South Central Growers

City: Springfield, Tenn.

Website: SouthCentralGrowers.com

Environmentally controlled square footage: 800,000

Percentage of production space under permanent environmentally controlled structure devoted to each crop:

Ornamental bedding plants–77%

Flowering potted plants–10%

Potted foliage–8%

Vegetables–5%

What are the primary reasons your operation contracts other growers to produce crops?

Better climate for the material being grown and space constraints in the spring

What are a few of the benefits your operation reaps from its contract-growing relationships?

Allows us to have mature product during the 4-6 week spring push when it is crucial to have material in color

Percentage of sales by customer:

Home improvement chains–65%

Mass merchandisers–35%