Grown from the ground up
My story
Small Steps, Steady Growth
Hi! I'm Lindsay Maki - owner and operator of Back 9 Farm, Cut Flowers, LLC in DeWitt, Michigan. I'm also a Senior Geographic Information Systems Planner, married mom of three and dog mom. I love Hootie and the Blowfish, paint by sticker books and saunas. Creamy coffee and fresh water beaches and Birkenstocks...my Chacos are a close second. Home projects and NPR. I could go on and on...
My family moved to our 9-acre property in 2015. The home had a small landscaped space near the front of the house and a fenced garden that we were told hadn’t been used in years. I prematurely pulled everything out of the front garden area and threw down a bag of wildflower seeds. What grew was stunning.
Each year after that I was more intentional about what I grew and learned something with each growing season. By chance, I fell upon Erin Benzakein's book "Cut Flower Garden" and something in me shifted. For real. Shifted. I hadn't felt anything like that in years.
I said I would take baby steps each year to see if starting a cut flower farm would be a good fit. So far, it's been amazing. What started as a Facebook page and a small cart at the end of our driveway turned into selling at local farmers markets, selling wholesale at a local cut flower collective, working with local florists, then starting a bouquet subscription program. Each year the business evolves and changes and I’m happy to go with the flow.
From Seed to Standard
The farm is tiny compared to many others but it’s the perfect size for me. This year I have expanded the garden by 40% - it was not in the plan but when my fall order of peony roots showed up I HAD to put them somewhere. When the peonies were planted I realized a big white pine was shading the area so that tree came out and the extra space presented itself. I am excited to see what that space will become: rows of zinnias or space for potatoes and onions and tomatoes? Only time will tell.
Most flowers are grown from seed in the grow room in our basement for months before being planted outside. I try to support other Michigan companies as much as possible when sourcing equipment, soil, seeds, fertilizer, etc.
You can feel good about bringing my flowers into your home - not one pesticide has been sprayed or applied to the garden in years. Pests are managed by hand and by encouraging birds and beneficial insects into the growing space they take care of a lot of the pests for me.
Growing quality flowers starts with healthy soil but it also takes years of hands-on experience and education. I harvest blooms at the right stage so they arrive at their best and last as long as possible.
“I purchased two lovely bouquets from Back 9 Farm, at the Fowler Village Market a week ago, and they still look lovely today. Follow the instructions for keeping them fresh, and they last!”
- Andrea F., Market Customer
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