The Sustainable Flowers Project

TJ McGrath is passionate about promoting better methods in flower cultivation, a movement known as sustainable floristry. On a plot of land in central New Jersey, the floral designer grows flowers in beds filled with custom-blended soil tailored to each species. Created by soil scientist Eric Fleisher, each mixture is designed to nourish a specific type of flower. And because no chemicals touch TJ’s plantings, the blooms can be enjoyed in an arrangement and then sent straight to a dedicated compost pile of all-organic matter, unsullied by dangerous products. It’s a regenerative soil cycle that never ends.

TJ’s plot of land sits on a property called Jardin de Buis that includes 26 acres and a house owned by Eric Fleisher and his wife, architect Andrea Filippone. Andrea originally bought the old dairy farm in the 1990s and built a house by incorporating the four barns that stood on the property into one large structure. Since then, the couple’s stewardship of the land has resulted in a magical place where paths lead visitors on a journey of discovery from one charming scene to another.

Last year, Jardin de Buis was the site of the Sustainable Flowers Project, a three-day symposium on best practices in floral cultivation. Organized by TJ and Canadian floral designer Becky Feasby, the event drew more than 40 flower lovers for demonstrations and hands-on floral design workshops. And as often happens, attendees unified by their common interest— in this case, floral design—became fast friends, inspiring one another with their imaginations and artistic talents.

Along with TJ and Becky, the panel of floral design experts included Ariella Chezar of Massachusetts, Shane Connolly of London, and Lucy Hunter of Wales. “At the beginning of the workshop, each designer shared a hands-on demonstration,” says TJ. “Shane created a foam-free casket spray; Ariella designed a seasonal bridal bouquet; Lucy constructed a statement urn; and I demoed a locally grown bowl, sort of a minimalist arrangement.” He explains that students then had the opportunity to choose which of these designs they wanted to make during the weekend. “We also split the students into four groups and executed foam-free reception flowers inspired by our surroundings,” adds TJ. “The dinner tables for the last evening were decorated with their creations.”

TJ drew upon his sustainability mindset for every aspect of the weekend. “Demand for flowers increases every year, but there are consequences with the chemicals many growers use and in the effect that shipping flowers around the world has on our carbon footprint,” he says. “My hope is to help continue building more of a global community that is invested in environmentally-friendly practices in the floral industry,” he says, adding that waste is also a problem. “Just take a look in the dumpster outside the venue after any wedding.”

Kesiena Onosigho of Kept Studio in Brooklyn, New York reimagines the lifecycle of the wasteful floral event industry by using the discarded flowers in natural dyeing and botanical ink-making. She led a floral dyeing workshop showing an overlooked way that leftover botanicals can be beautifully preserved.

While there’s no question TJ strongly believes the beauty that flowers bring to our lives is important, whether for special events or in everyday moments, he’ll also continue to be a man on an ecological mission—one that will last long after the blooms have faded.

Clean Up Your Floral Game

TJ McGrath offers tips on where to start in your own sustainable flower journey.

• Test your soil. All 50 states have agricultural extension offices where you can procure a soil test kit. You then send a sample to a soil lab, usually at a university. The lab will give you an analysis of the pH level of your soil and can suggest effective ways to amend your soil without chemicals.
• Use smaller containers for arrangements. The more stems you have in a smaller container, the more stable the arrangement will be—and the longer it will last.
• Opt for pin frogs or chicken wire over floral foam. Floral foam contains carcinogens and is a single-use plastic. More floral foam alternatives
• Spray weeds with vinegar, or pull them by hand. I feel like I’ve had a good day when I’ve pulled three bags of weeds. On days when it’s too hot to work outside, I opt for spraying the weeds with vinegar.
• Plant a perennial cutting garden. It’s an easy way to start a sustainable flower garden.

By Lydia Somerville

Learn more about the Sustainable Flowers Project and it’s history here. 

More from TJ McGrath and Jardin de Buis

• Time is of the Essence at Jardin de Buis
• Tips for Crescent Arrangements
• Tiktok Accounts to Follow If You Love Flowers
• TJ McGrath Design on Instagram
• Jardin de Buis on Instagram