WANT TO BUY A FLOWER FARM, BUILD A HOME, OR START A BUSINESS ON ROUTE ONE IN FREEPORT? FREEPORT DAHLIAS IS MOVING!

I’m letting you all know now before it’s listed in case anyone is interested in keeping it as a flower farm, so you can plan. It will likely sell to someone who will simply build a home on it, so I welcome talking about selling the shed, supplies, and perennial plants.

But Why?

Four years ago, in August 2021, I bought an acre on Route One in Freeport that was zoned agricultural, mixed use, commercial, and residential. I had started Freeport Dahlias by growing my flowers at Portersfield Cider in Pownal, and wanted my own land. So I designed a 12’ x 24’ cedar-shingled shed with a bank of south-facing windows, double-dutch doors, and a skylight to teach workshops in and had it delivered in July 2022.

The time has come to shift my business model. Dahlias are portable (and so is the shed!), and Robin at Tripping Gnome Farm has kindly offered to let me plant at her place next year. Everything is fine in my world, but keeping up with the farm has all become too much for me with my other jobs, so I’m selling the land this fall, and will also be selling clumps of tubers in October. Next year will be a quiet season for me, while I figure out the new shape for my business going forward.

I’m working with realtor Tyra Hatcher, who is handling pre-listing inquiries at tmahatcher@gmail.com. We expect to list it the week of September 8. I will update my Instagram, Facebook, and newsletter once the listing is live.

LAND SPECS

One-point-one (1.1) acre in Freeport, Maine. Zoned Residential/Commercial/Mixed Use/Agricultural. 1612 US Route 1, Freeport, Maine 04032.

·      Existing Septic Tank and Leach Field

·      Existing 100-foot drilled well

·      Power on same side of street

·      Two existing driveway cutouts

· Six-foot circular steel hand-forged planter by the road made and delivered by Bradbury Mountain Metalworks.

·      Five 4’ x 12’ galvanized metal garden beds.

·      Six 2’ x 8’ wood garden beds.

·      Five 18” x 8’ wood garden beds, plus one 18” x 12’ wood garden bed.

·      Never any pesticides or chemicals used in the soil or on the plants!

·      Plenty of annual and native plants.

SHED SPECS - With or Without Land

Amish-built in 2022. 12’ x 24’ (288sf) cedar-shingled Potting Shed with a bank of four South-facing windows for early Spring starts. Shed has a skylight, two sets of double-dutch doors, and a total of 7 windows. Has shelving and pegboard. Build specs can be provided. There is a clear path for removal with clearance under the power lines.

Two 275-gallon IBC water totes are connected to gutters.

I paid around $12,000 for all of these items together, with the shed costing a little over $10,000 plus improvements. You’ll need to have a way to transport it, a place to put it, and whatever local permits you might need. (If I did it, you can, too.) Make an offer! Removal would need to be coordinated with the closing date.

OTHER ASSETS AVAILABLE

·      Two trug planters on the North side planted with shade-loving hellebores, filled with ProMix.

·      Several lobster traps that have been painted light blue that serve as a landmark to help people find the place.

 ·     Three white parking ties and eight orange parking cones.

·      Hundreds of gently used plastic nursery pots, starting trays, and the like.

·   Other items include some garden tools, vases, shelving, and other items.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR CUSTOMERS

I realize with my focus on local customers, people will have feelings about this. While I have clarity and ease around this decision, I have feelings, too! I wanted to let you all know so that you can stop by, and maybe take home some tubers or mementos this fall. I also plan on doing my usual calendar of pictures taken on the farm this year. It’s not the end of Freeport Dahlias, but it’s the end of the current farm location.

VISITING THE FARM IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Last year, I worked 60 hours a week at the farm, but this year, I have an office job, so my schedule is more limited.

FLOWER STEM SALES: I am sold out of bulk orders and DIY buckets for the 2025 season. Single stems WILL be available, and will be announced on Instagram and Facebook.

TUBER CLUMP SALE DATE: Saturday, October 4th, 11am to 2pm. This will be instead of the annual Open House. Bring a garden fork and a way to transport your clumps. Sale clumps will be flagged with the price on them. You are 100% responsible for the tubers once they leave the farm, so please be experienced in overwintering dahlia tubers. I have built a reputation for high standards for plant health and hygiene, and am happy to discuss the lineage of each tuber clump. Cash, check (if I know you), credit, or Venmo.