The Rural Voice, 1999-08, Page 29the same time as Felix is busy
cashcropping 1,000 acres of
farmland. "I don't spend too much
time in the garden," he says.
And by comparison while an
80'x80' plot of land may not look too
big, Bernice says, "when you're
weeding it seems very big."
Fortunately, her father, who helped
with a major tulip festival in
Holland, is always a big help, the
couple says.
Planned with assistance from a
local landscaping company, the
garden proffers a profusion of
summer -long beauty from cosmos
and lilies to small sunflowers. "The
plan was when one grew out there
would be something to replace it,"
says Felix.
While in Switzerland, the
business would be
established at a streetlight
or busy corner, promotion for the
Weber-Passchier garden has been
primarily through the Huron Harvest
Trail and the modest signs posted
along the road. "That's all, other than
Felix making a lot of people happy
in Listowel that first year," says
Bernice.
At the garden, customers will find
scissors, water and newspaper as
well as a price list. Payment is with
an "honesty box".
"We're optimistic about human
nature," says Bernice.
That doesn't mean foolish,
however. The box is welded and set
into concrete — his brother's design.
"He learned that early on," laughs
Felix.
The concept's informality means
there are no set hours to come and
cut your own flowers. "One guy
came out at 10 p.m. one night
wanting flowers for the front of a
church. He was out there with a
flashlight," says Bernice.
"The biggest problem is the people
who come all the way up to the
house," says Felix, adding that no
one need ask permission.
"That is not the principle behind
this," says Bernice.
Though humble the venture has
attracted its share of attention.
"People seem to enjoy choosing their
own flowers. Here they can take the
time and pick the type of bouquet
they think is right for a particular
person. It's that process that I think
people like most," says Bernice.°
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AUGUST 1999 25