In A Tiny North Alabama Town, 1818 Farms Shares Flowers With The Community Near And Far

After Natasha McCrary's then 8-year-old son fell in love with Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep at a petting farm, she did what any supportive parent would do: She leased 3 acres of land from her mother-in-law and established a farm complete with chickens, produce, and (of course) four of her son's beloved sheep. "I wanted to create my own business and teach our kids about sustainability, living from the land, and giving more back to it than you take," she says. What began as a family activity in 2012 has blossomed into 1818 Farms, a multifaceted enterprise based in Mooresville, Alabama, but reaching folks near and far.

The evolution from passion project to national brand has been organic. "Everything we started making came from my own unmet needs," says McCrary, who began developing bath-and-beauty products like cuticle balm and lavender goat's-milk bath tea to help improve her own skin. "I was looking for simple-ingredient products that worked, and I knew they should be shared with our customers." From there, the growth and creativity has never stopped.

Today, 1818 Farms' collection includes everything from their signature shea cream to room spray. Flowers have also become a cornerstone of their business. A few years after introducing their bath-and-beauty line, they moved from primarily planting produce to solely cultivating blooms, which offered new avenues to connect with their community, both locally and across the country. From drying flowers for dye to pressing them for products like scented wax sachets, saving and selling heirloom seeds, and peddling fresh stems through bouquet subscriptions during the growing season (as well as dried bundles in the fall), there's an array of floral options. "We utilize everything we grow," she says—a tall order considering they harvest 15,000 blooms annually. They also welcome visitors with events like Fresh Flower Friday and open farm days, which are posted online (1818farms.com). "We want to educate others about getting outdoors, knowing your neighbors and the land, and making art from that," says McCrary.

Exploring the Farm

"One of the things I think people love most about coming here is that it’s like stepping back in time," says McCrary of Mooresville, which is located about 20 minutes from downtown Huntsville. The historic town was founded in 1818, a fact that's reflected in the farm's name. "I think people want experiences, not just things. They’re coming here to see what we do, from dyeing scarves to creating bouquets to learning how to make wreaths." For those who can't visit, she also offers seeds for purchase online as well as a video-series workshop to help folks plant their own cut-flower gardens at home.

From Field to Fabric

"I'm always asking myself, 'What can I do new that inspires me and gets me excited?' And I think it's what keeps our business fresh," says McCrary, who dove into natural dyeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Botanical eco printing has given me an avenue for creativity, but it also ties into everything we do here with sustainable practices and zero waste." Each scarf is unique because deciduous leaves and plants from the property are placed on prepared damp textiles by hand to form different shapes and patterns.

The silk is then colored with pigments made from blooms grown specifically for dyeing (including cosmos, weld, and marigold) and steamed to soak in the hues. "You never know what you're going to get," says the grower. "No two pieces are the same."

How To Dry Flowers

• Use first cuts. "The biggest mistake people make is not drying them immediately after cutting," says McCrary. "We don’t dry anything that has been sitting in water."
• Keep them away from light. "That is what fades the flowers," she says. Hang bundles in a dark space that has a dehumidifier to help pull out the moisture.

Tips for Seed Saving

• Let them age on the plant. "Wait until the flowers are finished blooming and start dropping seeds, and then put them in a place with good air circulation to dry out," she advises.
• Clean and store them. After shaking the plant to extract the seeds, remove any husks or pods. Keep seeds in a cool, dry, dark place.