Frogs on the Farm

Frogs are a special part of any eco-system.  They are thought of as an “Indicator Species” since they are very sensitive to their surroundings. Check out these cuties spotted on the farm last week and learn a bit more about what being an “Indicator Species” really means. [Hint: they breath through their skin!]

Frog on our Crocosmia

The fact these friendly amphibians are hanging out in our flower fields and greenhouses speaks directly to Sun Valley’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Frog in our lily greenhouse

According to Grit, a guide to rural American Know-how:

One thing that makes frogs, toads and salamanders such sensitive environmental indicators is their skin. Unlike reptiles, birds and mammals, amphibians are still partially tied to the water, spending at least part of their life cycle as eggs and juveniles in an aquatic environment. The eggs don’t have a hard shell around them like the eggs of reptiles and birds, and must remain in the water, or they will dry out. The juvenile forms, or tadpoles, breathe through gills like fish, extracting oxygen from the water. Not until they develop into adults do amphibians possess lungs (well, most of them anyway), allowing them to leave the water.

A visitor on a Sumatra Lily

Even as adults, most amphibians have to keep their skin moist by staying near water or damp areas, since they breathe partially or entirely through their skin. Because their skin is so porous and absorbs gases, like oxygen, and liquids, like water, amphibians at all stages of life are sensitive to environmental changes, especially many types of pollution that may be in the atmosphere, water or soil.

What does all this have to do with the health of your garden? Whatever affects amphibians also may affect people. Because frogs, toads and salamanders are so sensitive to pollutants, and because they are so much smaller than humans, they will likely show signs of problems in your garden before it affects you. They can serve the same function that canaries used to serve for coal miners years ago: Being more sensitive to poisonous gases than the humans, when the canary became sick or died, the miners knew something was wrong.

This description is why the Rainforest Alliance based in Burlington, Vermont, adopted the frog as their logo.

Staying cozy in our Brassica

We are proud to be the first Rainforest Alliance Certified flower farm in the United States.

And it looks like the word is out in the amphibian community!

Check out Sun Valley’s year-round availability of sustainably grown flowers, as we lead the way in environmentally responsible flower production. 

Don’t take our word for it, just ask the frogs!