Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler

If you are a Southerner or a Northerner, you may think the Cool Flower concept doesn't work for you. Nothing could be further from the truth! When you find your planting time sweet spot, you will be the envy of all your grower friends, and your customers will think you are nothing short of a miracle worker! As a Southerner, I spent years at the farmers market watching customers love on my swee...

Stepping away and looking at the big picture, it is easy to see why and how we have been skipping over spring crops. Some of us go to extremes to get warm plants blooming sooner than they should be and others are still planting this family way too late to reap the rewards that well-established plants give. Warm-season plants are familiar, which makes them seem easier to grow. I want to fast forwar...

I stumbled into growing annuals. I initially began planting perennials, but I quickly saw the error of my ways - I was going to run out of space, QUICK! As my business was gaining more demand than flowers I had-- I became a little crazy figuring out how to make the most of my total property of 1.17 acres that also had my home and outbuildings. I already had a nice stand of hydrangeas in our landsc...

💐  Struggling with flower pricing or choosing the right crops?  Get real-world advice from a seasoned flower farmer and coach on how to price confidently, pick profitable perennials, and deal with pesky pests like thrips. Whether you're just starting or growing your flower biz, these tips will help you build a thriving, sustainable farm. 🌿 Learn how to: Set smart prices for retail and wholes...

Discover the  Top 3 Perennials  that truly earn their keep on a cut flower farm! Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Dave Dowling as they share expert advice on growing  peonies ,  Baptisia , and  sedum -perennials that offer high yield, low maintenance, and long-term profitability. Perfect for beginner and seasoned flower farmers alike. Mentions ⁠ Dave's Course:  ⁠ Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs...

Ready to take your flower farming to the next level? Join Lisa Mason Ziegler as she shares how to transition from growing annuals to incorporating perennials, bulbs, and woodies into your operation. Learn how succession planting, smart crop choices, and careful planning can create a more sustainable and profitable business. Lisa offers real-life lessons, practical tips, and the encouragement every...

💐 Want to make more money (and avoid wasting it) in your flower farm? In this episode, Lisa Mason Ziegler shares her hard-earned tips for choosing the best crops to grow for profit. From low-cost annuals to succession planting and market-smart decisions, get practical advice to help you grow a thriving flower business. Whether you're just starting out or refining your crop plan, this episode...

How Flower Farmers Can Survive (and Thrive) During Hard Times 🌻 In this heartfelt episode, Lisa Mason Ziegler shares real-world lessons from 30+ years of flower farming—through 9/11, the 2008 crash, COVID, and today’s economic uncertainty. Learn how to adapt, pivot, and stay rooted when crisis strikes. 🌱 Whether you're a new grower or a seasoned farmer, this episode offers both inspiration a...

Welcome to another episode of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, Ask a Florist, featuring guest host Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, MD. Ellen is a floral designer who creates exclusively with flowers and foliage purchased from local growers. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener’s Workshop. In this episode, Ellen fields questions about:...

Thinking of starting a garden? 🌿🌸 Learn the crucial difference between a garden and a landscape and why your approach matters! With the right mindset and simple steps, your garden can flourish and bring you joy. Dive in for my practical tips that make gardening rewarding and fun! Mentions Field & Garden #342:  The Simplicity of a Cutting Garden Books:  Cool Flowers ,  Vegetables Love Flowers...

Today, we’re diving deep into the wonderful world of cutting gardens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this guide will help you create a cutting garden that brings joy and beauty to your life. Here, Lisa covers what you need to know to make your cutting garden thrive. Mentions Online Courses:  The Easy Cut Flower Garden ,  Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest Books:  Cool Flow...

Today, Lisa dives into the experiences and insights of Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm. A passionate flower farmer and co-founder of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, through her journey, we explore the importance of standards in the floral industry, the power of collaboration amongst flower farmers, and the creation of a valuable new resource for flower farmers everywhere. Mentions Get th...

Today’s episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one featured guest host Lennie Larkin, author of  Flower Farming for Profit  and owner of B-Side Farm in Oregon. She is also one of our course instructors here at The Gardener’s Workshop. In this Q&A, Lennie fielded questions about time management, marketing your flower...

Let’s dive into why overplanting can be a problem. You might think, “Oh, I’ll just plant a little more!” But when you do this, you can overcrowd your garden. This makes it harder to care for your plants, leading to chaos.  Mentions Open Farm Event: June 28, 2025  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Field...

Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Ellen Frost as they discuss the limitations of floral recipes and the beauty of creating unique designs with local flowers. Discover how flexibility, communication, and community relationships can empower you to confidently make unique floral arrangements without using recipes. Mentions Ellen’s newsletter signup⁠ ⁠Ellen’s YouTube Channel⁠ Follow on Instagram:  ⁠⁠Ellen F...

Let’s talk money—the kind that keeps your flower farm alive or quietly drains it dry. In this episode, Lisa digs into the tough truth about spending on the farm: what’s worth it, what’s not, and how to make choices that lead to long-term success instead of slow collapse. If you're ready to face your farm finances head-on, this one's for you. Mentions Free Phone App for Live Gardening Show...

This episode features a takeover of our popular “Ask a Flower Farmer” live Q&A session on Instagram. Daniel Schavey of Petal Pickers Flower Co. in Greenville, SC hosted this one. Daniel is a 9th-year flower farmer growing in zone 8a and an alumnus of most of The Gardener’s Workshop’s online courses. Here, Daniel offers an update on his growing season and answers questions on topics such as gro...

Today’s episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. However, this one we called Ask a Florist featured guest hostess Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, MD. Ellen is a floral designer who creates exclusively with flowers and foliage purchased from local growers. She is also one of our course instructors here at The G...

Should you sell your flowers to florists? What attributes make a farmer a good match for selling to a florist? Here, Lisa chats with Ellen about her experiences working with 40+ flower farmers in her region. Learn what she thinks it takes to be successful in this popular selling channel and how you can accomplish it.  Mentions Ellen’s newsletter signup⁠ ⁠Ellen’s YouTube Channel⁠ Follow on Inst...

I’m thrilled to share an inspiring story with you today. I want to introduce you to Tricia from The Simple Sunflower, an organization that’s making a big difference in our community by repurposing flowers for those in need. In my chat with Tricia, you'll learn what they do, how they do it, and ways to apply this in your own community as well. Together, we can bring a little more joy into the...

Are you planting for success or setting yourself up for failure? Today, I’m excited to talk about something that many flower farmers, especially those just starting, often overlook. Are you a part-time flower farmer planting for a full-time flower farmer? This question is crucial to your success in the flower farming business.  The bottom line is, don’t plant a full-time garden with part-time h...

This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course:  ⁠⁠⁠ Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More ⁠⁠⁠ . Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Topics Covered Manag...

Flower farming isn't just about the blooms, it's about the journey! Join Lisa Mason Ziegler as she shares her insights on facing challenges and making smart choices in the world of flower farming. Your good life awaits! Mentions Lisa's Course,  Flower Farming School Online Lisa's Course, The Easy Cut Flower Garden ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠...

Today, I want to dive into something really important for anyone looking to succeed in flower farming or any kind of business: grit. I believe developing grit is a choice. It’s not something you’re born with; it’s something you cultivate over time. Each time you face a fear or a challenge and choose to push through, you’re building your grit. Mentions Lisa's Course,  Flower Farming School Onli...

Today I’m thrilled to share some important tips for anyone dreaming of starting a flower farming business. As I look back on my journey, I wish I had these resources when I started. This is about the three key steps that can lead to failure as a flower farmer. I’ve seen many passionate people vanish from the business, and it’s often due to skipping over some basic but crucial steps. I'd love t...