Timmonsville Farm Provides Fresh Flowers to the Florence Area
Agriculture Tradition Continues in the Garden State
In the heart of Timmonsville, South Carolina, a rich farming tradition is taking a colorful twist as a local farm cultivates nature’s art: fresh flowers. A fresh and unique spin on South Carolina’s agricultural scene has guests handpicking their own custom bouquets at Bay Branch Farm in Florence—following a trend featuring various U-pick flower farms cropping up throughout the state.
The Bay Branch Farm, nestled down a dirt driveway in Timmonsville, is owned by Janet and Richard Porter. Flowers are grown on a small piece of this land, with a picturesque “pumpkin house” standing towering on one side.
The Porters also grow pumpkins and blackberries for sale and have opened their farm as a local social and event space, promoting connectivity with nature and community bonding.
Flower-Picking Business: A Beautiful Idea Blooms
The Porters got the inspiration to venture into the flower-picking business when they visited the sprawling Cotton Hills Farm, located in Lowrys, on their way to Spartanburg. They were at the time growing pumpkins on an acre and a half of their land and sought to learn from Cotton Hill’s owners, who were growing pumpkins on a 100-acre expanse. During their visit, the flower-picking aspect intrigued the Porters, who quickly decided to embrace the concept, especially as they already had the necessary equipment obtained from their previous strawberry-growing venture.
“h3>Flowers: A Source of Income and Joy
Janet Porter shares that their venture into cultivating flowers not only serves as a way to profit from their property but also as a means to make other people happy. Their initial foray to the City Center Farmers Market in Florence with jarred flower arrangements was successful; they sold all their stock, affirming the start of their new venture. They allowed people to make their own arrangements during their second visit, emphasizing the personalized aspect of their service.
Guests are encouraged to visit Bay Branch Farm’s rows of perennials and annuals, showcasing a diverse variety of flowers including china asters and several types of sunflowers.
A Perfect Place to Relax
Apart from handpicking their flowers, guests can relax at nearby tables on the farm. The Porters also organize field trips, activities for daycare groups, and host events that include book clubs, garden clubs, and classes on putting together wedding flower arrangements. Janet Porter reveals that they add something new every year, keeping their offerings fresh and exciting.
Sandra Dail, a local floral arrangement professional, holds classes at the farm and shares the thrill and excitement of flower picking with the Porters. Sandra has her own business, Sandra’s Creative Styles, which she often brings to the farm, teaching how to make and care for floral arrangements using fresh flowers from the Porters’ gardens.
A Bright Future
Janet Porter and Sandra Dail continuously brainstorm ideas for potential growth, underlining the expansive potential of the farm. Meanwhile, the Porters have offered different pricing options for those interested in picking some of their own flowers, with a quart cup of flowers costing $16 and two cups priced at $30. A small bucket that can hold double what the cup can hold costs $25.
Conclusion
Bay Branch Farm represents a blooming opportunity for visitors to pick their own flowers in a peaceful and harmonious setting, learning from professionals, and creating personalized bouquets. Visitors to the farm can not only enjoy the beautiful floral scenery but also soak in the refreshing natural air and open space.
As U-pick flower farms become a trending practice across South Carolina, it offers a refreshing perspective on agriculture, transforming it from a vibrant livelihood into a community bonding activity. Timmonsville Farm’s endeavor in cultivating flowers and providing a serene ambiance for visitors to enjoy is indeed a colorful twist to the state’s rich agriculture tradition.
