Our Story
“our little oasis”
Peconic River Herb Farm - is a boutique-style specialty plant nursery providing passionate gardeners with garden-worthy plants since 1986. With eight greenhouses and large outdoor sales areas and displays filled with fragrant and delightful plants. We sell many different plants here at the nursery in addition to herbs, we especially love Long Island natives, flowers for cutting, gourmet and heirloom vegetable varieties, unusual small trees and shrubs, creative container plants, hedges for hiding, and wonderfully textured ground covers, ferns, and grasses for lower maintenance yards. If you need some guidance, coaxing, or coaching, free garden consultations are available from April-Oct.
The story began late Fall/Winter 1986…
Expecting my second child and with a five yr old (Luke), I was looking for a small farm market/garden venture that would enable me to stay home and still earn some kind of income.
I consumed issues of The Mother Earth News, Organic Gardening, Small Farm Journal, and the like wondering should it be cut flowers, gourmet vegetables, small fruits, or the cooking herbs that were quickly becoming all the rage at that time? Having just finished up with the horticulture program at Suffolk Community College, I took that training and began to construct a small 14 x 24’ hoop house (that seemed Huge!) to grow the vegetable and herb plants needed for my own large garden space. I thought I could always try to sell the excess plants and recoup some of the costs but I never imagined that the sale of the plants themselves would end up being the heart of the business for the next 37 years!
A fateful bus trip to the famed Caprilands herb farm in Coventry, CT sealed the deal for herbs. I still remember explaining to my puzzled parents (who supported me nonetheless!) what exactly an “herb farm” was! Well, Seth was born on April 14th, our grand opening was May 15th and we were fortunate enough to be featured on the cover of Newsday’s Part Two less than a month later and we were off and running!
There have been very few days since then that we have not welcomed at least a few visitors to our little oasis and their interest and enthusiasm is what has kept me going all of these years.
- Cris Spindler
Meet Our Staff
It truly takes a small village to run a place like this and it’s time they got some recognition:
Luke Spindler
Son #1 runs our groundskeeping and maintenance dept. In the winter season he's a talented snowboard instructor with the Mountain Rider kids program at Stratton Mt. He also handles logistics in receiving plants and hard goods during the endless spring arrivals. He recently purchased a brand new Toyota pickup truck with 4-wheel drive so, if you ask him nicely, he may be persuaded to deliver some of your purchases!
Seth Spindler
Son number #2 is a computer whiz and music lover who can set up wireless networks, printers, outdoor speakers, and car stereos, anything electrical that doesn’t require digging in the dirt! He is contemplating a career in audio engineering so we're hoping for some live music in the gardens on weekends or at least a really good sound system in the greenhouse. His talented drumming can often be heard coming from the woodworking barn
Mike Spindler
The carpenter and genius (and my husband) behind all of our incredibly beautiful buildings. He’s been the hardworking force who has literally made my dream come to life. Mike is still happily renovating a seaside house in Flanders where he can escape the madness of this home business that has engulfed us.
Cris Spindler
Plant and hard goods buyer, garden maintenance crew, building dept., horticultural consultant, display and merchandising dept., graphic design, and occasional mother and wife -is the tired owner of the above-mentioned home business who hopes to be able to balance it all and join Mike occasionally at that seaside cottage. Thanks to my incredible staff, that dream may someday come true!
faq’s
Your interest and enthusiasm are what keep us going all of these years.
It’s our pleasure to keep our little oasis free to visitors.
Please always remember to consider our few rules and regulations while visiting us.
Hours
We are open 10 am - 4 pm 7 days per week. Our season is April - October. Please no admittance before or after regular business hours. If you are here enjoying the property we ask you to leave by 4 pm.
Photographers, please schedule your visit
All commercial or for-hire photographers please schedule your time by clicking here. We prefer no more than three photo sessions
on the property at one time.
Can I bring a dog?
We love your well-behaved dogs. But we have a few simple rules. No dogs are allowed in the greenhouses. We ask that you please be aware of other visitors to the property. Please bring appropriate gear and baggies you are responsible for your dog’s waste.
Take Out What You Bring In
We welcome visitors to picnic and enjoy our grounds. But we ask that you please take all containers, cups, and trash with you as you leave. We have a busy staff and our dumpster fills up quickly - please be conscientious and dispose of trash off of the property.
Keep it Clean
Please help us keep our grounds (and our planet) as beautiful, green, and unspoiled as when you arrived.
Plants, Boutonnieres, Floral Arrangements
Floral and plant décor is our passion and our specialty and is always available. Please inquire with us.
Recycle & Reuse & Donate
We strongly encourage and applaud the use of biodegradable or re-useable dinnerware, recycling glass bottles and cans, donations of leftover food and flowers to charities, and discourage the use of artificial floral décor, plastic confetti, and balloons.
What is included with your venue rental?
Peconic River Herb Farm supplies the venue which includes a large riverfront lawn and garden areas, Tent site, parking, electricity, water and dumpster for clean-up, and three on-site portable lavatories.
Wedding Planning
The event organizer is responsible for supplying a tent (if needed), additional portable lavatories, food, music, seating, trash removal, party supplies, photographer, outsourced flowers, and all additional needs for their event.
Available Space on the property
Our Glass Greenhouse, Tea Garden,Cook Shed,Tool Shed and Patio areas are suitable and available to rent for smaller gatherings. Our site is rustic, natural, and somewhat primitive and we like it that way!
Please take photos
We love your photos! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest and let us know if they are ok for us to share on our pages. @prherbfarm