Flower Farming in New Zealand

In this episode of Flower Farming In NZ, Jo Robinson sits down with Julie Treanor, business coach, flower farmer and co-founder of the Floral Business Activator. We move past the "build it and they will come" trap to explore the marketing strategies that actually move the stems you are already growing. Whether you’re a professional grower or scaling your commercial production, this conve...

In this episode of Flower Farming in NZ, Jo Robinson is joined by Samantha Matthews of Matthews Nurseries, https://www.matthewsroses.co.nz/ a third-generation family business that has been growing roses since 1947. Samantha takes us behind the scenes of modern rose breeding, sharing the science, patience, and passion required to develop new rose varieties that are beautiful, healthy, and suitable...

In this episode , Bronwyn from Seeds of Change in Darfield (Canterbury) shares her inspiring journey from health coach to innovative flower farmer and florist, emphasizing the importance of microclimate management, community support, and creative business models in sustainable farming. Discover how she responds to “No” with “Why Not” as she navigates seasonal challenges, soil health, and market li...

Thinking about starting your own flower farm, or trying to scale up your current backyard plots? In this episode, host Jo Robinson sits down with math-teacher and flower farmer Penelope from Martinborough Manor. Together they strip back the glossy Instagram filters and talk about the real, grit-and-graft basics of flower farming. From the exact trays and tools that save your body to the financial...

In this episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, Jo Robinson sits down with Perth-based florist, writer, and global flower enthusiast Cerina Triglavcanin—also known as The Flower Scout. What started as a frustration with school ball corsages turned into a full-blown floristry career, international travel, and a writing platform documenting flower festivals, workshops, and design inspiration acros...

In this episode, Jo Robinson shares insights from flower farmers across New Zealand, highlighting what worked, what didn't, and practical lessons for future planning. Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer or just starting out, these real-world experiences offer valuable takeaways to refine your strategies and boost resilience. It was a season of "strange weather," featuring ear...

Mastering the Greenhouse Environment Explore the intricacies of horticultural infrastructure and climate-adapted gardening in this conversation with Bruce Thurlow, a seasoned educator and horticulturist from Otago Polytechnic. Bruce shares practical insights on greenhouse management, greenhouse infrastructure, pest control and tools for growing sustainably amid changing climates. In this episode:...

Season 3 Episode 1: In this episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, Jo Robinson chats with Mike Foster from Huhu Gardens in Huntly, a grower who has built a successful flower business by combining practical horticulture knowledge with smart market decisions. Mike shares his journey from nursery work and dairy farming to commercial flower farming, explains how his unique microclimate influences w...

In this episode of Flower Farming in NZ , Jo sits down with Melanie , a New Zealand flower farmer, florist, and entrepreneur , to explore how a love of gardening grew into multiple successful flower-based businesses . Melanie shares her journey from home gardener to running a commercial flower farm , florist shop , retail stores , and an online gift box business , offering a rare behind-the-scenes...

In this episode of "Flower Farming in New Zealand," Jo Robinson welcomes Georgie Newbery of Common Farm Flowers. Georgie is a renowned flower farmer, a florist, an educator, and an author. Jo & Georgie discuss the importance of community in flower farming, the challenges and joys of growing flowers sustainably, and the impact of climate change on farming practices. Georgie shares her...

In this episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, host Jo Robinson interviews Dr. Keith Hammett, a renowned plant breeder known for his work with dahlias. The conversation explores Keith's journey into breeding plants, his inspirations, and the intricate processes involved in creating new varieties. Dr Keith shares insights into the challenges of breeding, the importance of genetic variability...

In this episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, host Jo Robinson welcomes Marisa from Urban Floral Farmlet. They discuss Marisa's journey from a corporate career to flower farming, the challenges of urban farming, and the impact of COVID-19 on her business. Marisa shares insights on growing flowers in limited spaces, the importance of community, and her experiences with various growing and f...

In this conversation, Jo Robinson chats with Sandy, the marketing manager at Egmont Seeds. They talk about her role, the history of Egmont Seeds, and the challenges and joys of working in the seed industry. Sandy shares insights into the company's operations, including sourcing seeds globally, ensuring seed is high quality, and the importance of understanding local growing conditions. The disc...

In this inspiring episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, host Jo Robinson welcomes event florist Michele Coomey for a rich conversation on the artistry and logistics of modern floristry. From her early days in retail to crafting large-scale floral installations, Michele shares how intuition, experience, and collaboration shape her work. Together, Jo and Michele explore the delicate balance betw...

In this episode, Jo interviews Sarah Rutherford, a flower farmer from Wanaka, New Zealand who’s business is called The Joy Farmer. Jo and Sarah chat about Sarah’s journey into flower farming, the challenges of growing flowers in Central Otago’s unique climate, and the evolution of her business from being part of a collective to a more experience-based model. Sarah shares insights on managing her f...

In this episode, Jo Robinson hosts Amber Carpenter andGerard Vaughan to discuss the Farmstrong program, focusing on the Five Steps to Well-being. They explore how these steps can enhance mental and physical health for farmers, sharing personal stories and practical insights. They discuss the importance of self-care, community support, and practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining fo...

Welcome to our latest episode of Flower Farmingin New Zealand. In this conversation, Jo delves into the world offlower farming with Yvonne Baker from "Garden on the Hill." From her roots and training in England to her thriving farmin New Zealand, Yvonne shares her experiences, challenges, and the joys of nurturing a vibrant flower farm. Jo and Yvonne explore Yvonne's love for sweet peas and hermet...

In this episode, Jo Robinson interviews Peter Brown, CEO of United Flower Growers (UFG), discussing the role of UFG in the New Zealand flower market. They explore UFG's mission to provide a fair marketplace for flower growers and buyers, the importance of technology in auction services, and the innovations being introduced to enhance trading systems. The conversation also addresses barriers faced...

Join us as Cassie Heath of Flourish Events shares her journey from dairy farming to sustainable floristry. Discover her innovative eco-friendly practices, the challenges of growing flowers in New Zealand's highest wind zone, and her creative solutions for minimizing waste in floral arrangements. Keywords: sustainable floristry, flower farming, local sourcing, floristry challenges, educating client...

In this episode, we dive into the world of biochar with Matt from Carbon Options. Discover how biochar, made from local forestry waste, enriches soil and sequesters carbon, offering a sustainable solution for farmers. Learn about the unique process of creating biochar, its role in improving soil health, and its impact on climate resilience. Join us to explore the benefits of biochar for flower far...

Keywords flower farming, horticulture, business, sustainability,entrepreneurship, flowers, farming advice, flower sales, crop planning, localflowers   Support Our Work! Don’t forget, if you like the way we are connecting the NZFlower Farming Community, you can support our work by: ·        Advertising in an episode ·         Sponsoring an episode or a season or by ·         Buying us a Coffee (mak...

Keywords Fresh Cut Flower Wholesalers, flower wholesaling, flowersourcing, floristry, flower trends, sustainable flowers, flower growers, flowermarket, flower quality control   Summary   In this conversation, Jo Robinson interviews Lissie, the Supply Manager for Fresh Cut Flower Wholesalers, discussing the intricacies of the flower wholesaling industry. Lissie shares insights on sourcing flowers,...

In this conversation, I speak with Cat from Electric Blooms about her journey into flower farming, the challenges of balancing a corporate job with running a flower farm, and her commitment to regenerative practices. We discuss the importance of mental health, communityengagement, and the realities of flower farming, including irrigation challenges and sales strategies. Cat shares valuable insight...

Today we explore making water soluble calcium (WCa), an excellent additive to make for your farm or garden. There's a recipe and a "How To" to help you get started on your natural farming journey, even a bit of an explanation about what fertilisers do and why it is great to be able to create your own. If you have questions or want more info, you can comment here on the podcast or contact us via In...

Welcome to our Introduction episode of our podcast Flower Farming in NZ. In this podcast we'll dig into the rhyme and reason of growing beautiful blooms here in Aotearoa. In future episodes we’ll explore different aspects of growing flowers in New Zealand—from practical how-to guides and seasonal tips, to interviews with local growers, florists, suppliers, and flower lovers from across the country...