Little Levels Greenhouse, a New Business, Opens Near Hillsboro, WV

Shoppers in the Southern Pocahontas County area can now buy locally grown produce and flowers near Hillsboro. The Little Levels Greenhouse will be opening for business on April 15th. Linda Raugh, one of the three owners of the new business explains how it came about.

“We were sitting down one evening, my husband, myself and our friend Steven Beard –my husband’s name is Ben” said Linda. “We decided that now would be an opportune time to start a greenhouse, which is something we have been dabbling in for the past couple of years.”

Linda goes on to talk about their choice of products to sell.

“We’ll be selling annuals, perennials, heirloom vegetables, herbs, bedding plants, hanging baskets, (and) a wide variety of vegetables” said Linda. “We are also going to try and sell some seasonal produce.”

Linda provides specific directions to the store.

“We are just outside of Hillsboro off of Locust Creek Road” said Linda. “Just when you start up Droop Mountain you get to Windy Hill Quarter Horse Farm you make a left right there onto Locust Creek Road, go to the second driveway on your left and then we are going to be the first place on your right.”

Linda explains that many of their products are grown from seed.

“Were growing all of our vegetables from seed, most of the herbs we are growing from seed and some of the flowers we are growing from seed” said Linda. “A lot of the flowers we get are very difficult to cultivate from the seed form, such as Petunias and Pansies, Begonias, those kind of plants. So the flowers are not locally planted but locally grown.”

Linda talks about some of the plants which will be ready for sale on April 15th when the store opens for business.

“On opening day, which is April 15th, we will have the cold hardy vegetables which are the members of the cabbage family” said Linda. “We have three different types of cabbages; we have a Red Acre, a Golden Acre and a Brunswick cabbage. We also have a cauliflower – a Snowball variety which is self-blanching. We’ve got Brussel Sprouts ready; we’ve got Kohlrabi ready; we’ve got two different types of Broccoli. Those are pretty much our cold hardy vegetables that are going to be ready on opening day along with some Pansies that are actually in full bloom and stunningly gorgeous.”

Linda goes on describing her product line.

“We’ve got Begonias, Coleus, two different types of Impatiens,” said Linda, “we’ve got Lobelias, Marigolds, Petunias, Vincas, Pansies and many, many hanging baskets. I’ve got about 250 hanging baskets planted – we will have some of those ready for Mothers’ Day.”

“Also, I’ve great list of herbs; Rosemary, Thyme, Chive, Mint, Basil, Oregano, Parsley, [and] Sage. We also have, this is an interesting plant, the Rhubarb plant. The Rhubarb are Canada Reds.”

And The Little Levels Greenhouse has something for Pepper lovers too.

“One more thing I want to say is we have a great selection of peppers” said Linda. “We’ve got California Wonder; Golden Bells; Green Bell Peppers; Jalapenos; Sweet Bananas; Hot Hungarian Wax Peppers, which are your hot bananas –t hose tend to be hard to find in this area for some reason. We also have some Habaneros. So for those people who like spicy peppers and spicy foods, we have a great selection of peppers for them .”

The Little Levels Greenhouse will also offer a variety of both Heirloom and Hybrid Tomatoes for sale beginning around May 15th.

Linda estimates that the season for the Greenhouse produce may end in June, but they will offer field and garden grown produce after that. She anticipates that they will operate a roadside stand along Route 219 this summer for sweet corn. Once again, the Little Levels Greenhouse will open its doors on April 15th.