Grow Like a Rock Star: King Farm’s Dynamic Duet

King Farm is a horticultural operation built on passion and growth, with Bart and Christy King leading the way like true rock stars. Since its founding, King Farm has established a legacy of high-quality plants that have stood the test of time. And much like a band that evolves with each album, King Farm continues to refine its craft and stay ahead of the trends.
Legacy of Growth and Evolution
King Farm’s roots run deep in the soil of New England, where it all began as a dairy farm. But in 1972, Bart’s father made the decision to shift gears, taking over the farm and transitioning it into the world of horticulture. “It wasn't much when he started,” says Bart. “It was just a few small greenhouses.”
As the years went by, King Farm expanded from a modest operation to five acres of greenhouses and three acres of outdoor cultivation. Their success was built on hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to producing top-tier plants. Over the decades, they have evolved from a family farm into a recognized name in the horticultural industry, remaining as true to their roots as ever.
Today, King Farm continues to grow and evolve, with Bart and Christy at the forefront, ensuring the farm remains in tune with the changing market while keeping its rock-solid foundation intact.
The Key to a Hit: Quality and Service
For Bart, the secret to their success has always been the same: "Quality, no doubt about it," he says. King Farm has never aspired to be the biggest producer in the region; instead, it focuses on delivering the highest-quality plants. “We produce quality space,” Bart explains. “We’re not big enough to produce the quantity that is sold in the chain stores, so we sell to independent garden centers, farm stands, and whatnot.”
Christy, with her background as a floral designer, brings her creative touch to the farm, constantly searching for new ways to keep King Farm on top of horticultural trends. “I used to be a floral designer, so my eye is on trends and pretties and all the extra stuff,” she says. “And I think the extra steps we take to make it different and unique really show, and people appreciate it.”
Together, the Kings combine their expertise in horticulture and design to create something truly unique. Their approach is a testament to the fact that, in both the music and plant industries, it’s the quality of the product that matters most.

The Symphony of Innovation: Adapting to Change
While King Farm has stayed true to its roots, Bart and Christy have also embraced new technologies that have helped them refine their processes and improve their efficiency. “The technology has changed so much,” Bart says. “From our heat to our boilers, to our transplanting machines, to boom watering, and we just put in some new injectors.”
Despite incorporating new technologies, Bart emphasizes that the personal touch is still a vital part of their process. “We still do a lot by hand,” he says. “But we do as much as we can through the equipment that we have.”
This balance between high-tech machinery and hands-on work allows King Farm to continue producing top-quality plants. It’s like the balance between an instrument’s rhythm and melody; both are essential for creating something great, whether it’s music or a thriving plant.

Consistency: The Underlying Melody
One of the key challenges King Farm faced over the years was finding a reliable, consistent source of growing media. Before switching to PRO-MIX®, they had dealt with varying pH levels and inconsistent quality from other suppliers. The decision to make the switch was driven by a need for consistency in the products they were using.
“We needed consistency,” Bart explains. “We weren’t getting it from where we were getting soil before. You would get one load, different pHs, different things, different that.”
Since switching to PRO-MIX®, both Bart and Christy have noticed an improvement in plant health and consistency. “I would say this year, our soil has been the best I’ve ever seen,” Christy says. “No problems with just about anything. You know, there’s nothing inconsistent about it so far. I think it’s been really, really beautiful to work with.”
For King Farm, the quality of the product is matched by the service they receive from their suppliers. “Quality is there. The service is there. Consistency is there. It’s as simple as that.” Bart says.
It’s a partnership that works seamlessly, like a band that knows how to play in perfect harmony.
The Business of Growing: A Balancing Act
As the leaders of King Farm, Bart and Christy have learned to balance the various aspects of their business, from plant care to business operations. Bart focuses on the mechanical side of the farm, overseeing greenhouses and equipment, while Christy ensures the creative side of the operation stays fresh and exciting. “I feel like I’m standing at the podium, adding a little here, adding a little there, picking up the pace, slowing it down, making sure everything flows,” Christy says. “It’s like conducting a symphony, honestly. I have to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that the team is working in sync.”
Their ability to balance these roles and keep the farm running smoothly is key to their success. And just like a great band, there’s always room for improvisation when challenges arise.
“Customer changes have been one of the bigger challenges,” Christy admits. “We want to cater to our customers, but sometimes they need things last-minute, and that can be tough to manage.” Bart adds, “But we always make it happen.”
Their resilience in the face of challenges mirrors the dedication of any great rock band: no matter what, they always deliver.
The Final Encore: Advice for Future Growers
After years of experience, Bart and Christy have valuable advice for aspiring growers. “Pay attention,” Bart says. “That’s the best piece of advice I ever got.” Christy agrees, adding, “There’s so much information available that you really can’t miss if you just pay attention. You can learn it all pretty quickly if you’re willing to.”
For Bart and Christy, the key to success has always been about attention to detail and a willingness to learn. “You’re never going to know everything,” Bart says. “But as long as you know the guy who has the answer to the problem that you have, you’re all set.”
As it looks toward the future, King Farm is preparing for another busy season. “We’ve had a big transition in the last five years here,” Bart reflects. “So, you know, we’re set up for another long go.”

King Farm: Still Rocking After All These Years
Bart and Christy King’s story is one of dedication, adaptability, and passion, a true testament to what it means to be a rock star in the horticultural world. They’ve weathered the ups and downs of the industry, embracing change while staying true to the values that have made King Farm successful for over four decades.
Just like a band that continues to release hit after hit, King Farm is poised for even greater success in the years to come. With their eyes on the future and their roots firmly planted in the past, they’re ready to keep rocking, one plant at a time.
To learn more about King Farm’s, visit www.kingfarminc.com.