By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Known for its Christmas trees, Miller’s Family Farm is giving visitors a new reason to stop by this summer with the opening of a pick-your-own flower field.
The field, which opened July 24, marks the first major expansion since Rick and Cindy Miller purchased the North Attleborough farm nearly 15 years ago, adding dozens of varieties of annual flowers visitors can cut and take home.
The idea grew out of a wreath-making class held at the farm last winter.
“We met Leidy Alves, who is part of the Angle Tree Garden Club,” Rick Miller said. “She’s really into growing flowers, too, so we decided to team up and try it together. It’s been pretty successful so far.”
Alves worked alongside Rick and Cindy to help bring the project to life.
Although Miller’s Family Farm has operated since 1980, this is the first time it has expanded beyond its traditional business. The project transformed a previously unused section of the property into rows of colorful blooms.
“We had an area of the farm out back that wasn’t being used, and we really didn’t want to plant more (Christmas) trees because we have plenty,” Rick Miller said. “We decided we’d do flowers.”
The flower field features 23 varieties of annuals, including dahlias, zinnias, cosmos and several filler flowers commonly used in bouquets. Because the project came together on a shortened timeline, much of the work was completed in just a few months.
“This year we started with a clean slate. It was just a pile of dirt,” Rick Miller said. “What we’ve accomplished in two or three months has been pretty incredible. Most farms would have prepared everything the year before and planted in early spring, so we kind of did it backwards.”
Despite this summer’s dry weather, the flowers have thrived thanks to the farm’s drip irrigation system.
“The drought always has an effect on growing plants or trees, but luckily we have irrigation,” Rick Miller said. “We really haven’t had a problem with the drought this year.”
Growing flowers has also proven to be much different than growing Christmas trees.
“Christmas trees, you plant them and, in some ways, forget them,” Rick Miller said. “You shear them after a few years and fertilize them once a year. These annuals grow much faster, but you have to deadhead them, so they’re more work in that sense.”
The Millers plan to expand the flower field next year if demand continues. Rick hopes to increase the sunflower planting to a full acre after successfully growing a small test plot this season.
“We get photographers asking every year when we’re going to do sunflowers,” he said. “There aren’t many places around here that do that.”
Visitors purchase a 32-ounce cup for $25 before heading into the field to cut their own bouquets. Rick Miller said the farm chose the cups over mason jars because they fit securely into vehicle cupholders, making it easier to transport flowers home.
The farm has added seating beneath its pine trees, where visitors are encouraged to relax after creating their bouquets.
“We have a lot of seating under the pine trees,” Rick Miller said. “People can bring a picnic and enjoy the farm for a bit. I don’t want it to be where you come, pick your flowers and leave. Stay awhile and enjoy the farm.”
The flower field has also brought first-time visitors to the farm.
“Every year we get people who say, ‘I didn’t even know you guys were here,'” he said. “It’s been the same thing with the flowers.”
Although the farm has only been open for a handful of pick-your-own flower days, Rick Miller said several visitors have already returned for a second bouquet.
“I always like meeting people,” he said. “Every single person who’s come has said they enjoyed it and they’ll be back.”
Hours are posted on the farm’s Facebook page as blooms become available. The flower season is expected to continue through August and, weather permitting, into early September.
For Rick Miller, the early response has been encouraging.
“We’ll definitely do it again next year,” he said.