When you think of farming, do you think flowers?
Here in West MI we have all variants of farming. We are fortunate to have a gem within our boundaries.
Veldheer Tulip Gardens
12755 Quincy St
Holland, Michigan 49424
Farmer and I have the blessing of being able to call the Veldheers friends. They are some of the nicest, most “down to earth” folks you will meet.
We had a cookout there the other night after hours and we got the scoop! Jodi took us on a tour and I blasted her with question after question. And, I just got to the surface. The more I asked, the more I didn’t know.
I’m going to give you a quick tour with a few facts in order to convince you to make the trip. Especially in the spring when it’s in its full regal.
They are over 6 million now.
I could have you scroll for hours looking at the tulips but I’ll resist. There are more than tulips here at the garden that I want to show you too.
Here are some you can see - hopefully this will whet your appetite and visit yourself.
You know how they say pictures don’t do justice. I agree.
This is a peony tulip. Full and fluffy - looks like the peony flower.
Notice the speckling on the leaves?
I will post more pictures of tulips at the bottom of this blog. For now, you need to see what else is at the farm.
They have a gift shop where you can purchase any and all bulbs. Some of these tulip bulbs can be obtained from Veldheers or you have to travel to Holland - the country to get them. Yes, they have exclusive tulips. Any ya’ll know you don’t want a tulip like your neighbors - come here and get the elite ones!
One of the artists that were choosen in the past for Tulip Time has her art work on display. Also, she bringing artists into the fields to paint.
If you need to cleanse your sight pallete, you can check out the buffalo on the farm.
There is also a gift shop with traditional Holland gifts. Some are imported but many are hand made and hand painted. You can watch and visit with the painters as they work.
You can be fitted and purchase wooden shoes from Holland.
Or you can purchase hand made shoes from Veldheer’s. You can watch as the shoe is formed from a chunk of poplar wood.
You can have them customed painted.
Now, back to the tulips.
See that spec on the thumbnail? That is a tulip SEED. Yes, a seed. That little seed will grow into a bulb. That’s how we aquire tulips - as a bulb. And, we should be grateful. Why? Because the only way that little seed will become a bulb is with total perfect conditions and it will take a few years - 21. Yes! It takes 21 years for a seed to form into the bulb that we purchase.
There is so much more to learn. And, I’m going to go back and camp at Veldheer Tulip Farm and bug Jim and Jodi to find out more information - at least until they kick me out.
You can follow them on face book - https://www.facebook.com/veldheertulipgardens/ or on-line - www.veldheer.com
I will leave you with more of the gorgeous tulips.
