After decades of gardening, Michelle Reiner still can’t believe that a tiny speck of a seed can grow into a stunning flower.
Meanwhile, neighbors can’t believe that she spends 12 to 16 hours a day planting, tending and harvesting a 1-acre garden she saved from a developer — and that she offers everything she grows to anyone, at any time.
On the honor system.
Michelle Reiner takes a break from digging dahlias.
Reimer’s route to her garden — called Lucky 13 — was indirect. She grew up in a Philadelphia rowhouse, and worked first in the stock market. Thirty years ago, she moved to Westport.
She was a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. After injuring her back (not on the job), she pivoted to nursing school. Reimer spent 14 years in the Bridgeport Hospital emergency room.
After COVID, she needed a change. She and her husband Hamilton spotted Butternut Farm at 1120 Hulls Highway in Southport, just over the Westport line. It had been a flower farm, and was being eyed for a residential development.
Part of the Lucky 13 property.
Thirteen had always been Michelle’s lucky number — the one she wore playing hockey, and at the firehouse. The Reimers bid $13,000 over the asking price. They got the property, and named it Lucky 13.
Reimer began her “labor of love.” Roses, peonies, pussy willows, lilacs, hydrangea, shrubs … you name it, it’s there.
She’s stayed away from fruits and vegetables (except raspberries, around the cottage).
The other day, she was planting 1,600 dahlias. When they bloom in July, she says, “it will be spectacular. The whole field will be filled with color.”
People can “pop in, look around, appreciate.” And buy.
Reimer places flowers in a barn and shed, next to a barn. There’s a box nearby, with a price list. Buyers pay with cash or Venmo.
Tulips for sale.
Bouquets are $35 to $40. Jars of flowers range from $5 to $15. Sometimes she puts out “imperfect blooms” for $1. “Everyone can find something,” Reimer says.
In an era of security cameras and suspicion, her low-tech honor system is a refreshing throwback.
And it works.
“People can come get flowers at 2 a.m.,” she says. “There are no issues. People are pretty honest.
“It’s kind of nostalgic to trust people. Some of them leave notes. They say, ‘It’s nice in this day and age to have this.’
“If someone needs to steal,” she adds, “I figure they need it more than I do.”
Michelle Reiner has a green (and red, pinkk and yellow) thumb.
How did this former Wall Streeter/firefighter from Philadelphia learn to garden?
The Westport Library. She spends “days and days” there, poring over books. (YouTube videos help too).
Plus, she says, “common sense. A lot of this is trial and error. I learn as I go.”
And boy, does she go. Last year, between the end of March and the beginning of November, Reiner planted 10,000 seeds.
“It’s a ton of work,” she admits. “But it’s worth it. It’s crazy beautiful. And it’s fun.”
Beautiful and worth it, for sure.
Reiner feels part of the neighborhood. The neighbors appreciate all that she does for them.
13 is their lucky number too.
(You can follow Michelle Reiner on Instagram: @lucky13farmCT. Hat tip: Shari Kaufman)
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I look forward to visiting and buying some dahlias. Truly spectacular. This article is the beginning of my week and truly a joy to read.