Bloommates

In this episode, we're exploring how flower farmers fill the gap between the end of ranunculus season and the start of dahlias, typically mid-spring to early summer in our region. We revisit the five growers we've spoken to throughout this season and find out which crops they're growing to maintain a consistent supply of focal flowers during this transitional period. We also share our...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie visit Mel at Andmia Flower Farm in the Hunter Valley to learn how she built a full-time business growing Australian natives and proteas. Mel explains the farm’s four-year path to profitability, crop choices, watering and fertilising tips, and practical growing and selling lessons for Australian flower farmers.

In this episode Sarah and Katie explore how they would plan each other's farms if they switched, considering space, crops, and business strategies. They share insights on crop choices, farm layout, and the realities of running a flower farm as a business. Follow us on Instagram! @bloommatespodcast @grown_by_lightninghollows @quayle.cottage Things we mention a lot: Florlist.com - the online ava...

In this episode, Sophie from Love Sophie Flowers shares her journey to wedding floristry and flower farming, her strategic approach to growing flowers, and her wish list of flowers she wishes more Australian flower farmers would grow from her perspective as a wedding florist including Phlox and Corn Cockle. Sophie also shares her insights on social media , and building a community around your pass...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie share their latest farm updates, discuss the impact of heat on flowering, and explore pest management strategies for the upcoming season. Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@bloommatespodcast⁠ ⁠@grown_by_lightninghollows⁠ ⁠@quayle.cottage⁠ Things we mention a lot: ⁠Florlist.com⁠ - the online availability platform we use to take florist orders ⁠@harvest_flowermarket⁠ - the lo...

In this episode, Casey from Three Dogs Flower Farm shares her plans for her new rented one acre market garden including on farm events and subscription boxes. She aslo shares insights into her farm operations, seed and dahlia tuber production, and some of her favourite perennials including Windflowers, Silene vulgaris, and Rudbeckia triloba. Find Casey here: @threedogsflowerfarm @hendogfarm https:...

In this episode, Katie and Sarah join Luen on her new farm where she shares her journey of farm downsizing, plans for her roadside stand, and establishing her new flower farm. She discusses practical tips for crop planning, moving farms, and optimising small-scale flower production. Luke joins for segment on hot composting techniques, farm management, and how he and Luen manage disagreements about...

Flower farmers Katie and Sarah share their crop plans for the upcoming summer/autumn season including a mix of annuals and flowering perennials. They touch on their goals for this season that helped guide them when planning as well as some growing and sowing techniques for warm weather.

Robin from Transition Farm shares her journey from vegetable farming to seed production, emphasizing the importance of biodynamic practices, soil health and seed sovereignty. Discover how her farm adapts to climate challenges as well as the additional tax that seed growing puts on the soil and how Robin combats this. In this episode, Robin shares how she began seed breeding, the benefits of biodyn...

Bioplastic Mulch Film: https://ausbioplas.com.au/products/biodegradable-mulch-film?srsltid=AfmBOoqSEEdTp4npUzMW_rN89aU0uujdUPlNaTLUAMeterJeKXWZ-hZs Blogpost about the Florlist platform update: https://www.quaylecottage.com.au/blog/florlist-overview

In this episode, Sarah and Katie share their season wrap-up, discuss challenges like weeds and weather, and share practical tips on DIY tools (the wire weeder), using bio plastic mulch, planting, direct sowing, and pest management. They reflect on their successes, failures, and plans for the next season, offering valuable insights for fellow flower farmers and gardeners.

This episode is a dahlia lover’s dream. Katie and Sarah asked each guest from this season of the podcast to share their top 5 favourite dahlias for cut flower production, then compiled all the answers (as well as their own) into one big list of Australian grower favourites. From tried-and-true classics to newer releases, a few tissue culture varieties from Ball Australia, and even a few that haven...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie chat with Hannah Urquhart from @floriculturalife - an ag science graduate working at Bush Roses in Bookham, NSW, a large-scale commercial flower farm growing everything from roses and natives to annuals, perennials and foliage. We dive into what working on a commercial flower farm actually looks like day-to-day, from the systems and infrastructure needed to run at...

OUR FREE GUIDE: ⁠How To Order From Ball Australia⁠ In this episode, Katie & Sarah talk through where they actually buy everything from for their Australian flower farms including plugs, seeds, live plants, bulbs, farming tools, and floristry equipment. Chapters: 00:37 Ball Australia 28:13 High Sun Express for Bulk Seeds 35:39 Royston Petrie Seeds 40:30 Bulb Suppliers 44:35 Plant Suppliers 56:39 Re...

In this episode, Katie and Sarah chat with Mardi from Quite Contrary Flower Farm. They cover everything from growing dahlias, the digging/dividing/storing process, as well as tuber sales. They also ask Mardi about her field grown roses and her bed prep process when it comes to turning grass into growing space. Find Mardi here: instagram.com/qcflowerfarm/ quitecontraryflowerfarm.com

In this episode, Katie and Sarah chat with Kate from Bushy Blooms in Albany, Western Australia. They cover everything from growing at scale, selling to a wholesaler, growing dahlias, and diversifying your sales channels to ensure your flowers always have an outlet. As well as wholesale, Kate also sells her flowers at a farmers market, through her roadside stand, to event florists, and does DIY eve...

In part two of this interview with Jen from Southern Highlands Flower Farm, Sarah and Katie chat with Jen about all things Italian cut flower Pansies, on farm events and workshops, as well as how Jen has created a workplace that supports mums. Make sure you head to part one to hear about how Jen got started, how the business has evolved and diversified, as well as tips on growing Ranunculus as a c...

In part one of this interview with Jen from Southern Highlands Flower Farm, Sarah and Katie ask about Jen's background and how she got started before diving into her sales channels, how the business has evolved and diversified, and growing Ranunculus as a cut flower. Make sure you head to part two for all things Italian cut flower Pansies, on farm event and workshops, as well as how Jen has cr...

In this episode Katie & Sarah share an update on seasonal farm activities like what they are sowing, planting and harvesting along with crop planning tweaks, and managing weather challenges. It provides practical tips on planting, support systems, and adapting to weather impacts like high winds, perfect for flower farmers and growers.

Sarah and Katie share their detailed crop planning process for the 2026-2027 season, focusing on spring flowers, succession planting, intercropping, and lessons learned from last year. They discuss specific crops, planting strategies, and how to optimise flower farm productivity.

Follow Luen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luensflowers/ In this episode we chat to Luen Free of Luen’s Flowers who shares her journey of transitioning to a new farm, growing on leased land, and planning her growing season in a different climate. She discusses her move, farm setup, crop choices, and insights into flower farming in subtropical versus a temperate climate. Join us as Luen Fr...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie share their experience with cool flowers in Australia, covering seed starting, climate considerations, crop selection, and tips for success. Perfect for growers in temperate and subtropical climates looking to optimise their spring flower production.

In the first episode of Season 2, Katie and Sarah are back after a 3 month break, and dive into the challenges and successes they had over summer. Like always, weather and pest pressure caused issues for both flower farmers but Katie has had her best season yet with an abundance of dahlias, and Sarah has had success with her seed shop while her crops recovered from pest damage. Follow on Instagram...

In this final episode of the season, Sarah and Katie celebrate their milestone of completing Season 1 of the podcast and plan to return with Season 2 in March 2026. They share an update on the working bee at Grown By Lightning Hollows, reflect on the challenges of irrigation and seedling care in the Summer heat, share their data on four crops from the Spring season including Delphinium, Ranunculus...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie discuss: Their experiences and insights on selling flowers wholesale to florists The digital tools they use including an online availability list Crop selection and understanding florist needs The best ways to first approach florists Strategies to make yourself stand out as a flower farmer The importance of pre-orders Strategies for pricing and invoicing, and Effec...