Christy Hohman and Lissa King Sumption met some time ago at Lissa's art gallery in Longville, Minnesota. They discovered mutual interests and had similar dynamic personalities and, over the years, became good friends.
One of their shared passions was gardening. Serendipitously, after both had retired from successful first careers, these two enterprising women joined forces three years ago and formed a new business venture. They started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm and named it after their individual gardens, King Gardens and The Neighborhood Gardeners.
My friend, Jan Streiff, has long known Christy as a business colleague and friend. Because Jan had so often teased me with wonderful descriptions of Christy's amazing house and garden, Jan and I recently wrangled an invitation to visit. Christy then invited us to Lissa's, knowing we would appreciate her garden.
The homes and gardens. Christy's home on Squeedunk Lake in east central Cass County might be the earthiest I've even seen. It's difficult to tell where the forest ends and her home begins. The wooden structure blends seamlessly into the surrounding north woods and the extensive glass windows reflects the summer sky. Indeed, it looks as if the home sprung up from the forest floor like a giant mushroom. No wildflower or sapling was destroyed to build this home.
Instead, Christy gardens inside her home. One must duck under branches of a huge fig tree just inside the front door. Visible through a glass wall is a bougainvillea which climbs 20 feet to the ceiling and is recovering from a winter infestation of insects.
Through another door and around a corner is an amazing water feature (remember, inside Christy's home). A stream flows over rocks and tumbles around water lilies and cyperus before spilling down a waterfall into the most romantic, small pool. (Hot tub is too mundane for this exquisite space.) The bottom and sides of the pool are tiled in a mosaic pattern of white, green and blue pieces. A grotto is presided over by water spirits.
Several miles away along rural gravel roads and past scenic lakes is the home and garden of Lissa, and the contrast is astonishing. An immaculate golf course comes to mind. The buildings, garden and tall Norway pines arise from a very green carpet of grass. Vivid flowers of all sizes and colors are everywhere. Overflowing hanging baskets seem to be hung from any conceivable spot and container gardens are lush with bright annuals. Throughout the landscape, perfectly manicured beds contain gorgeous combinations of perennials, grasses, vines and shrubs.
The CSA. While Christy and Lissa have very different homes, gardens and styles, they agree completely about running their CSA. They agree on the heirloom varieties of tomatoes to grow, in addition to types of other vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. They also agree on how to grow their plants and, crucial to their business model, agreed early on to be entirely organic.
Crops are grown at both Christy's and Lissa's...and the tidy rows and healthy plants could be on either property. A large portion is grown under tunnels (a.k.a., hoop houses) where temperature and watering can be controlled. In addition, many beds have been established outside for cut flowers, potatoes and other vegetables.
The CSA has 28 customers which, in turn, means lots of building projects and other heavy-duty chores. To that end, Christy and Lissa are helped by their respective partner and husband, Grant Goltz and John Sumption. Lissa commented, "Between John and Grant, they can figure everything out."
Their attention to detail is clearly evident. At the beginning of the season, each member received a container garden fully planted with a good selection of herbs. (What a cool idea.) From the women's perspective, though, it also saved time and energy. They don't have to tend and to cut herbs all season, and can focus instead on their vegetables and flowers.
Christy and Lissa also offered a flower share. With this option, clients receive a bouquet of fresh flowers in addition to their weekly vegetable delivery. (Sign me up.) Again, it's a win-win-win. The women can indulge their passion to grow flowers, earn extra money and, at the same time, make their clients happy. Christy said, "We planted 13 flats of Bells of Ireland and every seed germinated," so, for awhile at least, the bouquets might be heavy with Bells of Ireland.
