Join Lisa Mason Ziegler on the Field & Garden Podcast talking flower farming, cut-flower gardening, business, and all things related!
The Field & Garden podcast is a delightful and informative show that offers a relaxed and "homey" listening experience. Hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler, a flower farmer with a wealth of knowledge and experience, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in gardening or flower farming. The production and editing of the podcast are top-notch, creating a polished and professional feel. Additionally, Lisa's teaching skills shine through as she effortlessly imparts wisdom and practical advice to her listeners. Her perspective on native plantings adds an interesting twist to the world of flower farming. The recent increase in frequency of episodes is a welcome change, allowing listeners to dive even deeper into the world of gardening.
One of the best aspects of The Field & Garden podcast is Lisa's ability to encourage and support her audience. She provides practical gardening and business advice that is applicable to both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Her soothing voice adds to the overall pleasantness of the podcast, making it easy to listen to for extended periods of time. The rabbit holes that Lisa occasionally goes down only add to the charm of the show, providing unexpected detours from the main topic. Furthermore, her willingness to share her knowledge and support aspiring flower farmers is truly commendable.
While there are not many negative aspects to The Field & Garden podcast, some listeners may find that it lacks in-depth content for expert gardeners or flower farmers. However, this can be easily overlooked considering Lisa's ability to present complex topics in an understandable manner for beginners. Additionally, some listeners might prefer a more structured format or scripted episodes. However, the relaxed and conversational style of the podcast contributes to its homey atmosphere.
In conclusion, The Field & Garden podcast is an excellent resource for all levels of gardeners and flower farmers. Lisa Mason Ziegler's expertise and passion shine through each episode as she shares valuable information in a clear and friendly way. Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, this podcast is sure to inspire and educate you in your gardening journey. Don't miss out on the wealth of knowledge and support that The Field & Garden podcast offers.
Today, Lisa dives into the experiences and insights of Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm. A passionate flower farmer and co-founder of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, through her journey, we explore the importance of standards in the floral industry, the power of collaboration amongst flower farmers, and the creation of a valuable new resource for flower farmers everywhere.MentionsGet the Book: Floral StandardsAbout Diane and Jello Mold FarmSign up to receive our weekly Farm News!Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one featured guest host Lennie Larkin, author of Flower Farming for Profit and owner of B-Side Farm in Oregon. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener's Workshop. In this Q&A, Lennie fielded questions about time management, marketing your flowers, building an email list, and more.MentionsLennie's Instagram: flowerfarming.forprofit, B-Side FarmLennie's online course: Profitable Flower FarmingThe Gardener's Workshop on InstagramShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Let's dive into why overplanting can be a problem. You might think, “Oh, I'll just plant a little more!” But when you do this, you can overcrowd your garden. This makes it harder to care for your plants, leading to chaos.MentionsOpen Farm Event: June 28, 2025Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Ellen Frost as they discuss the limitations of floral recipes and the beauty of creating unique designs with local flowers. Discover how flexibility, communication, and community relationships can empower you to confidently make unique floral arrangements without using recipes.MentionsEllen's newsletter signupEllen's YouTube ChannelFollow on Instagram: Ellen Frost Flowers, Local Color FlowersEllen Online Courses: Florist School Online, Preparing to Sell to FloristsShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Let's talk money—the kind that keeps your flower farm alive or quietly drains it dry. In this episode, Lisa digs into the tough truth about spending on the farm: what's worth it, what's not, and how to make choices that lead to long-term success instead of slow collapse. If you're ready to face your farm finances head-on, this one's for you.MentionsFree Phone App for Live Gardening Shows: Get the AppLisa's Course, Flower Farming School OnlineShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular “Ask a Flower Farmer” live Q&A session on Instagram. Daniel Schavey of Petal Pickers Flower Co. in Greenville, SC hosted this one. Daniel is a 9th-year flower farmer growing in zone 8a and an alumnus of most of The Gardener's Workshop's online courses. Here, Daniel offers an update on his growing season and answers questions on topics such as growing flowers for Mother's Day, seed starting and growing tips, how to "hedge your bets" in flower farming, and so much more!MentionsPetalpickers.com: fresh flowers shipped nationwide, dahlia tuber, cutting, and bulb salesOnline Courses from The Gardener's WorkshopShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. However, this one we called Ask a Florist featured guest hostess Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, MD. Ellen is a floral designer who creates exclusively with flowers and foliage purchased from local growers. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener's Workshop. In this Q&A Ellen fielded questions about: farmer-florist relationships, design tips for weddings, marketing flowers to florists, must-have greenery for bouquets, planning wedding florals, and pricing your flowers, among others.MentionsEllen's newsletter signupEllen's YouTube ChannelFlowerMore CommunityFollow on Instagram: Ellen Frost Flowers, Local Color FlowersEllen Online Courses: Florist School Online, Preparing to Sell to FloristsShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Should you sell your flowers to florists? What attributes make a farmer a good match for selling to a florist? Here, Lisa chats with Ellen about her experiences working with 40+ flower farmers in her region. Learn what she thinks it takes to be successful in this popular selling channel and how you can accomplish it.MentionsEllen's newsletter signupEllen's YouTube ChannelFollow on Instagram: Ellen Frost Flowers, Local Color FlowersEllen Online Courses: Florist School Online, Preparing to Sell to FloristsShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
I'm thrilled to share an inspiring story with you today. I want to introduce you to Tricia from The Simple Sunflower, an organization that's making a big difference in our community by repurposing flowers for those in need. In my chat with Tricia, you'll learn what they do, how they do it, and ways to apply this in your own community as well. Together, we can bring a little more joy into the world, one bouquet at a time!MentionsThe Simple Sunflower: Website, InstagramShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Are you planting for success or setting yourself up for failure? Today, I'm excited to talk about something that many flower farmers, especially those just starting, often overlook. Are you a part-time flower farmer planting for a full-time flower farmer? This question is crucial to your success in the flower farming business.The bottom line is, don't plant a full-time garden with part-time hours. Be realistic about what you can handle. And most importantly, don't feel pressured to grow everything in your first season. Take your time, enjoy the process, and grow at a pace that works for you. I hope this helps you see the path to success in flower farming more clearly!MentionsLisa's Course, Flower Farming School OnlineShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners!Topics CoveredManaging gladiolus bulbsPeony growing & maintenanceHydrangea pruningHoliday arrangements using seasonal foliageGrowing bulbs in cooler temperaturesTiming your plantings for Christmas flowersStoring & planting Iris bulbsDirect sowing cool season hardy annuals (Cool Flowers)Episode originally aired 12/11/24 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 12:30PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts!MentionsDave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More!Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Flower farming isn't just about the blooms, it's about the journey! Join Lisa Mason Ziegler as she shares her insights on facing challenges and making smart choices in the world of flower farming. Your good life awaits! MentionsLisa's Course, Flower Farming School OnlineLisa's Course, The Easy Cut Flower GardenShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today, I want to dive into something really important for anyone looking to succeed in flower farming or any kind of business: grit. I believe developing grit is a choice. It's not something you're born with; it's something you cultivate over time. Each time you face a fear or a challenge and choose to push through, you're building your grit.MentionsLisa's Course, Flower Farming School OnlineShop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today I'm thrilled to share some important tips for anyone dreaming of starting a flower farming business. As I look back on my journey, I wish I had these resources when I started. This is about the three key steps that can lead to failure as a flower farmer. I've seen many passionate people vanish from the business, and it's often due to skipping over some basic but crucial steps. I'd love to keep YOU from failing, and I hope these tips help you navigate the challenges of flower farming and keep your passion alive. ~Lisa Mentions The Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today I'm diving into a topic that I've never really talked about before: collaboration versus competition. Why are we so afraid of competition? Let's explore why collaboration can actually be more beneficial. MentionsThe Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today I am here to share my thoughts on something that has had a big impact on my flower farming journey personally: community. A community is powerful no matter where you currently are on your flower farming journey. I created The Flower Farmer Club to be a safe place for us all to be motivated and encouraged, and to be a place for learning and exploration! I am so eager to join you on your adventure and I look forward to seeing you in the club. MentionsThe Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today, I want to dive into the topic of cool flowers and the importance of planting them in very early spring. The basic idea is to plant these flowers in cool to cold conditions to get the best performance out of them, which can happen in fall, winter, or very early spring. Many people have been led away from planting during these unusual times. But I assure you, this is where the magic happens! For flower farmers, planting cool flowers can significantly boost your business. We're talking about flowers like: Bells of Ireland Sweet peas Stock Snapdragons Lisianthus Larkspur Status Poppies When planted at the right time, these flowers bloom earlier, grow taller, produce more stems, and are more resistant to diseases and pests. Listen in to learn who can plant in this window, when and what to plant, and more! Mentions Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers Lisa's Book, The Cut Flower Handbook Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest The Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Did you know that we have another podcast series? It's called Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne, and it's become really popular! This is their top podcast episode of 2024, the one with the most overall listens, and it's about succession planting Cool Flowers. If you like this one, please consider subscribing to Seed Talk wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Seed Talk on our YouTube channel (see the Seed Talk playlist there), or listen to Seed Talk anytime in the podcast section on our website. *Winner, Best of 2024* Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne Curious about planting cool-season hardy annuals beyond very early spring? Wondering which cool flowers you should consider succession planting? Here (in episode #75), Lisa and Layne cover potential consequences of planting cool-season hardy annuals later in the season, what makes a cool flower a good candidate for succession planting, and succession-planting tips for several flowers. Listen and learn how to succession plant for an abundant cool flower garden! Mentions: ”Seed Talk” YouTube Playlist Episode 50 – Sweet William Variety Comparison: Amazon vs. Sweet Episode 72 – Bupleurum Germination & Succession-Planting Tips Shop: Cool-Season Seeds “Seed Talk” Topic Suggestion Form TGW YouTube Channel Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The “Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne” podcast is produced by The Gardener's Workshop and co-hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo. Lisa is the founder and owner of The Gardener's Workshop, where Layne works as Seed Manager. Lisa is the award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers, Cool Flowers, The Cut Flower Handbook, and the publisher of Flower Farming School Online, Farmer-Florist School Online, and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with her on social media. Layne is an avid gardener, seed starter, and engineer who loves learning and applying her technical knowledge to all areas of life, including gardening and growing flowers.
Our most popular episode of 2024! Here, Lisa was featured on The joegardener® Show podcast, joining host Joe Lamp'l to discuss the Cool Flowers concept and how she got started growing this fantastic group of spring stunners! They covered topics such as: How to determine which Cool Flowers you can grow in your region When and how to start your Cool Flowers from seed The special care requirements of flowers planted in the fall and in very early spring What you should do to prepare in the fall even if you don't plant until very early spring Mentions Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski The New Organic Grower by Eloit Coleman Bio360 Biodegradable Mulch Film Row Cover Hoop Kit Cool-Season Hardy Annual Seeds Full The joegardener® Show Episode #274 Podcast & Blog Post Available Here Joe's Book, The Vegetable Gardening Book Joe's online course, Organic Vegetable Gardening Watch Growing a Greener World and connect with Joe: Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter Free Resources on our website Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers, The Cut Flower Handbook, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone in Business Today, we're discussing stepping out of your comfort zone, a challenge many face when starting a new business. In new ventures, like a flower farm, we often seek help from peers. While this can be comforting, it may also lead to stagnation. Spending too much time with others who are struggling can hinder our progress. Successful individuals share key habits: They make decisions based on facts, not assumptions. They recognize that time is money. They surround themselves with more successful people. The company we keep influences our behavior. If we only seek help from those at our level or below, we risk feeling stuck. Ask for advice from those who have succeeded. Embrace challenging environments. Recently, I was encouraged to attend a small business conference. Initially, I felt overwhelmed and doubted my ability to contribute. It's normal to feel scared in new situations. But stepping out of your comfort zone—those daunting experiences can transform your business. We all face challenges along our journeys, so let's support each other in striving for growth! Mentions Free Resources on our website Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Topics Covered Caring for dahlias in high heat Growing ranunculus, daffodils, & tulips for a spring wedding Overwintering snapdragons Growing ranunculus in tunnels Beginner-friendly fall-planted flowering bulbs Storing daffodil bulbs prior to planting Growing ornamental kale Ranunculus post-harvest care Grow lights for home gardeners Allium preferred growing conditions Spacing for planting peonies Episode originally aired 9/25/24 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 12:30PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts! Mentions Dave Dowling on social: Facebook, Instagram Dave's Online Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Val Schirmer's Online workshop: Forcing Glorious Blooms for the Holidays & Beyond Discover our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
A Golden Opportunity: The Power of Leaves Today, I'm excited to share one of the first lessons I learned in gardening that has shaped my entire flower farming career. This episode is all about the amazing benefits of leaves, specifically how they can transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem. Especially for those of you who might see leaves as a nuisance, I want to help you understand their true potential. Listen to learn the "Who, What, When, Where, and Why" of adding leaves to your growing space! Mentions Lisa's book, Vegetables Love Flowers Blog Post, Garden Gold Free Resources on our website Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Hello, I'm Lenny Larkin! I run B Side Farm in Oregon and have written a book called Flower Farming for Profit. My focus is on helping flower farmers grow their businesses effectively. I also offer online courses, including a short course called Profitable Flower Farming, which helps people understand the business side of flower farming. Today I'd like to answer your questions on topics ranging from business tactics to planting schedules. Let's begin! What Are Your Thoughts on Pricing Flowers? Pricing can be tricky! Beginners often hesitate to charge more for fear of losing customers or worry about undercutting fellow farmers by pricing too low. A good starting point is researching local prices by visiting other farms or checking wholesaler comparisons for market insights. When selling directly, remember that customers are aware of flower market prices. By staying updated on costs, you can competitively price your products and maintain profitability. How Many Flower Varieties Should New Farmers Grow? As a beginner in flower gardening, start small and simple. Focus on ten to twenty varieties instead of trying to grow everything at once. This way, you can nurture them without feeling overwhelmed. Avoid the common mistake of growing too many types of flowers at once, which can lead to confusion. Instead, experiment with a few different flowers to see which ones thrive and are popular, allowing you to specialize effectively. Where Can I Learn to Design Bouquets? Learning bouquet design is best through hands-on practice, so don't hesitate to experiment! YouTube has great resources with designers like Julio from The Flower Hat and Amy Balsters, who offer tutorials to help you master bouquet design. What About Investing in Perennials and Shrubs? If you're tired of starting seeds and want a change in your routine, consider investing in perennials and shrubs. They add lasting beauty to your farm or garden. Start small, as they can be costly upfront. I once invested $25k in peonies, but most farmers begin with just a hundred plants. You might also grow hydrangeas and spireas, which are both beautiful and popular. How Do I Work on Pricing with Florists? Pricing flowers can be challenging. It's important to discuss requirements and budget constraints with florists. If flower costs exceed their budget, ask about alternative types they might buy. This feedback can help adjust your inventory. Final Thoughts I love being part of this flower-farming community! We're all in this together, and I'm here to help you navigate the challenges of running a flower farm. Please follow me on social media at the links below! Mentions Lennie's Instagram: flowerfarming.forprofit, B-Side Farm Lennie's online course: Profitable Flower Farming Dave's online course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More Spring Meadows: flowering shrub wholesale liners & pots The Gardener's Workshop on Instagram Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Smaller is Better: My Motto for 2025 Today I discuss the concept of “smaller is better,” which is my goal for 2025. This realization hit me after facing challenges in the last two years and was reinforced by a paragraph in my book, The Cut Flower Handbook. When I began flower farming in 1998, I had a limited space of 1.17 acres. I focused on attracting customers rather than just growing flowers. If a bed underperformed, I quickly replanted it for efficiency. Years later, I bought an additional acre and a half, which initially felt like a dream but led to "growing pains." Despite investing in equipment, our efficiency dropped, and our income did not rise as expected. As my operations expanded, chores became overwhelming. I struggled to keep up with planting and weeding, often playing catch-up instead of preventing weeds. Timely actions are critical in maintaining quality. Over time, my business shifted from large-scale production to focusing on select customers and educating aspiring growers. However, I didn't reduce flower cultivation as much as I should have, resulting in excess work and expenses. As I head into 2025, I aim to optimize flower production by better utilizing our space. We've initiated a plan to dedicate specific areas for growing flowers, emphasizing quality over quantity. Friends, behaviors matter in flower farming. In 2025, let's embrace the idea that smaller is better! Mentions Lisa's book: The Cut Flower Handbook Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular “Ask a Flower Farmer” live Q&A session on Instagram. Daniel Schavey of Petal Pickers Flower Co. in Greenville, SC hosted this one. Daniel is an 8th-year flower farmer growing in zone 8a and an alumnus of most of The Gardener's Workshop's online courses. Here, Daniel offers an update on his growing season (including a BIG problem with his Dahlias) and answers questions on topics such as Cool Flowers, his most profitable crops, and so much more! Mentions Petalpickers.com: fresh flowers shipped nationwide, dahlia tuber and fall bulb sales Bio360 Biodegradable Mulch Film Online Courses from The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode is an interview that Lisa recently did on The Flower Podcast with host Scott Shepherd. Scott and Lisa covered a broad range of topics, including: The importance of evaluating your season & your goals regularly How perfectionism is a hindrance to success (70% is good enough!) Making every effort to start your business with cash (debt-free) Take the time to get to know your market & what your clients want Always eat the ugly frog first! If you haven't listened to The Flower Podcast, you should check it out here! Mentions Lisa's Online Course: Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Topics Covered Watering Tips for Sunflowers & Lilies Growing Limelight Hydrangeas Tips for Fall Planting Campanula Dealing with Leaf Hoppers Storing Dahlia Bulbs Over Winter Managing Vole Damage Best Flowers to Plant in Tropical Areas Harvesting Tips for Astilbe Growing Lisianthus & Snapdragons Preventing Botrytis on Peonies Pre-sprouting Techniques for Ranunculus Propagation Methods for Peonies Managing White Flies Harvesting Tips for Various Flowers Episode originally aired 6/26/24 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 12:30PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts! Mentions Dave on social: Facebook, Instagram Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Discover our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Whether you're new or improving your farm, these insights can help. The journey can be tough, but with commitment and adaptability, the rewards are worth it. Take the time to learn and experiment—your efforts will pay off. 1. Find Your Markets Understanding your market is the first step to successful crop planning. Consider factors like demand and pricing, which can change quickly, making thorough analysis vital. Identify Your Customers: Know your target audience, whether florists, event planners, or supermarkets. Understand Their Needs: What flowers do your customers want? This informs your growing decisions. Plan for Timelines: Different markets have varying timelines; florists may need early week deliveries, while farmer's markets may focus on weekends. 2. Grow Diverse & Complementary Crops Diversity is essential in flower farming, as variety enhances beauty and increases resilience against pests & diseases. Seasonality: Educate your customers about seasonal flowers, like tulips in spring. Mix Early, Mid, and Late Season Flowers: Keep offerings fresh year-round by offering complementary flowers. Plan for Customer Demand: Grow flowers that excite customers at different times, such as Iceland poppies early and zinnias later. 3. Build Soil Health and Pest Resistance Healthy soil is vital for plant growth. Regular soil testing helps you make informed decisions about amendments. Adding organic matter improves soil structure, enhancing water retention and aeration. Monitoring moisture levels is crucial, as both overwatering and drought harm plants. Thus, maintaining soil health requires ongoing attention. Use Compost: Add compost regularly to enrich soil. Practice Crop Rotation: This maintains soil fertility and reduces disease. Encourage Beneficial Insects: Create habitats for beneficial bugs to control pests naturally. 4. Implement Succession Planting Succession planting is essential for a steady supply of flowers and requires careful planning. Timing significantly affects yield, so growers should consider factors like climate and plant variety. Plan Multiple Plantings: Plant the same crops at different times for continuous harvest. Focus on Consistency: Customers value being able to purchase their favorite flowers regularly. 5. Assess Available Resources Take the time to thoroughly assess your situation, as hasty decisions can lead to unforeseen consequences. Preparation is key, but avoid overthinking; find a balance that suits you. Know Your Space: Understand your land and what you can manage. Utilize What You Have: Use existing tools and resources. Consider Renting Equipment: If you need tools, consider renting when starting out. Crop planning is about the bigger picture. Challenges may arise, but this strategy sets your flower farm up for success! Mentions Lisa's Online Course: Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Hey, friends! It's Lisa Mason Ziegler, and today we're diving into the topic of time management in flower farming. Let's explore how to make the most of your time while building your flower business. Key Points to Consider Everyone Has the Same 24 Hours: Remember, everyone has the same amount of time each day. It's all about how you choose to spend it. Effective Time Management is Essential: Flower farming involves juggling many tasks like planting, harvesting, and marketing. You need to manage your time well to succeed. Control Your Spending: When starting a business, avoid overspending on seeds and plants. Make sure you're making more money than you spend! Harvesting is Key: The timing of your harvest is crucial. You must deliver flowers at the right stage for sale. Marketing and Business Tasks: Dedicate time to market your flowers and handle business tasks, so you're not overwhelmed. Managing Your Time Wisely Be Realistic: Only take on tasks you can manage well while you learn about flower farming. Structure Your Days: Create a daily schedule that prioritizes important tasks. For example, designate specific days for harvesting and selling. Create Systems: Develop systems for how you do things on your farm. This will help streamline processes and make it easier to train employees in the future. Delegate Tasks: Learn to let go of some responsibilities. It's important for growth! Network and Learn: Make time to network with other flower farmers and continue learning. Attend conferences and take courses to improve your skills. Efficiency in Flower Farming Garden Layout: Organize your garden layout to improve efficiency. This can save you time during harvesting and other tasks. Plan Ahead: Keep track of when to order seeds and supplies. Planning helps avoid last-minute stress. Flexibility is Key: Be prepared to adjust your plans based on weather and market conditions. Flexibility can help you handle unexpected changes. Final Thoughts Time management is crucial for success in flower farming. It's not about working every waking hour; it's about working smart. Remember, successful flower farmers manage their time effectively. So, take control of your time, and watch your flower business thrive! Until next time, friends! Ciao! Mentions Michelle at Roots Cut Flower Farm Lisa's Online Course: Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Sales & Pricing in Your First Season of Flower Farming Welcome to flower farming! If you're new to this industry, knowing about sales and pricing is crucial. This podcast covers strategies for your first season, including pricing transparency and customer loyalty. The Importance of Pricing Transparency Pricing transparency is key for your flower farming business. It's about being clear with customers and aligning with industry standards. Asking customers what they would pay can harm your reputation. Instead, set your prices based on research of reputable flower farmers and your costs. This creates a strong foundation for your pricing strategy. Remember, pricing can differ by location and market. A $25 bouquet may seem small in one area and substantial in another, so adjust based on local conditions and product quality. Understanding Seasonality It's important to educate customers about flower seasonality. Many may not know when certain blooms are available, leading to unrealistic requests, like brides wanting out-of-season flowers. Share your knowledge of seasonal blooms. For example, if peonies will be available next week, let customers know in advance to create anticipation and strengthen your connection. No Bartering, Please Bartering can undermine your professionalism. Haggling might imply you're not serious. Set clear prices and stick to them; customers should either buy at the price or not. Sticking to your prices builds trust and respect for your brand. It's better to reward loyal customers than negotiate with others. Rewarding Loyal Customers A rewards system for loyal customers can increase sales. Consider subscriptions for regular deliveries, providing steady income and fresh flowers for your best customers. Also, offer bulk discounts for larger orders, defining what qualifies as "bulk." For instance, a dozen bunches may qualify, but smaller amounts do not. Waiving delivery fees for larger orders can encourage bigger purchases and foster loyalty. Keeping It Simple As a new flower farmer, it might be tempting to offer many bouquet sizes, but this complicates things. Focus on one standard-sized bouquet that competes with supermarkets. Simplifying your offerings makes production easier and boosts profitability, allowing you to prioritize quality. Not Everyone Is Your Customer Understand that not all customers are a good fit. Some may expect more than you can provide or be difficult to please. Letting go of these customers helps you focus on those who appreciate your work. If a customer frequently complains or makes unreasonable demands, consider referring them elsewhere. Your time is valuable, and focusing on the right customers will yield better results. Building a Loyalty Program A loyalty program can encourage repeat business. Implement a punch card system for a free bouquet after a set number of purchases to reward loyalty easily. Show appreciation to regulars with special offers or freebies to retain customers and encourage referrals. Conclusion As you navigate your first season, remember that learning and adapting are vital. Stay connected with industry professionals and adjust your strategies as necessary. With dedication, you can create a successful flower farming business. For more resources, please visit our website. Mentions Lisa's Online Course: Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Marketing in Your First Season as a Flower Farmer Hello, friends! Welcome back to another episode of Field & Garden, where I help anyone, anywhere, learn how to grow cut flowers. Today, I'm excited to share some valuable tips on marketing and selling flowers, especially in your first season. This is such an important topic, and I hope to inspire you to take action! Getting Ready for Your First Season Let's dive into how to market your flowers before you even have them! This is crucial because the best time to start marketing is before you have buckets of flowers waiting for customers. In fact, you want to have people excited and ready to buy your flowers even before they bloom! Facing the Challenges of Marketing It's normal to feel overwhelmed by the business side of flower farming, especially marketing. It can seem daunting, but facing these challenges will get easier over time. Don't give up after one or two attempts; persistence is key! Remember, marketing is simply about educating people about what you do and how they can buy from you. Top Ten Marketing Tips for Flower Farmers Here are ten points to help you market your flowers effectively: Highlight Local Flowers: Always include your location in your posts. People want to know where they can buy your flowers, so make it clear. Showcase Seasonal Varieties: Talk about unique flowers that are only available locally. Highlight their beauty and why they are special. Emphasize Sustainable Practices: Share your commitment to sustainable farming methods. Educating customers about your practices can attract environmentally conscious buyers. Promote Artisan Bouquets: Your bouquets will be different from what people see in stores. Whether you make them or allow customers to create their own, this is a unique selling point. Variety and Diversity: Offer a wide range of flowers. Consistent quality is what keeps customers coming back, not just new trends. Personalized Service: Build relationships with customers through excellent service. Good customer care can lead to repeat business. Farm-to-Table Experience: Consider inviting customers to your farm for tours or events. This helps them connect with your flowers in a meaningful way. Specialty Cuts and Unique Blooms: Highlight the nostalgia of garden flowers. These are often the flowers that remind people of their childhood. Offer Workshops: You don't have to be an expert to host workshops. Start by inviting people to cut their own flowers and create bouquets. Community Involvement: Share your connections with local businesses. This reinforces the importance of supporting local economies. Building Anticipation Remember, the goal is to create excitement around your flowers before they are ready to sell. By using these marketing strategies, you can warm up your audience and have them clamoring for your flowers when they are available! Until next time, happy flower farming! Lisa Z. Mentions Lisa's Online Course, Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Jennie Love's Online Course: Making Workshops Work for You Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Lisa shares her 2025 plan to downsize her growing space and encourages those with smaller spaces to optimize their production in the following areas: bed spacing and maintenance, soil health, weed prevention, intensive planting techniques, and succession planting. Mentions Podcast: Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne Free Phone App: The Gardener's Workshop Live Shop Lennie's Online Course: Profitable Flower Farming Products: Bio360, Flower Support Netting Irrigation Suppliers: Berry Hill, Dripworks Lisa's Book: The Cut Flower Handbook Lisa's Online Course, Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Lisa lays the groundwork for you to succeed out of the gate, rather than suffering through failures to find your way to a great cut flower garden. Whether you're new to the cutting garden concept or you've been unsuccessful starting one in the past, listen in for the three key factors that will lead you down the path to gorgeous cut flowers! Mentions Lisa's Book: The Cut Flower Handbook Lisa's Online Course, Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Discover essential insights into the world of flower farming, where passion meets perseverance! This episode dives deep into the heart of flower farming, unraveling the layers of determination, business acumen, and preparation needed to thrive. From the first-hand experience of someone who started their journey 25+ years ago, learn about the highs and lows of stepping into the unknown, the resilience required to overcome the myriad challenges, and the critical importance of a strong business foundation to sustain your passion for flower farming. Embark on your path to becoming a successful flower farmer today by understanding the importance of preparation and equipping yourself with the tools needed for a flourishing future in flower farming. Mentions Book: The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski Lisa's Online Course, Flower Farming School Online: Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one was hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler, a flower farmer with over 25 years of experience, author, online instructor, founder of The Gardener's Workshop, and self-proclaimed "head bottle washer." During this session in early May, she fielded questions on the following topics... Topics: buckwheat cover crop, weed suppression & prevention, harvesting strawflowers, how to store seeds, recommended soil for raised beds, perennials for shade gardens, fertilizing cool flowers in the spring, succession planting, protecting plants from squirrels and rabbits, scouting for pest and disease damage, Sweet William varieties & successions, early and late-season sunflowers Lisa hosts these live Q&As on Instagram every Wednesday at 12:30 pm Eastern time, and we occasionally have guest hosts on as well - we invite you to check it out! Mentions Lisa's Online Community: The Gardener's Workshop Club Our Live Shopping Phone App: Download Link Lisa's Book: The Cut Flower Handbook Online Course: Cool Flowers From Seed To Harvest Products: Stand-Up Hoe, Neptune's Harvest Catch "Ask A Flower Farmer" live on our Instagram! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one featured guest host Lennie Larkin, author of Flower Farming for Profit and owner of B-Side Farm in Oregon. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener's Workshop. In this Q&A Lennie fielded questions about bouquet pricing, floral design, how to research your local market, and more. Topics: Tiered pricing for bouquets, principles of floral design, flower markups, researching your market to develop your business model, building bouquets efficiently Mentions Lennie's Instagram: flowerfarming.forprofit, B-Side Farm Online course: Profitable Flower Farming The Gardener's Workshop on Instagram Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
In this episode, Lisa visits Emma Mobley's flower farm in Suffolk, VA. Emma shares her journey of transitioning to flower farming and discusses her new business model, focusing on spring and fall blooms. Listen as she reveals her selling strategies, challenges, and what the future holds for End of Nowhere Flower Farm. Note: video version of this podcast available on our YouTube channel Mentions Website: End of Nowhere Flower Farm Find Emma on Instagram or Facebook Discover our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, normally called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one, however, we called Ask a Florist, and it featured guest hostess Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, MD. Ellen is a floral designer who creates exclusively with flowers and foliage purchased from local growers. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener's Workshop. In this Q&A Ellen fielded questions about floral design, the different flowers she uses throughout the year, and some great business questions too. Other topics mentioned: floral design for beginners, long-lasting flowers, arranging in mason jars, what Ellen designs with during the winter months, foam-free floral mechanics, the first steps toward selling your flowers, how to get the best vase life from your flowers, how to sell to a florist for the first time, flower cart sales, flower pricing for florists, buying bulk flowers, using social media as a tool to tell your story, spring focal flowers, price undercutting. Mentions Ellen's newsletter signup Ellen's YouTube Channel Instagram: Ellen Frost Flowers Instagram: Local Color Flowers Ellen's courses: On-Demand Mini-Workshop: Preparing to Sell to Florists Florist School Online: Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing Field & Garden Podcast #130: Local Color Flowers – A Design Studio's Year Month-by-Month with Ellen Frost Seed Talk Podcast #52 – Zinnia Challenges with Florist Ellen Frost The Gardener's Workshop on Instagram Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
I had a wonderful time visiting Torrie Anderson's place, The Flower Farm at Youngs Mill, back in June. Located just a couple of miles from my farm here in Virginia, Torrie is one of my dedicated students who has truly embraced the lessons and made remarkable progress! Now in her third year of flower farming with her husband and four children, join me to learn about Torrie's journey and hear her plans for the future. Mentions Website: The Flower Farm at Youngs Mill Find Torrie on Instagram or Facebook Discover our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Here, he answers questions about snapdragons, baptisia, ranunculus, peonies, larkspur, lisianthus, and so much more. Other topics include the updated USDA hardiness zone map, managing thrips and aphids, powdery mildew, fertilizing and pinching techniques, his all-time favorite perennials to grow for cut flowers, and making a profit from flower farming. Mentions USDA Hardiness Zone Map - updated Nov 2023 Bulb Supplier: Ball/Colorlink, or Call for Account Setup: 800-686-7380 Dave on social: Facebook, Instagram Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Discover our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
These are the top 5 mistakes I see folks making related to Cool Flowers, don't be one of them! 1. Not knowing your first & last frost dates, along with your lowest expected winter temperature 2. Not preparing your garden beds ahead of time 3. Not knowing how each seed prefers to be started (indoors or outside, direct sow vs transplants) 4. Not providing the right environmental conditions seed sprouting and optimal seedling growth (light, temperature, air, and water) 5. Failing to realize that you do NOT have to start all seeds yourself (plugs are an option!) Avoid these common mistakes to save time, money, and most importantly, your sanity! Mentions Silage Tarp Plug Suppliers: Farmer Bailey, Ball Hort/Colorlink Cool Flower Seeds from The Gardener's Workshop Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest TGW Phone App/Live Shopping Show Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
If you are a Southerner or a Northerner you may think the Cool Flower concept doesn't work for you, but nothing could be further from the truth! When you find your planting time sweet spot you will be the envy of all your grower friends, and your customers will think you are nothing short of a miracle worker! As a Southerner, I spent years at the farmers market watching customers love on my sweet peas and tell me why they can't be grown here - Ha! Meanwhile I hear from my northern flower farming friends that they have become driven to find ways to get this plant family in the ground earlier and earlier each year to reap the benefits! Cool Flowers are for everyone. Myth busted, truth unveiled! Enjoy this week's episode for my best Cool Flower tips and recommendations for Southerners and Northerners. Mentions Request the FREE webinar: 3 Foolproof Steps to Success with Cool Flowers Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers Request the Cool Flowers video book study Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest Lisa's Book, The Cut Flower Handbook TGW Phone App/Live Shopping Show Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Stepping away and looking at the big picture, it is easy to see why and how we have been skipping over spring crops. Some of us go to extremes to get warm plants blooming sooner than they should be and others are still planting this family way too late to reap the rewards that well-established plants give. Warm-season plants are familiar, which makes them seem easier to grow. I want to fast forward to where this journey of embracing seasonality with cool-season hardy annuals can lead. This is a trend that I have seen over and over, and I think it is so smart. My first experience with flower farmers making a clear decision to move away from offering summer crops and focusing on spring and or fall crops was with good friends Megan and Jonathan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm in North Carolina. I met them before their babies came, and I watched as they started a family, lived the homesteading life, and grew cut flowers as a piece of their family life, not allowing it to consume them. They developed their model as an early to late spring offering flower farm. Now we're seeing more and more flower farmers realizing they can maintain control as they grow their businesses, molding them into a more manageable part of their life. I had the honor of visiting one of my student's farms a couple of years ago. She came to the rescue of furnishing some flower crops for a photo shoot for my newest book, The Cut Flower Handbook. I knew I wanted to revisit her farm with the team to learn and film about how she got into flower farming and where her journey is headed. I was thrilled to hear her story of creating a more manageable flower farming business. Our visit with Emma will be released as a Field & Garden podcast episode later this season. Mentions Request the FREE webinar: 3 Foolproof Steps to Success with Cool Flowers Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest Emma Mobley, End of Nowhere Flower Farm Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Why Grow Annuals? I stumbled into growing annuals. I initially began planting perennials but I quickly saw the errors of my way-- I was going to run out of space, QUICK! As my business was gaining more demand than flowers I had-- I became a little crazy figuring out how to make the most of my total property of 1.17 acres that also had my home and outbuildings. I already had a nice stand of hydrangeas in our landscape and thought-- bingo, use it all. But then I needed a consistent supply-- I didn't see it yet but annual plants were knocking down my door. Then I got it! To maximize my space and to have a consistent supply I needed annuals. What I discovered along that journey is that annuals are the perfect fit for the small-space flower farmer. It's the recommended way all farmers get started to learn how to farm, maintain, seed start, harvest, and find customers: Low investment, Max production small space, Constant ability to change up-colors & varieties, The annual system has been so misrepresented A little-known reality of the "Annual Farmer" is that this style of farming can become an asset to your home. I could literally stop farming any day, plant trees or grass, and call it a life well lived. Mentions Online Courses from The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular “Ask a Flower Farmer” live Q&A session on Instagram. Daniel Schavey of Petal Pickers Flower Co. in Greenville, SC hosted this one. Daniel is an 8th-year flower farmer growing in zone 8a and an alumnus of most of The Gardener's Workshop's online courses. Here, he answers questions on topics such as Mother's Day flowers and pricing, ordering plugs vs. starting from seed, purchasing and saving ranunculus corms, and so much more! Other topics covered: hydroponic tulips, when to plant dahlia tubers, tuberose growing tips, peonies for Mother's Day, perennial phlox, starting small with flower farming, ranunculus harvest stage, starting zinnias from seed, shipping flowers, foliage and greens for Mother's Day, sunflower seed starting. Mentions Petalpickers.com: fresh flowers shipped nationwide, dahlia tuber and fall bulb sales Follow on Instagram: Petal Pickers, The Gardener's Workshop Book, The Cut Flower Handbook Book, Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens High Tunnels from Farmers Friend Lisianthus plugs: Ball Colorlink, Farmer Bailey, Leo Berbee Online Courses from The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Take control now, because if you don't, nobody will! Resist distractions, structure your workdays to get the tasks that matter done, grow more of less, endlessly market your business, and streamline everything! Mentions Lisa's Favorite Hat to Beat the Heat! Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
In this episode, Lisa and our newest TGW instructor Lennie Larkin offer a look inside our online course, Profitable Flower Farming. Mentions Online Course: Profitable Flower Farming with Lennie Larkin Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
In this episode, Lisa and guest Lenny Larkin discuss her journey into flower farming, her move to Oregon, and the creation of her educational business. They also delve into the challenges of profitable flower farming, the future of the domestic cut flower industry, and introduce Lennie's new online course published by The Gardener's Workshop. Mentions New Online Course: Profitable Flower Farming with Lennie Larkin Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. Guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, also a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Here, he answers questions about lilies, ranunculus, peonies, lisianthus, calla lilies, and so much more. Other topics include dianthus, sweet peas, eucalyptus, bells of Ireland, viburnum, cosmos, dahlia gall, sunflowers, pinching, new garden bed preparation, and selling to florists. Mentions Ball Seed's Cut Flowers Info Hub Dave's Online Course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Lisa's Book, The Cut Flower Handbook Facebook Group: Lisianthus Seed Starters The Gardener's Workshop on Instagram Discover all of our online courses! Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our Farm News emails! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
Today's episode features Lisa Ziegler and Layne Angelo as they introduce their new online course. It was over a year in the making and is called Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest. Listen in as they talk about their inspiration and how the course came to be, what it includes, and answer audience questions. Mentions Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
A quick little set of reminders for busy flower growers! 1) Weeds: You need a prevention plan, plus a plan to extinguish any that survive when they're small. 2) Succession planting: designate resources/time to getting those successions done, it needs to be a top priority. 3) Always be selling: be on the lookout for additional sales opportunities, putting feelers out continuously. 4) Don't run out of supplies: purchase with an entire season in mind so that you're not stuck waiting for something. 5) Do paperwork weekly: put it in your schedule weekly, as this task gets more overwhelming if you don't keep up with it. Mentions Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies! Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News! The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener's Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa's Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
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