06/23/2026
I REALLY hate that I am being forced to make this post. I've always felt it was in poor taste for businesses to complain publicly when grievances should be handled privately.
I am only doing this out of fear of our name being drug through the mud for trying to stop what has been happening to us and confronting the situation.
We are closed for the season. Unless youve been specifically told by Jeff or I, Our "stuff" is not free.
We are required (and inspected by our broker every year for compliance) to plant all Proven Winners in their branded pots and carry trays to be allowed to carry their brand. They are a very good brand and we believe in their quality. With that said, we pay .50 cents for every white cup they're planted in, $3.50 per every 10 plants for their carry trays, $6 per 100 plants for tags. This is all over and above what we pay for plants, dirt, the fertilizer we mix into our dirt, water, heat, labor, and the list goes on.
Someone decided that our leftovers were free and has told countless people to go take our stuff. We have people on camera taking our leftovers by the truckload. Some were unknowingly doing so because "someone" told them to. Even though we have signs clearly posted.
At the end of every season we let some plants die to, collect seeds, retrieve bulbs, save containers, dirt, tags and carry trays. We reuse them in an effort to keep our costs down for our customers. I dont care if you dont like to see things die. Don't look. At the end of the day our business is on private property and it is theft. If it continues, we will press charges. Wether they just look like dead plants to you or not, they are mine. We are paying for each and every one and it is not ok.
When we have extra they go to our neighbors first, we have wonderful neighbors who endure a lot to help us stay in business. Never, not once have any of them complained. The no parking signs are ours, we do that to keep traffic flowing and to stop people from parking in their yard. They go to people who help us and our employees. All of our neighbors sacrifice and bite their tongues to keep us in business. If we have extra beyond that we do tell a few customers, with specific guidelines.
We are not trying to go on a head hunt or attack anyone, we simply want it to stop. I will post 1 picture of 1 account for all of the proven winners that disappeared. Keep in mind these numbers are plants only. And while Im being being unprofessional for the day......
to the person that took my pot out of my petunia tree, YOU SUCK!
To our loyal customers, THANK YOU all! You all help me live my best life every year. To be able to work at home, surrounded by my family and to continue to teach the younger generations a skill. Those are my dreams and because of all of you, a reality. We hope to see you all in the fall for mums and pumpkins.
Chris
