Episodes
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. Guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, also a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: ⁠Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More⁠. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners! Here, he answers questions about peonies, snapdragons, lilies, stock, and so much more. Other topics include dried...
Published 04/30/24
Don’t allow these things to hold you back from pursuing your flower farming business dreams. No acreage, tractor, or greenhouse? No problem. I didn’t have any of those during the first decade of my flower farm. Originally aired 9/27/22 Mentions Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) Online Courses from The Gardener's Workshop Shop the TGW Online Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...
Published 04/23/24
This episode features a takeover of our popular “Ask a Flower Farmer” live Q&A session on Instagram. Daniel Schavey of Petal Pickers Flower Co. in Greenville, SC hosted this one. Daniel is a 7th-year flower farmer growing in zone 8a and an alumnus of most of The Gardener’s Workshop’s online courses. Here, he answers questions on topics such as high tunnel growing, lisianthus, tips for new cut flower growers, hydroponic tulips, and so many more! Other topics covered: microclimate trial...
Published 04/16/24
Join Rhonda Graves and Lisa for another episode of Bug Talk! Today, they expand into the broader topic of restoring the natural order on your farm or in your garden: the benefits, the methods, and the rewards. They share all of their favorite resources for learning more about what YOU can do to improve the natural conditions in your space. Recommended Reading Vegetables Love Flowers Bringing Nature Home  Good Garden Bugs  The Life Cycle of Butterflies  The Secret Lives of Backyard...
Published 04/09/24
We are so hard on ourselves when we hit a wall or fail. I’ve found that the reality so often for me is that my expectations weren’t based on any facts or experiences, just hopes, and dreams. No wonder it didn’t work out! Stepping back and rethinking the process can change it all.Hopes + Dreams + Experience + Knowledge = a smoother and straighter road to success. I hope this episode meets you where you are, encourages you, lets you know you are not alone, and sows the seeds of hope that...
Published 04/02/24
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. Guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, who is also a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave has such a wealth of knowledge to share! Here, he answers questions about dahlias, hydrangeas, tulips, lisianthus, and so much more! Other topics include pest management,...
Published 03/26/24
Lisa was recently featured on Growing For Market podcast, joining host Andrew Mefferd to discuss concepts from her new book, The Cut Flower Handbook. Topics covered include: The current US market demand for cut flowers Cool vs. warm season flower crops Professionalism in flower farming Succession planting concept for continuous blooms Podcast excerpts are published with permission.  Mentions Lisa's Book: ⁠The Cut Flower Handbook⁠ Full original Growing For Market episode #55...
Published 03/19/24
After almost a year in development, we're so excited to tell you about our new online community!  Membership Features:  Monthly live Q&As with Lisa Z! Exclusive training sessions  Expert guidance from Lisa Commiserate with your flower-loving peers Interactive challenges keep you inspired to succeed Private club platform - no tracking or advertising Access anytime from your phone, tablet, or computer Who Is This Online Club For?  Aspiring Flower Farmers Established...
Published 03/12/24
Lisa was recently featured on The joegardener® Show podcast, joining host Joe Lamp'l to discuss the foundational concepts from her new book, The Cut Flower Handbook. Topics covered include: The soil blocking method of seed starting Cool vs. warm season flower crops Natural weed & pest prevention Succession planting concept for continuous blooms Podcast excerpts are published with permission. Mentions Full The joegardener® Show Episode #351 Podcast & Blog Post ⁠Available...
Published 03/05/24
Starting and being in business is overwhelming! Yep, it's true. And the overwhelm doesn't just stop one day, you have to take control and make it happen. Only you can make that choice. Add to that the stress of flower farming, and it becomes clear why so many new growers never leave the starting gate. In this episode, I'm sharing one of the keys to getting started and staying in business as a flower farmer. Allow yourself the fair opportunity to learn how, I highly recommend it! (Encore...
Published 02/27/24
In September '22 Lisa was featured on The joegardener® Show podcast, joining host Joe Lamp’l to discuss the Cool Flowers concept and how she got started growing this fantastic group of spring stunners! They covered topics such as: How to determine which Cool Flowers you can grow in your region When and how to start your Cool Flowers from seed The special care requirements of flowers planted in the fall and in very early spring What you should do to prepare in the fall even if you...
Published 02/20/24
Growing, giving, and receiving cut flowers is good medicine for whatever ails you. I learned this firsthand from Stevie’s mom's memorial service. The stories of Ruby sharing my flowers amongst the thousands of pound cakes she baked and shared were evidence of the power of flowers. Sharing them is an excellent ending to a flower's journey. Mentions Lisa's newest book: ⁠The Cut-Flower Handbook⁠ ⁠Shop the TGW Online Store⁠ for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Sign up to receive our...
Published 02/13/24
Enjoy this short podcast to get relieved of the pressure to start seeds now. ~Lisa In the episode, I share the reality that this rush and pressure we feel to start seeds in early spring is a result of marketing, and it is not the only time to start seeds! In fact, many of us could start seeds all 12 months of the year. I hope this gives you the nudge to jump in where you are and not feel like you're behind. Mentions Book: Vegetables Love Flowers Shop the TGW Online Store for all...
Published 02/06/24
This time of year we have lots of folks reaching out because of fears they are experiencing about their Cool Flowers facing cold weather. I understand and suffer from the same thing from time to time. It’s natural, and we need to do all we can to meet their needs to maximize success. This chat I hosted includes encouragement and some steps to follow that stack the cards in favor of your cool-season hardy annuals. Mentions Video Series: Cool-Season Flower Chronicles  Blog: The Secret...
Published 01/30/24
In this encore presentation of Lisa's very first episode of Field & Garden, she covers a couple of really big topics:   1) How NOT to freak out if you decide to peek under your row covers in mid-winter, and 2) How to use this time to harness the power of succession planting as you plan out your bed space throughout the coming year. As avid cut flower gardeners and farmers, we know that the dead of winter is not just for dreaming! Now is also the time to carefully plan your...
Published 01/23/24
Tests and lessons (failures!) lead to perseverance. Perseverance is a required ingredient for a small business. We must continue despite failures, difficulties, or opposition. Don't give up or give in to fear. Facing fear in business never ends, so we must all learn to overcome it.⁠⁠⁠ Remember... "Fear is a mile wide, but only an inch deep." - Lisa Z. Mentions Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠ The⁠⁠⁠ Field...
Published 01/16/24
Join Lisa, Dave, and Gretel as they discuss the Flower Farming School Online Trio Sale. The culmination of several years of work, these schools are being offered as a complete set for the first time, and for a limited time only. Students now have the opportunity to gain immediate access to beginner through expert-level teachings for cut flower farming, both in the field and in structures, in a format that fits their lifestyle and needs. If you're looking for the most time and...
Published 01/09/24
Did you know that we have another podcast series? It's called Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne, and it's become really popular! This is their top podcast episode of 2023, the one with the most overall listens, and it's the first episode in a 3-part series about cut-and-come-again Cool Flowers. If you like this one, please consider subscribing to Seed Talk wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Seed Talk on our YouTube channel (see the Seed Talk playlist there), or listen to...
Published 01/02/24
*Winner Best of 2023* This podcast had the most listens this year! If I had the opportunity to restart my business today based on what I have learned since starting in 1998, these are some of the things that would change the course of my business. They seem so simple now, but when I was in the weeds-- I never even thought of these things! Hope they help!  ~Lisa P.S. Listen through to the very end for an uplifting note from Jennifer! Mentions ⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all...
Published 12/26/23
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. Guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, who is also a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave has such a wealth of knowledge to share! Here, he answers questions about lots of plants, including snapdragons, lisianthus, astilbe, winterberry, willows, baptisia, anemones,...
Published 12/19/23
I'm looking over my shoulder as I begin to firm up my business goals and plans for 2024. Lessons learned and reminders of advice given is good food for thought. Learning to say no to great ideas that aren't in my wheelhouse is at the top of my list. Mentions The Book That Changed My Life: ⁠Interview with Lynn Byczynski⁠ Pre-Order Now: The Cut-Flower Handbook ⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠Field...
Published 12/12/23
I find that many people struggle and quit flower farming before they really get started. Why do they quit? Not because they aren’t trying, but because “they don’t know, what they don't know” and get burned out doing the wrong stuff. How do you learn the right stuff? Networking with those who are ahead of you in their business journey. Mentions December 9, 2023: Gratitude Open Warehouse Lisa's Book: The Cut-Flower Handbook Podcast Series: Seed Talk with Lisa & LayneCourses: Flower...
Published 12/05/23
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. This one was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink. Dave is also a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave has such a wealth of knowledge to share! Here, he answers questions about lots of plants, including ninebark, dahlias, cool flowers, gladiolus, tulips, lisianthus,...
Published 11/28/23
Join Lisa Ziegler and Jessi Graven as they discuss the writing of The Cut-Flower Handbook. This book is scheduled for release in February 2024 and is available for pre-order now. Pre-order The Cut-Flower Handbook directly from TGW to get our FREE bonus resources! Details HERE. Mentions Lisa's book, The Cut-Flower Handbook ⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our Farm News emails!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Field and Garden Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is...
Published 11/21/23