By Rachel Ayres, Montesano High School Intern
Looking at the fields striped with yellows, reds, oranges, purples, and pinks surrounding the Satsop Bulb Farm, it’s evident that spring is here. Owned and operated by sisters Kris Edem and Karel Smith, the Satsop Bulb Farm has been growing daffodils and tulips in Satsop since 1973.
The sisters’ great grandfather started the family flower business on a farm in Puyallup in the 1920s. Later on, the family business was relocated to the Satsop Valley where it was operated by Kris and Karel’s grandmother.
When Kris and Karel were both out of high school, their grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and given just months to live. She asked the sisters to take over the flower business and let her work for them during her last months. They agreed to their grandmother’s wishes, knowing that they could always move on from the flower business once she was gone.
“Grandma lived for 13 more years!” Kris, the older of the two sisters, said laughing. “So, it became a hobby that got out of hand.”
The Satsop Bulb Farm sells 45 varieties of daffodils and 30 varieties of tulips. When asked which flower was her favorite, Kris replied, “It changes about every three days as the newest variety is picked and brought out of the fields.” Ice Follies, Unsurpassable, Carbineer, and Sunshine are just some of the cheery flowers highlighted at the farm. “We have variety, much more than just yellow daffodils,” said Kris.
Usually by March, the daffodils are in full swing, while the tulips are ready for harvesting in April. Those stripes of yellow daffodils in the fields were ready sooner than usual this year, thanks to an early spring. So, the sisters opened up their shop on February 12. It will remain open until Mother’s Day, for the spring season.
“About one-third of our business is bulbs, while two-thirds is fresh cut flowers,” said Kris. The process of harvesting the bulbs consists of digging up, field drying, cleaning, and grading all 75 varieties of flowers over the summer. Those bulbs are then sold at the shop from September 15 to Halloween during the fall season.
The same feature that tulips are famous for saving lives can also frustrate Northwest gardeners. In Holland, during the potato famine, “people would eat tulip bulbs,” said Kris. Though, in the Pacific Northwest, being edible makes tulips prone to being consumed by deer and other wildlife.
The Satsop Bulb Farm has a total of 40 acres, although the sisters only plant five acres with flowers each year. Since soil rich in nutrients is very important for flowers, they rotate the crops to different fields. Also, to keep the soil nice and healthy, they plant other crops, such as corn, peas, and potatoes.
The farm is the site of an old dairy farm, where its cute, country feel is fun to experience while shopping for fresh cut flowers. Herbs, pansies, irises, blueberry bushes, and unique birdhouses are also featured throughout the former milk parlor now flower shop and spacious greenhouse. There to greet you from behind the cash register, or from inside the greenhouse, the sisters are always happy to help. A little guidance to finding the perfect bouquet or some gardening advice is their specialty.
Not only are there beautiful fields of flowers to gaze at, a lovely garden is also featured at the farm. “The garden is to show people the possibilities and let them get a feel for what they can do with their plants,” said Karel. With the lovely backdrop of the garden’s flowers, many take pictures here.
“We are very fortunate,” said Karel. Business is brisk, with an average of 70–100 people visiting their shop on a good day. The Satsop Bulb Farm is a much anticipated stop for many visitors on their way back from a clam dig or a day at the beach. Also, the locals love coming to the stand regularly.
“We have been here long enough to know children and grandchildren of some of our faithful customers,” said Kris. Her sister Karel agreed, “It is fun watching all of the kids grow up.” On a busy Saturday, you can find many coming to fulfill their family traditions and get a bunch of beautiful daffodils.
The Satsop Bulb Farm is located just off Highway 12, just west of Elma and is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily through Mother’s Day. To learn more, plan your visit, and take a look at some beautiful pictures, log on to their website satsopbulbfarm.com or their Facebook page.
