Mulch

Rebecca Aning-Brown of The Flower Farming Business School
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Mulch is a weekly podcast, hosted by Rebecca, owner of Silver Grey Foliage - a Flower and Foliage Farm in Leeds, England. Each week she share conversation and tips to feed, nurture and grow your Flower Farm, opens conversations that Flower Farmers find difficult to talk about and provides practical and pragmatic responses to the everyday Flower Farming Challenges. Sounds Good? DOn't forget to subscribe!

  1. 33 MIN AGO

    The 5 P's of Pest Resilience for Flower Farmers

    This week on Mulch, we're celebrating two milestones, Episode 60 and 15,000 downloads. Thank you for being here and for building this thoughtful, business-minded flower farming community with me. Today's episode is about pests… but really, it's about resilience. Because pests are not a sign that you're failing. They're a sign that you're growing something worth eating. As sustainable flower farmers, the goal isn't elimination, it's building systems strong enough to absorb pressure without reaching for pesticides (or despair). In this episode, I share the 5 P's of Pest Resilience for the 2026 season: 🌿 Protection – When low tunnels help… and when they hinder. 🌿 Pungent – Using scent as a preventative layer (garlic, herbs, calendula, phlox). 🌿 Prickly – How spiky companions can deter deer and create natural boundaries. 🌿 Ponds – Inviting predators to rebalance your ecosystem. 🌿 Patience – The long game of ecological stability and small bird allies. Sustainable flower farming isn't about removing every challenge. It's about designing layered resilience into your land and your business.   ☕ Support the podcast & buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silvergreyfoliage  📓 Flower Farmers Planner & Business Planning resources: https://silvergreyfoliage.com/education/  🌿 Cut Flower Meadow Seeds (limited seasonal availability): https://silvergreyfoliage.com/shop   If this episode resonated, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more flower farmers find Mulch and build resilient businesses of their own. As ever, I'll be back next week encouraging you to get on and grow. Rebecca 🌿

    15 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Flower Farming Is Hard on Hands. Things to think about to Protect your Skin, Muscles and Bones

    In this episode of MULCH, Rebecca explores flower farmer self-care through the lens of our most important tools - our hands. From skin protection and glove choices to strengthening forearms and thinking about vitamin D and bone health, this episode offers practical, preventative advice to help you stay strong, safe and able to keep growing. A thoughtful reminder that sustainable flower farming starts with looking after yourself. You can find the Flower Farmers Planner, business planning kits and cut flower meadow seeds in our webshop:   Cut Flower Seed meadow Vitamin D Patient leaflet

    20 min

  3. 13 FEB

    February Confidence Wobbles: 3 ways to steady your flower farm head when you feel behind and it looks like everyone else has it sorted.

    In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca offers a timely February pep talk for flower farmers feeling wobbly, behind, or overwhelmed. She shares three grounded reminders: create your own seed sowing plan (and stop chasing perfect ones), stop buying seeds you don't need, and focus on your own business priorities rather than comparing yourself on social media. A practical and reassuring listen for anyone navigating the uncomfortable, unpredictable season of early-year growing.

    19 min

  4. 30 JAN

    7 top tips for seed sowing this February that will solve most of your problems with tricky germinators.

    In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares seven practical tips to improve seed germination and make the most of the money you spend on seeds. From compost choice and moisture levels to patience, airflow and handling tricky seeds like orlaya and annual phlox, this is a calm, experience-led guide to starting the seed-sowing season well. If you find Mulch helpful, you can support the podcast by leaving a review here: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mulch/id1723466433?action=write-review

    19 min

  5. 23 JAN

    How to Stop Your Flower Farm Becoming an "Every Time Job" in 2026

    When a flower farm starts to fill every spare moment — evenings, weekends and headspace — it can quietly turn into an every time job. In this episode, I explore The Every Time Job Trap: why it happens, what it looks like, and how to create more structure and sustainability when you're growing a flower farm alongside other work or caring responsibilities. There are gentle reflection prompts throughout, designed to support curiosity rather than criticism. Links: Join the newsletter: https://silvergreyfoliage.com Business Planning Module: https://silvergreyfoliage.thrivecart.com/business-planning-for-flower-farmers/ Live Q&A (Tuesday 27th January): https://silvergreyfoliage.thrivecart.com/live-flower-farmer-qa-january/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvergreyfoliage/ If you're finding MULCH helpful, leaving a review helps the podcast reach more growers. Thank you

    21 min

  6. 16 JAN

    5 things not to do in your first year of Flower Farming

    In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares five common mistakes to avoid in your first year of flower farming. From keeping everything in your head and underpricing your work, to overcomplicating successions and planting perennials too soon. Drawing on real experience, she offers calm, practical guidance to help new growers build businesses that are realistic, profitable and sustainable from the start.

    20 min

  7. 9 JAN

    2 areas of focus to remain a resilient Flower Farm Florist in 2026

    In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca explores two ways flower farmer-florists can build resilience for the season ahead: baggy planning and working within real capacity. Drawing on winter realities, crop planning, and lived experience, she shares how flexibility, intention, and asking for help can reduce overwhelm and support sustainable flower farming. To support your planning, you can sign up to the Grow Club newsletter and download the Business Planning module from our education page at www.silvergreyfoliage.com

    21 min

  8. 26/12/2025

    End of season What Ifs

    As the year draws to a close, this episode of MULCH reflects on the quiet "what if" questions that sit underneath flower farming; the decisions, confidence and support that shape how we grow. Using a simple winter observation as a starting point, Rebecca explores what it means to choose steadier ground as we move towards the 2026 season, and invites listeners to reflect without urgency or pressure. The episode also includes two practical updates: a one-off 2026 Flower Farmer's Wall Planner preparation for the first GROW Club session beginning in early January Links mentioned in this episode: – 2026 Flower Farmer's Wall Planner – GROW Club

    10 min
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About

Mulch is a weekly podcast, hosted by Rebecca, owner of Silver Grey Foliage - a Flower and Foliage Farm in Leeds, England. Each week she share conversation and tips to feed, nurture and grow your Flower Farm, opens conversations that Flower Farmers find difficult to talk about and provides practical and pragmatic responses to the everyday Flower Farming Challenges. Sounds Good? DOn't forget to subscribe!

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Aning-Brown of The Flower Farming Business School
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Mulch

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