The Dirt on Flowers

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," Lyndsay and Shannon interview Kelly Shore, founder of The Floral Source. Kelly shares her 25-year journey from flower shop beginnings to building a wholesale business connecting florists with American-grown flowers. The conversation covers her passion for local sourcing, the challenges of pricing and scaling, and the importance of education and community i...

Lyndsay and Shannon share an honest, unscripted chat about their recent busy weekends, including Lyndsay’s Floral Foundations workshop and Shannon’s flower fest events. They discuss the realities of teaching, managing farm activities, and adapting to challenges like weather and pests. Both reflect on the importance of simplicity, efficiency, and community in flower farming, offering listeners a ca...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," hosts Lyndsay and Shannon interview Lisa Mason Ziegler, renowned as the "cool flowers queen." Lisa shares her inspiring journey from starting a flower farm on a small city lot to becoming a leading educator in cut flower farming. The discussion covers the benefits and challenges of growing cool season hardy annuals, succession planting, and adapting to cha...

In this episode of "The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," the hosts share an honest, behind-the-scenes look at flower farming. They discuss the excitement and challenges of opening their "You Pick" flower farm, dealing with farm policies like no dogs, and managing unpredictable weather. Lyndsay opens up about a recent theft at her honor stand and the emotional impact, while both hosts swap tips on...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the critical role of customer reviews in flower farming businesses. They share practical tips on how to request reviews, handle negative feedback gracefully, and use positive testimonials in marketing. Emphasizing authenticity and the importance of engaging with all feedback, they encourage listeners to start asking for reviews,...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsey and Shannon," the hosts—both flower farmers—reflect on their week around July 4th. Lyndsay opens up about the emotional toll of recent Texas flooding. They update listeners on their busy first week of grocery flower deliveries and emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and self-care amidst farm life’s demands. The episode blends humor, honest reflecti...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," co-hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Marryn Mathis, owner of Farmhouse Flower Farm and author of "Sweet Pea School." Marryn shares her journey from corporate life to flower farming, focusing on her passion for sweet peas. The conversation covers growing tips, challenges, and the emotional connections flowers create. Marin discusses seed production, the imp...

In this episode, flower farmers Shannon and Lyndsay candidly discuss the realities of their work, from the chaos of returning after vacation to the ongoing battles with weeds, pests, and unpredictable weather. They share stories about managing customer expectations—especially with brides seeking DIY wedding flowers—and the emotional toll of difficult client interactions. The conversation highlight...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," Lyndsay and Shannon discuss strategies for flower farmers to navigate the second half of the year. They candidly address spring challenges, including burnout and unmet expectations, and stress the importance of a midseason reality check. The hosts share actionable tips on goal review, crop planning, self-care, and simplifying farm tasks. They encourage far...

Lyndsay and guest Shawn candidly discuss the realities of flower farming during a summer heat wave. They share adjustments made to protect crops, the installation of a new high tunnel, and the challenges of moving off the farm. The conversation covers adapting farming practices, maintaining customer relationships, and finding ways to keep their passion for gardening alive while running a business....

Lyndsay and Shannon revisit their early discussion on perennials, sharing how their knowledge and practices have evolved. Building on insights from EP 59, they explore the pros and cons of growing perennials, offer practical tips for integrating them into flower farming, and discuss the importance of planning, maintenance, and understanding specific plant needs. Through personal experiences and au...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," the hosts share candid stories from their flower farms, including Shannon's chaotic experience with a troublesome Airbnb guest and Lyndsay's struggles with crop losses due to relentless rain. They discuss the arrival of new H-2A workers, sourcing flowers from other farms, and upcoming events like a wedding design workshop. The conversation highl...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," Lyndsay and Shannon share their experiences organizing large-scale "you-pick" events. They discuss essential planning, logistics, pricing strategies, and customer engagement, emphasizing the importance of creating a memorable festival atmosphere with vendors, live music, and food trucks. The hosts also address challenges like weather, staffing, and rule en...

In this episode of Uncut hosts Lyndsay and Shannon share candid updates from their flower farms. They discuss Lyndsay’s recent name change, the impact of weather on their crops, and the ongoing challenges of weed control. The conversation covers composting, sourcing quality materials, and preparations for fall bouquets and market days. With humorous anecdotes and practical advice, the episode offe...

In this episode of "The Dirt on Flowers," co-hosts Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the theme "Refocus and Reconnect: Building a Business That Loves You Back" with guest Jessica Chase from Sierra Flower Farms. They address the challenges new flower farmers face, such as feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from their purpose. Jessica shares her journey of starting a flower farm without prior experience...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," the hosts candidly discuss the ups and downs of flower farming. They share updates on their crops, weather challenges, and weed management, while also swapping stories about difficult customers and the frustrations of selling on Facebook Marketplace. The episode highlights the realities of running a small farm, the importance of community, and t...

In this episode, Lyndsay and Shannon welcome back Jenny Marks, a small-scale flower farmer from New York, to discuss "farming smarter, not harder." Jenny shares her journey of refining her business model to enhance profitability by streamlining offerings and implementing effective systems. Overwhelmed by managing a diverse array of flowers and multiple sales outlets, Jenny emphasizes the importanc...

In this episode of "The Uncut," flower farmers Lyndsay and Shannon share an unfiltered look into their daily lives. They discuss the impact of unusual weather on their crops, particularly peonies, and the challenges of customer interactions. The duo recounts humorous personal anecdotes, including a frustrating furniture shopping trip and a wedding setup that required last-minute adjustments. They...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenging topic of pricing flowers. They highlight that new flower farmers often struggle with valuing their time and products, leading to unsustainable pricing. The hosts debunk the misconception that being the lowest-priced option attracts loyal customers, advocating instead for understanding costs and setting informed prices. They provide actionable strategies,...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," the hosts candidly discuss the ups and downs of flower farming during a busy spring season. They humorously recount internet issues caused by squirrels and share their experiences of emotional and mental exhaustion from managing farm tasks. The conversation covers seed starting challenges, noise sensitivity, and the unpredictability of crop yiel...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss their transition from traditional 9 to 5 jobs to full-time farming. They share personal experiences of burnout and dissatisfaction in their previous careers, which motivated them to pursue farming. The episode emphasizes the importance of solid financial planning, understanding cash flow, and tracking expenses. They outline the phases of transition, including recognizin...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," the hosts share their experiences as flower farmers during the busy Mother's Day season. They discuss the challenges of managing sales, weather unpredictability, and seed starting. Lyndsay highlights the importance of adaptability in farming, while Shannon recounts her decision-making process for sales strategies. They also touch on the complexi...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss marketing strategies for small businesses with Channing Muller, an award-winning marketing consultant and founder of DCM Communications. They explore the importance of keeping marketing efforts fresh and consistent without feeling overwhelmed. Channing shares insights on differentiating marketing from advertising, identifying ideal clients, and choosing the right social...

In this episode of "Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon," they discuss the hectic week leading up to Mother's Day. They share personal anecdotes, including Lyndsay's humorous cheerleading story, and delve into the challenges of managing orders, planting, and harvesting. The conversation covers pricing strategies, marketing struggles, and the importance of community support. They highlight the emotional...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the "fire, ready, aim" approach to decision-making in flower farming. They emphasize the importance of taking swift action rather than getting stuck in indecision, which can lead to missed opportunities. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the value of embracing imperfections, learning from experiences, and maintaining confidence in decision-making. The episode a...