Sustainability at Grey Dog Flowers

Solar panels power the Grey Dog Flowers farm stand near Asheville, NC

A Commitment to Sustainable Flower Farming

Grey Dog Flowers is a small, local flower farm near Asheville with a clear focus on sustainability. Every decision is shaped by the belief that beautiful, farm-grown flowers are part of nature and should align with nature - not adding additional impact to a system already at risk. Many people are now asking where their flowers come from and how they are grown. The goal at Grey Dog Flowers is to provide honest answers to those questions.

Operating as both the farmer and the face behind Grey Dog Flowers, there is a strong sense of personal responsibility to make sustainable choices whenever possible. Solar power, rainwater collection, secondhand materials, and the use of reusable or recyclable materials are all central parts of this approach. Each system is designed to reduce waste, conserve resources, and encourage others to consider what sustainability can look like in daily life.

This post offers a transparent look at how sustainability is integrated into the everyday work of Grey Dog Flowers. These are simple, practical steps that can be adopted by other flower farmers, small businesses, or anyone interested in making their own home or workplace a little more eco-conscious.

Harnessing Solar Power at the Farm Stand

Why Solar Power Was the Right Choice

When the farm stand was built, there was no existing power source on-site. Instead of connecting to the electric grid, the decision was made to install solar panels to provide electricity. This choice was driven by a desire to keep the flower farm independent from fossil fuels and to avoid the environmental impact of trenching power lines across the property, or the visual pollution of power lines around the building.

Solar power now supports the daily operations at the stand. This setup allows the farm to operate in a self-sufficient way while visibly demonstrating a long-term commitment to sustainable farming practices.

How the Solar Setup Works

A small solar array sits on the farm stand’s roof. During the day, it collects sunlight and stores the energy in a battery system. The system is 2,000 watt which is enough to run a ceiling fan with LED lights, a wall outlet, a water pump for the outdoor sink, and has room for more additions in the future (maybe a small cooler). The stand runs entirely on solar energy without any backup connection to the electrical grid.

The Impact of Solar on a Small Flower Farm

• Independent energy source: Solar provides full power to the stand.

• Lower environmental footprint: Solar eliminated the need to disturb the land to install electric lines.

• Operational savings: There are no ongoing electric bills connected to the stand.

• Community education: Providing a source of information, inspiration, and education to visitors interested in off-grid installations.

Why Solar Fits Small Asheville Flower Farms

Western North Carolina - especially the area surrounding Asheville - continues to prioritize renewable energy. North Carolina ranks among the top states for solar energy capacity. Flower farms in the Asheville region, especially smaller operations, are well positioned to adopt solar without needing large land areas or complex systems.

Saving Water with a Rain Catchment System

The Importance of Water Conservation on a Flower Farm

Water is one of the most valuable resources on any farm. On a local flower farm, sustainable water use becomes especially important.

There is no well on the farm stand property, so all irrigation is done using a gas-powered pump that drafts water from the creek - only set up when watering the U-Pick fields. For tasks at the building, a rainwater collection system has been set up to capture water for hand washing and other daily tasks.

Building the Rain Catchment System

Mr. Grey Dog installed a basic rain catchment system using a 55-gallon black barrel raised on a stand that is attached to the gutter system. Rainwater flows directly from the roof into the barrel after filling up the first flush diverter to catch most of the roof debris. It then passes through leaf screen to catch the smaller debris before filling the barrel. A small water pump (like those used in RVs and campers) was installed with an on/off switch to power water to the sink on-demand.

Any overflow is drained off from the bottom and into the underground piping that takes the water back out to the creek. There is only a small, screened opening on the top of the barrel to minimize light and prevent algae growth. Mosquito breeding is prevented by periodically emptying the barrel if it's sat for too long.

Why Rain Barrels Work for Flower Farms

• Conserve water: Rainwater reduces the need for municipal sources.

• Lower costs: Does not require a well, well pump, or municipal fees.

• Promote sustainability: Visitors see firsthand how small farms can conserve local resources.

  
  

Key Lessons from Using Rain Barrels

Using municipal water exclusively adds both financial costs and additional environmental strain. Rainwater collection became a practical way to conserve resources and build resilience into everyday flower farming tasks.

For installing a rain catchment system, choose rooftops with minimal tree cover to keep the system cleaner and easier to maintain. Overflow spouts are important to protect nearby structures from water damage. Covering the barrels also prevents contamination and prolongs water storage quality. Dark or black barrels keep water cleaner by reducing algae growth.

Thrifting for the Farm: Facebook Marketplace and Secondhand Materials

Why Secondhand Materials Make Sense for a Sustainable Flower Farm

Building and furnishing a farm stand can require a lot of materials—tables, display shelves, crates, and signage. Buying new is always an option, but sourcing gently used items from the community is a more sustainable solution.

Choosing used items helped keep the project affordable while reducing the demand for newly manufactured goods.

Examples of Thrifted Items at the Stand

• A sturdy farmhouse shelf displays 3D models and provides easy access to dog treats and the guest book.

• Two layered rugs brighten up the space and cover the plywood flooring.

  
  

Each item carries its own history and character, adding a sense of authenticity to the farm stand while reducing landfill waste. As more large items are added to the farm stand over time, Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores will be the first choice in sourcing.

Environmental Benefits of Choosing Secondhand

• Reduces landfill contributions: Keeping usable items out of the waste stream.

• Lowers manufacturing demand: Fewer new products need to be created.

• Supports local communities: Many items are purchased from nearby families or small sellers.

• Extends product life cycles: Simple repairs and updates help older items last longer.

Tips for Thrifting on Facebook Marketplace

Search for specific, functional terms like "folding table" or "wooden crate" to narrow down results. Often similar items are recommended at the bottom of a post, or recommended as notifications when you Save or Like an item. Refine your area to "local" for closer options. Always inspect items carefully for signs of damage or pests. Many pieces can be easily refreshed with sanding, sealing, or repainting.

Choosing Cotton Fabric Over Plastic

Moving Away from Plastic at the Farm Stand

I chose undyed, cotton cloth to cover the walls and ceiling of the farm stand. The options available to me when I started this process included drywall (expensive and time consuming) and hard plastic sheeting. These items are durable but in building the Grey Dog Flowers’ farm stand, I wanted to avoid plastics as much as possible.

Cotton fabric now covers the walls and ceiling. This material is washable, reusable, and compostable at the end of its lifespan.

Benefits of Using Cotton Fabrics

• Upcycling: Plain cotton can be upcycled in to any number of items from clothes to curtains. Its life doesn't end if it's no longer needed for the farm stand.

• Safer for the environment: When cotton breaks down, it's like plant material. It releases primarily carbon as part of its decomposition - unlike plastics which can release harmful materials and microplastics. Undyed cotton to further reduces the environmental impact.

The soft texture of cotton fabric also adds a soft, cozy feel that complements the flowers. It creates a welcoming space that aligns with the values of a sustainable flower farm.

Sustainability as a Daily Practice

Every decision at Grey Dog Flowers comes back to reducing waste and using resources with care. Some additional daily practices that support this goal include:

• Composting leftover stems, leaves, and spent blooms.

• Avoiding floral foam in bouquets and arrangements.

• Choosing biodegradable paper wraps that can be recycled instead of plastic sleeves.

• Creating on-site pollinator habitats to support bees, butterflies, and native insects.

• Planting a variety of flowers to encourage biodiversity.

The process of building a sustainable flower farm is ongoing. Each season brings new challenges, and each year offers opportunities to refine systems and explore new solutions. There is no perfect system, but there is always room to improve.

Sustainability That Scales to the Community

Grey Dog Flowers is a local flower farm, but the practices in place at the stand can be adapted to homes, schools, cafés, and small businesses. Sustainability does not require large budgets or complex systems. Most of these changes are accessible to many people and can start small.

The goal is not to have perfect systems. The goal is to keep making thoughtful choices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and build stronger connections with the land and community.

Sustainability Checklist: Small Changes for Everyday Life

This checklist offers practical, manageable steps to incorporate sustainability into daily life at home, work, or on a small farm.

Practice	Action Steps
Solar Power	• Assess electricity needs for small areas like sheds or stands • Research local solar incentives • Consider portable or fixed solar panel systems
Rainwater Collection	• Install rain barrels under downspouts • Use screens to keep debris out • Connect overflow to additional barrels or safe drainage areas
Secondhand Furnishings	• Search local marketplaces and thrift stores • Inspect items carefully before purchase • Repair, repaint, or repurpose as needed
Composting Organic Waste	• Collect plant waste, food scraps, and paper for composting • Set up a backyard compost bin or use a local composting service
Pollinator Support	• Plant native flowers and herbs that attract bees and butterflies • Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides • Provide small water sources for pollinators
Reduce Single-Use Plastics	• Use cloth bags, glass jars, and metal containers • Buy in bulk to cut down on packaging • Choose biodegradable options when available
Share Knowledge	• Talk about sustainable choices with friends, customers, or neighbors • Encourage others to try small changes

Starting with just one or two of these practices can make a difference. Whether it is collecting rainwater, choosing secondhand supplies, or planting more pollinator-friendly flowers, small steps add up over time.

Grey Dog Flowers continues to make thoughtful, sustainable choices season by season. These practices may change and evolve, but the long-term goal stays the same: to grow flowers in a way that supports the land, the community, and the future.

Sustainability is a shared effort, and learning from each other makes the process stronger.