DeBaggio Herbs 1975-2019
Thank you to everyone for all the support through the years. The Spring 2019 season marked the 45th anniversary of the founding of DeBaggio Herbs. It also marks the end. Tammy and I have decided to close the nursery, sell the farm, and begin a new challenge. Undoubtedly, this comes as shock and will disappoint many. Thousands of you depended on us as a reliable source of quality plants every Spring. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to have a final farewell season.
Despite business being strong, I knew there would come a time when we might want to retire from the nursery business and do something else. With no clear idea of what that might be, and because small, family-owned nurseries such as ours are increasingly rare, we soldiered on. However, I didn’t want to be forced to retire due to an illness or some circumstance beyond my control. I believed a developer would eventually make us an offer we could not refuse. Because such deals take a few years to close, I was confident that there would be time to celebrate and say goodbye to all our loyal customers with a farewell season. It didn’t turn out the way I imagined.
A Difficult Decision
A lot happened over the past couple of years that lead me to realize my time as a nurseryman would soon come to an end. On April 1, 2018, a very close friend died suddenly. He was among, other things, the tether to my past-as far back as the the 5th grade. I knew him longer than any other person besides my mother and uncle. Long ago, we promised each other that no matter what, whoever died first, the other would be there for the funeral. There was no doubt he would live up to his promise when he dropped everything and hopped on a train to attend my father’s memorial. I was unable to travel to New York to attend his first memorial because the nursery was in full production mode and plants don’t take a day off from growing. The season demanded 12-16 hour work days, 7 days a week for the entire Spring. No days off for months. Seed sowing sessions often lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Nearly every waking moment during the Spring was consumed by the business. I began to resent the stranglehold the nursery had on me.
In September of 2018, I suffered through the sudden illness and heartbreaking loss of my mother. The next 4 months were spent going through her house. It was filled with treasures from multiple generations of both sides of the family-not just the contents of 45 years of a family’s life. Shortly before closing on the sale of her house, there was another unexpected and tragic loss. Our beloved dog, Tucker, died suddenly on Jan. 10th, 2019. We barely had time to grieve. Preparations for the Spring 2019 season had to begin in earnest. I have no idea how we managed to get through the season. But we did. I owe a great deal of that success to my solid crew. Most have been with me for well over 10 years. Tammy (23 years), Dottie(32), Emiko(17), Lynn(13), Sheila(12), Marian(10), Carter(8), Deb(6), and, in her first season, Missi. We ended up having our most successful season ever.
In the Fall of 2019, a time that would normally be devoted to planning for the following season, my mind was filled with the thoughts of all these tragic losses and the upcoming challenges over and above the norm. The biggest hurdle was going to be how to replace two long-term employees who had each made the sensible decision to spend more time with their families.
Additionally, a lot of repairs to greenhouses and updates were needed. I wasn’t sure I was up for all of it. Then the unexpected happened-someone came along and offered to buy the farm with no contingencies and a quick closing. Some might call it a sign. It certainly came at the right time. Despite all the emotions involved with such a life-changing decision (changing careers and relocating), it was basically a no-brainer. We don't regret the decision, but are still coming to terms with all its ramifications. In addition to our own feelings of loss and anxiety about the future, we are dreading how this will affect our customers and employees.
From Humble Beginnings
The nursery business is not easy, but my father laid the groundwork for me to build and expand upon. I know he would be proud of where the nursery ended up and would support my decision to move on.
Tom DeBaggio started selling tomato plants from the family Arlington home in 1975. Plants were grown in Dixie cups for, what was at the time an astonishingly high 25¢ each. It was an abrupt career change for the life-long journalist. After not being paid for months, the editor for the struggling Arlington News, was forced to get creative.
The front porch, weekend only, enterprise rapidly evolved and eventually overtook the entire back yard and much of the basement of our Arlington home. My childhood dreams of a playground were dashed and replaced by a glass covered behemoth.
From these humble beginnings we eventually made the move to Chantilly, VA in 1997. I took over the company in 2000 soon after my father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and closing of the Arlington location. Now 20 Years later, it is time to begin not just a new chapter, but a whole new book.
Future Plans
I don’t know what the future holds for me. We haven’t yet found a place to live. Fortunately, the new owners are allowing us to stay for a few months in order figure it all out. Once we move and settle in, my focus will likely be on woodworking-building furniture. Custom built crates, beds, and feeding stands for dogs and cats will be among my initial offerings. I'll be using re-purposed pallet wood for many of these projects (lots have been collected over the last few years in the operation of the nursery). Prototypes have been built and are in the process of being painted/stained. I will post photos on the DeBaggio Herbs Facebook page as soon as possible.
Thank You!
By far, the most emotional and difficult part of this process is making this announcement. And not just because I despise writing. Doing so makes it all so real and final. It is very much like coming to grips with the death of a loved one. I am filled with anxiety and a dash of dread imagining the disappointment that my decision may cause some of you. Fear of disappointing my customers is part of what drove me to bring the best quality and selection of plants I possibly could. That will carry over into my new venture.
Over the years, lots of folks behind the scenes were instrumental in our success. A big Thank You goes out to all of them, as well. You, our customers have been terrific. You sang our praises and returned season after season, allowing me to continue a legacy begun so long ago by my father. Thank you so much for your business and support!
-Francesco DeBaggio
