FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HAVE QUESTIONS FOR US?
Before contacting us, please review our Frequently Asked Questions below. If your question is not addressed there, please contact us.
Mums
I heard about your from a friend, but I live over an hour away. Is it worth the trip?
Do you offer wholesale or a discount for purchasing a bulk quantity of your mums?
We sell both retail and wholesale. Our current wholesale customers include pumpkin farms, landscapers, other farmstands, grocery stores, and school and community groups. Our wholesale mum pricing starts at a minimum order of 50 mums. We do NOT deliver beyond a 40 mile radius of our farm.
All wholesale requests must be made by August 15. We will not accept any wholesale requests past this date. Please contact us for details on product offerings, pricing, and/or delivery options. We do not put this information on our website, as the details vary based on the product, quantity, and availability.
Are your mums perennial garden hardy (will they come back next year)?
Many people look at mums as a seasonal decorating plant because they are used to replace some of the annuals that have served their purpose during the summer months, and if their mums survive the winter than it's a bonus.
The mums we grow are perennial garden hardy mums. We select varieties for our growing zone here in Central Illinois. If you want to improve the survivability of mums you purchase at our farm, be sure to visit our blog, to learn more about planting and caring for your mums.
When should I order mums for a fall wedding or event?
It is always best to contact us regarding fall weddings BEFORE August 15. This helps us for planning and ensuring availability of mums for your fall event. We do not hold or guarantee mum availability for weddings or events that occur after the first weekend of October.
For more information or to order wedding or event mums, please email mariahandgreg@mariahsmums.com, or call and speak with Mariah at 217-722-3531.
Are you the mum grower located off of Rt 51 in Wapella?
No. We are not located in Wapella and are not affiliated with that mum grower. We are located 8 miles east of Clinton, off of Route 10. You can access detailed driving directions and a map to our farm on our Visit Us page.
What size are your mum pots?
Our standard pots are 9" (diameter) x 6.25" (height). Our jumbo pots are 12" (diameter) x 10.25" (height).
General Questions
When are you open?
Do you grow all your own plants and produce?
Our vegetables starts, cut flowers, produce, and fall garden mums are grown ourselves from seed, cuttings, or small plugs. We also stock our farmstand with melons, apples, peaches, and honey from area farmers who share the same growing practices and values as our farm.
Are your plants and produce organic?
We are very passionate about informing others about how our food is grown and connecting consumers with their farmer! So, thank you for starting a conversation with us! We are not USDA certified organic. You will not find many local producers who are certified because the certification requirements are unpractical to small and big farmers.
Do you grow GMO crops?
How can we keep up with what's going on at the farm (farm updates, events, crop availability, etc.)?
There are many ways to keep in touch with us. Be the first to recieve the latest news, crop availability, and event dates by signing up for our email newsletter. Our Facebook page is updated almost daily during the season with pictures from around the farm, informative videos, helpful tips, reminders, and links to our blog and other useful websites. It's the best way to actively engage with us, get to know our farm crew, and get a sneak peek into the everyday happenings of our farm from the comfort of your home!
How do I get there?
Do you have food or drink concessions at the farm?
At this time, we only provide food and drink concessions during our Mum Fest event. You are always welcome to bring your own food, snacks, and beverages.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, & American Express.
Is there an ATM at the farm?
No, we do not have an ATM at the farm at this time.
Can I bring my dog or a pet?
We are animal lovers and you may meet our farm dog Lucy when you visit our farm, but due to NEW food safety regulations enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), we no longer allow for you to bring your pets to the farm. The FSMA rules are designed to make clear specific actions to prevent food contamination. Because we grow fresh produce in addition to fall mums, we must follow these food safety regulations.
Do you have handicapped parking?
Yes, our handicapped parking is located on the right side of the large sliding door of our red shed.
Vegetables
Do you offer wholesale or a discount for purchasing a bulk quantity of vegetables?
If you are not a business, school or community organization but need to purchase a large quantity of our plants or produce, we do offer bulk discount prices on our vegetables that we grow at our farm. This option is great for those who need a large amount of tomatoes for canning or freezing. Please contact us for details on product offerings and pricing. We do not put this information on our website, as the details vary based on the product, quantity, and availability.
Donation Requests
Do you donate to local organizations and charities?
We are happy to consider all requests for donations and sponsorships to groups, schools, organizations and charities. We continually strive to support a variety of organizations and causes, especially those in DeWitt county. As the frequency and size of donation requests increase, we make every effort to provide our support to charitable efforts.
All requests must be made by completing our online Donation Request Form.
Strawberries
Do you provide containers for the berries or should we bring our own?
We will provide plastic containers to use and take home. The containers will hold one pound of strawberries.
Do you have berries picked to purchase or do we pick our own?
We pick berries daily for our local grocery stores and markets. It is likely we will have some berries picked to purchase at the farm. If you are unable to pick berries, but would like to purchase them at the farm, please email us at mariahandgreg@mariahsmums.com prior to your visit or call us at 217-898-0706.
When is strawberry season? How long does it last?
Our season begins late June when typical strawberry u-picks are done for the season. The reason being is our strawberry plants are not planted in the ground. They are planted in an upright hydroponic growing system.
What's the best way to store strawberries once I take them home?
Do not wash them right away. Refrigerate them as soon as possible. Just before using, wash strawberries under a gentle spray of cool water. For best flavor, cut strawberries at room temperature.
Can I freeze strawberries?
Yes! There are a few different ways to freeze strawberries. One popular method is to freeze whole without sugar to maintain shape and health benefits. Directions: I do not rinse my berries if I am to freeze them. I slice stem off at top of berry. Place on a cookie sheet and place uncovered in freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer strawberries to a freezer bag or container. Frozen strawberries can be stored frozen for several months.