Grown Here at Home: Greenhouse farmer navigates rising soil costs

ROANOKE COUNTY., Va. (WDBJ) - Neil Cox, owner of Country Corner Farms, is preparing to open his greenhouse operation while managing costs that have squeezed his profit margins.

“The truth of the matter is, is we make less than we did five years or six years ago, because we can’t go up enough to cover those costs,” Cox said.

The price of plastic products and fertilizers has roughly doubled, Cox said. But soil costs have increased more dramatically. Large bags of Canadian peat that cost $180 in 2019 or 2020 now cost $425.

Cox attributed the increase to freight costs. He said his operation uses Canadian peat because it is a higher grade of soil that holds water better and requires less fertilizer.

Many wholesalers have switched to bark-based soil because it is cheaper, Cox said. But that type of soil usually does not hold water as well and requires more fertilizer.

Cox said spending more for soil means lower water and fertilizer costs. It is what works best for his operation.

Country Corner, located on 4273 Challenger Ave NE, Roanoke, opens Friday, April 17.