Kridler Daffodil Farm
The Kridler’s Home/Daffodil Farm is in Mt. Pleasant - 2 ½ acres of “front yard” to roam PLUS his total 20 acres planted with TWO MILLION daffodils! (Note: It is all on private property).
Cost/Tickets
None Needed – there is no charge. However, our agreement with Keith is that each attendee share 2-3 of your images taken at the farm for him to use in his marketing (with your identifying information on each image). Instructions for submission will be provided at a later date.
There is no cost but you do need to register for the field trip.
What You Can Do
We can wander the planted areas and Keith has given permission for us to pick daffodils for staging our images. We may also bring “yard art” of our own, bonnets, baskets, ribbons, or small backdrops…your choice (taking our items home when we leave). Keith also provides access to his enclosed patio for staged shots.
Keep in mind that we each need to have our own equipment for picking daffodils (scissors/sharp knives) and not just yank them out of the ground. Caution should be taken to not trample the plantings or otherwise damage the area. We are free to take the picked daffodils home at no charge.
Lunch
Lunch plans will be announced at a later date for those who choose to participate (considering Covid conditions).
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
Birds, frogs, a small wetlands area and a small children’s playhouse (access inside not available). Although Keith has not yet seen them this year, the owl boxes are ready for their arrival. There are also bald eagles in the area but not specifically on his property.
CARPOOLING:
It would be helpful to carpool to this location. Although there is parking on the driveway in front of their home (for those with mobility issues), Mr. Kridler‘s construction company is adjacent to his home and has a parking lot large enough for 18-wheelers to turn around. However, we need to be aware there may be limited access on the day we are there. Attendees should make their own carpooling arrangements. A list of attendees will be provided shortly before the event.
SUGGESTED PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:
Tripod plus macro lens; perhaps a small reflector, small flash, telephoto zoom – the type of gear you would take to the Arboretum.
Additional items: water, coffee/hot drink in an insulated container. The last time we did this it was really cold!
WHAT TO WEAR: We will be in pastureland for this shoot. Rubber boots or footwear that can get muddy and or wet and jeans are both highly recommended! (Mosquito spray has also been recommended – just in case.)
VARIETIES OF DAFFODILS AT THE FARM:
There are over 1,000 different varieties/species of bulbs on their farm.
ABOUT OUR HOST – KEITH KRIDLER
Keith Kridler is a noted horticulturist, author, conservationist, and bulb expert. He holds floriculture and horticulture degrees from Texas A&M University and has served as an instructor at Louisiana State and Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a graduate of the Benz School of Floral Design, a member of the Garden Writers Association of America, a lifetime member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and of the Southern Garden History Society. He is considered an expert on historic daffodils (any daffodils that were registered before 1940). Keith is a past president of the Texas Daffodil Society and is still an officer of the organization.
On the Flip Side!
In addition to his interest in daffodils, Keith is a life-long bird-lover and bluebird enthusiast extraordinaire! Since 1979, Keith and his wife, Sandy, have fledged upwards of 1,200 bluebirds a year from trails around Mt. Pleasant and have donated thousands of nesting boxes to youth groups and landowners. His bluebird trail is the oldest and most productive in Texas and may well have fledged more birds than any other single trail in North America.
Keith is a Charter Member of the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) formed in 1978 and is co-founder of the Texas Bluebird Society. Keith is co-author for Cornell University’s “The Bluebird Monitor’s Guide”. He is also the author of The Bluebird Monitor's Guide to Bluebirds and Other Small Cavity Nesters.