Learn Cut Flower Growing | Lessons from a seasoned farmer Paula Rice

There's something magical about the transformation of a seed into the bloom of a peony or the elegant curve of a lily stem. I've spent 16 years with my hands in the soil, coaxing these miracles into life, and in today's episode, I'm opening the garden gate to share this wonder with you. We'll traverse the seasons from the eager sprigs of pussy willow in spring to the fiery chrysanthemums of autumn, and explore how cultivating a succession of focal flowers can not only beautify your space but also create a thriving business from your love of nature.
I recount the delight of teaching children, including my own daughter, about the circle of life with dried flower workshops, sparking creativity and a sense of entrepreneurship. We'll also discuss the unsung heroes of the garden, like the praying mantis, and the importance of planning for profit with long-lasting, beautiful plants. So, whether you're a seasoned grower or simply have an appreciation for the art of floristry, join me for a conversation that promises to plant seeds of inspiration for both the garden and the soul.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Cultivation and selection of focal flowers for a profitable cut flower garden.
The role of unique blooms and succession planting in maintaining a fresh market presence.
Tips on managing beneficial insects like praying mantises and the importance of garden planning for a successful floral portfolio.
Strategies for managing large quantities of flowers, including the use of a cooler to keep them market-ready.
The appeal of peonies and lilies for their profitability and long vase life.
Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the Secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

When life handed me raspberries, I didn't just make jam — I started a U-pick raspberry farm alongside my thriving flower garden. It's a tale that began with the hardy resilience of raspberry foliage, something I initially cultivated for its lasting beauty in bouquets. As my garden grew, so did the requests from my community, leading me down a path to an enterprise that's as rich in berries as it is in stories. In our latest episode, I peel back the leaves to reveal the organic growth of my business, how it's been shaped by the needs and desires of those it serves and the sweet balance I've found between my floral passion and the bountiful raspberry harvest.
For anyone with a green thumb or dreams of their own agricultural ventures, this episode is ripe with insights to help you harvest success.
In this episode, you will hear:
The transition from growing raspberry foliage for bouquets to full raspberry production due to community demand.
Balancing a dual-purpose garden and managing both the aesthetic and edible aspects.
Tips for effective raspberry farming, including plant management and harvesting techniques.
Implementing a pick-your-own system for the community and managing customer expectations.
Creative solutions for farm labor and maintenance, such as engaging local youth and regular pickers.
The importance of local food production and creating a family-friendly farm experience.
Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

Join me as I walk you through the ins and outs of prepping your hoophouse for the new planting season. Sharing from my 16 years of hands-on experience, you'll get a sense of the various tools and techniques that can make your gardening both effective and manageable. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a newcomer to the soil, this episode is packed with practical advice to suit gardens of every size.
The journey of flower farming is full of serendipitous learning, and I'm here to share structured lessons that pave the way for your growth. Whether you have access to advanced setups or are making do with simpler methods, you'll find tips and stories that resonate with your own floral adventures. Grab your gardening gloves or a cup of coffee, and let's cultivate your confidence and success together.
In this episode, you will hear:
Preparing soil in a hoop house for planting. Essential gardening tools that are cost-effective. Balancing budget and labor efficiency when considering more expensive gardening equipment. Techniques for managing garden beds. Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.
 

Listen in as I discuss the unexpected twists of joining larger markets, the harsh reality of being ousted, and the lessons learned along the way. We'll tackle the age-old saying, 'a rising tide lifts all boats,' and I'll share why this might not always ring true. This conversation is a candid look at the business dynamics that often go unseen behind the beauty of our blooms.
Discover the intricacies of local market economies and how healthy competition can drive innovation and maintain high standards. Reflecting on the concept of a flower co-op, I discuss how such collaborations can attract niche customers, like florists and DIY brides, who are essential to our community. Through these stories, gain insights into how promoting American and local flowers can coexist with a shrewd business approach.
Whether you're out in the garden or cozy at home, let's grow together and celebrate every effort that leads to the flourishing of our gardens. Happy growing!
In this episode, you will hear:
Challenges of competing in city markets and misconceptions about the "rising tide lifts all boats" idiom.
The unexpected confrontation leading to mutual growth and the concept of a flower co-op to attract niche customers.
Exclusion from a market due to new regulations and advocating for a fair playing field for all vendors.
Personal reflections on competition, maintaining standards, and embracing healthy rivalry to foster innovation.
Importance of supporting local economies and young growers in the urban agriculture landscape.
Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

My journey in transforming my unyielding clay backyard into a flourishing oasis taught me that with a little love and a lot of compost, any soil can become a haven for your plants. This episode is brimming with wisdom on harnessing the natural power of the ground soil you're standing on. We'll discuss why a vibrant garden doesn't require fancy raised beds when you have nature's own rich canvas to paint on. I'll guide you through enhancing your garden's soil with compost, warding off weeds with solarization, and feeding your foliage with nutrient-packed concoctions.
We'll also delve into the practical steps of laying out your garden for maximum yield. You'll learn how to prepare your plot, whether you're starting fresh or wrestling with tenacious perennial grasses. I'll share some unexpected gardening allies, like our porcine friends who love to till, and how to use mulch to manage your pathways for a season-long tidy garden. From securing mulch against the winds of change to devising efficient irrigation, this episode is your gardening masterclass. So, roll up your sleeves, and let's get our hands deep into the art of cultivating beauty from the ground up.
In this episode, you will hear:
Benefits of using natural ground soil versus raised beds for plant growth.
Amending soil with organic matter like compost and using techniques such as solarization to prepare for planting.
Pros and cons of different garden layouts, including traditional rows and intensive plantings.
Importance of considering irrigation and mulch management in garden setup.
Practical advice on how to start a garden with the soil you have and improve its fertility over time.
Innovative solutions for tackling weeds and using natural resources like pigs for tilling.
Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

In this episode, we are going through the critical steps of starting seeds and planning for a garden that dazzles from spring to fall. This is a goldmine for flower aficionados eager to refine their timing techniques and ensure a steady flow of blossoms to market. Discover how leveraging agricultural week numbers can sharpen your scheduling and why a spreadsheet might become your new best friend for keeping track of your floral contenders.
We'll dissect seeding schedules for both hoop house and field plantings, with hands-on guidance for calculating the perfect seed-starting dates. Sunflowers serve as our prime example, but we'll also explore the day-length sensitivities of other species and their quirky blooming behaviors. I'll share information on nurturing perennials like lilies, which promise not just seasonal charm but also long-term bounty, and give a nod to the early-season Dahlia growers while weighing their cut flower potential. 
Adaptability is the name of the game in this episode, as we embrace multiple seeding schedules to combat the whims of Mother Nature and keep your flower farm flourishing.
In this episode, you will hear:
Understanding agricultural week numbers for effective seed starting and planting schedules.
Utilizing tools like Excel for tracking and organizing floral varieties and bloom times.
Planning around key dates such as the last frost for heat-loving plants and an earlier date for cool-weather flowers.
Techniques for succession planting to ensure continuous bloom in hoop houses and fields.
Day-length sensitivities affecting blooming patterns of different flower species.
Strategies for growing perennials like lilies for both immediate and long-term harvests.
Adapting to outdoor growing conditions and embracing multiple seeding schedules for a profitable flower farm.
Resources from this Episode
Freebie: Learn the secret to Cut and Come Again Flowers - https://www.learncutflowergrowing.com/cut-and-come-again-flowers
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.