Barlow Flower Farm - Flowers - Sea Girt, NJ

Barlow Flower Farm

Barlow Flower Farm
1014 Sea Girt Avenue
Sea Girt, NJ 08750

Telephone: 732-449-9189
Fax: 732-449-2757

Email Us: info@barlowflowerfarm.com

BOUT US
History of Barlow Flower Farm

GreenhousesBarlow Flower Farm is a historic family homestead and horticultural business that was purchased in 1983 by Stephen and Leslie Barlow. It is located in Sea Girt, a small affluent town on the New Jersey coastline approximately 60 miles south of New York City. The six-acre farm is a mile from the ocean and is surrounded by residential homes. Sea Girt and the surrounding towns are densely populated and the number of new homes being built is increasing each year.

The original farm consisted of a farmhouse, built in 1807, one retail greenhouse, ten small growing greenhouses, a retail shop that was formerly used for produce sales, a workroom, and a garage for production. Early expansion emphasized improving the growing facilities. These improvements included a new heating system, newer greenhouses, a better drainage application, and equipment upgrades. As sales grew, more retail and production space was needed to meet the demand. Existing facilities were moved or converted to increase both indoor and outdoor retail space and each year saw new production greenhouses erected. The current shop has expanded to 1,200 sq. ft. that now houses a gift department, gourmet shop, silk flower and design shop, and flowering gift baskets area.

greenhousesDuring the fall of 2004 Barlow Flower Farm went through a massive renovation of the retail facility. The two original retail greenhouse structures were removed and replaced by a 10,000 sq.ft. European glass greenhouse. The main parking lot was transitioned from along the main road to a new entrance at the East end of the property. New benches, carts, check out areas, and retail-selling areas were constructed for better, safer customer flow. A new heating system was installed with a radiant heat floor to maintain the proper temperatures as well as an automatic shade system. The entire project was completed in four months with a Grand Opening on November 25th, 2004. Along with the new renovation, Barlow Flower Farm increased the number of growing greenhouses to 28 and the outdoor growing area to 1.5 acres. The new parking lot can facilitate up to 110 vehicles.

The BarlowsThe family's second generation, Stephanie Barlow Peduto and Stephen Barlow III have joined the organization and are now shareholders in the corporation. Stephen Barlow graduated Michigan State University with a BS in horticulture in 2000 and Monmouth University with an MBA in 2006. He is General Manager of Barlow’s. Stephanie graduated from Brookdale Community College in 2000 with an AA in Humanities. She is currently Retail Sales Manager as well as an Associate Buyer.

The primary goal of the company is to offer our customers the finest quality products and superior customer service from a knowledgeable and well-trained staff. Barlow's takes pride in the quality and extensive selection of plant material we offer, most of which (approximately 70%) is grown on the premises. The choice to stock certain unusual varieties helps to expand the selection available and offers many different solutions to our customers' needs.

There are 16 full time and 30 part time employees. The full time employees are essential to the overall execution of the company strategy. They are a dedicated, artistic crew, who are knowledgeable yet interested in learning, and always enthusiastic. Their input is encouraged and often acted upon. Many of the part-time employees are high school students who were enrolled in a Horticultural Botany Program that was hosted at Barlow Flower Farm for 15 years. The program, started in 1989 and was recognized both regionally and statewide as a model for advanced high school science curriculum. The company, in particular Stephen Barlow, has been honored for originating, funding and providing the technical assistance to the program. To this day, Barlow Flower Farm continues to offer guidance to local high school horticultural programs.

In 1990, Barlow Flower Farm became aware of the need for basic instructional seminars on the various aspects of gardening. Thus, the "Better Gardening" series was developed with one in-house instructor and two classes. Today the "Better Gardening and Design" series consists of classes being held year round on Saturdays and Sundays. Barlow's recruits many instructors who are considered experts in their fields to lead and teach the sessions. Classes are now offered annually and attended by hundreds of area residents.

Special services include creative potting from our design team, custom permanent floral designs, gift and gourmet baskets for all occasions, holiday decorating, advice and instruction from trained horticulturists and master gardeners.

Popular annual promotional events include the Fall Festival through the month of October, Christmas Open House & Poinsettia Festival the last Sunday in November and first in December, Free Holiday Photo Spot through the months of November and December, free weekend demonstrations year around, participation in New Jersey Flower Show in February and annual contributions in numerous local house tours and charitable events providing creative displays and decorating.

Barlow Flower Farm supports local organizations, garden clubs, civic groups, non-profit charitable organizations, senior citizen centers, youth groups, churches, schools, town fundraisers, student activities, Co

© 2010 Barlow's. All Rights Reserved.