flower farming

Though she comes from a flower growing family, Tracy Yang of JARN Co. Flowers wasn’t always planning on following in the family business. Now, Tracy and her family farm four acres of flowers in Monroe, Washington, located about 45 minutes northeast of Seattle. Hear about how she decided to grow flowers for a living and the process of establishing her own farm, which involved clearing raw land and a lot of blackberries.

Starting her own farm included some new strategies, like a steadily growing flower CSA and home delivery. JARN Co. Flowers sells 80% of their flowers direct-to-consumer because Tracy values the direct connection they have to their community, something I bet many of our listeners can relate to! Tracy is a first-generation Hmong-American and second-generation flower farmer. Hear how she makes it easy and enjoyable for her customers to buy from her, how she’s making flowers more accessible, and how she uses pop-up markets to build brand awareness.

Connect With Guest:

Email: hello@jarncompany.com

Website: http://www.jarncompany.com

Instagram: @jarncoflowers

Facebook: JARN Co. Flowers

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com.

Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, lighting, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full spectrum of colors. For all that plus experienced support for everything they sell, check out Bootstrap Farmer.

Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and more! Get 15% off marketing services and one premium feature for a year with the code Growing4market at https://hubs.la/Q02bpWQV0

Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Visit vermontcompost.com/gfm for details or mention this podcast when you place your order.

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

On this week’s podcast, we draw on Lisa’s years of flower farming experience to talk not just about growing flowers, but the business and practical tips needed to grow a profitable flower business. Lisa’s new book, The Cut Flower Handbook, is full of information on the growing side, and in our interview we talk about how to put it all together to sustain the passion with a profitable business. We discuss workhorse flower crops, when to harvest, how to ensure the best vase life, and the practical tips that will build a cut flower business and keep it going.

Over the years, Lisa’s farm, The Gardener’s Workshop, has grown to include online courses, seeds, and flower growing tools and supplies. Lisa is also the author of the books Cool Flowers, Vegetables Love Flowers, and The Cut Flower Handbook. She has been selling cut flowers since 1998, including to Colonial Williamsburg, florists throughout the Hampton Roads region, supermarkets, farmers markets, a members-only on-farm market, and a bouquet drop-off subscription service.

Connect With Guest:

Website: thegardenersworkshop.com

Instagram: @gardenersworkshopfarm

The Cut Flower Handbook

Order the book from Growing for Market- magazine subscribers always get 20% off all the books we sell.

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and more! Get 15% off marketing services and one premium feature for a year with the code Growing4market at https://hubs.la/Q02bpWQV0

Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full range of colors, great for keeping farm seedlings separate from retail, or just for fun. For all that and more, check out Bootstrap Farmer at bootstrapfarmer.com.

BCS America BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com.

Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone?

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

For 33 years, Growing for Market Magazine has been the only publication focused solely on news and information for vegetable and flower market farmers. Published ten times a year with articles written by farmers, for farmers, whether you do farmers markets, CSA, farmstand, local wholesaling, or florist sales, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine to learn from other farmers about growing, marketing, and the business of local farming.

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Hello fellow garden enthusiasts! 🌷 Roz Chandler here, I am thrilled to embark on another delightful episode of The Cutflower Podcast. Join me as we uncover the magic of blooms and gardening wisdom. 

As January unfolds, we're knee-deep in our cut flower planting series, gearing up for a spectacular February. Exciting news – our free online master classes starting on February 1st are a must-attend. Get ready for a blooming adventure!

Podcast Review and Highlights:
Celebrate with me as The Cutflower Podcast blooms at number four on Apple's Home and Garden Podcasts. Let's reminisce about the podcast wonders from last year – a garden journey for every listener, whether you're a seasoned fan or a fresh bud.

Blooms for the Soul: Therapeutic Gardens:
Step into the serene world of therapeutic gardens with heartwarming stories from Ratio Gardens. Join uplifting conversations with Dr. Olivia Chappell, Dr. Richard Claxton, and garden therapist Ashley Edwards. Discover the healing power of gardening for mental well-being.

Nurturing Mental Well-being:
Explore episodes focused on mental health and gardening with guests like Helen Cross and Alice Vincent. Unearth the profound impact of gardening on well-being and the joy of connecting with nature.

Wildlife, Biodiversity, and Football Gardens:
Embark on a delightful journey with beekeeper Helen Rogers and Professor Dave Goulson into the world of bees and biodiversity. Meet Michael Canard, the green mind behind a coastal compost club intertwining football and gardening. Footballers turned gardeners? Let's kick off this green revolution!

Adapting to Climate Change:
Navigate the green path with Sally Morgan's insights on resilient gardening and Marianne Boswell's wisdom on sustainability in the face of climate change. Listen as Professor Alastair Griffiths shares the RHS perspective on tackling climate challenges.

Sowing Seeds of Inspiration:
For aspiring flower farmers, don't miss the inspiring journey of Sue McGlasson. From seedling dreams to blooming reality, her story is a testament to the flourishing possibilities in the world of flower farming.

As we wrap up this vibrant bouquet of insights, mark your calendars for our master classes on the first, second, and fifth of February. Join our Facebook group, Cut Flower Masterclasses 2024, and let's continue growing together. Until next time, happy gardening! 🌻

• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: www.thecutflowercollective.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Groups Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Learn With The Cut Flower Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnwiththecutflowercollective

Roz Chandler here! January vibes on planning your cutting patch. Don't miss our Feb 1st cut flower master classes on Facebook (Cut Flower Master Classes 2024).

Plot Planning Essentials:

1. Purpose: Define goals – personal joy or potential flower farm?
2. Space: Tailor plans to your available space.
3. Layout: Separate flower areas for charm. Consider raised beds.
4. Sunlight: 6-8 hours' exposure; windbreaks if needed.
5. Soil: Test pH, add compost. Go eco-friendly, avoid herbicides.
6. Watering: Plan irrigation; rainwater harvesting is a plus.
7. Germination: Choose a suitable space; care as seedlings grow.

Tips for Success):

• Successional planting keeps blooms coming.
• Variety is key – perennials, biennials, herbs.
• Mind spacing, stake tall plants, embrace mulching.
• Manage pests with bio-controls, clean tools, and stay eco-friendly.
• Enjoy the process; initial setbacks are part of learning.

Conclusion:
Cheers to the journey! Embrace the learning curve, celebrate fresh blooms. Happy gardening!

• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: www.thecutflowercollective.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Groups Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Learn With The Cut Flower Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnwiththecutflowercollective

Rebecca owns Moonshot Farm, a specialty cut flower farm in East Windsor, NJ. She and her husband Mark started the farm in 2019 with big goals of providing sustainably grown flowers year-round — literally 52 weeks of the year. They thought their goals were so lofty that it informed their farm’s name — they are trying to “shoot the moon,” as they say. However, it must be working, because they do in fact grow flowers year-round, including in a geothermal greenhouse, for retail markets in and around New York City.

Rebecca clearly has tons to share with our audience and we were excited to hear about growing flowers, how they are making this work to harvest year-round in their climate, and also her recent shift to quitting her off-farm job so that both she and Mark could work full-time on the farm. Rebecca wrote a great article for the September 2023 Growing for Market about that move, including interviewing many other farmers who have made the same leap. It’s a big decision, and we talk about the successes and challenges she and others have faced.

The link to the article “Making the leap to farming full-time” is available below; Rebecca’s other articles are available in the archive and in back issues for Growing for Market Magazine subscribers.

Free article by Rebecca Kutzer-Rice from Growing for Market Magazine:

Making the leap to farming full-time

Connect With Guest:

Email: info@moonshotfarm.com

Website: www.moonshotfarm.com

Instagram: @moonshot_farm

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com

Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and more! Get 15% off marketing services and one premium feature for a year with the code Growing4market at https://hubs.la/Q02bpWQV0

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers peer-review certification to ecological farmers and beekeepers producing food, flowers, and fiber for their local communities. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable growing practices with a certification that fits your farm’s scale, budget, and community values. Learn more and apply at the link! www.naturallygrown.org

Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full range of colors, great for keeping farm seedlings separate from retail, or just for fun. For all that and more, check out Bootstrap Farmer at bootstrapfarmer.com.

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone? Visit vermontcompost.com/gfm for details or mention this podcast when you place your order.

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

No one gets into flower farming because they love business analytics, however if you don’t know how to make sense of your business and make a profit, you’re not going to stay in business for very long. Luckily we’ve got Lennie Larkin of B-Side Farm to help us cut through the clutter and tell us how to plan to make a profit in our own flower farm businesses. She’s on the pod this week, telling us about her new book, Flower Farming for Profit, which will be out in January.

We talk about how to evaluate your whole enterprise from the close-up, such as whether an individual crop is making you money or not, to zooming out to tell whether an entire market is right for you or not. For example, we talk about how even though the same stem that sells for a dollar to a wholesaler might be worth many times more at a wedding, there are a lot of other costs associated with getting an individual stem to a wedding. So if you’re more of an enjoy-my-time-on-the tractor type of person, you might be more suited to wholesaling and foregoing the big markups associated with weddings and other events. We also talk about the process of moving Lennie’s own farm from CA to OR, how to avoid engaging in magical thinking, and how to get prices above the market average for your flowers.

Pre-order Flower Farming for Profit (magazine subscribers get 20% off):

https://growingformarket.com/store/products/252

Connect With Guest:

Website: www.flowerfarmingforprofit.com

Instagram: @flowerfarming.forprofit

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

If you’re an experienced vegetable farmer, don’t miss out on the 2024 Organic Vegetable Production Conference! In its 8th year, this conference fills that “expert-level” niche you’re looking for. Farmer presenters share the nitty-gritty details of their production practices and also speak on a wide range of topics - from fertilizer injectors and pest management with beneficials, to seed saving and labor retention.With online sessions on January 25th and 26th and in-person sessions on February 2 and 3 in Madison, Wisconsin, you can plug in no matter where you are. Register today at https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/organic-vegetable-production-conference/#link

Certified Naturally Grown - Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers peer-review certification to ecological farmers and beekeepers producing food, flowers, and fiber for their local communities. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable growing practices with a certification that fits your farm’s scale, budget, and community values. Learn more and apply at naturallygrown.org.

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. BCS has select tractors and attachments on sale now through the end of the year. Visit bcsamerica.com to find sale pricing and your nearest dealer.

Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and more! Get 15% off marketing services and one premium feature for a year with the code Growing4market at https://hubs.la/Q02bpWQV0

Bootstrap Farmer - Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, lighting, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full spectrum of colors. For all that plus experienced support for everything they sell, check out Bootstrap Farmer.

Vermont Compost Company - Vermont Compost Company - Each fall, Vermont Compost offers a prebuy program to incentivize ordering your spring soil before the snow flies. With Vermont Compost’s prebuy program, you can receive 15% off on orders placed, paid for, and shipped by December 21st. Listeners of the Growing for Market podcast will receive an additional 5%, bringing the total discount to 20%. Visit vermontcompost.com/gfm for more details, or mention this podcast when you place your order.

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Welcome to The Cutflower Podcast,  in today's episode, we're diving into the world of autumn bulb planting. So, what bulbs should you be considering for a vibrant spring garden in the UK?

Roz kicks off by emphasising the importance of timing, especially for tulips.  Moving on to other bulbs, daffodils and narcissi are perfect for the UK climate, offering a wide variety of choices. Hyacinths, known for their fragrance and vibrant colorus, can be planted in the ground or forced indoors. Alliums, in various shapes and sizes, provide a stunning display, especially when planted close together. Crocus, with their early blooms, signify the arrival of spring. English bluebells and snowdrops, native to the UK, add a touch of natural beauty.

Roz also introduces the Star of Bethlehem, a delightful addition to your garden from autumn through late spring. She provides general guidelines for planting, emphasizing location, depth, and spacing. The lasagna method, planting bulbs in pots with different flowering times, is explained for a prolonged display. Watering and mulching tips are shared, ensuring your bulbs thrive.

Key Takeaways:

1. Timing is crucial; wait until November to plant tulips for a successful bloom.
2. Explore a variety of bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, crocus, bluebells, snowdrops, and the Star of Bethlehem.
3. Follow general guidelines for planting, considering location, depth, and spacing.
4. Try the lasagna method for extended flowering in pots.
5. Water tulips in February for optimal growth.
6. Mulch after planting to protect bulbs and deter weeds in spring.

Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer or a hobbyist tending to your garden, Roz's advice will guide you in creating a stunning spring display. Remember, the beauty of your blooms might vary, but the joy of planting lasts all season!

Happy planting, and enjoy the podcast!

• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: www.thecutflowercollective.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Groups Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Learn With The Cut Flower Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnwiththecutflowercollective

Hey bloomers! Its Now our Off Season when the farm starts to slow down. NOT! We always get asked how we just keep going once the flowers are all gone. Well now that its winter its busier then ever with winter greens and Christmas wreaths. Lets talk about how we keep making money and hopefully give you all some ideas on how even though its winter it doesn't mean you have to stop the fun. 

Hey Bloomers!

Sorry for the long pause on our good time! We just got a little busy here on the farm. But we aren't going anywhere and we got a update episode for you! So lets get cozy and have A Blooming Good Time!

Sometimes we can be stronger when we collaborate, and on this week’s pod hear from two growers with over 20 years of experience working together. Lyn Jacobs @la_finquita_del_buho and Polly Gottesman @pumpkinridgegardens each run their own vegetable CSA farms, and they’ve been collaborating to sell vegetable and flower seedlings, fresh cut flower bouquets, dried flowers and wreaths since 2002. This episode is packed with lots of great ideas and growing info, including how to keep your flowers distinctive at markets with other flower growers, how they manage the cooperative business arrangement between their two farms, and how to keep the personal relationship strong along with the business after more than two decades of collaborating.

Connect With Guest:

Email: lynjuve@msn.com

Email: pumpkinridgegardens@gmai.com

Website: www.finquita.com

Website: https://pumpkinridgegardens.com/

Website: https://pumpkinridgegardens.square.site/ (our farmers market website)

Instagram: @la_finquita_del_buho

Instagram: @pumpkinridgegardens

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone?

Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse kits, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full spectrum of colors. For all that plus experienced support for everything they sell, check out Bootstrap Farmer at bootstrapfarmer.com.

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

In this weeks episode, Roz is joined in the studio  by Sasha York. Sasha is an avid gardener and flower enthusiast. She started her gardening journey during lockdown to help others cope with the lack of outdoor space, sharing 10-minute tutorials and later live sessions on Instagram.

Todays conversation delves into the world of flowers, gardens, and the passion that drives it all. Roz and Sahsa are sharing their insights and experiences on various flowers, gardening techniques, and the joy of cultivating blooms. Roz, and Sasha explore their thoughts on the top flowers to grow, their personal journeys in the world of gardening, and Sasha's exciting venture in Yorkshire.

Key Takeaways:

• The Joy of Gardening:  It is important to choose varieties that thrive in their specific environments and how these blooms add character and colour to their spaces. 
• Top 5 Flowers for Beginners: Lavender, Cosmos, Amaranth, Sweet Peas, Sweet Williams. These are versatile, beautiful, and relatively easy to grow for aspiring gardeners.
• Direct Sowing: Sasha and Roz emphasise the value of direct sowing for certain plants, highlighting the benefits of letting nature take its course.
• From Dreams to Blooms - A Journey in Gardening: Sasha shares her journey from childhood dreams of being an MI5 agent to her current role as a landscape garden designer. She describes the transformative power of gardens and how they've been a source of inspiration and solace for her. Roz Chandler reflects on her experiences as a flower farmer and the unexpected pleasures that come from connecting with fellow garden enthusiasts. 
• Future Endeavours in Yorkshire
  Sasha shares her plans for the future, focusing on the development of 'Monthly Stables and Walled Garden' in Yorkshire. She envisions a space for therapeutic gardening, workshops, and events. Roz also discusses her flower farming endeavours and the importance of considering market demand in flower selection. 

Sasha York Resource Links:

• Instagram: @sashinthegarden and @hutton_wandesley_stables 
• Website: www.sashinthegarden.co.uk 
• Website:

New Catalogue Out Now, Oct 23,
https://plantsofdistinction.co.uk  use the code CUTFLOWER30 for 30% off your order.

This podcast episode is sponsored by First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.
A polytunnel is an amazing protective environment for plants, vegetables and flowers, extending any growing season, whether you're growing for pleasure or commercially. 
Whether you go for a small or a large tunnel, you can be assured of the same high quality product from First Tunnels, poly tunnels.  Do pop over to their website and take a look at their range

Mimo Davis and Miranda Duschack grow flowers at Urban Buds City Grown Flowers in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and we love this interview where we talk about rehabbing a legacy farm property including an old glass greenhouse, what it’s really like to grow flowers in the city, and what their markets are with so many potential customers nearby. We talk about how to get the most out of a small area, favorite floral crops and growing tips, why they keep growing ginger along with all the flowers, the impact of urban farms, and so much more!

We’d like to thank the sponsors of this podcast, BCS America and the Vermont Compost Company. It’s with their generous support that we can bring you this podcast for free so show them some love. They’re making it easy right now as both sponsors are having sales- Vermont Compost is doing their annual prebuy program now through the end of October to incentivize ordering your spring soil before the snow flies. You can receive 20% off orders placed, paid for, and shipped by October 31st. Listeners of the Growing for Market podcast will also receive a free 60 quart bag of Compost Plus container and transplant booster mix with your order. Visit vermontcompost.com/gfm for more details, or mention this podcast when you place your order. And, BCS has select two-wheel tractors and attachments on sale now through the end of the year. Visit bcsamerica.com to find sale pricing and your nearest dealer.

Connect With Guest:

Email: citygrownflowers@gmail.com

Website: www.citygrownflowers.com

Instagram: @urbanbuds

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone?

BCS America - BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:

Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Farming can take a toll on the body, and this week’s podcast guest Cynthia Flores founded Labor-Movement to help farmers stay healthy through many seasons of farming. That’s because after 20 years of farming herself, she has felt the toll it takes on the body, and decided to do something about it! As a certified personal trainer and licensed massage therapist, we have a lot to learn from her about how to stay healthy through seasons of farming, including how to move to reduce injuries, how to recover from injuries, and how to get stronger in the off-season. Podcast host Katie Kulla and Cynthia discuss common farm injuries, ways to make our bodies more resilient, and farm systems and equipment to reduce injuries in the first place.

Connect With Guest:

Email: cynthia@labor-movement.com

Website: https://www.labor-movement.com

Instagram: @labor_movement_

Free 28 Day Trial - Cancel Anytime:

Go To Growing For Market Magazine: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Flower-giving holidays can generate a month’s worth of revenue in a day. In this episode, we discuss planning and planting for the flower holidays with Dave Dowling of Ball ColorLink and The Gardener’s Workshop. We talk about which crops can be grown for which holidays, planting timing, color palettes, and how to hold flowers if they are ready too early. 

Dave brings years of experience from his own cut flower farm to helping growers make the most of Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also discuss the Growing for Market Magazine article by Rebecca Kutzer-Rice, “Growing flowers for all the major floral holidays,” which is linked in the show notes.
 

In Shop Talk with Neversink Farm we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers. Shop talk is a segment in every episode of the Growing for Market Podcast X Neversink Farm.

We talk about how to have efficient, effective bed prep and field seeding in this episode of Shop Talk. We discuss how to keep pathways from creeping into the beds, how to use a gridder to keep plant or seeds spaced evenly, and the best seeders for different crops.

Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com

Articles Mentioned:

"Growing flowers for all the major floral holidays" By Rebecca Kutzer-Rice

Free PDF Mentioned:

Planning & Planting For The Flower Holidays

Connect With Guest:

Email: ddowling@ballseed.com

Website: https://www.ballseed.com/cutflowers/

Instagram: @davemdowling

Online Flower Farming School: https://thegardenersworkshop.com/product/bulbs-perennials-woodies-and-more/

Download A FREE Magazine Issue:

Go To Growing For Market Magazine: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Something I love about our garden is all the fruit trees that bloom in the spring and fruit in the Fall. They really add so much to the garden not only for there beauty but for food usage. We have a few that we cant wait to add to our growing collection! 

Sweet Peas are defiantly one of our all time favorite things to grow and also our first thing we grew EVER! All though our first attempted was a massive fail, we kept at them and now we grow some AMAZING sweet peas! We are really excided to talk about some of our favorite verity's and one we would love to have in the feature! So lets get sweet on this episode of A Blooming Good Time! 

Sorry for the late episode everyone! Its been some crazy time here on the farm with sweet peas and peonies coming on at the same time! Its been so busy that we forget to eat some days and that's a very bad habit to get in to, so that is what we are talking about in this episode of A Blooming Good Time! 

In today’s episode, hear about growing cut flowers six stories above the San Francisco Bay Area with Joanna Letz of Bluma Flower Farm @blumafarm. Hear what it’s like to grow flowers in a bustling metropolis, differences between field and rooftop growing, and some of Joanna’s favorite varieties. We discuss the advantages and challenges (yes, there are weeds up there) of farming on top of a building in the city. As both farmers and cities realize the benefits of urban agriculture, hopefully there will be more opportunities for growing crops on rooves, and we hope this episode will give growers the confidence to make the leap!

We were inspired by Joanna’s example of hyper local production, cutting the flower miles on her blooms down to almost nothing by growing in the city where many of them will be enjoyed. As we look for ways to cut down on the amount of transportation that goes into food and flowers, we want to encourage growing on rooftops and other city spaces that we don’t often think of as productive farmland. As an added bonus, green rooves can help mitigate urban heat islands and help reduce flash flooding by absorbing some of the water that would otherwise run off. Whether you’ve ever wondered how to get into rooftop growing, or just wondered what it’s like to grow cut flowers over a bustling metropolis, give this episode a listen.

In Shop Talk with Neversink Farm @neversinkfarm we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers. 

In this episode of Shop Talk, we discuss how to know when seedlings in paper pots are ready for transplanting. If they are planted too soon, seedlings may not be fully rooted and can fall out of the pots during transplanting. If you wait too long, the paper pots may start to break down before they are transplanted, and roots and tops may become tangled, making transplanting difficult. We talk about how to find the sweet spot for paperpot transplanting success in this Shop Talk segment.

Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com

Articles mentioned in the interview for show notes (all are already free/public):

Profile of Joanna and Bluma Flower Farm in June 2018 by Ellen Polishuk

https://growingformarket.com/articles/farmer-to-farmer-profile-bluma-flower-farm

Setting goals, taking risks and prioritizing your time in an unsettled season from 2020

https://growingformarket.com/articles/setting-goals-taking-risks-and-prioritizing-your-time

Rooftop farming on the rise: The mechanics of farming six stories up from 2021

https://growingformarket.com/articles/rooftop-farming-the-rise

Connect With Guest:

Website: www.blumaflowerfarm.com

Instagram: @blumafarm

Email: bluma@blumaflowerfarm.com

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Hey Bloomers! 

Just a cozy update for you guys! Everything that's been happening on the farm, how our CRAZY mothers day week went, and all the new things to expect in the next month. I hope you join us and have A Blooming Good Time!

Hello lovely Bloomers! today we are talking about some of our  favorite flowers Peonies! These big beautiful blooms are literally so dreamy that a lot of our brides will wait to have their weddings for when they're in bloom. We love growing them and we are so excited to talk about all the pros and cons of having then in your garden! So join us on this episode of A Blooming Good Time.