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Wimauma Grower Takes Fresh Approach

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

“This is just wonderful,” said Norma Kitzman of Sun City Center on her first visit to Cloorfield Farms. “I'm so thrilled with this place. There's so much room to walk between the plants; it's organized, and there's lots of help. Just look at all these herbs and flowers.”

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

WIMAUMA - Eight years ago, Anne Pidgeon turned a lifelong passion for horticulture into a thriving wholesale business called Colorfield Farms on State Road 674.

Until the economy went south, she was content to attend eight to 10 garden shows each year to sell some of her flowers, produce, herbs and butterfly plants to the public.

"People have more interest these days in butterfly gardening and in planting their own fruits and vegetables. They want to save money and know what's being used to grow what they consume," she said. "The demand for me to sell at a retail level just kept growing."

That's good news for residents.

"This is just wonderful," Norma Kitzman of Sun City Center said as she filled a shopping wagon with plants. "I'm so thrilled with this place. There's so much room to walk between the plants; it's organized, and there's lots of help. Just look at all these herbs and flowers."

Pidgeon said she specializes in Florida-friendly gardening.

"That covers two different planting zones in the Tampa Bay area," she said. "When I moved from up north, I had to learn an entirely new group of plants."

The retail market features a wide array of annuals, perennials and plants that attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Also available for home gardeners are orchids, bromeliads, rose bushes, vegetable plants, fruit trees, grafted citrus, native wildflowers and fresh produce and herbs.

Pidgeon also carries everything gardeners need for successful growing, including decorative pots and containers, Canadian potting mix and commercial, time-released fertilizer.

"We have the widest selection in South Shore," she said. "In addition, we offer the expert assistance of people who actually grow the plants, so if you have any questions, we can help."

Soon, Colorfield Farms will host free, educational demonstrations and hands-on, how-to workshops. Pidgeon also plans to build a butterfly house and add hydroponics to the retail center.

Butterfly plant gardens have become especially popular with the public, Pidgeon said.

"Butterflies are attracted by scent and color," she said.

Monarchs, she said, are attracted to milkweed. Black swallowtails go for parsley, fennel and dill.

Pidgeon said she grows the old-fashioned, tall variety of pentas, which butterflies love. "These have more nectar than the newer, compact varieties you find at big box stores," she said.

On March 21, Colorfield Farms will host the retail center's grand opening. And on March 28, Pidgeon will have a display at the University of Tampa's annual Greenfest.

For additional information, call (813) 833-2545 or visit 8221 State Road 674, about 5 miles east of U.S. 301. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

MEET ANNE PIDGEON

BORN: Burlington, Vt.

AGE: 45

RESIDENCE: Wimauma

OCCUPATION: Owner of Colorfield Farms, a wholesale farm and retail center she started eight years ago at 8221 State Road 674, Wimauma. For information, call (813) 833-2545

EMPLOYS: 11, including Lynn Leffler, the retail center manager

EDUCATION: Two-year degree in horticulture from the State University of New York

OTHER EXPERIENCE: Interior plant-scaping, floral design, floriculture and design supervisor for Busch Gardens

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553. To view more photos, go to southshore.tbo.com and enter the search words Colorfield Farms.

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