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Cut flower business develops into colorful niche market |
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By KRISTY HEMMINGSEN | East Texas Edition |
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August 8, 2002 -- A few years ago, when Tommy and Gwynn Tucker of Franklin County visited their children in Dallas, they were unaware the trip would be a pathway to a niche market business venture. The Tuckers moved to the East Texas area from Dallas in the mid-1990s. They came knowing they wanted a piece of land with soil favorable for planting and growing flowers. "I've always received quite a bit of comfort and enjoyment from beautiful flowers," stated Gwynn. Before moving to East Texas, the Tuckers received soil maps from Texas Cooperative Extension agents in a few of the areas they were interested in. One day, the "ideal" place with the "ideal" soil (a high acid content for freeing-up the nutrients in the soil) became available. As the Tuckers began to grow a few flowers on their new Franklin County property, they discovered they had quite a knack for growing flowers. Before long, they found themselves growing and producing hundreds of perennials and annuals - everything from sunflowers to zinnias. The couple began selling a few of their flowers to customers who came to their farm by "word-of-mouth," or to local flower shops, and specialty stores, such as the popular area bakery. "We made a little money and it was fun," the couple agreed. But the day they went to Dallas to visit their children, things changed. Gwynn had mentioned to Tommy that they ought to take a few of their extra flowers (about 400) and see if they could sell any of them in the big city. Boy, did they! One large florist bought everything they had and asked them to bring more the next time. Today, the Tuckers continue to have a standing order with the Dallas florist and have added two more florists to the route, as well as one wholesaler. Throughout the spring and summer seasons, they load the cut flowers into their mini-van and travel to Dallas twice a week to fill the orders. The Tuckers detailed their "niche" market process. At the beginning of every year, the Tuckers begin to establish a variety of new flower seeds (which come from several different suppliers) in trays within their home. This is in January and February. In mid-March, after the last freeze for the season, they plant the young, established flower plants in the ground of their one-acre flower garden to grow along with flowers that reseeded from the previous year's crop. (The Tuckers occasionally begin a few new seeds in the fall in order to produce a variety of early spring flowers.) In order to insure successful reseeding of the annual flowers, the Tuckers turn the soil in late fall and early winter after the flowers have died-off. They also plant cover-crops, such as Australian field peas and annual ryegrass, to mend the soil until the next growing season. A small tractor with an attachable tiller, plus a few rakes and shovels, are the only equipment used. Watering is, of course, a necessity; and the Tuckers, along with two local youths they hired, also do all they can to keep the garden free of weeds and pesky insects. "The grasshoppers have been bad lately," shared Gwynn. "But we keep a few guineas on hand, and that helps quite a bit, because we try to make a point not to spray the flowers with chemicals." The Tuckers occasionally apply liquid fertilizer (applied with a water hose and attachable spray applicator). They test the soil annually in order to see what nutrients the garden's bed might be in need of, or what it needs to have reduced. With the exception of planting time earlier in the year, some of the more hot and time-consuming chores for the Tuckers and their employees is the continuous process of harvesting and "dead-heading" the flowers throughout early spring to late summer. As the Tuckers harvest their best cut flowers, they go along "dead-heading" (cutting away the dead flower heads in order to promote continuous new flower growth). Each individual flower is harvested by being cut at the stem. Each cut flower is placed in a five-gallon bucket. Ten buckets are considered a group. It is in this form the flowers are transported and sold to their business customers. Currently, the Tuckers grow around 30 different varieties of cut flowers with most being some type of variety that grows well in the East Texas heat. Some varieties include: small, large, and the "now-popular" green Zinnias, Celosia, Moulin Rouge and Sunbeam Sunflowers, Gemphrena, and things such as Lemmon grass for fillers. "But the backbone of the business," explained Tommy, "is mainly hybrid Zinnias." Tommy said because Zinnias do not ship well, they transport their Zinnias within a day or two after cutting. They are considered "very fresh" compared to Zinnias from larger competitors. The first few years the Tuckers began growing cut flowers, there was a little bit of expense involved, such as the necessary equipment, and, of course, the seeds. Within the last few years, Gwynn has begun to create bouquets and flower arrangements. "They're selling really well," she said about her fresh and homemade flower creations. As the ever-growing, one acre of flowers continues to thrive, the "hobby" has become quite a money-making business for the Tuckers. In fact, they say the profit from the cut flowers is enough to supplement their income to the point that Tommy has hopes to maybe retire from teaching in a few years. "The business has doubled the last two summers," said Tommy. The farm, Oak Tree Farm, could be considered a prime example of niche marketing and nature tourism wrapped into one. Besides a flower garden to view or pick-and-buy flowers, the Tuckers also have chickens which produce farm-fresh eggs -something local and urban residents enjoy having. The Tuckers also have goats and a variety of homegrown vegetables, and they also sell flower seeds. "When we go to Dallas to take flowers, some of our individual customers request fresh eggs and veggies," explained Gwynn. "I think others who also grow and sell their produce every year should grow flowers to sell along with the produce. They really go well together. The Tuckers can be reached at 903-365-2311. |
