Pittston Flower Farm Grows Blooms Without Pesticides or Herbicides
The family-run business also consults for other growers by the hour and books most weddings about a year ahead, according to its website.
By Boston Business Watch Features Desk
· 2 min read
Courtesy of Eastern River Farm
Eastern River Farm, a cut-flower farm and florist in Pittston, has grown its flowers without pesticides, herbicides or fungicides since the business was established in 2018, according to its website. The site describes a property the owners found only after three years of searching: a century-old barn with fields sloping down to the Eastern River. They then spent two years driving up on weekends to clear the land and clean out the barn before they considered the place a working farm, the website says. Their first winter there went to clearing overgrown fields and emptying the barn that now holds the farm's design studio.
A Family Operation
The business describes itself as family-run. According to its website, one owner, Jennifer Joray, holds a master's degree in flute performance and now works as the farm's florist, while her husband holds a doctorate in inorganic polymer chemistry that the site says he applies, in its words, "loosely" to the farm's soil and irrigation work. Their daughters have handled seeding, cutting and quality control since the farm began, according to the website.
Two Ways to Order Flowers
Eastern River Farm offers wedding flowers in two formats, according to its website. Its Full Service option covers growing flowers to order, designing the ceremony and reception space, building table arrangements, and handling delivery, setup and breakdown around a couple's venue. A simpler à la carte option delivers arrangements already built into vases and ready for the table. The site says every piece begins with stems cut shortly before they are arranged, so the flowers reflect whatever is blooming at the farm that week; recent rows have carried snapdragon, yarrow and phlox in midsummer, moving toward dahlias, foxglove and zinnia later in the season.
Open Mostly by Appointment
The farm is not open to the public outside of weddings, workshops and other scheduled events, according to its website. Beyond flowers, Eastern River Farm sells hourly consulting to farmers and aspiring farmers, with longer package engagements available, the site says, aimed at people clearing and building up land much as the owners once did. Peak wedding season books 12 to 18 months in advance, according to the website, which directs prospective clients to write in or call the farm at (978) 766-9570.
More about the company at easternriverfarm.com.
Comments