Twenty six years ago Alison Kutz-Troutman and Paul Troutman began an adventure they never thought would bring them to where they are today.  They started their independent business on about 10 acres of land just outside of Bellingham.  “We had one little greenhouse selling cut flowers and herbs,” Paul said.  They gradually moved on from that market towards building their highly successful wholesale nursery called Cascade Cuts.

Paul has a degree in plant pathology and Alison is mainly self-taught in her great passion for growing herbs.  “I love to empower people to do their own healing using medicinal herbs,” Alison said.  “This is a great way to educate people that want to grow and use medicinals.” The amount of knowledge between this couple is astounding.  Listening to Alison spout off knowledge regarding the botany of their greenhouse is quite impressive. She explained in detail why beneficial organisms are needed for proper plant growth and how the symbiotic relationships between things such as the parasitic moth and the white fly are conducive to an all natural, pesticide and fungicide free environment.

The Kutz-Troutmans don't just take the easy route when it comes to their every day practices at Cascade Cuts.  From using beneficial insects to replace pesticides, to beneficial watering techniques, to using compostable planters, Paul and Alison are innovators. 

Paul related that when they bought their land 26 years ago there were a mere three trees present on the entire acreage.  Today that is very far from the case.  “Everything you see is pretty much planted by us,” Paul said.  Aside from the many greenhouses overflowing with young healthy plants, the land is blanketed with a great variety of trees, flowers, and not to mention a good assortment of animals including llamas, chickens, and geese.
 
Surrounding the house that they originally lived in, which sits next to Cascade Cuts, many of the plants they have represent a special memory from their history.  A Deodara Cedar stands towering over the little house and stood many years ago in their living room as a Christmas tree.  Around the corner a pink flowering Crab Apple tree grows with the placenta of the Kutz-Troutman's daughter.  Beyond a patch of bamboo and around the corner from a patch of vibrant yellow daffodils lies a Paper Birch that was given to them from a friend who salvaged it off a landscaping job.  Paul explained that it had to be misted numerous times every day for a month in order for it to survive.  Today its branches are strong and it stands tall, giving shade to employees during their breaks.

Just down the hill two large ponds sit surrounded with vegetation, providing a home to numerous species including a Canadian goose that comes to nest seasonally.  Turtles that were originally brought in by the Kutz-Troutmans eventually established themselves in these ponds, both of which the couple constructed themselves.  The water ultimately flows into Squalicum creek, and Paul notes that especially because of these ponds, they are very aware of the impact their business can have on the surrounding environment.

True to their commitment through the Watershed Pledge, most of the soil and fertilizers they bring in are organic.  They also try to reduce their amount of water runoff.  Inside a few of the greenhouses they have built something called an flood bench watering system. Plants sit on top of a table with edges that stand a few inches above the table top.  The water used for the plants is stored in an underground tank.  When it is time for watering, water runs up from the tank and fills the table almost completely to the rim.  At that point the process reverses and the water flows back into the tank.  With this process the water is able to be reused and there is very little to no run off.

Though Cascade Cuts is a wholesale nursery, they do open their doors to the public once a year.  Cascade Cuts is a member, not to mention a great supporter, of Sustainable Connections.  On May 20th from 9 am to 4 pm Cascade Cuts will host its annual Plant Sale to benefit Sustainable Connections Food & Farming Program. Cascade Cuts in located at 632 Montgomery Road in Bellingham.  To find Cascade Cuts, drive north on James Street just past Bakerview Road.  Three tenths of a mile past Bakerview continuing on James, take a right on King Mountain Road.  About one tenth of a mile down the road, turn right onto Montgomery Road and drive about two tenths of a mile.  Cascade Cuts will be sitting clearly on the left.

Cascade Cuts contributes to a variety of plant sales that support organizations such as Seattle TILTH, the Arboretum Foundation, a variety of church organizations, and more.  Cascade Cuts is dedicated to providing plants in an environmentally responsible manner along with offering education and information about the plants they sell.  It is inspiring to understand how far they have come from their single greenhouse twenty six years ago to their own mini-jungle they have established today.  From bulbs to herbs to perennials they have not only succeeded in creating a bustling work force, they have also found a balance between a successful business and a positive environmental responsibility.