The Blooming Garden

Today I’m joined by Lance Turner from Tomato Revolution (Wiltshire) — a proper tomato obsessive — and we break down what actually matters if you want strong plants and loads of fruit (not just a leafy jungle). In this episode we cover the 8-week sowing rule , how to avoid leggy seedlings , why you should remove heat after germination , how to pot on deeper for stronger roots, what causes trusses n...

Wholesale, Markets & Weddings All Mean Different Flowers In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest mistakes I see beginner cut flower farmers make: trying to grow one crop list for wholesale, markets, and weddings. On paper, it sounds like diversification.  In reality, these are three very different businesses — with different priorities, pressures, and flower requirements. What I...

This isn’t about algorithms, dancing on Reels, or becoming someone you’re not.  It is about understanding what running a flower business actually involves. Here’s what we unpack: 🌱 Growing flowers ≠ selling flowers Most beginners are better growers than they think. The problem isn’t the flowers — it’s that no one knows they exist. Posting occasionally, quietly launching a website, or mentioning i...

In this episode of The Blooming Garden Podcast , I’m breaking down how to start tomatoes properly for an early crop — and why most failures happen before the plants ever reach the garden. If you’ve ever sown tomatoes in January, watched them stall, sulk, or turn into sad little sticks… this episode explains exactly why — and how to avoid it. Spoiler alert:  It’s not about fancy kit.  It’s about ti...

In this episode, I’m diving into how to grow poppies properly — from sowing method to variety choice — and explaining why poppies are one of the easiest flowers to grow when you stop fighting their nature . If you’ve ever had poppies stall, sulk, or fail after transplanting, this episode explains exactly why. Most poppies hate root disturbance , thrive in cool conditions , and grow best when direc...

Most beginner flower farmers aren’t undercharging a little — they’re undercharging a lot , and usually without even realising it. In this episode, I break down exactly why pricing “by gut feel” is the fastest way to burn yourself out… and how to switch to real, sustainable, confidence-building pricing instead. If the numbers feel scary, don’t worry — I used to be hopeless at maths. But once you un...

Hey flower friends — in today’s episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new mini series all about making money in your flower business… and more importantly, how to stop quietly losing it. This episode is your friendly nudge (or loving shove!) to finally look at your numbers in a way that feels simple, empowering, and totally doable — even if maths has never been your thing. I’m breaking down the exact b...

In this episode, I’m stripping things right back to basics — how to sow seeds successfully. Whether you’re new to gardening or just want better germination rates, this is your no-nonsense guide to getting it right from the start. I’ll walk you through everything from timing your sowings (and why enthusiasm isn’t a planting strategy!) to choosing the right compost, containers, and watering methods....

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest game-changers for your growing season — autumn sowing . Forget the idea that autumn is the end of the gardening year; it’s actually the beginning of the next one . Whether you’re a home grower dreaming of an early flush of colour or a flower farmer chasing those lucrative May stems, this episode shows you how to sow now for serious results later....

When you’re growing for everyone … you’re really growing for no one. In this episode, I’m unpacking the power of finding your ICA — your Ideal Customer Avatar . This isn’t just a marketing buzzword. It’s about building a flower business that works for you — your lifestyle, your crops, and your goals. I’ll share the mistakes I made in my early days (think late-night bouquet deliveries, impossible w...

What do you get when you cross patience, petals, and a little bit of chaos? Dahlia breeding. In this episode, I’m sharing the real process behind breeding your own dahlia varieties — from hand-pollination tips to spotting the traits worth keeping. Whether you’re dreaming of your own exclusive varieties or just curious about how new dahlias are born, this is a peek behind the curtain of one of the...

If you’ve ever thought “I just need to grow more flowers” or “I don’t know if I’m charging enough” — this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the five core figures every flower farmer needs to know . These aren’t fluffy numbers; they’re the ones that make or break your business. From calculating your true cost per stem to spotting which crops are quietly draining your profits...

Are you a flower farmer or florist staring at a blank screen trying to write your website, social posts, or emails? AI tools like ChatGPT can help — but only if you use them right. In this episode, I’m sharing the first prompt every floral business owner should try , especially if you’ve been burned by cringey AI results in the past. I’ll walk you through how to train ChatGPT to sound like you, ho...

In this episode, I’m getting into the not-so-sexy but absolutely essential topic of flower conditioning — what it is, why it matters, and how to do it properly. Whether you’re a newbie with your first bucket of cosmos or a seasoned grower supplying weddings, this one’s for you. I walk you through the best time to cut specific flowers (including tulips, dahlias, zinnias, snapdragons, sweet peas, an...

Ever wonder how some gardeners already have armfuls of colour while you’re still rummaging for your seed trays? It’s not magic — it’s timing. And in this episode, I’m pulling back the compost curtain on succession sowing — specifically why August is prime time to start. You’ll learn: Why autumn-sown hardy annuals give you earlier, stronger blooms (and the Instagram bragging rights to match) The se...

Snapdragons might look sweet and cottagey, but don’t be fooled — these are serious cut flower powerhouses. In this episode, I’m diving into everything you need to know to grow tall, straight, florist-grade snapdragons from seed, whether you're a hobby grower or scaling up for serious sales. From understanding snapdragon group classifications (yes, that’s a thing) to sowing tricks, pinching hacks,...

Sick of posting “Bookings now open!” and hearing nothing but crickets? This episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down how to actually attract better clients to your floral business — the kind who value your work, pay on time, and come back for more. From defining your niche to fixing your website and building a proper marketing system (yes, more than just a pretty Instagram post), this one’s...

In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic many florists and flower farmers put off for far too long: your website. Not just having one — but making sure it actually works for you. Whether you're running a full-scale cut flower farm or designing bouquets from your kitchen table, your website should be attracting customers, answering questions, and taking payments (even while you’re elbow-deep...

Welcome to the Blooming Garden Podcast — the go-to space for aspiring and established flower farmers who want to grow beautiful blooms and build a thriving business. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s often overlooked — but absolutely essential: FOLIAGE!!! Not hedge clippings. We're talking intentional, scene-stealing, bouquet-building greens that add structure, drama, and serious s...

Summer might look like the end of the flower farming season — but for those of us in the know, it’s actually when the real magic starts happening in the seed trays. In this episode, I’m talking all things biennials and perennials: what to sow right now in June and July, how to keep them happy during the hot weather, and why this quiet little sowing season can lead to some of your most spectacular...

Are you charging enough for your flowers—or just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? In this honest and number-packed episode, I peel back the layers of pricing guilt and walk you through how to confidently price your flowers, whether you’re a grower, a florist, or both. From emotional undercharging to spreadsheets that make sense, I offer a  clear, real-world guidance on valuing your t...

Are you drowning in blooms but wondering where the profit is? In this episode, I cuts through the flower farming fluff and walk you step-by-step through how to set realistic financial goals — and actually grow enough stems to meet them. Perfect for growers who are ready to move beyond the “hope and hustle” model and start building a thriving, flower-based business. Whether you’re aiming for £10K o...

When it comes to sowing flower seeds, should you go high-tech, low-fi, or somewhere in between? In this episode I dive into one of the most spirited debates in the flower farming world: modules vs. soil blocks vs. direct sowing. I Cut through the noise, sharing real-life tips and lessons from my greenhouse and garden trenches. Whether you're surrounded by seed trays or armed with just a rake and a...

Welcome to the Blooming Garden Podcast — the go-to space for aspiring and established flower farmers who want to grow beautiful blooms and build a thriving business. In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest questions I get asked time and time again: “How do I start a flower farm?” Whether you’ve got a tiny patch of lawn, a couple of raised beds, or a whole field to play with, this episode...

In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Raskin , Head of Agroforestry at the Soil Association and author of The Woodchip Handbook , to talk about one of the most underrated (and free!) resources in the garden: woodchip . We cover: What woodchip actually is (and the different types) How it supports fungi and microbial life in your soil The truth about nitrogen lock-up Why it helps with both drought and...