The Dirt on Flowers

In the final episode of January crop deep dive series, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon are joined by guest expert Dave Dowling to discuss peonies. Reflecting on previous episodes about tulips and sunflowers, they acknowledge the importance of specialty crops. Dave shares his expertise on peonies, addressing the high volume of listener questions on the topic. He also announces his retirement but confirms...

Lyndsay and Shannon welcome guest Michelle from Roots Cut Flower Farm to discuss the realities of flower farming. They share their experiences with weather challenges, particularly snow, and delve into the logistics of farm management. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding market demands and growing conditions, focusing on celosia as a staple crop. Michelle shares her experti...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenges and triumphs of farming, with a focus on sunflowers. They introduce Steve Robert, known as "Sunflower Steve," who shares his extensive experience in flower farming. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of farming, the emotional toll of weather impacts, and the importance of resilience. Steve talks about his journey, the origin of his nickname,...

Lyndsay and Shannon, co-hosts from Wildflower Company and Bloom Hill Farm, welcome expert guest Dave Dowling to discuss the cultivation of Lisianthus. They explore various aspects of growing this popular flower, including the benefits of high tunnels versus field planting, seed starting versus buying plugs, and tips for ensuring healthy plants. Dave shares his extensive knowledge, emphasizing the...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss their recent wreath workshops, navigating weather challenges and vendor communication issues. They introduce Linda D'Arco from Ampersand Bulb Co., who shares insights into the complexities of the bulb industry, particularly tulips. Linda explains the bulb procurement process, including sourcing from the Netherlands, dealing with market demand, and managing quality issue...

Lyndsay and Shannon reflect on their past year in flower farming with special guest Shawn Mercer, focusing on the challenges and successes of their wreath workshops. As the holiday season ends, Lyndsay transitions into a more relaxed phase, while Shannon discusses the logistical hurdles of moving locations and managing customer expectations. They emphasize the importance of reflection and planning...

Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Brian Kanotz from Kings Mums. Brian, with over 20 years of professional growing experience, shares his journey from childhood farming to owning Kings Mums with his wife, Sheila. The discussion covers the challenges and transformations within the floral industry, emphasizing the importance of adapting growing techniques to different climates and the value of heirloom pla...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss their flower farming experiences and plans for 2025. They reflect on the challenges and successes they've faced, focusing on which crops to cut, such as lilies and certain flowering tobaccos, due to profitability and labor concerns. They emphasize the importance of planning for dried flowers and optimizing harvest times. The conversation is filled with personal anecdote...

Lyndsay and Shannon share their favorite tools and products that enhance their farming and personal lives. They discuss practical items like soil knives and push seeders, as well as personal care products such as silk pillowcases and natural deodorants. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, product recommendations, and insights into their experiences as farmers. Emphasizing the importance...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss essential year-end business practices for farmers. They start with a light-hearted chat about holiday preparations before diving into critical financial management topics. They emphasize the importance of filing the "Beneficial Ownership Information" (BOI) report with FinCEN to avoid hefty penalties. The hosts also highlight the need for a knowledgeable accountant famil...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the complexities of managing flower farms during the busy fall season. They share their strategies for prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and balancing spring preparations with fall cleanup. Both emphasize the importance of record-keeping and having a solid marketing strategy to ensure profitability. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the physical an...

Lyndsay and Shannon chat with Gretel Adams, co-owner of Sunny Meadows Flower Farm in Columbus, Ohio. They discuss the realities of flower farming, especially during the holiday season. Gretel shares her journey from growing vegetables to focusing solely on flowers, the importance of community and mentorship, and the challenges of scaling operations. The conversation highlights the emotional and ph...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss how "The Insiders," launched nearly two years ago. They share insights on flower farming and the supportive environment within the community. The insiders' platform offers a variety of resources, including checklists, marketing templates, and growing information, catering to both new and experienced flower farmers. Lyndsay and Shannon emphasize the value of the communit...

Lyndsay and Shannon chat with Jen from Jen's Flower Garden in Marysville, Ohio. They delve into the benefits and practicalities of using low tunnels in flower farming. Jen shares her experiences with constructing and managing these tunnels, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and ability to extend the growing season for key market dates like Mother's Day. The discussion is enriched with personal...

In this "spooky edition" episode, co-hosts Lindsay from Wildflower Company and Shannon from Bloom Hill Farm, host three special guest to share horror stories from the flower farming world. They discuss the challenges of full-service weddings, managing customer expectations, and the drama that can ensue. The episode highlights the importance of clear communication, resilience, and finding humor in...

Lyndsay and Shannon dive into the realities of flower farming. They discuss the challenges of dealing with unexpected frosts, the emotional ups and downs of the season, and the importance of learning from mistakes. The conversation highlights the significance of data collection, adopting a CEO mindset, and finding joy in foundational tasks. They also touch on the impact of social media on percepti...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenges of fall flower farming, focusing on digging dahlias and winter preparations. Recorded in late September, they reflect on the seasonal transition and their end-of-season fatigue. They delve into the specifics of digging dahlias, emphasizing the importance of timing, labeling, and storage methods. They also discuss the pros and cons of washing tubers and th...

Lyndsay and Shannon welcome branding expert Alix Northrup, they discuss the essential role of having a website for farming businesses. They share personal experiences and challenges in managing their online presence, emphasizing that a website is crucial for legitimacy, customer engagement, and business growth. The conversation covers the limitations of relying solely on social media, the importan...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss their six-year collaboration in growing their flower farms into six-figure businesses. They candidly address the complexities and challenges of flower farming, emphasizing the importance of simplifying processes to enhance efficiency. The conversation includes personal anecdotes about customer interactions and the pressures of wedding weeks. They also highlight the need...

Lyndsay and Shannon share experiences with flower workshops, date nights on the farm, and managing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. She recounts a joyful date night event where couples dressed up, despite some arriving casually. They discuss handling event cancellations by rescheduling or offering vouchers. They explain the logistics of managing glue guns during workshops, emphasiz...

Lyndsay and Shannon respectively, engage in a vibrant discussion with Andrea McAdow of Rosebird Farms. Andrea shares her journey from civil engineering to farming in the Sabat Mountains of Arizona. She details the challenges of farming in a harsh climate, her business strategies, and the cooperative storefront she runs. The conversation covers soil management, favorite farming tools, and advice fo...

This week Lyndsay and Shannon explore the evolving nature of success in flower farming and personal growth. They discuss the challenges of defining success amidst social media comparisons and share personal anecdotes about their journeys. Emphasizing the importance of aligning success with true desires, they reflect on the impact of family, relationships, and the unpredictable nature of farming. T...

Shannon and Lyndsay revisit their popular episode "Finding Your Marigold," inspired by Jennifer Gonzales' article. They discuss the importance of surrounding oneself with positive, supportive people ("marigolds") and avoiding negative influences ("walnut"). They share humorous examples of negative influences like "No Money Nancy" and "Playing with Flowers Pam." The hosts also introduce their new m...

This week Lyndsay and Shannon delve into their flower farming experiences, focusing on Lisianthus, affectionately called "Lizzie." They share personal stories, highlighting the joys and challenges of running a flower business. The discussion covers favorite and less desirable Lisianthus varieties, emphasizing customer preferences and profitability. They also touch on essential logistics like seed...

Lyndsay and Shannon review their second quarter (Q2) from May to July. They discuss the challenges of unpredictable weather, the emotional ups and downs of farming, and the impact of hiring new employees. Personal anecdotes, including a stressful wedding event, add a relatable touch. They invite listeners to share "farming horror stories" for a Halloween episode, emphasizing learning from mistakes...