Ordering and Shipping
When will my order ship?
Most seed and merchandise orders ship within 3–5 business days. During sales, holidays, or periods of unusually high order volume, processing may take slightly longer.
Dahlia tubers follow a separate spring shipping schedule.
When will dahlia tubers ship?
Dahlia tubers ship in the spring when weather conditions are safe for shipping and planting. Because temperatures can vary considerably by location, orders may not ship in the exact order they were received.
You will receive a shipping confirmation and tracking information when your order is on its way.
Can you combine multiple orders?
We may be able to combine orders that have not yet been packed or shipped. Please contact us as soon as possible with your order numbers.
Combining orders is not guaranteed, and orders placed under different names, email addresses, or shipping addresses may be difficult to identify. [Confirm whether excess shipping charges will be refunded when orders are successfully combined.]
Do you offer local pickup?
Limited local pickup may be available in Bangor, Michigan, for certain products or sales. If local pickup is offered, it will appear as an option during checkout or be included in the product description.
Please do not arrive at the farm unless you have received confirmation that your order is ready and pickup arrangements have been provided.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Please review your order carefully before submitting it. Because many of our products are limited, seasonal, or prepared for shipping soon after purchase, we cannot guarantee that changes or cancellations can be accommodated.
Contact us as quickly as possible if you notice an incorrect shipping address or another problem with your order.
Dahlia Tubers
Are your dahlias grown at your farm?
Our dahlia varieties are grown and observed on our five-acre farm in Bangor, Michigan. We carefully evaluate varieties as we work toward offering healthy, thoughtfully selected tubers for home gardeners and growers.
What should I expect when my tubers arrive?
Dahlia tubers naturally vary in size and appearance. A viable tuber does not need to be large or cosmetically perfect. Each tuber should include a viable body, an intact neck, and a visible eye or growth point.
What should I do when my tubers arrive?
Open your package promptly and inspect the tubers. If you are not ready to plant, store them in a cool, dark, frost-free location with moderate humidity and good air circulation.
Do not allow the tubers to freeze, become excessively warm, or remain sealed in a damp package.
What if there is a problem with a tuber?
Please inspect your tubers immediately after delivery. If a tuber arrives damaged or appears nonviable, contact us within 48 hours of delivery.
Include:
- Your name and order number
- The variety involved
- A clear photograph of the entire tuber
- Close-up photographs showing the area of concern
- A photograph of the packaging if the order was damaged during shipping
We cannot evaluate claims without clear photographs. Problems caused by improper storage, planting conditions, weather, pests, disease, or care after delivery are outside our control.
Are dahlia tubers guaranteed to grow?
We guarantee that tubers will be viable when shipped. Once a tuber has been delivered, its performance depends on storage, planting conditions, soil temperature, moisture, weather, pests, and care.
We cannot guarantee successful growth after planting or replace tubers lost because of rot, freezing, excessive moisture, heat, pests, improper storage, or other conditions beyond our control.
Are dahlia varieties guaranteed to be true to name?
We take care to label and track our varieties accurately. However, dahlias are handled and divided by people, and occasional labeling mistakes can happen.
If you believe you received an incorrect variety, please contact us when the plant blooms and include your order number and clear photographs of the flower and plant.
Do you provide planting instructions?
Yes. Basic storage and planting guidance will be included with dahlia tuber orders or made available through our website.
Are your dahlias free from disease?
We regularly observe our plants and do not knowingly sell tubers from plants showing signs of disease. However, no grower can guarantee that plant material is completely free from every virus, pathogen, or condition that cannot be detected visually.
We encourage customers to monitor their plants and follow good garden sanitation practices.
Seeds
Do you grow all the seeds you sell?
We offer carefully selected flower, herb, and vegetable seeds from trusted sources. Unless a product description specifically identifies seeds as farm-grown, customers should not assume they were produced at Black River Flower Co.
Do you guarantee seed germination?
Seeds are living products, and germination depends on age, storage, temperature, moisture, planting depth, light requirements, and growing conditions. We cannot guarantee germination after the seeds leave our care.
Please follow the instructions included on the seed packet and contact us promptly if a package arrives damaged or incorrect.
Fresh Flowers and the Farmstand
When is the farmstand open?
Our farmstand operates seasonally, based on what is blooming and available from the garden. Hours and availability may change throughout the season.
Follow Black River Flower Co. on social media or join our email list for current farmstand announcements and fresh-flower availability.
Is the farm open to visitors?
Black River Flower Co. is a working farm and private residence. The growing areas are not currently open to the public unless we announce a specific event, workshop, or scheduled pickup opportunity.
Customers are welcome to visit the farmstand when it is announced as open, but should not enter the growing areas or other parts of the property.
Can I reserve flowers or place a custom bouquet order?
Fresh-flower availability changes throughout the season. [Confirm whether you want to accept bouquet reservations or custom orders before publishing this answer.]
When available, premade bouquets and seasonal flowers will be announced through our website, social media, email list, or farmstand updates.
Do you offer flowers for weddings or large events?
We are not currently offering full-service wedding or event floral design. [Revise if you would consider bulk buckets, small events, or special orders.]
Returns and Order Problems
What is your return policy?
Because seeds, plants, tubers, and fresh flowers are perishable or living products, all sales are final.
If your order arrives damaged, incorrect, or incomplete, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with your order number and clear photographs. We will review the situation and determine the appropriate resolution.
What if my package is delayed, lost, or damaged during shipping?
Once an order has been transferred to the shipping carrier, delivery timing is outside our direct control. If tracking shows an unusual delay or delivery problem, contact us so we can help review the shipment.
If the package arrives visibly damaged, retain the packaging and send us photographs of the box, shipping label, contents, and damage.
How can I contact Black River Flower Co.?
Please use the Contact page on our website and include your order number when asking about an existing order. We will respond as soon as possible.
Before publishing, I recommend reviewing the three bracketed decisions:
- Whether to refund excess shipping when orders are combined
- Whether to accept reserved or custom bouquets
- Whether to offer any wedding flowers, bulk buckets, or small-event orders