Inspiring Conversations with Shellie Watkins Ritzman of My Garden Blooms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shellie Watkins Ritzman.

Hi Shellie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I moved to North Carolina from my home state of Texas 30 years ago. For the last two decades, I have lived on a small county lot of less than an acre, surrounded by 100-year-old farms. Over that period I planted trees, roses, peonies, herbs, lilacs, and other perennials. Gardening has always given me balance to my professional career in Administration. Shortly after my 60th birthday, I purchased Floret Farm’s book, Cut Flower Garden, and was inspired by the concept of growing cut flowers as a career. I never dreamed I would be expanding my love of gardening to start a boutique flower farm. So in the winter of 2018, I took Floret’s comprehensive course and by that spring we converted existing beds, installed 32 raised beds, and planted over 1000 flowers. By the end of our first season, we had installed 32 more raised beds and added 100 perennials. At the end of our second season, we were able to add 16 raised beds bringing our total to 80. This is our third season and we recently purchased the adjoining lot and completed phase one adding 32 raised beds for perennials. This fall we will complete phase two adding 18 beds for peonies. It has been extremely rewarding to see how fresh local flowers bring joy to people’s lives. Particularly during this past year, where we saw an increase in interest in people wanting to lift others up with the gift of flowers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Farming of any kind isn’t for the faint of heart, and I have gained a new appreciation of the farmers that grow our food. I now understand the importance of golden hour farming during our brutal summers, with early morning harvests and early evening maintenance. I’d have to say the physical demands have been the biggest adjustment, so we’ve learned to pace ourselves. We installed a drip irrigation system in our first season only to have it fail due to pressure issues with our well. So we hand water everything, which is time-consuming but it allows me to put my eyes on every plant and provide better care. Because we grow without chemicals, we’ve had to learn to use the balance in nature to control pests. This includes attracting birds to the property to help with pest pressure, and growing varieties that attract beneficial insects. Some varieties fail, some disappoint, and it’s still a challenge to prevent gaps in availability. But all of these struggles have helped us become better flower farmers. That, and the amazing Instagram community of flower farmers I’ve come to know who have helped encourage and inspire me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Operating a micro flower farm in the Triad allows us to provide chemical-free, seasonal blooms for our customers, and to partner with other local businesses to better the community. By growing locally, we provide thousands of plants to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Eighty percent of the flowers in the U.S. are imported, which means flowers grown under unknown conditions which can include chemical pesticides and unethical labor practices. Locally grown flowers are picked at peak, unique in color and variety, grown with intensive hands-on methods rather than machines, and have a longer vase life. They go from our garden to you, no international flights or refrigerated trucks are needed. All these things make locally grown flowers exceptional. We are so proud to be part of the locally grown movement here in the U.S. to provide fresh flowers.

Our business model includes Bouquet Subscriptions that arrive straight from our garden directly to our amazing business partner locations in High Point, Clemmons, Kernersville, and Winston-Salem. Becoming a subscriber supports local agriculture, provides knowledge of our flowers and growing techniques and helps to build our local community. Subscribers pick up their paper-wrapped bouquets at one of our amazing business partner locations. We also provide DIY buckets of seasonal blooms to designers, and for special events where you want to create your own arrangements. Flower Bar parties are very popular for baby and bridal showers and are a great add-on to a dinner party with friends.

Perhaps my favorite, and most unique experience, are our on-the-farm events that take place every April, May, September, and October. We partner with another local business to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to our gardens. Guests get to enjoy refreshments, make a bouquet from the flower bar, and do fun activities like pouring a candle, painting, a modern tea experience, yoga, and much more. Our events are limited to 12 guests and we also offer private event options. It gives me so much joy to see customers come to walk among the flowers and enjoy taking photos in our art-filled spaces.

What were you like growing up?
I’d say that I’ve always been artistic, having had a father that was a commercial artist by trade and who also painted watercolor landscapes. I used to spend hours at work watching my father draw, paint, and create business logos and ads. All by hand before computers! I’ve also always loved being a maker, taking jewelry and art classes every year of high school. These interests became the best distraction from a troubled home life growing up. They have also greatly shaped the vision for the flower business as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.mygardenblooms.net
• Instagram: @mygardenblooms