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COVER STORY

Babikow Greenhouses has 10 acres
of production space for annuals
and perennials in Baltimore, MD.

to operate the drones in the future. “Biologicals are a huge part
Babikow will trial drones this spring. of what we do,” Tim Babikow
“Applicator safety is a huge ben- says. “We use beneficial insects
efit of drones. You fly them from a to start our liners — start it
distance,” Tim Babikow says. “The clean and keep it clean.”
way the pesticide is applied, it’s more Sifleet says the University of
efficient, effective, and will use less Maryland Extension has many
product. There is better control than educational resources for bio-
using a human, because different logical controls, noting that the
Babikow Greenhouses grows Nassella tenuissima for its
people have different conceptions of customers every year. university has been educating
how to spray.” growers on biocontrols for the
last 15 years. In order to balance potential health concerns
The Benefits of Biologicals with chemical pesticides and the need to control pests, such
Sifleet and Anthony Eversmier, a head grower for perennials as thrips, Sifleet and Eversmier decided to test biocontrols on
and propagation, have spearheaded Babikow’s use of biologicals, their crops. They started with perennial liners, found quick
a component of its IPM program. The use of biological controls, success, and kept going.
such as beneficial insects, over the last eight years has reduced “The pest level is much lower by using biologicals. The
the amount of chemical pesticides that the operation has needed ability to work within the area is increased, because you don’t
to use. have to use a re-entry interval (REI) on a regular basis. In other
words, you don’t need to spray to control
the problem,” Eversmier says of their
Customer Service Sets Babikow Apart
success with biologicals “As the days
Babikow Greenhouses takes its customer service seriously. President Tim lengthen, we will continue releasing Advertising • Brochures
Babikow says the operation offers next-day delivery most of the year. Aside from more beneficials. Ninety-eight percent of Direct Mail • Catalogs
a few busy weeks in May, if a customer calls in an order by noon one day, it can be the time, if you choose the proper plant
delivered by 7 a.m. the following day. Competitors may build a truck, then send to put them on, you have success.” Logo Design • Package Design
the truck out for delivery when it is full. Babikow does not wait to build the truck, When thinking about the future of Trade Show & Vehicle Graphics
and will deliver when the customer needs the product. Babikow Greenhouses, Tim Babikow says
Babikow says customers will speak to a live customer service representative he is excited for another 150 years. High-
when they call the business, rather than dealing with an automated line and long quality crops and excellent customer
hold times. This goes for every department, including production and accounting. service have sustained the business so
“That’s the old family business mentality,” Babikow says. far, and he expects those same values to
Some of Babikow’s customers like to see the product live, and they will come propel this family business forward for
to the greenhouse to select exactly which plants they want. Sifleet says many many years to come.
competitors do not allow customers to select their own plants, so this is a benefit “When I think about what makes
for customers of Babikow. Babikow unique, I think about the people
Babikow Greenhouses also provides a two-hour tour for its customers called I’m speaking with right now,” Babikow GREGORY J. CANNIZZARO
A Growing Experience at Babikow. Customers and prospective customers have says of his team members. Longstanding
a behind-the-scenes look at production. The tours are by appointment only and team members with knowledge, experi- GRAPHIC DESIGN
usually take place during the off season.
“Educating the customer is just as important as servicing the customer,” Tim ence, and a tight-knit bond are the Office: 302-564-7706 • Cell: 443-326-7748
Babikow says. “We find it is very valuable to educate folks so they know exactly cornerstone of Babikow Greenhouses gjc.graphicdesign@yahoo.com
what goes into growing their plant material. It takes months of planning, produc- and its ongoing success. GG behance.com/gregorycannizzaro
tion, and growing to get that finished product delivered.” Julie Hullett is the Senior Editor of Greenhouse
Grower. jhullett@meistermedia.com

8 Greenhouse Grower April 2024 Membership Matters • SPRING 2024 41
40 SPRING 2024 • Free State News