April 2024 Produce Parable

Salama Seedlings

By Adam Calder, Produce Manager

A few months ago, we were saddened to hear that Lonna from Onion Creek Farm was retiring from growing seedlings. Even though seedlings are small, this absence created a huge hole in the projected sales numbers for the produce department. It was no small feat, the thousands of seedlings Lonna grew for Wheatsfield every year, and not that many people are set up to produce such large numbers of plants.

Mike Salama, from Salama Greenhouse in Boone, is equipped to handle the volume we require, and he was excited to grow seedlings for us to sell when I reached out to him. We chatted about what he can grow, the amounts I need, the wholesale cost, and delivery dates. A month ago, we touched base, and he let me know the seedlings were right on schedule.

Here we are now in spring, and the seedlings have arrived! While the varieties are not exactly the same as what Lonna grew, there is still an ample selection of tomatoes, herbs and peppers. Salama also grows some fun new things that we have rarely carried in the past, such as broccoli, kohlrabi, zucchini, cucumbers and eggplant.

The seedlings are priced at $2.69 each, and are available through the end of May. Check back often, as we will get weekly deliveries of seedlings all through the month. The broccoli and kohlrabi seedlings come in four-packs, but they do not cost any more than the single seedlings.