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33 Years & Growing!
Founded in 1980 by Tobi and Sally von Trapp,
The von Trapp Greenhouse has supplied gardeners' dreams for
the past thirty years on Waitsfield Common in Waitsfield,
Vermont. Tobi grew
up on a dairy farm across the road, so he has a strong background
in agriculture. Sally has an Associate Degree in Horticulture
from Temple University in Pennsylvannia. Our combined backgrounds
have enabled us to carve out a niche in central Vermont growing
unusual plants of exceptional vigor.
Unlike garden centers, which purchase the majority of their
plant material as finished product from outside sources, The
von Trapp Greenhouse grows all of its own plants from seeds,
cuttings or divisions. The local zoning ordinance precludes
us from selling supplies or accessories in the agricultural/residential
zone where the business is located. Consequently, all of our
energy is put into growing extraordinary plant material. The
von Trapp Greenhouse offers over 550 cultivars of annuals,
over 600 cultivars of perennials, and about 100 cultivars
of herbs and vegetable plants.
Our operation includes six greenhouses (approximately 14,000
square feet of growing space) and a network of coldframes
to provide protection for frost tolerant annuals and young
perennials.
Seed sowing begins in mid-January and continues through
May. By March the greenhouses are filled with seedlings. The
business opens for spring sales around May 1st and remains open
daily through July (except the 4th), with reduced hours in
August and September. Our display garden is open to the public
for viewing throughout this period during our business hours.
Spring is an incredibly intense time for us. Four full time
and three part time seasonal employees are hired each year
to get all the work done. Some of these employees have worked
at the greenhouse for many spring seasons, dovetailing the
spring greenhouse work with other resort area jobs during
the fall and winter months. Our daughter, Emily von Trapp,
has joined us at the greenhouse to help with production and
sales. She also has an established cut flower business, von
Trapp Flowers, selling bouquets through Mehuron's Market and
Hunger Mountain Coop and creating custom floral design for
weddings and special events. Callie McAllister runs the Cricket Club childcare center at Mad
River Glen ski area. Jewls Cohen assists her husband catering
special events. Milo Fischer is director of the ski school
at Sugarbush's
Mount Ellen. Allison Johnson also does garden maintenance
and stonework. We have a terrific staff - all incredibly hardworking
people who love gardening.
After months of 10 to 12 hour days, seven days a week, we
are definitely ready for the quieter months of fall and winter
when fall clean up, maintenance, forcing bulbs and the ordering
of seeds and cuttings for the following spring are the only
demands on our time.
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