Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler

Hello and welcome to another special episode of the Field & Garden podcast! I’m Jessi Graven from The Gardener’s Workshop. I’m here today to continue what we started last week, the recap of the panel discussion and review of The No-Till Micro-Scale Flower Farm online workshop. If you missed last week’s podcast that featured Jennie Love’s review of the workshop, you can find that on our website...

Enjoy this short podcast to get relieved of the pressure to start seeds now— In the episode, I share the reality that this rush and pressure we feel to start seeds in early spring is a result of marketing--it is not the only time to start seeds! Many of us could really start seeds 12 months of the year. Hope this gives you the nudge to jump on where you are and not feel behind. Hosted with Lisa Ma...

In this episode, Jonathan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm and I discuss how his focus on flower colors is directly connected to what his customers want and need. His specialized business model is harvesting and selling flowers in early spring to early summer when demand and profits are high. This model allows them to fully embrace their homesteading lifestyle and pursue a business that fits their famil...

Welcome to a special episode of the Field & Garden podcast! I’m Jessi Graven from The Gardener’s Workshop, and I’m here to bring you something a little different today. As you may know, we offer an On-Demand Workshop called The No-Till Micro-Scale Flower Farm with Jonathan & Megan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm . Jonathan & Megan’s workshop offers over 4.5 hours of instruction on their no-...

In this episode with Dave Dowling we are discussing Lisianthus. From favorite varieties to treatment to prevent root rot to netting.  Dave's comments are loaded with good information. This episode along with episode #97 is a great taste of Dave's teaching style! Learn about Dave's online course and get on his waitlist: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Hosted with Lisa Mason Ziegler The G...

I've been growing snapdragons for over two decades and thought I had a handle on it---but NOT after this discussion with Dave Dowling!  In this episode, we are talking about extending the harvest season, how to do that but variety selection, harvesting, conditioning, and more! This is but a small sampling of what it is like to learn from Dave. I am so pleased to have Dave as one of our online...

Talking one of my favorite subjects with Jonathan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm located in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina: sunflowers. We both agree that sunflowers can be major contributors to the bottom line of most flower-growing operations.  Jonathan's go-to sunflower is VIncent's Choice with a new addition this year of Premier for its short seed to bloom and shorter height.  Connect with Jonathan...

In this episode with Val Schirmer of Three Toads Farm, Val paints the picture of the possibilities of growing lilies to grow your business. She shares how she built her business by using big bulbs to grow big beautiful flowers that stopped people in their tracks. See Val's favorites below. Connect with Val: Instagram Facebook Val's online course: Forcing Glorious Bulbs for the Holidays and Beyond!...

Loved chatting with Val Schirmer of Three Toads Farm. Val has been a friend for years and getting to know more about her journey of becoming a flower farmer was great. Connect with Val: Instagram  Facebook Val's online course: Forcing Glorious Bulbs for the Holidays and Beyond! Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Enjoy! Hosted by Lisa Ziegler The Gardener’s Workshop and Flower Farming Scho...

In this episode, I am doing a run-through of the things I consider and do when starting a specific seed. Hope it helps! Is it a cool or warm-season annual seed? When should be planting cool or warm -season transplants? What is this seed's preferred method to start? Based on 1-3 answers, when should I start the seed it? With soil blocking , remembering to shave off 1/3 of the time recommended to sp...

Wondering when and how to plant cool-season hardy annuals in very early spring? You are not alone my friend, I am getting lots of questions and this episode is addressing some of the most commonly heard.   Mentions:  The Cool-Season Flower Chronicles This page has the 5-video series plus many other resources you can request.   The book: Cool Flowers   The Course: Cool...

In this episode, I am continuing to revisit a project I did 4 years ago called Seed Starting Saturdays. My initial intention was to listen to it to redo it for today--- but guess what? After listening I realized it's great information that is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow for seed starting.  Week 2 includes my planning and gathering tips. So enjoy this journey from yesteryear that I...

We all may start growing flowers for different reasons, but the end can be the same: to beautify our yards and farms, restore nature, have fresh flowers on the table, and restore our souls.  My book Vegetables Love Flowers is about a 3-season cutting garden and all the goodness it can bring to the vegetable patch.  In the episode, I invite you to consider the big picture of what flowers...

In this episode, I revisited a project I did 4 years ago called Seed Starting Saturdays. My initial intention was to listen to it to redo it for today--- but guess what? After listening I realized it's great information that is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow for seed starting. Week 1 includes what you should do or at least consider before you start seeds. So enjoy this journey from yester...

My love of rudbeckias has turned into a bit of an obsession. They are, after all, a pretty easy family to fall in love with.  Some of the reasons I love them: Easy to start (most are anyway) Need little tending other than full sun and a little water to get started after transplanting The abundance of stems to harvest will wear you out, Long-lasting in the vase The variety of native bees you m...

Lots of folks reaching out because of fears they are experiencing about their Cool Flowers facing cold weather.  I understand and suffer from the same thing from time to time. It's natural, but we need to do all we can to meet their needs to maximize success. I'm sharing the replay from a Clubhouse chat I hosted that includes encouragement and some steps to follow to stack the cards in favor...

Overspending is a common struggle we face in life,  being in business is no different.  The point of going into business is to make a profit. Many businesses never make it because of habitual business overspending. It is challenging enough to only spend on what is really needed to succeed — throw in overspending and it’s easy to see how so many fail. Many fall for spending unnecessarily...

Do you make more to-do lists than you can ever get to? I do. This year I decided to make a new list, what I have done, and friends, it made me feel a whole lot better! In this episode, I am sharing how I got to the place I am today. The piece that I believe is key to how I was able to succeed and more.  For more on my gardening love story of marrying Steve read my book, Cool Flowers . Learn a...

I didn't love it when I was told I had to clear my mind and rest, BUT it did prove to be essential for my business's success. Honestly, I thought it was a waste of time, but the advice was dead right. Enjoy this replay of a Clubhouse chat sharing that I've learned that taking a few deliberate steps to benefit my business in the dead of winter---helps to get me through the heat of summer.  Enjoy! H...

FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. It can happen to anyone and I hear from lots of folks struggling with it. Sometimes we just feel like we’ve missed the right timing or aren’t getting the results we see others getting that can lead to: FOMO, fear of missing out. Resist it y’all! Learn more about Cool Flowers, get the book and the related resources. Hosted by Lisa Ziegler The Gardener’s Workshop  and...

I can feel the pain in the messages I receive about the worries folks have about their Cool Flowers facing the cold. Should I cover? What about snow? And then there are the calls asking us to rush their row cover orders cause cold is coming! I get it because I've been there and still revisit those fears occasionally.   In this episode, I am sharing what is this cool-season gardening conc...

Designers and florists if you are looking for a good "business" reason to take your staff on a field trip that will inspire their design work and creativity (not to mention yours) plus boost morale: flower farm tours are the ticket.  In this episode, Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers shares why she closed her shop for a day and took her team on an ASCFG member tour.   A great idea...

In this episode, I am sharing the "What, When, Why, and How" I use lightweight floating row covers. I know that I totally underestimated the power of lightweight covers and the many uses they lend themselves to, including preventing wind and pest damage. Floating row covers Hoops Weight bags Kit with all above My favorite gloves that help push hoops into the ground  Facebook Live video demonstrati...

I think that the quiet days of winter make some of the best times to do a few of the steps we can take to learn and grow a great garden. In this episode, I am giving 5 tips that can lead to a great gardening experience come spring. -Start small. -Determine your sun conditions. -Prepare the area and prevent winter weeds. -Map seed starting dates and when your should plant warm and cool-season plant...

Learn from Megan and Jonathan Leiss what is included in their on-demand course, The No-Till Micro-Scale Flower Farm. This course is not just about farming on a small space and doing it no-till, it's about goals, business models and so much more that plays a key role in business success. Connect: Spring Forth Farm Instagram Facebook The No-Till Micro-Sacel Flower Farm