Bloommates

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...

duckduckpig.com.au instagram.com/duck.duck.pig milkingducks.com Nikki's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pie-Gets-Bigger-Complementors-Competitors/dp/0646715984 In this conversation, Nikki Davey discusses the importance of collaboration in the flower farming industry, emphasising the need for an abundance mindset rather than a competitive one. She shares her journey from finance to flower farmi...

In this conversation, Katie and Sarah reflect on the past month of November on their Hunter Valley farms. They discuss some of the challenges they've been facing such as hot dry weather, compaction and compost contamination. This conversation highlights the complexities of agricultural business and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Film & Foliage: ⁠www.filmandfoliage.com⁠ ⁠www.instagram.com/filmandfoliage⁠ Wildflower Academy: ⁠www.wildfloweracademy.co⁠ ⁠www.instagram.com/academywildflower⁠ The Harvest: ⁠www.quaylecottage.com.au/theharvest⁠ In this conversation, Sarah and Katie are joined by Ash Wheelhouse, a seasoned floral designer and founder of Wildflower Academy. They explore the intricacies of floral design, the cha...

This conversation explores the intricacies of selling flowers retail, focusing on roadside stands. Sarah and Katie discuss the selection of flowers, the different ways to sell flowers direct to consumer, the benefits and challenges of retail versus wholesale, customer engagement, marketing strategies, payment methods, and pricing. They also touch on the importance of social media and the hidden co...

Bec, from Dish the Dirt, discusses the evolution of the Australian flower farming community, the challenges faced by growers, and the impact her podcast has had. We explore the importance of collaboration between growers and florists, the role of community in the industry, and the significance of platforms like Growers Avenue. The discussion also touches on sustainability practices, the future of...

In this episode, Katie and Sarah discuss their experiences as flower farmers in Australia during October. They share insights on weather challenges, planting updates, and the success of their harvests, particularly focusing on Corn Cockle/Agrostemma. The conversation also touches on the balance between work and farming, the complexities of ordering and growing dahlias, and the introduction of new...

This episode is a heartfelt conversation with Jess and Cait, who share their experiences and insights into the world of retail floristry. They discuss the importance of sustainability, the challenges and joys of working with local flower growers, and the unique connections they foster with their community through their shop, The Little Garden. They discuss their commitment to local sourcing, the i...

Bed Rotations & Sowings - Template spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lHdGneb_V7inYF9mMgZKfKXSpdOrYHg8xbnFwKJu7gY/edit?usp=sharing (You are welcome to copy and paste this template into your own spreadsheet to use) In this conversation, Sarah and Katie discuss their approach to crop planning. After discussing how they choose what they grow in a previous epsiode, this conversat...

In this episode, Sarah and Katie, two flower farmers from Australia, interview Casey from Three Dogs Flower Farm. Casey shares her journey from being a botanist to starting her flower farm, discussing the challenges and triumphs along the way. The conversation covers topics like seed saving, favourite flowers, and the importance of local adaptation.

In this episode, Sarah and Katie, two flower farmers from Australia, discuss their experiences and insights into flower farming. They explore how they choose what to grow based on market needs, personal preferences, and constraints. The conversation delves into the importance of profitability, data analysis, and the balance between joy and financial viability in farming. They also share their expe...