Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne

Wondering which tools and supplies you need to get started in flower arranging? Looking for a last-minute holiday gift for a flower lover? In this excerpt from episode 14, Lisa and Layne are joined by Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers to discuss the essential tools and supplies to include in a floral design kit. Listen to the podcast and get ready to build the ultimate flower arranging kit for yo...

Looking for the perfect gift for a gardener or flower farmer this holiday season? Lisa and Layne have you covered! In this excerpt from episode 13 ('Great Gifts for Gardeners'), the girls discuss five fantastic gift ideas for gardeners. Listen to the podcast and find the perfect presents for all the gardeners in your life, including yourself! The video version of Lisa and Layne's conversation wi...

Do you love brightening up your home with the spectacular blooms of amaryllis throughout the winter season? Wondering how often to water or fertilize the plants, or how to prevent the flower stalks from curving, leaning, or flopping? In this excerpt from episode 15, Lisa and Layne are joined by Val Schirmer of Three Toads Farm to discuss tips and tricks for growing amaryllis (Hippeastrum) indoors....

In honor of Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Lisa and Layne spotlight something they are thankful for - all the hardworking growers of the world who produce the seed that allows us to grow so many wonderful plants at home and on our farms. In this excerpt from episode 17 ('Seed Production & Saving Celosia Seed with Emily Nekl'), Dr. Emily Nekl of Fuggles Flowers joins Lisa and Layne to d...

Are you distressed to see your fall-planted cool flowers budding up heading into winter? Wondering if you should pinch the plants, start over, or leave them be? In this excerpt from episode 63 ('Troubleshooting Premature Blooms on Fall-Planted Cool Flowers'), Lisa and Layne cover how to handle premature cool flower blooms on both branching and single-stem plants. Listen to the podcast and learn wh...

Confused about how much seed to order? Wondering if you should stock up for multiple seasons or buy fresh seed each year instead? In this excerpt from episode 11 ('Seed Storage - Tips for Buying, Storing & Saving Seed'), Lisa and Layne cover how long seeds last, the meaning of "viability", which flower seeds tend to have a particularly short shelf life, when to order, and how much seed to orde...

Wondering when to put your row covers up or take them down based on temperatures? Confused what to do when you are anticipating rain, wind, or snow? In this excerpt from episode 68 ('Row Cover Do's & Don'ts'), Lisa and Layne cover which temperature and weather conditions should prompt you to put up or take down your row covers when overwintering cool-season hardy annuals (a.k.a. cool flowers)....

Looking for the perfect crop to grow for fall decor? Wishing you could add something unique to your autumn lineup as a flower farmer? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss 'Pumpkin-on-a-Stick' (Solanum integrifolium), an ornamental eggplant and fall favorite. They cover why home gardeners and flower farmers should consider growing it, how to space the plants, pinching tips, when to harvest, vase life, and...

Wondering if starting from seed is always the best option? Curious about what plugs are and if the benefits outweigh the seemingly higher upfront costs? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss all things plugs. They cover what plugs are, pros and cons versus starting from seed, and when and where to order. Plus, they list some plants that many flower farmers opt to order plugs for (rather than start from se...

Do you grow eucalyptus for its unique, fragrant blue-green or silvery-blue foliage? Wish you could leave your existing plants in place to get a head start the following year and harvest more stems from larger plants? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss tips and tricks for overwintering eucalyptus in the field or garden. They cover the benefits of overwintering eucalyptus plants, which USDA hardiness zon...

Would you like to grow your own material for dried flower crafts or arrangements? Wondering which warm-season flowers to include in your garden for drying purposes? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the results of this year's warm-season tender annual flower drying experiments. They cover a variety of warm-season flowers, describing how the flowers look when air dried, whether they hold their shape an...

Do you look forward to enjoying the charm and fragrance of sweet peas in your home and garden every year? Wondering whether or not to soak your seeds before sowing, or how to prevent your transplants from becoming tall and leggy? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various tips for sowing and overwintering sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus). They cover the benefits of fall planting for growers in warm clima...

Do you struggle with poor germination when sowing cool flower seeds outdoors in the fall? Wondering how to prevent weeds from overtaking your direct-seeded beds or how to ensure a thick stand of plants come springtime? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various cool flower direct seeding troubles. They describe the optimal conditions when sowing cool flowers outdoors in the fall and cover a variety of...

Do your cool flower seedlings seem to wither away shortly after sprouting? Are your transplants discolored, stunted, or slow to grow? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various seedling troubles commonly encountered with cool flower transplants. They describe the importance of proper watering and the ideal air temperatures when growing cool-season hardy annuals indoors and cover a variety of common que...

Struggling to get your cool flower seeds to sprout? Looking for some tips to improve germination on surface-sown seeds? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various germination troubles with cool flower transplants. They describe the ideal environmental conditions when starting cool-season hardy annual flowers indoors and cover a variety of common questions and concerns. Listen to the podcast and learn h...

Worried you are starting your cool flower seeds too early or too late this fall? Wondering when to plant cool-season hardy annual flowers in a frost-free climate? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various cool flower timing troubles. They describe how to calculate your optimal fall and very early spring cool flower planting windows and cover a variety of common questions and concerns. Listen to the po...

Wondering which perennials you should consider adding to your farm or garden this fall? Today, Lisa and Layne are joined by Dave Dowling of Ball Seed to discuss three perennials grown for cut-flower use that he recommends planting this autumn. They cover why each plant is worth growing, USDA hardiness zones, growing and spacing tips, favorite varieties, and more. Listen to the podcast and get read...

Do your transplants struggle when planted out in the extreme summer heat? Have you had to delay putting your fall cool flower transplants in the ground due to extended warm weather? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss how to protect your transplants in extreme heat with a "suncap". They cover what a "suncap" is and when you may want to install it, the benefits of using insect netting...

Confused by all the Sweet William varieties available? Wondering how to choose which ones to plant, if there are benefits to growing multiple varieties, and when to start your seeds? Today, Lisa and Layne are joined by Dave Dowling of Ball Seed to compare and contrast six varieties of Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus / Dianthus x barbatus). They discuss which varieties are true biennials, which ca...

Wondering if there are any perennials that are best treated as annuals for cut flowers? Curious why someone might choose to plant a fresh crop each year rather than leave the existing plants in place? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various reasons why growers may choose to treat certain perennial plants as annuals for cut-flower production. They cover why - as a flower farmer in southeastern Virgin...

Did you know that this is both the 100th episode of "Seed Talk" and the 10-year anniversary of Lisa's  Cool Flowers  book? To celebrate these two special occasions, Lisa and Layne discuss six important Cool Flower lessons Lisa has learned in the ten years following the book's publication. Listen to the podcast and learn some of the most critical keys to Cool Flower success! The v...

Would you like to incorporate more native plants in your garden or on your farm? Wondering which ones are not only beautiful and beneficial but also make great cut flowers? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three perennials native to various parts of the United States (Joe Pye Weed, Mountain Mint, and Goldenrod) to consider including in your cutting garden. They describe the plants and cover their val...

Looking for interesting, textural elements to add to your autumn bouquets? Wondering which varieties of seed-grown grasses work well as fall crops? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss six gorgeous grasses that are perfect for fall bouquets. For each cultivar (Frosted Explosion, Green Drops, Lowlander, Hylander, Lime Light, and Purple Majesty), they describe the flower / seed heads, plant height, days to...

Wondering which varieties of cosmos to grow in your garden or on your farm? Curious which blooms have the longest vase life, or which ones are must-have flowers for fall? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of the most popular varieties of cut-flower cosmos. For each cultivar (Double Click, Sensation Mix, Apricotta, Cupcakes Blush, Rubenza, Fizzy White & Afternoon White), they cover the typical...

Did you come to The Gardener's Workshop's Open Farm event this past weekend? If so, we are thrilled you were able to join us! Even if you were not able to attend, would you like a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the day's happenings? Today, Layne talks to flower experts and online course instructors Dave Dowling, Ellen Frost, and Lisa regarding their experiences at the Open Farm 2024 even...