Tulip season is well underway in the Greater Chattanooga area, and while it seems like it lasts awhile (March through mid-May in some cases), you don’t want to miss out on these local farms before their supply runs out.
Joli Jardin’s Farm Stand, 141 US-127, Signal Mountain
Pick through a selection of double tulips at this local flower shop’s stand at Walden Peak Farm Thursdays-Sundays. Prewrap bunches start at $10.
Lorenzen Flower Farm, 1374 New Bethel Rd., Dayton
Located less than an hour away from downtown Chattanooga, this u-pick farm is open daily for folks to cut their own stems from the fields — admission is $5 + $2 per stem. Remember to wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Be your own florist by hand-selecting your stems + cuttings to arrange at home.
Photo provided by @lorenzenfarm
Ooltewah Tulips, 9626 Ooltewah Georgetown Rd., Ooltewah
Stop by this nearby farm daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during prime tulip season to pick your flowers, feed the cows, ride a barrel train, and shop from some local vendors. Admission begins at $5 (kiddos four and under get free entry). Bonus: Check out the farm’s tips on stem cutting and tulip care.
Sanctuary Ridge Farm, 1917 Armstrong Ferry Rd., Decatur
Experience the opening day of the Tulip Festival at this u-pick farm (just ~50 minutes outside of the city) on Saturday, March 16 where you’ll be able to see 12,000 blooms with a view of the Cumberland Plateau. Entry is $5 per car — bring your own vase of water to keep your stems fresh for the drive back home.
Bonus: Our friends over at Creekside Flower Farm actually use a tulip-forcing method (early bloom time) to have its season earlier in the year. While we’re sad we missed out this time around, make sure to check back in next year.
Once you bring your pickings home, you might want to try Editor Haley’s pro tip: add a penny or two in the vase with cold water to help keep the blooms from drooping.
