Field & Garden

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  an...

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 concept and...

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 to kick off t...

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 demonstratin...

In this episode, I'm sharing a chat about how I use leaves, other mulches, and compost in my garden. I believe the use of mulches and the benefits of leaf litter are grossly overlooked in the gardening and farming worlds.    Join me on Wednesdays at 1 pm on Clubhouse to join the live conversation. Download the phone app, join Clubhouse and join my Flower Farming Club.    – Lisa Ziegler   The Garde...

I am often asked: why do I grow so many annuals in place of growing more perennials? This episode explains.   The bottom line for me is I get more bloom bang for my square footage, I never run out of space, I am able to always try new finds, and I get to feed my love of tending a garden.   It seems to me that I was missing out on the "gardening" part of gardening when I first started decades ago....

Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers shares when it may be a good idea to say no to a client. How to do it and to even get comfortable doing it.   A great topic in this year of high demand that is going to continue for sure into 2022-- great lessons.    Connect with Ellen: Local Color Flowers I nstagram   Ellen's course: Florist School Online: Growing Your Business With Local Flower Sourcing   Flori...

Loved catching up with Megan and Jonathan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm in Hurdle Mills, NC. I know you are going to find their business model inspiring and perhaps even a goal!   As I have come to know these two better, I found that it wasn't just their farming systems and model that were so extraordinary, it was the farmers behind this farm that set this place apart and how it works.   Enjoy!   Men...

In this episode, we are chatting about ideas for value-added items to sell at holiday markets. From gatherings from the farm to items to crafts, and plants to grow.   Join me on Wednesdays at 1 pm on Clubhouse to join the conversation. Download the app, join Clubhouse and join my Flower Farming Club.   – Lisa Ziegler The Gardener's Workshop  and  Flower Farming School Online  and the publisher of ...

I loved catching up with Wanda of Fox Hollow Peonies and Jonalyn of Blossom Lane Farm.   I came to know both of these ladies because they are students of our courses. They became standouts and kept showing up on my radar because of how they were pursuing their businesses.   Learn more about our courses mentioned: The Gardener's Workshop     Connect with these two gals: Fox Hollow Peonies   Instagr...

I love stories of people returning home to the family business. Even though, in this case, it may be a new twist on the business. Doing it with family is just the best.   I enjoyed chatting with Dani WInters of Winters Farm Florals to learn about her family's farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and how she has taken a little piece of it to start her cut-flower growing business. Dani grows on 1 a...

In this episode, we go inside the syllabus/outline of Gretel & Steve Adams course: Growing Cut Flowers in Hoop and Greenhouses .   If you have questions on what is included in this course, this deep dive with Gretel and Steve should answer them.   The once-a-year enrollment opens in mid-November and school starts in January and runs for 6 weeks.    Learn more about the course and get on their wait...

This episode is about the struggle I was up against while I was writing Cool Flowers.    When I first saw the surveyors next door it paralyzed me. I wasn't sure how I would focus to write a book, but I did it and came through with a fresh perspective.     I hope that sharing this may help others that are facing this type of loss.    Read the blog This Side of the Fence .   Doug Tallemy's book Brin...

I loved talking to Steve and Gretel about all that's happening on their farm. Boy, they just keep moving forward in the flower farming industry!   I highly recommend following them on social media because the posts and videos are inspiring.   Sunny Meadows Flower Farm Website Instagram Facebook Learn more about Steve & Gretel's course plus get on their waitlist: Growing Cut-Flowers in Hoop and Gre...

In this episode, Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers, a design studio in Baltimore, Maryland, explains how flower subscriptions were one of the first pieces of starting her business over a decade ago.   She shares the styles of flowers she offers using locally sourced flowers. She shares marketing tips and how subscriptions evolved to a new model during the pandemic.    Ellen answers lots of great...

In this episode, we have combined two interviews of some pretty fabulous flower entrepreneurs: Amy Cordy of Drive By Flowers and Sue Dykstra of Creekside Growers .    I came to meet these ladies by way of that they are students of our online courses. I loved learning more about their businesses and how they shared the benefits of Ellen Frost's course Florist School Online: Growing Your Business Wi...

In this episode, Ellen (the florist) is chatting with Laura Beth Resnick (the farmer) of Butterbee Farm. Laura Beth is one of Elen's main suppliers for her Baltimore Maryland design studio.    Laura Beth is answering questions along with Ellen and Laura Beth shares her journey of building her customer base.   Connect with: Florist Buying Local on Instagram , Clubhouse, Facebook   Laura Beth Resnic...

What an inspiring conversation! I loved learning about Becca Muller and her flower shop LocaFlora . Her shop is located in Gettysburg, PA, and sources all of the flowers, plants, and gifts locally year-round. Such an inspiring business model and journey.   Becca shares her experience as a student of Ellen Frost and her course Growing Your Business With Local Flower Sourcing .    Be sure to check o...

I was so pleased when Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers agreed to create an online course with us. Her design studio business model was exactly what I saw as a perfect match for my cut-flower growing business. I literally thought, if only my commercial customers could learn from her how local is really a benefit for designers, florist shops, and really anyone in the cut-flower chain.    Join me a...

I loved this conversation with Ellen of Local Color Flowers. I feel like I am even more equipped to talk about why local flowers are better all the way around. It's another important piece of the pie of building our respective businesses.     Enjoy!   Mentions:   Request Ellen's replay webinar:   Dried Wreath Making Tips     Florist School Online: Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing w...

I met Steve and Gretel Adams years ago at an Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers conference where we were both speakers. Before I really got a taste of their teaching style, I was struck by how connected they are to each other. I recognized immediately that this type of relationship can lead to great things in a business and that is exactly what these two have created with Sunny Meadows Fl...

Ellen Frost, a designer in Baltimore, MD, continues sharing her strategies of sourcing from local cut-flower growers. In this episode with Ellen Frost, she is sharing how to educate customers about seasonality and locally grown flowers. Ellen discusses this and so much more plus answering your questions.   Follow and share with florists and designers: Florist School Online: Growing Your Business w...

My chat with Heather of Heather's Flower Farm about her business and the nuggets she took away from the Farmer-Florist School Online brought several great points to light. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!    Connect with Heather's Flower Farm on Instagram .   Learn more about the course Farmer-Florist School Online: The Wedding Process .   Visit TheGardenersWorkshop.com for more farming and bus...

This episode is a replay of a live Clubhouse chat with Jessi Graven of Blue River Blooms and Anne Phythyon of Franklin Farm.  They are sharing their takeaways from Jennie Love's course Farmer-Florist School Online: The Wedding Process .    Interestingly enough, neither of these flower farmers do weddings- yet...feel like anyone selling flowers will benefit from this business packed course.    Lear...

This episode is packed with information from cut-flower industry leaders that have firsthand experience of where we are and what the future holds for flower-based businesses.   Join me along with Dave Dowling, Jennie Love, Ellen Frost, and Steve & Gretel Adams for an inspiring and informative talk.   Guests online course pages for more information on each:   Farmer-Florist School: The Wedding Proc...