Mid Atlantic Growers
Challenge – Environmental control over growing areas
Solution – 40 greenhouses and 10 cold frames
Size: Greenhouses: 26′ wide x 12′ high x 96′ long, 28′ wide x 12′ high x 96′ long, Cold Frames: 26′ wide x 12′ high x 24′ long, 26′ wide x 12′ high x 96′ long
Application – Growing flowers and plants
Location – New Egypt, NJ
After working for several growers in New Jersey, Ron Harrison decided to set off on his own and start a wholesale growing business. “I had made these other places a lot of money and I decided that I should do it for myself,” he says. In 2003, he and his family started Mid Atlantic Growers in New Egypt, NJ, providing “Jersey-fresh flowers and plants” to markets throughout the country.
Ron’s top priority was to ensure that he had the best type of growing environment possible. He explains, “We wanted an inexpensive way to have more environmental control over small growing spaces.” After researching on the internet, Ron placed his first order for a GrowSpan greenhouse. He found that the durable quality and economical price made it a great choice to serve as a growing environment for his business.
Since then, he has acquired a total of 50 GrowSpan greenhouses and cold frames. Earning over $2 million in annual sales within the first five years of being in business, Ron believes that these structures played a key role in making his business successful. “We use the cold frames for perennials in the winter and annuals in the late spring. In the greenhouses we grow annuals, cuttings, plugs, baskets and planters,” he says. “These greenhouses, along with the additions of floor heat, booms and automatic rollups, give us great flexibility for each plant.” One of the greatest benefits that Ron has found with the greenhouses is that they “produce flats much quicker due to the increased light.”
“Our customers are ecstatic about our products. We can’t seem to grow enough for them,” he says. Ron’s wife Carrin adds, “We’re doing very well because of these structures.”
