from an operational perspective. Large fields of beautiful flowers, timed with precision for a specific harvest week, well-honed systems for getting them out of the field and into the hands of their customers quickly, and a staff that takes pride in their work. I love coming away with fresh ideas on what to grow and how to make it happen.

Early fall subscription bouquet from Purple Tuteur Farm

Back home, we are just a couple of weeks away from kicking off our fall bouquet subscription season! To everyone who has already signed up, thank you so much—keep an eye on your inbox for schedule details in the coming week. We have just two spots remaining, so if you'd like to bring fresh, locally grown blooms into your home this autumn, click the button below to connect to our website to get all the details!

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It’s almost fall, y’all!

Linda