GIFTS FROM THEIR OWN GARDEN: Laura and Harry Cross believe that “the greatest joy is in giving,” and have combined that belief with their passion for flowers to create a large garden for their business, Blessings and Blooms LLC. (Photos by Ryan Morrill)
“We breed for those in need; we breed for pollinators; we breed for the feeling it gives people to make someone else happy,” said Laura Cross.
That is the philosophy behind her company Blessings and Blooms LLC, which she and her husband Harry founded with the hope “Blessing” People in the community. Blessings and Blooms sells bouquets of flowers from the Crosses’ own garden at local farmers markets and gives a free bouquet with every purchase. They encourage customers to give the extra bouquet to someone else.
GOLDEN HOUR: A goldfinch flutters around a growing field of sunflowers.
“The greatest joy is in giving and we want to give people that gift,” said Harry.
Harry and Laura moved to Little Egg Harbor in April 2023 after a long search for a property with one requirement: plenty of room for a garden. After retiring as the owner of a greenhouse and garden center in Monmouth County, Harry wanted to continue using his plant knowledge. Laura has always loved flowers, she said, but since marrying Harry in 2018, her love and knowledge of flowers has only grown. Their shared passion for flowers and spreading joy led to the creation of Blessings and Blooms.
“We feel like God wanted us to come together … and we feel like there’s a reason we’re here,” Harry said of their move to Little Egg Harbor. “That’s why we’re Blessings and Blooms, because what we do is we want to bless other people.”
Their sprawling garden, teeming with hummingbirds, monarch and swallowtail butterflies, and bumblebees, consists of at least a dozen species of flowers; they currently grow celosias, dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, and marigolds, to name a few. Each bouquet is carefully grown, picked, and assembled by Harry and Laura. Recently, a few friends have been volunteering in the garden, assembling bouquets for farmers markets, but often they do all the work themselves; they hope to find more volunteers to help them in the future.
READY TO TAKE OFF: A monarch butterfly, one of the first butterflies of the season to be spotted in the garden, lands among pink flower petals.
When people receive a free bouquet, they are often “delighted and surprised,” Laura said. Some customers have given bouquets to other vendors at the markets, and others have told Harry and Laura who they plan to give the flowers to later. No matter what customers do with them, Harry says, they are happy to be able to make someone happy.
“We’re not saying you have to give it away. We encourage people to do it because it’s a really good feeling,” Laura said.
This summer, the Crosses have sold flowers at farmers markets in Stafford Township, Tuckerton, Ship Bottom and Hammonton. As fall approaches, the markets are starting to dwindle, but Blessings and Blooms is just getting started. Laura said they are open to hosting small events like birthday parties and hope to offer small groups the opportunity to pick their own bouquets in the future. They also hope to eventually have a roadside stand where people can drive by and pick up two bouquets (one free).
In addition to the various flowers, Harry and Laura also grow fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, cantaloupes, corn, zucchini and more. When they have excess, they take the produce to their farmers markets, but that is not their main concern. They often donate their produce to the Tuckerton Food Pantry, where they volunteer in the community garden. The Crosses also volunteer in the Pinelands Community Church garden, which helps provide fresh produce to the church’s food bank. “It’s God’s garden, so anyone can take what they need,” Laura said.
“There’s enough food for everyone,” said Harry. “The more we can give to the hungry, the better.”
TALK THE TALK: Harry Cross shows how snapdragons could serve as nature’s puppets.
Helping people where they can is a priority for the Crosses. They live their philosophy of spreading joy, not only in their business but also in their personal lives.
“There’s the idea of blooming where you’re planted. That’s what we do. We’re here, so what can we do here?” said Harry.
The Crosses have worked with Pinelands Regional Junior High School to revitalize the school’s greenhouse and teach students about plant science and fresh produce. They worked with two classes last school year and plan to continue the program in the future. The garden can be a calming and educational place for students, Harry said, and he’s grateful to be able to share the experience.
“Watching things grow can be a good learning experience for anyone,” he said.
VIBRANT: Red and yellow celosia add splashes of color to the garden at Blessings and Blooms.
The Crosses would like to continue growing flowers and passing on plant knowledge, ideally to younger generations. They are looking for volunteers who want to learn more about gardening so that they can “bless” as many people as possible with their flowers in the future.
“I’m not in the flower business, I’m in the happiness business. We’re here to make people happy,” Harry said.
Blessings and Blooms will be at the Stafford Township Farmers Market at Manahawkin Lake Park on August 26 and the Clamtown Flea Market in Tuckerton on September 7. For more information about the business or to volunteer at the garden, visit blessingsandblooms.net.
— Emma Desiderio
