Meticulous scaling plans helped Maryland cultivator become a greenhouse-growing giant

In 2002, Jake Van Wingerden bought 45 acres of land that included a 60,000-square-foot greenhouse in Earleville, Maryland, where he started Tidal Creek Growers. The company produces bedding plants that are sold at local and national gardening centers, including Home Depot and Lowe’s. Today, Tidal Creek has 620,000 square feet of heated greenhouse plus 17 acres of shade houses and outdoor fields between two facilities.