As I sit here at my kitchen table trying to come up with how I want to begin this website, watching the weather go from rain to snow on this cold April 27th morning 2010, I have come to the conclusion that I should just introduce myself and talk to you as if we are old friends. My name is Melissa Redman and I grew up in the small town of Newfield, NY which is part of the Fingerlakes. I graduated from Fingerlakes Community College (FLCC) with an associates in Landscape Development and Ornamental Horticulture. I then moved on to receive my Bachelors of Plant Science at Suny Cobleskill where I graduated this past December. I knew right away that I wanted to start a business of my own and went to work building it on the belief that I wanted to work with my community in establishing a healthy environment, re-establishing native plant species to forests and meadows and to grow food that didn't have a hidden agenda attached to it.
Since Dragonfly Gardens is in it's early infancy, it has been an exciting yet overwhelming experience trying to find enough space in my homemade greenhouse for all of the seeds that I have sown. Gardens are slowly being built and fencing is going up in the hopes of having a spectacular vegetable and herb garden for this year to share with you. As of now, I am still in the process of collecting seed and plants for stock in Northeastern native plants species. I plan on having some to sell this summer as my collection grows.
The goals of Dragonfly Gardens and Greenhouses are simple. Grow GMO free ( genetically modified organisms) food and plants, sell my products at a price that is fair to both the consumer and the producer and to educate the public on the importance of living healthy and respecting the environment that surrounds us. I am not certified organic but I grow all of my plants without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers and I follow the OMRI restrictions and regulations. I hope to get my organic license in the near future.
Along with construction of a greenhouse and the beginnings of a business, I have been landscaping for others for many years. I have openings year round to consult with old and new clients about their yards, gardens and trees. I charge a fee for the first consultation and am in the process of writing up contracts for future job sites. Please feel free to call for an appointment if you are interested in design work. I look forward to working with you!
This year Dragonfly Gardens will be participating in the Trumansburg Farmers Market which will start Wednesday, June 2nd. It will continue every Wednesday from 4-7pm until October 27th so I hope to see many of you there! You will also find me at The Ithaca Bakery in Ithaca from time to time selling plants, vegetables, herbs-fresh and dried and some fruit. My schedule is flexible and I am always around so feel free to call with any questions or concerns, contact me through email or check out my blog to see what is coming up! Hope to see you this summer and I look forward to sharing a first successful and busy year! Melissa Redman
Contact information: phone number: 607-592-9606 Address: 804 Van Kirk Rd, Newfield, NY 14867 E-Mail: Melissa@dragonflygardens.org
