What is now known as the Tater Valley Nursey started out as a family farm 100 years ago. Located at 509 Tater Valley Rd in Luttrell, TN, the Tater Valley Nursey offers geraniums in several colors, hanging baskets, ferns and a wide variety of vegetable plants.
Dale and Debbie Corum opened their greenhouse in 1996 on their family farm where they also have Angus cattle and a flock of chickens. Dale built 2 greenhouses and later added 2 more for a total of 10,000 sq. ft. of heated growing space with automatic waterers.
They started this season with raising bedding plants, 1200 geraniums in eight different colors, 900 hanging baskets, 300 ferns and a variety of vegetable plants. They also take custom orders for many local farmers.
Debbie said, “It all started from our love for watching things grow. We enjoy trying new plants along with growing the usual stand-bys. Our post popular items are tomato plants and geraniums. We have many other vegetables and lots of flowers. We usually start sowing seed the week after Christmas. It’s nonstop from then until Mother’s Day when we usually sell out of most things.”
For the Corums, the most rewarding part of running a nursery is the people you meet. “We love seeing our regular customers from year to year and making new friends,” said Corum.
The nursey is truly a family operation. Helping at the nursery are sons Dale Jr. and Dwayne, daughter- in -law Darla and granddaughter Dalyn. “It’s a team effort to keep everything running smoothly during our busy times,” says Debbie. “You will find everyone filling pots, transplanting, watering and delivering plants. There is always plenty to do during spring plant season. It doesn’t seem like work; it’s more like playing in the dirt. It’s somewhat calming and therapeutic.”
“God has let us live on this land for a little while and we strive to be a good steward of what He has given us,” stated Corum.
If you have need of these plants, you had better hurry for they will be gone soon. The nursey is open Monday through Saturday and you can contact them at 865-992-7558 or by email at dcorum509@gmail.com.
Look for the nursery’s feature story in our upcoming publication of the Historic Union County magazine which will be on the shelves soon.