In retail operations, location on a heavily traveled road will increase the customer base and improve the visibility of the business. Road Accessibility - For wholesale operations, good access to the interstate highway system can improve delivery of supplies and shipping of plants. A fairly level site with a 1% - 2% slope reduces site preparation costs. Topography - A site that has a gentle slope to the south increases solar gain and provides drainage of rain and runoff. Shelter belts to the north can provide wind protection and energy conservation. Orientation - Good solar access is needed throughout the day and year to get enough light energy for photosynthesis. Tests should be conducted to evaluate water quality for suspended sediments, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity and hardness. Generally a supply of 0.3 gallons/day/sq ft of growing space is adequate. Water supply should be adequate to meet peak load demands. Quality water - The amount of water needed depends on many factors including climate, irrigation system used and crops grown. Availability of additional vacant land adjacent to the site is desirable for expansion as the business grows. The following are considerations for site selection listed in a general priority of importance.Īdequate land - A minimum of 2 acres is needed to allow for facilities, outdoor growing area, access, parking and buffers. It can also be used when planning the expansion of an existing business. More: 6 places to get Detroit-style pizza in metro DetroitĬontact food writer Susan Selasky at 31 or Follow on Twitter.This information sheet outlines the major requirements and factors that should be considered by someone contemplating starting a small greenhouse operation for the production of annuals, potted plants, vegetables, nursery stock, perennials, herbs or other specialized crops. More: Pierogi pop-up headed to a permanent location at Eastern Market More: Chick-fil-A location planned for Woodhaven development site They are staying for the "future generation to take care of the customers." “The heat is good for it.”īlock said their plan is that they are in it for the long haul. “It’s all looking good and coming in,” he said. Customers, Block said, use those leaves in making greens.īlock said their corn right now is excellent and other crops are coming in. When customers grab heads of cabbage and tear off the outer wrapper leaves, those loose leaves are free. Last weekend, cucumbers were five for $1 and zucchini was 69 cents a pound. For example, their corn is two bags (stuff as many ears as you can in a bag) for $6 and the third one is free. This year, they reopened July 22 and will continue to be open through Halloween.īlocks is know for its low prices on produce. Come late May and sometimes into early June, they shut down until the produce starts coming in. They typically open the last week of April for plants, flowers and garden supplies. Their motto listed on their web site is “Where great things grow and prices are low.”īlocks is only open certain times of the year. Locals and many non-locals flock to Block's for their great prices on flowers, plants and abundant produce. His sons who are in their early 20’s and his nephews, in their 30’s, also work on the farm. While they farm nearly 1,000 acres, some they own and some they lease, they've been at the corner of Eureka and Middle Belt for more than 150 years. There's tomatoes, peppers and more.īlock and his brother are the fifth generation to run the farming operations. Many posts also shared memories of going to Blocks for years.īlock reiterated that there’s nothing going on and they are going full steam ahead including that they are building new greenhouses and buying new tractors. “Nobody has approached us from the county or the airport," Block said. "It’s like an urban legend “įans of Blocks posted comments to the post praising them and said they glad that they are staying. This year, it started with a Facebook post indicating that a cashier told a customer that Blocks “… sold out to Metro Airport and plans on buying homes to expand the airport.” “This is the last season for Block’s,” the post read.īlocks reposted the post on its Facebook page with “Rumor” stamped on it. “Our farms are always improving.”īlock said the rumor crops up every once in a while and there's simply no truth to it. “We are only selling produce and, the good Lord willing, we will be here for generations to come,” said Fred Block, who owns the Romulus farm along with his brother Jim. Though what they are selling is what they grow.Īnd so, it’s business as usual at the farm stand at the northeast corner of Eureka and Middle Belt roads. A rumor is swirling once again that the popular Blocks Stand and Greenhouse near Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus is closing.
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