by Vickie Holt

In the first half of the twentieth century, Charles and Kate Spangler owned and operated a cattle farm in Floyd County.  They also grew Rutgers and Marglobe tomatoes, which they sold to Huff Cannery.  At the time, the cannery was a cornerstone of the Floyd County community.  It closed its doors, however, in the 1950’s, and the shell of the once-bustling business can still be seen about four miles south of downtown Floyd on Highway 221, at the corner of, appropriately, Canning Factory Road.
By 1982, the Spanglers’ granddaughter, Sara Dulaney, was continuing her family’s farming tradition.  She had built a greenhouse on her grandparents’ land to grow tropical plants and flowers for the florist shop she’d opened.  Sara’s husband, Glenn, had helped her while also working in technology manufacturing with working Hollinsworth & Vose.
One misunderstanding, however, was all Fate needed to turn an out-building into what has become one of the most successful businesses in Floyd County.  A local business had asked Sara to grow some vegetable plants for an upcoming need.  When the tomatoes and peppers were ready, however, it was discovered that there had been a miscommunication.  The buyer had actually opted to get their plants from another source.  Sara and Glenn found themselves with a surplus of peppers and tomatoes, so they did a little advertising, set a jar out front at the florist shop, and sold the plants on the honor system.
In 1982, Sara and Glenn made the growing of plants, vegetables, and flowers the focus of their efforts, and Dulaney’s Greenhouses was born.  They grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, and over fifty varieties of tomato plants, including the Rutgers an Marglobe Sara’s grandparents grew decades earlier.
With its thirteen bustling greenhouses, Dulaney’s occupies the last five acres of the Spangler’s cattle farm.  Located at 148 White Pine Lane, NE, Dulaney’s can be found just two miles north of downtown Floyd, off Highway 221.
“We use a commonsense approach to growing what we sell,” says owner, Sara Dulaney, explaining that she uses no sprays or chemicals on her plants.  Dulaney’s uses only non-GMO seeds, grown organically.
Customers and visitors are welcome to browse the greenhouses at their leisure, shopping among the vegetables, the flowers, and over four thousand hanging baskets!  Sara and her crew are always available and happy to answer questions.
In addition to in-person shoppers, Dulaney’s also grows for commercial and contract customers.  The City of Blacksburg comes to Dulaney’s for their hanging baskets.  Christiansburg, Radford, and Salem also come for the hanging baskets, but contact Dulaney’s for their public bed plants, as well.
The hanging baskets are also popular with individual shoppers, but another favorite are the striped tomatoes!  The size makes them perfect for sandwiches and Sara tells us the striped varieties are sweet, with low acid.  The biggest seller from this variety is called Mr. Stripey.  Ask for it by name!
Historically, Dulaney’s has operated each year from March through June, with herbs and vegetables being most popular in the spring.  Last year, however, Sara tried an experiment that has turned into a partnership that will result in growth for Dulaney’s starting this year.
Leah Rodriguez has been Head Grower at Dulaney’s for three years, but she also wanted to start her own nursery.  Seven years ago, Leah won $2500 to start her own business, Petals and Leaves, when she achieved Second Place in the EDA C4 Entrepreneurship.  She bought part of Dulaney’s land will be setting up two additional greenhouses for Petals and Leaves, allowing shoppers to buy from two growers in the same location.
In 2020, Dulaney’s was able to extend its operations well into the fall by offering Leah’s chrysanthemums and Christmas wreaths after the spring and summer items were gone.  The experiment was a success, so the new partnership will be going full bore in 2021.  Leah sold 3500 mums last year and will be growing twice as many this year!  Dulaney’s will be open for the spring and summer herbs, veggies, and flowers, then the business will switch over to Petals and Leaves for fall.
Dulaney’s hopes to enhance their online presence this year by upgrading their website at dulaneygreenhouse.swva.net.  In the meantime, however, new folks can see Dulaney’s and get a virtual tour on YouTube!  Citizens Telephone Cooperative filmed a tour and interview with Sara Dulaney which can be found on YouTube by searching “Community Show A Visit to Dulaney’s Greenhouse in Floyd, Virginia”.
Regarding the current climate, Sara says that Covid-19 hasn’t really affected Dulaney’s.  Since they are outside and the greenhouses are spread out, it’s easy for customers to observe social distance.  “We appreciate everyone’s support of our small, local business,” says Sara.  “It’s going to be what keeps us going.”
Sara would also like everyone to know that she partners with the Floyd County Humane Society by fostering kittens in the spring that are available for petting, socializing and adoption.

Dulaney’s Greenhouses • (540) 745-2994
www.Facebook.com/Dulaneys.Greenhouses
Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 2:00pm.