About Felger's Peat Moss

Where It Started

The history of Felger's Peat Moss started long before its founding date of 1953.

9912 Valentine Road has been the address of the Felger Family Farm. This rich farm ground provided a good living for George and Rose Felger, along with their nine children — Herb and his seven brothers and one sister.

However, during the Depression years, like many other farmers, the land was lost for lack of cash to pay the taxes. Sadly, the family had to move. After Herb's senior year in high school, jobs were hard to find. Herb joined the C.C.C. Camps established by President Franklin Roosevelt. He then enlisted in the National Guard and spent time in the U.S. Marine Corps. After the outbreak of WWII, Herb joined the Naval Civil Service. Wanting to help in the war effort, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor, working as a machinist on naval vessels.

Herb returned to Fort Wayne in 1945 and started his trucking business, hauling stone, cinders, gravel, and more. Marriage to Ruth Gerber followed in 1947. The hauling business grew, and Herb realized how much the rich soil and peat moss on his family's farm would complement his growing business. Negotiating and purchasing the farm from the current owner, the Felger family moved back HOME in 1953.

Building the Business

Herb immediately began stockpiling peat moss, black soil, gravel, driveway stone, and cinders. The business was called "Herb Felger Peat Moss." Jerry was three years old at the time, and constantly at his father's side. Jerry Felger loaded his first pickup truck when he was eight years old, much to the customer's surprise. The business grew as Jerry grew.

In the late 1960s, Felger's Peat Moss was one of the first companies in Indiana to begin selling bark mulch in bulk quantities — right at the time that Fort Wayne residents' interest grew in landscaping their yards. Initially, Herb and Ruth sold small amounts of peat moss, black soil, gravel, and limestone to a handful of customers a week, from early spring to fall.

Today

Today, the business has evolved into a year-round operation, selling peat moss, black soil, brown topsoil, potting soil, special soil mixes, and compost. The mulch types have increased to over 25 varieties — several hardwood mulches, pine mulches, cedar and cypress mulches, color-enhanced mulches in many colors, and economy mulches.

The gravel and limestone products have expanded to include many types of decorative stone, native river rock, flagstone, boulders and outcroppings, steppingstones, retaining wall blocks, and pavers. Additionally, Felger's carries replicated rock, which is used for covering pipes.

The business now sells to both commercial and residential landscape customers in a six-state area.

Three Generations

Matthew and Stephanie Felger are the third generation to join the business. They started helping their father as children during their summer breaks. Matthew, following in his father's footsteps, started loading trucks for customers at a young age. Stephanie learned office procedure at her grandmother Ruth's side.

As the business grew, Jerry's wife Deedee joined Ruth in the office too, making it a complete family operation.

Herb Felger passed away in 1999. However, the business is still operating with the same honesty and integrity that Herb instilled in his family.

Felger's carries a full line of Belgard, Keystone, and Versa-Lok pavers and retaining wall blocks, Surebond joint stabilizers, sealers, adhesives, and cleaners. Polymeric sand, snap edge paver edging, and a full line of SRW products are also available.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We look forward to doing business with you. If you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by.