Posted: 5/1/07
Hobby grows into business for Caledonia mother and daughter
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
For the Meyer family of Caledonia, gardening had always been a passion. And now, armed with expertise as well as experience, mother and daughter Abby (Meyer) Jilek and Sandra Meyer has opened Meyer Garden on Highway 44/76 in Caledonia. Itís an undertaking that the whole family has been involved in and supported since the idea was first hatched.
Abby has two daughters, Alandra, 3, and Libby, 2. Alandra was only four months old when Abby learned she was expecting again, and was put on bed rest for most of her pregnancy. It was then that she started growing seeds, because it was something she could do while resting. There was even talk of naming the business after Libby.
Sandra is a biology teacher at Caledonia High School, and loves the learning experience that the business provides.
"I like to learn stuff," said Sandra. "Every day you learn something, itís a good day."
Abby says her strength is in designing work and putting plants together for maximum appeal. Sandra likes the challenge of growing the plants.
About half of the plants at Meyer Gardens were started from seeds, including the ivy geraniums, silver and pink tidal wave petunias, mystic lilac wave petunias and marigolds, as well as a variety of herbs. Most of the other plants and flowers came from cuttings.
The 2007 Flower of the Year, Laurentia in avant-garde blue, was started with seeds from England, and other flowers were started with seeds from as far away as Czechoslavakia and India. Sandra is especially please that the plants were grown without the use of chemicals. She said she tends to favor plants that will bloom most of the growing season.
Alan Meyer, Sandraís husband and Abbyís dad, built the greenhouse for the business. He also helps out with the huge garden behind the business where "a little of everything" is growing. There are tomatoes, coneflowers, hostas, garlic, fescue grass, peppers, allium, and day lilies, to name a few. They also carry several types of shrubs. As a licensed grower, Meyer Garden can sell their plants to resellers.
In addition to plants, the business offers other items for the gardener, including soil, pots, solid cedar trellises, planters and accessories, metal plant stands, houseplants and an assortment of fertilizers.
Although going from a hobby to a business involves a lot of workófrom developing business plans to securing financingóAbby and Sandra are up to the challenge and excited about their first season in business. With their family behind them, theyíll have plenty of helping hands. And with their complementary skills, they look forward to being business partners in addition to mother and daughter. As Sandra puts it, "Itís a blessing to be in business with your daughter."
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com