Field & Garden

Have you ever considered how amazing it is that something as tiny as a seed can alter the course of someone's life and take them in directions they never thought possible? Join Layne Angelo as she interviews Lisa Mason Ziegler about the various ways seeds changed her life. They discuss Lisa's first seed starting experience, her entrance into flower farming, how annual crops shaped her business, an...

Don't allow these things to hold you back from pursuing your flower farming business dreams. No acreage, tractor, or greenhouse? No problem. I didn't have any of those during the first decade of my flower farm. Mentions: We are so happy about our partnership with the   Growing For Market  Magazine !  A tremendous resource.  Use the coupon code: WORKSHOP  to get 25% off any print or digital subscri...

Lisa was recently featured on  The joegardener® Show  podcast, joining host Joe Lamp'l to discuss the Cool Flowers concept and how she got started growing this fantastic group of spring stunners! They covered topics such as: How to determine which Cool Flowers you can grow in your region When and how to start your Cool Flowers from seed The special care requirements of flowers planted in the fall...

In this Clubhouse chat Lisa talks about her new cedar raised beds and how she learned to make them from Joe Lamp'l, host of  Growing a Greener World  on PBS and  The joegardener® Show  podcast. Lisa shares the story of how she came to know Joe and introduces the exciting news of their new partnership for his new online course coming in 2023. Mentions: Joe's TV Show: Growing a Greener World The joe...

Join me as I interview a very special guest and friend, Joe Lamp'l! It was such a pleasure for us to have the opportunity to talk again after doing a couple of episodes of  The joe gardener® Show  podcast together over the past year.  In case you're meeting him for the first time, Joe Lamp'l is the joe behind: joegardener® the host of the Emmy award-winning TV show,  Growing a Greener World   The...

Meet Torrie Anderson of The Flower Farm at Youngs Mill in Newport News, Virginia. Having recently graduated from Lisa's online flower farming course, this year Torrie and her husband took the leap into urban flower farming after being vegetable gardeners for many years. In this interview Lisa and Torrie commiserate about the life of a brand new flower farmer, sharing the excitement, realities, cha...

You know which Cool Flowers seeds to sow directly into the garden and when, but what steps should you take to ensure a thick, healthy stand of direct-seeded plants come springtime? Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo as they share practical tips and tricks for successful outdoor sowing. They discuss proper bed preparation, watering, weed prevention, thinning, sowing poppies and bells of Irela...

I was forced to learn about seasonal growing. After growing outdoors in a garden with no hoop or greenhouses I learned that embracing the seasons is the best, most cost-effectively, and highest quality way to grow. Mentions: We are so happy about our partnership with the   Growing For Market  Magazine !  A tremendous resource.  Use the coupon code: WORKSHOP  to get 25% off any print or digital sub...

In this episode we visit with owner Lisa Mason Ziegler and two of her longest-standing employees, who also happen to be her dear family members. From the very beginning when Lisa started an urban cut-flower farm with her husband Steve's support, to the thriving business it is today, Lisa and her family continue to support each other while offering the supplies and educational resources that are fu...

Interested in growing larkspur, bachelor buttons, or bells of Ireland? Did you know that some of spring's most coveted flowers – including these beauties – actually prefer to be sown directly outdoors rather than started indoors as transplants? Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo as they cover some of the most frequently asked questions about sowing seeds directly in the garden. They discuss...

Do you only know half of the Cool Flowers concept? Lisa shares that while fall planting is a great option, it's not for everyone. Learn about the often missed cool season hardy annual planting opportunity for those with deep cold and heavy snow winters: very early spring plantings. Mentions: We are so happy about our partnership with the   Growing For Market  Magazine ! A tremendous resource.  Use...

For this edition of Bug Talk, Lisa and Rhonda are joined by special guest Dr. Barb Abraham, an ecology professor, bee researcher and Chair of the Bee City USA - Hampton steering committee. Today they're talking about native bees. Did you know that you can have an average of 100 different bee species in your yard? And that native bees typically are not aggressive and do not sting? You may have seen...

Your Cool Flowers seeds have sprouted – now what? Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo as they discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about caring for your Cool Flowers seedlings. They discuss grow lights, ideal air temperatures, transplant size, and more. Listen to the podcast and learn how to give your Cool Flowers seedlings the conditions they need to thrive! The video version...

Warning: lots of flowers, plants, seeds, and dollar bills were lost, injured, and killed in the process of getting here. In fact, success doesn't happen overnight for any business really.  There. True story. Hope this helps, Lisa Mentions: We are so happy about our partnership with the   Growing For Market  Magazine ! A tremendous resource.  Use the coupon code: WORKSHOP to get 25% off any subscri...

Today Steve & Gretel Adams (of Sunny Meadows Flower Farm) talk with Lisa about this farming lifestyle they have chosen. They share what they enjoy most about it, what it currently looks like for them, as well as a look back at how far they've come.  Download the FREE PDF featuring the Sunny Meadows list of favorite summer field-grown annuals, the bread and butter of bouquet season! Link below. Men...

Ready to start your Cool Flowers seeds but still have some lingering questions? Join Lisa and Layne as they discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about starting cool-season hardy annuals indoors from seed. They discuss heat mats, light requirements, germination troubleshooting, and more. Listen to the podcast and help set yourself up for Cool Flowers seed starting success! The video...

Fall is not only for fresh starts in the garden or on the farm, it can also be a great time to rethink your business. Take some time to throw out mistakes and consider the future of your business. Our businesses are constantly evolving; embrace the opportunity for a new beginning that fall brings!  Mentions: We are so happy about our partnership with the   Growing For Market  Magazine ! A tremendo...

In this recent Clubhouse chat Lisa talks about what to do when you have to leave your flower garden or farm during the growing season. Whether you have a scheduled or an unexpected trip coming up, there are a few things you can do before you go that will make your return so much easier. Listen in for some great tips! Mentions: *NEW* On-Demand Online Courses:  Preparing to Sell to Florists ,  Colle...

I was recently introduced to the book series via a business mentor friend: " fill in the blank  for Dummies". My full-circle journey of why these books have been a long-haul success nailed me on applying to flower farming. Here I share my six basic foundation steps that can lead to success when we stay between the lines. I hope this inspires and encourages you! ~Lisa Z. Mentions:  We are so happy...

We are so excited to introduce a new series to the podcast called "Seed Talk". Meet Layne Angelo, Seed Manager here at The Gardener's Workshop. Layne is an avid gardener, seed starter, and engineer who loves learning and applying her technical knowledge to all areas of life, including gardening and growing flowers. As Seed Manager, Layne has a firsthand look at the questions and topics commonly br...

This podcast may be for you, you know who you are. You don't think you are a real farmer because of the growing conditions and resources you find yourself in currently: small growing space, or can't have or afford structures, or, or, or.... You can start and sustain a cut-flower growing operation without hoop or greenhouses and on small spaces. We just develop our skills as growers in a different...

Sharing my look back at if only I had known this when I started my flower-growing operation. I could have saved lots of time, money, opportunities, and tears if I had had this advice!  Mentions: Flower Farming School Online:   The Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, & More! with Lisa Mason Ziegler TGW On-Demand Online Workshops We are so happy about our partnership with the  Growing For Market  Magaz...

I learn so much talking to other gardeners and farmers. After my restaurant-owning cousins set up the TGW company picnic here on the farm, we discussed planting flowers. Joy's questions reminded me of the struggle that some folks have figuring out what to plant and when. Between trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, it can be overwhelming because there is so much to learn. I hope my tips help! Me...

Many of us naturally think that cool season gardening is more challenging than warm season gardening. I have found this not to be true. Join me as I run through my thought process to help make my Cool Flowers garden successful! Mentions : We are so happy about our partnership with the  Growing For Market Magazine ! A tremendous resource.  Use the coupon code: WORKSHOP to get 25% off  any subscript...

I hope this encourages those facing flat sales. We all walk that path from time to time— but during July and August it is especially discouraging. Take heart flower friends—you can overcome this issue when you recognize it and make changes. We are so happy about our partnership with the  Growing For Market Magazine ! A tremendous resource.  Use the coupon code: WORKSHOP to get 25% off  any subscri...