Clintonville, USA: In the heart of Clintonville, a charming micro flower farm named “Cliffside Bunny Flowers” has taken root in the backyard of Joe Meloni and his partner, Carrie O’Brian. This blossoming venture specializes in cultivating a vibrant array of dahlias, tulips, sedums, and more.
Launched in late 2022, this floral startup has carved out a niche for itself, catering to small orders while establishing a robust online presence. Initially, their green thumbs were focused on nurturing sunflowers, known for their relatively straightforward cultivation. However, destiny took a floral turn when Meloni received dahlia seeds, sparking an enduring love affair with these exquisite blooms. Consequently, Cliffside Bunny Flowers now specializes in nurturing dahlias from both seeds and tubers.
“What captivates me about dahlias is their ability to produce stunning blooms, gracing us late in the season,” Meloni enthuses. “Their longevity is also a boon for our customers and us.”
The dynamic duo of O’Brian and Meloni complements each other perfectly, with Meloni taking charge of the gardening aspect while O’Brian manages their digital presence.
“Joe relishes getting his hands dirty, but as for me, not so much,” quips O’Brian.
Beyond tending to Cliffside Bunny Flowers, this pair also runs a gardening blog titled “Bigger Better Blooms,” a treasure trove of information on flower care, homesteading, and sustainable gardening practices.
“People frequently approach us, expressing their desire to cultivate their gardens and grow their own flowers, and the truth is, they absolutely can,” Meloni explains. “We want to empower people by providing them with the knowledge we wished we had when we started.”
Sustainability occupies a central place in this budding business. Embracing practices such as organic farming, biodiversity preservation, and waste reduction, they are committed to minimizing their ecological footprint.
“I initially began with produce farming but transitioned to flowers for sustainability reasons,” Meloni reveals. “Carrie and I found that we couldn’t utilize nearly half of what we were growing, so we switched to flowers, knowing that we’d waste less and potentially profit more.”
Operating within a compact space presents its share of challenges, but Meloni and O’Brian are resolute in optimizing their available area.
“Our garden occupies less than one-tenth of an acre, so we meticulously plan throughout the year, strategically choosing what to plant to maximize our limited space,” O’Brian elaborates.
When questioned about expansion plans, O’Brian shares, “Expanding would certainly be appealing, but we’re content with our current setup. Right now, we want to concentrate on nurturing our business, and perhaps expansion will be on the horizon in the future.”
This burgeoning enterprise frequents the Franklin Park Conservatory Farmers Market, where they offer dahlia bouquets, tubers, cuttings, and a variety of seasonal selections. They maintain a schedule of their weekly locations on their website, extending convenient options like pickup and delivery, custom orders, and event services to cater to their growing clientele.
