After 21 years of entering computer code, Marryn Mathis couldn’t endure the keypad one more month. She had spent substantial spare time reading about cut flower farms and was drawn to the idea of leaving her cubicle behind. Her husband was also looking to renovate a house, and in 2016, the couple decided to follow their dreams and move their blended family to a 5-acre island parcel.
The first seeds Marryn planted were sweet peas, which she had always been fascinated by. Her grandmother was an ardent fan of sweet peas, and Marryn had fond memories of them from her childhood. She started by tentatively sowing a row and a half of sweet peas, and by the second year, she had grown five rows. Now, she grows 40,000 sweet pea plants.
Marryn’s decision to leave her coding job and start a flower farm was a massive leap of faith. She had no experience with gardening, but she was determined to make it work. She quickly discovered that she was not alone in her love for sweet peas, and customers swept up her crops and begged for more.
As the farm grew, Marryn realized they needed more space. She found a 10-acre farm in Stanwood with a 1901 farmhouse in need of renovation, and the family made the move in 2019. The sweet peas came along, and Marryn continued to expand her operations.
Despite the success of the farm, there were challenges along the way. During one growing season, the weight of the bountiful vines in full flush toppled a fence support, bringing down all the adjacent rows in a domino effect. However, Marryn quickly adapted and started focusing on seed production. She now harvests and sells seeds from her vast plantings and offers workshops and an inspirational book, Sweet Pea School.
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The Farmhouse Flower Farm also grows an array of blossoms, including dahlias, strawflowers, zinnias, scabiosas, and chocolate lace flowers. However, it’s the sweet peas that continue to steal the show.
Marryn has connected with other sweet pea enthusiasts. She has found her flower and her people, and she couldn’t be happier with her decision to leave her coding job behind.
With years of experience under her belt, Marryn has become an expert in sweet pea cultivation. Her method has proven to be successful, and she continues to share her knowledge with others through her workshops and book, which covers topics similar to those found in a book on seasonal arrangements.
Marryn’s story shows the power of following one’s dreams. She took a risk and left her comfortable job to pursue her passion for flower farming. While it wasn’t easy, she has found a sense of fulfillment and purpose in her new career. As she looks back on her decision, Marryn says, “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to go back to that office cubicle.”
