Owner Kelly Windle is seen with a bouquet of spring flowers from Skarj Farm. Courtesy Photo

NORTH DUNDAS – Located in the heart of South Mountain, Skarj Farm is a family run business established in 2022 by Kelly Windle and Stefan Kohut, owner-operators of The Planted Arrow Flowers and Gifts.

Skarj Farms seeks to bring “locally grown blooms to the community with care, creativity, and a deep respect for the land” explained Windle.  She noted that the name is a family acronym taking the first letter of the names of family members: Stefan, Kelly, Arthur, Rowen and Jacob.

The farm is located along the Nation River on a 12-acre property they have owned since 2013. Windle mentioned the family have “envisioned many possibilities for their land, but it was the challenges of 2022 that inspired them to pivot – transforming their flower business by growing their own garden varieties.”

She mentioned she always enjoyed “puttering around the garden – I get it from my grandma.” The growing season brings a variety of flowers, mentioning spring brings peonies, daffodils and tulips, with the gardens transitioning into snapdragons, zinnias, and sunflowers as well as other varieties in the summer and fall.

Growing their own flowers seemed a natural progression for their business.  She mentioned how “There is a joy, honour and satisfactions in seeing the fruit of your labour from seedling to flower” before continuing that she is “grateful and give thanks to the land with every cut.”

Windle mentions there are exciting possibilities in the future for the business.  She mentioned future plans include the developing of “pick-you-own experiences” on the farm as well as special events for the public to enjoy and the possibility of attending local markets.

Windle commented “For now, their focus remains on learning, growing and refining their craft.” She noted the unpredictability of Mother Nature in agri-business, and with a knowing smile mentioned the business will continue with either “her help – or hinder”.

Always ready to lend a helping hand to people in the community, Windle mentioned when starting a new business, one of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs is inflation and rising costs.  Looking at the floral industry specifically she mentioned growing your own flowers helps to ensure, on a seasonal basis, a steady, fresh supply for arrangements.

When contemplating the establishment of a flower garden for wholesale or retail purposes, her suggestions include seed soaking, determining the best plants for your soil type and climate.  Windle has found in horticulture “that when you find something that works, it’s probably going to work well for many, many years.”

She mentioned how growing plants, like many agri-businesses, has seasonal aspects to it.  As the late fall and early winter arrives with killing frost, the driplines, a type of irrigation, are rolled up, plants are left for the birds and bees and in late January seeding completed.  As spring arrives the beds are prepped by removing the expired plants from the ground, with Windle noting some annuals survive over the winter and the anticipation of providing clients with beautiful fresh flowers over the growing season takes root.

There is something extra especially beautiful about locally grown flowers.  For those wishing to purchase a bouquet of seasonal flowers from Skarj Farm, they are available at The Painted Arrow Flower & Gifts located 535 St. Lawrence Street in Winchester.

As the business continues to grow, Windle said the Skarj Farm “stands as a testament to resilience, passion, and the beauty of cultivating something meaningful from the ground up.

More information is available on The Planted Arrow website located at theplantedarrow.com.

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.