Hirzel Greenhouse, 1920s Photo courtesy Norman L. Moll, Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, State of Ohio
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Northwest Ohio Under Glass:
The History of the Bedding Plant Industry
Northwest Ohio's "greenhouse" roots can be traced
to European immigrants who settled in the area during the late
1800s and early 1900s. Many of them became vegetable farmers, who
developed greenhouses-then called hot houses-to lengthen Ohio's
growing season. Because one of the largest rail hubs in the Eastern
United States was in Toledo, the area was ideally located to
efficiently transport crops to Boston, Atlanta, New York and
Chicago. Until the 1960s, the major crops were tomatoes and
lettuce. When competition from California and Mexico, which could
offer these same vegetables for a cheaper price, Northwest Ohioan
greenhouse farmers turned to bedded and potted flowers as their
main crop.
The greenhouse industry is a highly complex business,
relying on specialized structures and subject to the seasonal
demands of the marketplace. Exceptional management skills are
required to plant, seed, grow, and market more than 250 types of
flower and vegetable plants. As researchers continue to experiment
and to test new methods that produce stronger greenhouse crops,
farmers share their knowledge about growing and marketing.
By 1999, about 80 greenhouse firms in the Toledo area
produced and exported flats of petunia, marigold, impatiens, New
Guinea impatiens, pansy, and begonia. Most of these businesses are
family owned, some for several generations. The vast majority of
Toledo area greenhouse crops are grown for domestic export to
Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and
Kentucky. Other floral greenhouses produce high quality potted
flowers and many smaller greenhouses sell directly to the local
residents, either through their own farm market or the Toledo
Farmers Market.
Documentation includes a five-page report, newspaper
and magazine articles, and photos.
Originally submitted by: Marcy Kaptur, Representative (9th District).
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