Louis Keil and Sons celebrate 70 years of plants and produce

JENNIFER ALEXANDER RUPLE

Tim, Tony and Mike Keil prepare their greenhouses for the season.

Louis Keil and Sons’ farm has been an agricultural staple in Sylvania and its many surrounding communities for more than seven decades. The year-round, 80-acre farm offers a wide array of plants and vegetables from early spring through late fall at their greenhouse and farm stand, plus area farmers’ markets.

The business was established in 1955 by Louis Keil, continued by his sons Louis Keil Jr. and Walter Keil, and is now under third generation management by the “sons of sons,” Tony Keil and his cousins, Mike and Tim Keil. “We are so grateful to all our customers, longtime and new, who have shopped with us all these years,” said Tony Keil. “Our greenhouses are open for business, and we hope to see everyone soon.”

Plants are ready for the spring season right in time for Mother’s Day gift giving. Choose from over 30 types of flowers in flats, hanging baskets, and potted arrangements. Vegetables and herbs are also available and ready to be planted in backyard gardens.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, the Keils will take their plants on the road for the annual Flower Days event at the Toledo Farmers’ Market in downtown Toledo.

Beginning in late June, fresh produce such as lettuce, spinach and radishes become available. In July, an assortment of herbs and produce are in abundance including cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes and the farm’s most popular crop, sweet corn in three varieties – white, yellow and bicolor. According to Tim Keil, “Everyone has their favorite. It’s what we’re known for.”

By August, watermelons and cantaloupes are ripe for the picking. And September brings pumpkins, mums, gourds, and straw bales – everything needed for fall and Halloween decorating.

Shop Louis Keil and Sons, located at 9022 W. Central Ave., Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 5pm, at the Toledo Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm, and at the Westgate Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 pm. The farm accepts WIC, Produce Perks, and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition programs.