Practices

REGENERATIVE ORGANIC FARMING is a holistic system of farming that for us at Zephyros is a complex, yet logical way to farm. It is more than just not using toxic chemicals. Instead, it is about growing life—starting in our soils. We do not plant into the dirt, but instead into a living soil. Nurturing the web of life from the microbes all the way to the people of the farm makes for a healthy and sustainable system that is organic, and so much more.

GROWING FOOD is our passion. From day one, we set out to grow nutrient dense, clean food unlike anything you have ever tasted.  Over the years we have dialed in what we grow based on what does well in our area, what our customers love, and what we can sell.  All of this is informed by years of experimenting and staying up to date on all the latest breeding trends, guided primarily by our taste buds and stomachs.  

Zephyros was one of the first farms to show up at the farmers markets with heirloom tomatoes twenty years ago. Now, we bring the best of the heirlooms, and we keep adding new varieties that are bred for flavor, beauty, shelf life, and disease resistance. This is just one example of how we drive our vegetable production. If you visit a local restaurant or store you may find our kale, fennel, or fava beans adorning your plate. We grow certain crops for the wholesale markets, others for retail, and some for both.

THE ZEPHYROS NURSERY is the place to get a jump start on all your gardening needs.  Of course, you can find us at Dandelion Days in Carbondale, another popular place we sell our plants. Gain from our years of experience growing delicious and productive things for your garden. We love providing starts for other people so they can enjoy the fruits of their labors, but not have to work so hard to get there.  

We use only organic methods so your plants will be inoculated with beneficial insects we rely on to keep pests at bay. The soil is local, and we have as wide a diversity of plants as we can fit in our greenhouses. Come see the farm in spring and pick out some old favorites as well as some new friends. Of course, you can get carried away with us and stock up on succulents and dahlias—we have a bad habit for both!

WHY ORGANIC FLOWERS?  80% of the flowers you see in a store, at a florist shop, or at an event are shipped in from other countries. The first answer to “why organic flowers?” is that our flowers are local. The field-to-vase impact on the planet is greatly minimized. The embodied energy of our blooms does not include airline miles nor rely on toxic chemicals to keep flowers fresh.  

This is the second answer: We do not use preservatives. The preservatives used in the floral industry are made up of many toxic chemicals. Some of these chemicals are the same ones used in mortuaries. Instead, we use clean containers and pure water. In addition, we harvest flowers every day of the week, so they are always picked at their prime for the intended market. This combination gives our customers the vase life they want out of our blooms with no nasty side effects. This would not be possible if it were not for the flowers all being grown on the farm.  

The final answer is the one you would think of initially: Organic flowers are not sprayed by toxic chemicals. Who wants to sniff toxic chemicals when all you want is the delectable fragrance provided by our blooms? No one! More importantly, think of all the chemicals being sprayed in these other countries, where regulations are more relaxed. Those practices have a harmful effect on the farm workers who live there and the land they live on.  

We’re pioneers of a new floral industry—one that turns the old model of floristry on its head and re-localizes flower production close to home. By excluding so many chemicals, pollution, and the degradation of our environment, we instead use our flowers to bring beneficial insects into our farm. The flowers are used in crop rotations, and perennials are great for sequestering carbon and building soil. We use our flowers to bring hope, love, and a new way of flower farming to our world.  As the Persian proverb states, “The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends.” To all the friends of Zephyros, we pass along the world we want to see in blooms and living soil.