Most of the current tenants at Battlefield Farms are packing up and moving elsewhere. A few weeks ago nearly every greenhouse was a red or white or pink carpet of Christmas poinsettias, seemingly thick enough to walk on and shockingly vibrant to behold. Now those plants are stretching their legs in any number of independent and bigbox stores along the east coast, leaving acres of bare grey concrete ready for the next season.
A process that begins in June or July finishes up in the next couple weeks. Since mid-summer Battlefield has been pampering its poinsettias-less light here, more light there, until the plants are anywhere from a few inches to a few feet tall. Dave Jones, sales director for Battlefield, said this year's crop is around 1.2 -1.3 million plants, up from 850,000 last year. Jones said the jump is simply due to adding new customers.
"We have 45 different varieties and sizes," said Jones. "It's our number one individual crop."
It's not a bad time to be a plant at Battlefield Farms. The frightful weather outside the more than 30 acres of greenhouses seems a world away, as the vivid crops enjoy a constant temperature and regular waterings. Currently there is only one greenhouse still boasting its bright red carpeting and a few other houses still holding a scattering of the holiday plant. Each poinsettia grown at Battlefield is already spoken for, with major retailers and grocery stores making up the bulk of the crop's buyers.
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