Have you ever wondered how you can run a profitable cut flower farm? In this episode, Lennie Larkin, a business leader in the flower farming industry and founder of B-Side Farm, shares her inspiring journey from teaching to sustainable farming. Starting her career in Boston, Lennie transitioned to California, where she enrolled and then taught at UCSC Center for Agroecology, eventually establishing her own flower farm in 2014. Throughout this episode, Lennie candidly shares the challenges...

What happens when a dahlia unexpectedly takes on the appearance of a daffodil? In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Kelsey Hall of Cattle & Cut Flowers shares her remarkable journey in flower farming and the intriguing story behind her recent discovery, the "Daffodahlia." Kelsey, who runs a charming family-operated farm in Enumclaw, Washington, recounts how her farming adventure began in 2017 when she and her husband purchased a foreclosure property. Initially focused on...

This episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast features a replay from the Growing Beautiful Dahlias Interview Series hosted by Valerie Miller of Steel Cow Lavender Farm. In this episode, Valerie interviews Jennifer Gulizia, the host of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast and a passionate flower farmer based in Hood River, Oregon. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey as a cut flower farmer, her love for dahlias, and her recent transition to a new 20-acre farm. Throughout the conversation,...

Are you curious about what it takes to hybridize dahlias in your own backyard? Tune in to hear how Vonda VandeHoef, PNW gardener, has become a backyard dahlia hybridizer. In this episode we are joined by Vonda VandeHoef, a passionate backyard gardener from the Pacific Northwest. Vonda shares her journey from growing up around flowers to becoming a passionate backyard dahlia hybridizer. Vonda's love for flowers is deeply rooted in her family history, having grown up with a mother who ran a...

How can legacy farming and mental health intertwine to create a thriving community? In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we are joined by Trina Galloway, a third-generation farmer from Mt. View Orchards in majestic Parkdale, Oregon. Trina shares her heartfelt journey from being a mental health nurse practitioner to returning to her family farm, where she has beautifully blended her rich heritage with innovative approaches. She discusses the addition of a vibrant you-pick flower...

In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we are joined by Katy King, of Hidden Springs Flowers in central Pennsylvania. Katy shares the inspiring journey of transforming a century-old family farm into a thriving cut flower business. She and her husband Jim started Hidden Springs in 2018, turning a simple backyard veggie patch into two acres of stunning seasonal cut flowers. Katy discusses the challenges and joys of balancing her roles as a farmer, entrepreneur, educator, and...

As fall swiftly approaches, the changing of seasons brings new challenges and opportunities for gardeners. In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we welcome back Kara Jamison of Blooming Joy Flower Co. Kara discusses the importance of soil health, revealing her methods for cultivating rich, organic soil that has helped her garden thrive even through a hot, dry summer. She explains how she uses organic materials like compost, animal manures, and wood chips to improve soil moisture...

Have you ever marveled at how a tiny seed encapsulates not just life but also the past, present, and future? Dive deep into this concept with Erin Benzakein, the founder of Floret, one of the most influential flower farms and seed companies globally, on this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast. Erin's love for flowers sprouts from cherished childhood memories and blossomed into a profound passion that would redefine her life's path. Starting with a modest garden while raising her young...

Today, we're excited to welcome back Marryn Mathis from The Farmhouse Flower Farm in Stanwood, WA to celebrate the pre-launch of her new book, 'Sweet Pea School,' which is set to be released on February 25, 2025. This book is a treasure trove of insights into growing, nurturing, and saving seeds from one of the garden's most beloved flowers, the sweet pea. Marryn is here today to give us a sneak peek into her book and share some expert tips on saving sweet pea seeds, a timely topic for...

Have you ever thought about not having to do everything, but instead focusing on what you truly enjoy? Join today's conversation with Laura Ward from Blackburn Gardens as she shares her journey from dreaming about dirt and flowers as a child to creating a local garden haven. Hear how Laura transitioned from a vegetable CSA model to a successful You-Pick flower farm, finding joy in sharing her space with others and drying flowers for beautiful arrangements. Laura's dedication to growing...

Have you ever wondered how a backyard garden with just 10 dahlias could transform into a flourishing flower farm with over 1500 dahlias? Join Christopher Tomaso and Wyatt Thomas, partners at Darcy's Dahlias, as they share their journey on the Backyard Bouquet podcast. Tune in to hear their inspiring conversation about their growth from hobbyist dahlia growers to successful flower farmers. In this episode, Christopher and Wyatt discuss their organic journey to becoming flower farmers. They...

Are you curious about what it takes to successfully sell flowers at the farmer's market? Imagine the vibrant colors, the sweet scents, and the joy of sharing beautiful blooms with others. If you're intrigued, then you'll definitely want to tune in to the latest episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast featuring Janis Harris from Harris Flower Farm in Ontario, Canada. In this episode, Janis shares her journey of transforming her family-operated flower farm into a thriving hub for beautiful cut...

Have you ever imagined leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind to embrace the serenity of country living?  In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, host Jennifer Gulizia sits down with flower farmer, Lexi Bokenkotter of Bokenkotter Blooms to delve into her remarkable journey from city living to becoming a successful flower farmer in rural Indiana. Join Jennifer and Lexi as they chat about the joys and challenges of transitioning from a postage stamp-sized garden to a...

Have you ever wondered how you can practice sustainable gardening in a small urban space? In this episode we are joined by Chia-Ming, a Los Angeles-based food-focused landscape designer. Chia-Ming is here to share her journey of going from corporate finance to a flourishing urban homestead. Chia-Ming shares her expertise in blending culinary and floral beauty seamlessly, drawing from her upbringing cultivating rare Asian fruits and vegetables alongside her mother in Taiwan. Her passion for...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a successful flower farm and create a unique on-farm experience for visitors? Today we are joined by Meg McGuire from Red Daisy Farm in Brighton, Colorado. Meg is here to share the inspiring story of how her family turned their property into a vibrant community hub, offering everything from wholesale flowers to overnight farm stays. Meg's journey began with a wedding request from her cousin, sparking her love for flower farming. Over the past 11...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a traditional farm into a thriving event venue? In this episode, Justine Ludwig joins us to share her story of transitioning Coastal Black from a dairy farm to a vibrant event space, hosting popular festivals like their annual pumpkin festival and tulip festival. Justine's experience highlights the importance of diversifying farm activities, engaging with the community, and adapting to challenges in the farming industry. Discover the...

Imagine turning a small urban garden into a flourishing ½ acre flower farm—all while homeschooling four kids and battling postpartum depression. That's exactly what Galena Berkompas accomplished, and she's here to share her inspiring journey on the Backyard Bouquet podcast. Galena transformed her life through the power of flowers, starting with little knowledge and a modest space in 2020, and has now grown into a successful flower farmer known for her sustainable practices and heartwarming...

Have you ever wondered how a simple backyard gardening hobby could blossom into a thriving family-run business supplying high-quality rooted dahlia cuttings to flower farmers and gardeners across the country? In this captivating episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Julie and Ryan Williams, the passionate duo behind Stonehouse Dahlias in Northern Utah. Julie and Ryan share their heartwarming tale of transitioning from teachers to dahlia propagators,...

In this episode, Melissa Hessney Masters, of Tangleboom Flower Farm, takes us on a heartfelt journey that began with a simple yet profound desire to find local flowers for her wedding back in 2010. This quest sparked a passion that led her to establish Tanglebloom in 2013. As we delve into her story, you'll hear about the myriad challenges she faced in the world of flower farming and how she gracefully navigated them. Melissa also shares her innovative shift towards Agritourism, a move that...

Have you ever wondered about the art of drying flowers and creating stunning arrangements that last a lifetime? In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we have the pleasure of hearing from Hannah Muller, a cut flower farmer located in the beautiful Capay Valley of Northern California. Hannah shares her journey from growing up on Full Belly Farm to becoming a wedding farmer-florist to shifting her focus to dried flowers. We explore the process of drying flowers, the best conditions...

Are you curious about what it takes to be a sustainable farmer-florist? In episode 23, we  delve into the vibrant world of flower farming with Heather Staten from Heather's Flower Farm in Hood River, Oregon. Heather's journey from an avid gardener to flourishing flower farmer is a testament to her love for the earth and the beauty of cultivation. In this episode, Heather shares her passion for growing over 250 varieties of flowers and foliage on her family's 18-acre property in Hood River,...

Have you ever wondered what happens when a passion for music and farming intertwine to create a symphony of nature and artistry? In Episode 22 of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we journey down South to Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast of Australia to chat with the remarkable Bec McConnell of Serenade Farm. Bec shares with us the beautiful story of how her love for gardening and flowers was nurtured from childhood memories of her Nan and Pop's garden, to her backpacking adventures in...

Are you ready to be inspired by a heartfelt story of healing, motherhood, and the beauty of dahlias? Join us on the Backyard Bouquet Podcast this week as we welcome Kamille, a flower farmer and mother, who shares her journey of finding solace in flower farming after experiencing grief and loss. Discover the therapeutic power of flowers and the importance of prioritizing family and relationships through Kamille's touching story. Hear about her passion for breeding dahlias and the value of...

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Steve Kaufer, also known as Sunflower Steve, shares his journey from planting a prairie garden to becoming a renowned sunflower seed breeder. Starting with planting native prairie flowers in Wisconsin, Steve's passion for flowers has led him to cultivate unique sunflower varieties over the last 20 plus years. Through trial and error, Steve established relationships with large retailers and wholesalers, eventually focusing on high-volume...