Becoming a Cut Flower Grower

Lydia Watson
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  • Home & Garden
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Becoming a Cut Flower Grower is a raw and honest podcast about growing and selling cut flowers and the realities of what it really takes to build a cut flower business from the ground up. Hosted by a working cut flower grower, the podcast combines practical insight with thoughtful reflections on the decisions, trade-offs, and rhythms of the work — from production and selling, to confidence, sustainability, and shaping an off-grid business on a tight budget. Episodes will be useful whether you’re starting out with cut flowers, developing a small-scale flower business, or simply interested in the craft, economics, and rhythm of growing cut flowers for sale.  With twice-weekly episodes, this podcast is an intelligent, steady companion for anyone curious to know what growing and selling cut flowers with intention and care really looks and feels like. Follow & Connect Instagram @henhillcutflowers. Subscribe/follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes. www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk

  1. 1d ago

    Heatwave...! Orders Going Out, Sweetpeas Are Flowering & Calculating Crop Gross Profits

    Hello, it's Tuesday 23 June 2026. Lots to tell you about tonight whilst recording from my very hot field. Even a peacock interrupted me (it's not mine!). We're in the middle of a heatwave here in the UK at the moment which is a teeny bit stressful. So far the seedlings are coping, but the water levels in the IBCs are taking a hit. Orders are starting to head off the field - more details about them and the upcoming weddings this weekend.  I also want to share some business jargon with you tonight: gross profit, gross profit margins plus direct and indirect costs. I've started to crunch some numbers to work these figures out now that the seedlings are all in the ground and although I don't have a complete set of data to work with, I'm too impatient to wait. I'll also be discussing the surprises I discovered with a couple of my crop germination rates.  Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome! Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    25 min

  2. 5d ago

    Let's Talk Numbers, Are Annual Plugs A Thing? Road Pins Incoming, Plus Plant Profile: Bindweed (Yes, Bindweed!)

    Hello, it's Friday 19 June 2026. Thank goodness it's Friday! Phew! If you sent me a message about the annuals/perennials debate this week - thank you - and if you commented on Spotify, thank you too. Tonight I'm talking more about starting annuals in autumn: I'm psyching myself up to get back into sowing. Please get in touch if you buy annual plug/starts: I'm really interested to know what you buy and why you choose plugs rather than seeds. How does it work out financially for you? Contact details below, do let me know. I'm talking about the numbers of seedlings I've planted out so far this year - I planned quite a daunting number yet what I've planted on the field doesn't seem anywhere near enough (or reflect the number I sowed).  Road pins! I'm obsessed. I've just ordered some and I chat about this. Finally, tonight's Plant Profile Series continues with Bindweed. I didn't know much about this frustrating - but beautiful - vigorous climber until I researched it and it's quite interesting. I wish my other plants would grow as quickly as bindweed.  Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome! Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    26 min

  3. Jun 16

    How Getting Away Really Helped Me, Putting Profit First & Why Annuals Are Not Working Out For Me

    Hello, it's Tuesday 16 June 2026. Normal service has been resumed (no more moaning tonight!). Thanks for bearing with me as I yakked on and on about what a dreadful week I had in the last episode.  Growing cut flowers is an absolutely wild ride: equal parts fun and sheer terror, and it's a very fine line. I find it really hard to look at the 'big picture' cut flower work I'm doing when my hands are in the soil and my head is full of 'to-do' lists. Tonight I'm sharing the three revelatory things I realised in the last 48 hours because I went away for the weekend and the break really helped me to look at the bigger picture. I hope you find these insights interesting. Here's the book I'm talking about tonight: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/ Do come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    26 min

  4. Jun 12

    Bit Of A Rant About The Rubbish Week I've Had, Stems I Sold This Week, Plus Plant Profile Of The Week: Astrantia

    Hello, it's Friday 12 June 2026. It has been a week. And not a good one! I had a nasty injury on the field, a car drama, non-stop rain, no sales on the hub, my garden is a jungle and I didn't get anywhere near enough seedlings planted out. Oh, and did I mention the rain? So, in light of that, this episode is a bit of a rant about how dreadfully things have gone this week, just in case you thought it was all fun and games. I have hit a rather large brick wall this week and I'm sharing all the lows with you tonight.  There have been two bits of good news this week to share with you (and they are good) and my Plant Profile Series continues with Astrantia, in honour of this beautiful perennial that I have flowering its sock off on my field. If you're not growing it yet, do give it consideration. I know it's a popular flower (even if no-one wanted mine this week!) P.s It's the Asian Hornet that apparently we have to report on a UK app, not the European one.  Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    23 min

  5. Jun 9

    Benefits of Mulching, Interplanting, Removing Poor Crops Early & How I Started

    Hello, it's Tuesday 9 June 2026. I have lots of news from the field in today's episode including planting seedlings, staking and netting, and weeding (or rather, pulling endless creeping thistle). I've also removed a succession of one of the Saponaria seedlings because they weren't performing well and space is at a premium. It's the first time I've ever done this - and I thought it would be hard - but it wasn't and I'm glad I've done it.  The quality of the soil under the chipped bark mulch is incredible and much better at surface level than the soil that isn't mulched. I'm a huge fan of mulching and I highly recommend it. I talk for a little bit about the reasons why bark mulch is so good for the soil and the plants, plus the benefits of having mycelium growing under the mulch. Finally I answer Sue's question about why I began flower farming and where I found my farm. It actually all started with my hens and I hope you enjoy the story. Do come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Check out Daniel's amazing time lapse reel on Instagram of his Cosmos Fruit Sensation closing up at night - it's brilliant! https://www.instagram.com/rainesflowersuk/ Details of how to buy an issue of The Flower Farmer magazine or subscribe can be found here: https://www.theflowerfarmermagazine.co.uk/ Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    29 min

  6. Jun 5

    Dahlia Planting, "C**k Swap", Greenhouse in Action & Plant Profile: The Petrol Station Carnation

    Hello, it's Friday 5 June 2026. Lots to tell you about tonight: news from the field including staking random cornflowers, more maintenance of the living pathways, and I'm starting to question whether it is more economical to buy plugs or sow seeds. There's also news from the greenhouse because some of the seedlings had to go back inside to protect them from the cool/windy/rainy weather I've had this week. There's been chicken drama: I had a brainwave, which I'm calling "c**k swap", and it did not work out well. I've had an article about how I use tech in flower farming published in issue 2 of The Flower Farmer magazine and details of how you can read it can be found below. I spent this afternoon with my dahlia mentor, Richard Bailey, and I chat about what we did and how Richard does things (properly). Tonight's plant profile series features Dianthus, or, strictly speaking, the "petrol station" carnation, which I'm totally in love with. It's a great plant and well worth investigating. Finally I discuss my jobs for the weekend on the field.  Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome! Details of how to buy an issue of The Flower Farmer magazine or subscribe can be found here: https://www.theflowerfarmermagazine.co.uk/ Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    30 min

  7. Jun 2

    Florist Interview Part 2: What Florists Really Want From Growers, Heatwave Aftermath & Lots Of New Plugs

    Hello, it's Tuesday 2 June 2026.  Phew, May is over. Last month really tested me (and a significant number of fellow growers). Our flowers were subject to such weather extremes that they (and I) didn't know if they were coming or going. Whilst plants are generally resilient, the flowers aren't and many either weren't ready for events or finished before they could be used. I hope that you and your plants survived the heat? In today's episode I'm excited to share part 2 of the conversation with my wedding & event florist, Jo Caldwell. We talk about what to do when a florist suddenly stops buying from you, ideal bunch sizes, how growers can condition their flowers to keep a florist happy, frustrations with imports, the importance of having good photographs of your flowers (and what to do if you're a new grower and don't have any), plus do growers need to understand mechanics? Finally, Jo ends with some words of encouragement, which I hope you find uplifting. I'd love to know what you think of the two interview episodes and if you found them helpful? I'd really like to interview more people so please do drop me a message if this is something you'd like to hear more of - details of how to do this are given below. Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome! https://joannecaldwell.co.uk/ Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    43 min

  8. May 29

    What Florists Really Want From Growers: An Insightful Interview With My Wedding & Event Florist (Part 1)

    Hello, it's Friday 29 May 2026. I'm really delighted to share with you a wonderful conversation with my wedding & event florist, Jo Caldwell, on today's episode. We had such a long chat that I've actually had to split it into two parts so here is part 1 and the second one will be available next Tuesday.  We cover a lot of ground including how growers can adapt to colour trends, how and why stem length is linked to pricing, who you could sell to if you're just getting started, and how inviting florists to your field could strengthen your relationship and, crucially, improve your sales as well. In other news, I talk a little about the impact of the recent heatwave on the field and the seedlings eagerly awaiting planting out, plus the new flower that I have flowering on the field right now (and it's really pretty). Please do come back and join me for part 2 next Tuesday where we discuss what to do if you're already supplying a florist and they suddenly stop ordering from you, how Jo likes to receive her flowers from suppliers (and what she really hates), how important it is to have perfect images of your flowers, and more pricing talk (because we can never have enough information about pricing).  https://joannecaldwell.co.uk/ Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast.  Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then.  Text The Podcast Here! Support the show

    36 min
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About

Becoming a Cut Flower Grower is a raw and honest podcast about growing and selling cut flowers and the realities of what it really takes to build a cut flower business from the ground up. Hosted by a working cut flower grower, the podcast combines practical insight with thoughtful reflections on the decisions, trade-offs, and rhythms of the work — from production and selling, to confidence, sustainability, and shaping an off-grid business on a tight budget. Episodes will be useful whether you’re starting out with cut flowers, developing a small-scale flower business, or simply interested in the craft, economics, and rhythm of growing cut flowers for sale.  With twice-weekly episodes, this podcast is an intelligent, steady companion for anyone curious to know what growing and selling cut flowers with intention and care really looks and feels like. Follow & Connect Instagram @henhillcutflowers. Subscribe/follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes. www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Lydia Watson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Becoming a Cut Flower Grower
  • Show Website
    Becoming a Cut Flower Grower

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