The Friendly Stem in North Huntingdon joins area’s cut-your-own flower farms
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Receiving a birthday bouquet is a special treat, but being able to pick your own takes it to another level.
Thanks to her daughters and granddaughter, Beverly Rich of Unity celebrated her 81st birthday Thursday by choosing a vaseful of colorful blooms at The Friendly Stem, a new flower farm in North Huntingdon.
The group was taking advantage of the growing trend in flower farms offering cut-your-own sessions.
“It’s really becoming popular across the country in the past couple of years,” said Greta Ansell, who owns the business with her husband, John Ansell.
It’s a labor-intensive sideline for the couple. John is a computer engineer, and Greta works part time in communications. But it’s also a labor of love.
Previous generations on both sides of the family were farmers, and the Somerset County natives always tended a large vegetable and flower garden on the 4-acre property where they’ve lived for 22 years and where the business is located.
Their three children grew up helping with the weeding and harvesting of the garden, Greta said.
The business had a whirlwind start. Greta said she started thinking about it just last fall, did a lot of research on similar endeavors and plunged in headlong.
“Last winter, we started thousands of plants in our basement, on shelves, with grow lights and heat mats, because we don’t have a greenhouse,” John said.
They also had to set up as a limited liability company.
Showcase plants
In the spring, those plants were transferred to two large plots at the back of the property, where they’re arrayed in neat rows separated by plastic-covered walkways providing easy access to visitors.
Their showcase plants are sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias, but they also offer calendula, celosia, snapdragons, bachelor buttons, cosmos, scabiosa, gomphrena, love in a mist, love in a puff and other varieties.
U-pick sessions generally are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, depending on the weather and the availability of flowers.
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Advance reservations are required, and must be made on the website, John said. No walk-ups can be accommodated, and some upcoming sessions already are sold out.
For $25, the visitor receives a vase to fill with as many flowers as can fit. Fresh produce grown on-site, including peppers, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes, also can be purchased when available.
Visitors can bring snacks and beverages to enjoy at tables shaded by apple trees. The venue can be rented for a bridal shower, birthday party, date night, girls’ night out or other occasion.
About 90% of visitors have been women, Greta said.
“Most men are just accompanying their wives or girlfriends, but some get into the spirit and make their own bouquets,” she said.
“It’s a great excuse to get outside,” John added.
For more information, call 724-634-8816, email greta@thefriendlystem.com or visit thefriendlystem.com.
More flowers
The Friendly Stem joins a number of other area farms that offer fresh-cut or cut-your-own flowers and photo opportunities amidst the beauty.
Here are a few around the region:
• Freedom Farms, 434 Overbrook Road, Valencia, Butler County — Sunflower Happy Hour is set for 3-8 p.m. Aug. 6. A fee of $20 per person includes a hayride to the field and as many sunflowers as desired. Food will be available from Dinner Bell Farms, and North Country Brewing Co. will offer beer.
Details: freedomfarmspa.com
• Maple Bottom Farm, 1119 Cunningham Bridge Road, Dawson, Fayette County — U-pick hours for sunflowers and zinnias are offered from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Those wanting to attend must book on the website, said owner Vickie Baker.
Picking will continue until the first frost, or as other weather conditions allow.
Details: 724-331-4814 or maplebottomfarm.com
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• Renshaw Farms, 318 Ford City Road, South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County — Sunflower Days will be 5-8 p.m. Sunday and 4-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday. Event includes cut-your-own sunflowers for $1 each.
Admission is $10 per carload, and visitors can walk or take a hayride up to the field, said owner Jason Renshaw. Photos are allowed.
Another Sunflower Days event may be scheduled at the end of August or early September.
“We’ll see how Mother Nature plays out,” Renshaw said.
Details: 724-294-0061 or renshawfarms.com
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• Simmons Farm, 170 Simmons Road, Peters Township, Washington County — Cut-your-own hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.
Varieties include ageratum, amaranthus, ammi, aster, celosia, cosmos, dahlias, eucalyptus, fever few, marigolds, ornamental kale, ornamental pepper, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragons, status, sunflowers, tranchelum and zinnias.
The farm notes that varieties are weather-dependent and may vary in size and quantity.
“It’s a beautiful scene, and people have a great time doing it,” said Jan Simmons, wife of owner Scott Simmons.
Price per bucket is $15, with a $5 returnable deposit on the bucket and shears.
Details: 724-941-1490 or simmonsfarm.com