Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Swenson. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Keith and Becky Swenson and their children Britta and Luke planted their first peonies in a rented field near Delano in 2002. What was intended to be a small endeavor to teach the kids how to grow flowers, work with customers, and earn money for college has blossomed into an international business. In 2008, the family purchased a farm near Howard Lake, which allowed local customers to tour the fields during bloom season each June. The development of a website and online store allowed out-of-state customers to enjoy the peonies in their gardens. After the move to Howard Lake, their mentor, Roger Anderson of Whitewater, WI, encouraged the Swensons to begin hybridizing new peony varieties. This is a long process, typically taking up to 15 years, from cross-pollination to releasing a new variety to the market. With Roger’s guidance and much experimentation, over 200 new peony varieties have been developed on the farm, including Tonka Purple (named after Lake Minnetonka), Angelic Burgundy, and Wonderous Creation. Swenson Gardens is now considered one of the world’s largest hybridizers of new peony varieties. All the peonies are sold as bare roots, shipped, and planted in the fall. September and October are the busiest months as roots are dug from the fields, divided by hand, washed, tagged, and shipped. The Swensons use chemical-free, sustainable farming practices throughout their farm. The herd of Dexter cattle is an integral part of the process and is affectionately known as the Fertilizer Production Team. Peonies grow best in USDA zones 2-8a coastal, which makes them a popular plant in much of the United States.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Farming has its struggles because it is subject to the weather. We grow all our peonies in fields, not greenhouses, so they are exposed to rain, wind, hail, drought, and heat. Wind and heat make photographing the blooms very challenging. It is also difficult for our weeding crews, who work hard to keep the fields neat. The fall digging season can be delayed if the fields are too wet. Drought conditions can affect the production of the eyes on the roots, which makes dividing very difficult.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Swenson Gardens grows and hybridizes world-class peonies. We are a global leader in developing new peony varieties and specialize in creating superior stem strength, unique colors, and very early or late bloom times. This is all done using chemical-free and sustainable farming practices, which sets us apart from other growers. All our peonies are sold to gardeners as bare roots for fall planting. Our online store, SwensonGardens.com, features 270 varieties and videos for planting and care. During June’s bloom season, our fields are open to the public, where visitors can walk through five fields of thousands of plants. Dates are announced on the website, Facebook, and Instagram.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
As followers of Jesus Christ, our faith permeates everything we do, including our business. We trust God to guide our decisions, direct our hybridizing efforts, protect the property and people, and allow Swenson Gardens to flourish financially. He has been faithful for 22 years!
Pricing:
- Peony prices vary by variety and there is price point for nearly every gardener.
Contact Info:
- Website: SwensonGardens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swensongardens/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwensonGardens/
Image Credits
All photos by Swenson Gardens
