ANCHORED ROOTS FARM
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Southern Maryland? I've always enjoyed the motto, "bloom where you are planted." Lucky to grow up in an agriculture wonder in Southern Maryland, I enjoy our preserved land, moderate climate, access to water, and other abundant resources. This is where my husband and I were born and raised (though he is from "across the river"), and where we enjoy giving back to the community and the land through our farm.
What flowers do you grow and when? Spring season is anemones, ranunculus, tulips, daffodils, followed by sweet peas, poppies, snapdragons and other wild flower style flowers. Then peonies, lilies, zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, glads and dianthus. Fall is dahlia and heirloom mum season. We grow around 60 varieties of specialty cut flowers March through November. Here are pictures of our flowers, each of the varieities we grow over a 32 week season.
Do you offer farm visits? We are a small team, and not open to the public. We do offer some events on our farm each year, along with our weekly csa subscription pickups, and we encourage you to keep an eye out for those by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Do you grow organically? Yes. We follow organic practices. I have always known that way, and farming 100ft from the Chesapeake Bay, we feel this is best for our farm, and for the land/water/wildlife that surrounds us. We are big believers in evolving technology, but we are still proponents of growing food and flowers with the least amount of off-farm inputs. This can be challenging, but it's part of our goal to improve soil health, increase diversity of our wildlife, water quality, and our family. There is always more to learn and grow, which is possibly why it is the most challenging- yet exciting career!
Where do you sell? For a listing of the products we currently offer and where we sell them, please see both our Offerings page and our Online Shop here on our website.
How did you start growing flowers? In a backyard garden. I didn't grow up on a farm. My dad spent time teaching me his knowledge from owning a nursery and landscaping business for 25+ years. He and my uncles started growing and selling vegetable and flowers and other plants from their backyard in the 1970's, and their commercial landscape and garden center business, Wentworth Nursery grew from there. Working there was my first job when I was in middle school. Watering roses and starting seeds in the greenhouse. I loved running through the rows of fresh Christmas trees growing up, and still have nostalgia to that lovely pine smell.
How did you learn to farm? I am ever indebted to all the wonderful people who have helped me with starting a farm as a first generation farmer. They are leaders, mentors, and advocates. I learned to farm on a larger scale while working for Sassafras Creek Farm, and the Future Harvest CASA Beginning Farmer program. Other organizations such as SMADC and LEAD Maryland Foundation have helped to shape my career in the agriculture and horticulture sector. I plan to pass on my knowledge to the next generation. Before I met most of my mentors, books initially enlightened me to our current complex food system. I became more aware of what I was eating and where it came from. I have visited many farms of all types, all shapes and sizes, to understand the industry as a whole, and where our niche farm fits into it.
y do you believe in supporting local economies? For countless reasons-- for health, the economic benefits it provides, the environmental impact-- we eat the majority of our diet from close to home. Year-round. That's something that takes work, and a lot of time, but we believe is worth it. It hasn't always been this way, but we have also established a stronger, diversified farming community in Southern Maryland in recent years. As for our flowers, most flowers in the US are grown and purchased from outside the United States and flown here each week. I am interested in increasing the number of American Grown flowers from our small space in Southern Maryland.
