The Backyard Bouquet

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most respected voices in the cut flower industry—Dave Dowling. With over 20 years of experience as a flower farmer and now a trusted mentor to growers across North America, Dave shares insights you won’t want to miss.We talk about how he got started growing flowers (before Google existed!), what helped him turn a few backyard beds into a thriving year-round business, and the advice he gives most often to new flower farmers. From choosing the right flowers to grow, to selling at markets, working with florists, and applying for grants—this episode is packed with practical tips and hard-won wisdom.Whether you're dreaming of starting a flower farm or already deep in the growing season, Dave’s insights will help you build a more sustainable and profitable business—while remembering to enjoy the flowers along the way.In this episode, we talk about: How Dave got started in flower farming (and the book that sparked it) Tips for selling at farmers markets and to florists What makes a flower profitable—and what to grow more of The biggest mistakes new growers make Dave’s favorite flowers for market (and why lisianthus shines) How to apply for NRCS high tunnel grants The growing strength of the local flower movement Why collaboration beats competition in our industry What Dave hopes his legacy will be🌼 Want to connect with Dave?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davemdowling/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveDowlingBallHortShow Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/04/29/ep-55-how-to-grow-and-sell-cut-flowers-successfully-with-dave-dowling/***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

In this special Earth Day episode of The Backyard Bouquet, flower farmer and garden educator Jennifer Gulizia shares a deeply personal reflection on growing in harmony with the earth—and what it really means to be a steward of soil, beauty, and biodiversity.This solo episode blends story, science, and soul. Jennifer shares a poem Where Flowers Lead and shares the regenerative journey that led her family to restore 20 acres of neglected farmland—guided by flowers, rooted in soil, and inspired by hope.Show notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/04/29/ep-54-earth-day-flower-farming-reflection/🌿 Inside the episode, you'll hear: What Earth Day means through the lens of a gardener and flower farmer How Kiss the Ground and Common Ground confirmed her family's decision to become stewards of their new farmland The exact moment she stopped spraying neem oil after seeing bees sleep in her dahlias How a few books reshaped her thinking Simple, impactful actions gardeners can take to care for the earth Behind the scenes of her upcoming documentary, Where We Bloom🎥 Watch the documentaries mentioned: — Kiss the Ground (Amazon Prime): https://amzn.to/42qveXH — Common Ground (Amazon Prime): https://amzn.to/449Lxtf📚 Explore the books referenced: — Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown — For the Love of Soil by Nicole Masters — The Kindest Garden by Marian Boswall — Seeds of Hope by Jane Goodall🌼 Learn more about our documentary film: Visit The Flowering Farmhouse to learn more about our documentary film: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/10/28/regenerative-flower-farm-documentary/🎧 Whether you’re walking your garden rows, composting your kitchen scraps, or simply reflecting on how to live with more intention this season, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that small acts matter. That flowers aren’t just beautiful—they’re powerful. And that where flowers lead, healing follows.***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Jessica Hall, co-founder of Harmony Harvest Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. What began as a simple question during a family beach vacation—“Where do florists get flowers?”—sparked the beginning of a 20-acre flower farm that now ships bouquets and heirloom chrysanthemum plants across the country.Jessica shares how she, her sister, and their mom grew their passion into a thriving business rooted in sustainability, technology, and a whole lot of heart. From saving the last U.S.-based flower frog manufacturer to building a farm that blends heritage blooms with modern tools, this is a conversation full of wisdom and inspiration.Whether you’re just getting started in the garden, knee-deep in flower farming, or dreaming of building something special with your family, Jessica’s story is packed with real-life lessons, encouragement, and the kind of flower talk that makes you want to dig in and grow.🌸 Highlights from the episode: How a family conversation led to launching Harmony Harvest Farm The power of mentorship and why it’s worth investing in What makes heirloom chrysanthemums so special—and how to grow them Behind the scenes of their flower frog business, Floral Genius Using tech tools to manage a high-volume flower operation🛒 Shop flowers, chrysanthemums, and flower frogs: hhfshop.com 📸 Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyhrvst/Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/04/10/ep-53-growing-a-cut-flower-business-with-heirloom-chrysanthemums/📌 Please Subscribe to The Backyard Bouquet Podcast for more flower farming insights!🌼 Join The Dahlia Patch WaitlistReady to grow your best dahlias yet? The Dahlia Patch is an online community for flower lovers who want to grow with more confidence and fewer frustrations.💌 Get on the waitlist + be the first to access my upcoming free live training:👉 https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/thedahliapatchwaitlist***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

How can we create gardens that are both beautiful and beneficial to the planet? In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we sit down with award-winning landscape architect and author Marian Boswall to discuss the power of regenerative gardening and sustainable landscape design. As the founder of Marian Boswall Landscape Architects and co-founder of the Sustainable Landscape Foundation, Marian has spent decades transforming gardens into thriving ecosystems. We explore her new book, The Kindest Garden, which shares practical tips for designing gardens that nurture both nature and the soul. Whether you're a backyard gardener or dreaming of a sustainable landscape, this episode is packed with inspiration!In this episode, we discuss: What is regenerative gardening? How to design a garden that benefits biodiversity and soil health Practical ways to introduce regenerative principles in small garden spaces The importance of working in harmony with nature for long-term resilience Highlights from The Kindest Garden and Marian's approach to thoughtful garden design🎧 Tune in now and learn how to create a garden that flourishes with kindness!🔗 Connect with Marian Boswall: Marian’s book, The Kindest Garden: https://bookshop.org/a/2182/9780711289437 Follow Marian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianboswall/ Follow Marian Boswall Studio: https://www.instagram.com/marianboswallstudio/ Marian Boswall Landscape Architects: https://www.marianboswall.com📚Read For The Love Of Soil By Nicole Masters: https://bookshop.org/a/2182/9780578536729Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/03/26/ep-52-the-kindest-garden-and-regenerative-gardening/📌 Please Subscribe to The Backyard Bouquet Podcast for more flower farming insights!***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!🌿 Your Dream Greenhouse Awaits! 🌿If you've been thinking about adding a greenhouse to your garden or flower farm, now is the perfect time! I've been working with NW Green Panels for over six years, and their high-quality, custom-built greenhouses are truly game-changers for extending the growing season and protecting your plants.✨ Exclusive Offer for The Backyard Bouquet Podcast Listeners! ✨ Get $750 off PLUS $500 in free accessories OR 5% off your total (whichever is greater)!🔗 Mention Farmhouse to save on your new greenhouse 👉Design your greenhouse here: https://www.nwgreenpanels.com/

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jenny Marks, founder of Trademark Farmer and host of Six Figure Flower Farming. Jenny has been immersed in agriculture her entire life, from growing up on a farm to working in government roles with the USDA and State Departments of Agriculture. After starting a vegetable CSA, she discovered that she loved flowers and that they aligned better with the life she wanted to create. Now, she runs a thriving flower farm and teaches others how to build sustainable floral businesses.In this episode, we discuss: How Jenny transitioned from vegetables to flowers The biggest business lessons she’s learned in farming Why niching down is key to standing out in the market How to price flowers with confidence and attract the right customers The mindset shifts needed to succeed in flower farmingIf you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for flowers into a thriving business, this episode is packed with practical insights and motivation!Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/03/18/ep-51-how-jenny-marks-created-a-profitable-flower-farm/🔗 Connect with Jenny Marks: Website: https://www.trademarkfarmer.com/ Instagram: @TrademarkFarmer Online Business Course: Six Figure Flower Farming https://www.trademarkfarmer.com/sfff📌 Please Subscribe to The Backyard Bouquet Podcast for more flower farming insights!***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!🌿 Your Dream Greenhouse Awaits! 🌿If you've been thinking about adding a greenhouse to your garden or flower farm, now is the perfect time! I've been working with NW Green Panels for over six years, and their high-quality, custom-built greenhouses are truly game-changers for extending the growing season and protecting your plants.✨ Exclusive Offer for The Backyard Bouquet Podcast Listeners! ✨ Get $750 off PLUS $500 in free accessories OR 5% off your total (whichever is greater)!🔗 Mention Farmhouse to save $ on your new greenhouse 👉 Design your greenhouse here: https://www.nwgreenpanels.com/

Can pansies be a cut flower? 🌸 You might be surprised! In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we’re chatting with Brenna Estrada, author of Pansies and the flower farmer behind Three Brothers Blooms. Brenna is on a mission to bring long-stemmed pansies back into the floral world, and she’s sharing everything you need to know about growing them successfully.From the history of pansies as a cut flower to tips on growing them for bouquets, Brenna reveals why these delicate blooms deserve a place in every gardener’s cutting garden. Plus, we discuss the best pansy varieties for long stems, how to get vibrant colors, and why this flower has been overlooked for decades.🌿 In This Episode, You'll Learn: ✔️ Why pansies were once a popular cut flower (and how they can be again!) ✔️ The best pansy varieties for cutting and arranging ✔️ How to grow pansies for long stems and vibrant colors ✔️ Tips for overwintering pansies and extending bloom time ✔️ The secrets behind hybridizing pansies and preserving rare varieties📖 Get Brenna’s book, Pansies, here: https://bookshop.org/a/2182/9781643264004Follow Brenna & Three Brothers Blooms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threebrothersblooms/ Website: https://threebrothersblooms.com/Check out Epic Gardening for high-quality gardening tools, raised beds, and expert resources to help you grow a thriving flower garden! Plus, you can save an extra 5% on your order when you use my code THEFLOWERINGFARMHOUSE at checkout!🔗 Shop Epic Gardening here: https://shop.epicgardening.com/THEFLOWERINGFARMHOUSE“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” -Lao Tzu👉 Listen now & subscribe to The Backyard Bouquet Podcast for more flower-growing tips, expert interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of flower farming!Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/03/11/ep-50-growing-pansies-for-cut-flowers/

In Episode 49 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we sit down with Dustin Saunders of Little Hollow Flowers, a specialty cut flower farm nestled along Colorado’s Front Range. Dustin shares how a fallen ash tree unexpectedly led him and his partner, Kate, into flower farming, and how their diverse backgrounds in landscaping and biodynamic vegetable farming shaped their approach. We discuss season extension techniques, the challenges of farming in Colorado’s extreme climate, and their passion for growing dahlias, ranunculus, and unique perennials. Dustin also shares insights into building a thriving farmer’s market presence, working with the Colorado Flower Collective, and the importance of supporting local flowers over imports.If you love growing flowers, sustainable farming, or supporting local blooms, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧📍 Follow Dustin at Little Hollow Flowers: https://littlehollowflowers.com📍 Instagram (@littlehollowflowers): https://www.instagram.com/littlehollowflowers/Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/03/04/ep-49-little-hollow-flowers/Sign up for the podcast newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

This special episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast features returning guest Marryn Mathis, founder of The Farmhouse Flower Farm and widely known as the Sweet Pea Queen. Marryn joins the show to celebrate the release of her debut book, Sweet Pea School, a comprehensive guide to growing, nurturing, and enjoying these fragrant, timeless blooms.In this conversation, Marryn shares her journey from flower farmer to published author, the inspiration behind her book, and invaluable tips for successfully growing sweet peas—no matter your climate. We also explore the fascinating history of sweet peas, the art of breeding new varieties, and the deep emotional connection flowers bring to our lives.Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your floral journey, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a love for all things sweet peas. Tune in to discover why these fragrant flowers are having a moment in the gardening world and how you can cultivate them in your own space.👉 Episode Highlights: How a student’s suggestion led Marryn to write Sweet Pea School The surprising origins of sweet peas and their journey to popularity Common mistakes gardeners make when growing sweet peas Why sweet peas don’t need to be soaked before planting The importance of timing and variety selection for success Marryn’s personal connection to sweet peas and how they shaped her farming journey📚 Grab a copy of Sweet Pea School: https://amzn.to/4bhrYR6🌸 Connect with Marryn https://www.instagram.com/thefarmhouseflowerfarm/ 💐 Visit Marryn’s Website: https://thefarmhouseflowerfarm.com/Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/02/25/ep-48-growing-sweet-peas-with-marryn-mathis/Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

From her time as a Peace Corps agriculture volunteer in Ecuador to becoming a passionate flower farmer in Colorado, Helen Skiba's story is a beautiful reminder of how life can take us on unexpected paths, like how a visit to a friend’s farm can change everything!Helen from Artemis Farm dives deep into her commitment to organic farming practices and soil health, sharing how she practices limited tillage and cover cropping. If you’re curious about how to cultivate a thriving garden while also nurturing the earth, you won’t want to miss her insights!And guess what? Helen is also a new mom! 🎉 She opens up about the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with running a flower farm. Her daughter, born two months early, has brought a whole new perspective to her life and business. It’s a heartwarming journey that you’ll definitely want to hear!Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Helen’s story is her collaborative approach to farming. She shares her leased land with other local farmers, creating a vibrant community that supports one another.Helen's story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required in the world of agriculture, and her passion for flowers and community shines through in every aspect of her work. Be sure to tune in for the full conversation with Helen from Artemis Farm.Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/01/28/ep-47-artemis-flower-farm/Learn More About Artemis Flower Farm: Website: https://www.artemisflowerfarm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemisflowerfarm/Podcast Listeners Enjoy 7 Days of Growth Day FREE: https://www.growthday.com/?via=floweringfarmhouseSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

Ever wondered what it takes to transition from a corporate career to a flourishing flower farm? Join us as we chat with Rebecca Starling, an inspiring flower farmer from Australia who transitioned from a corporate career in London to flower farming in rural Australia. Rebecca shares her heartfelt journey, including the romantic twist that led her to embrace a new life on her husband's fifth-generation family farm.Rebecca gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book, Secrets from the Flower Farm, which is filled with insights on growing stunning, fragrant cut flowers and promoting sustainable gardening practices. The book is set to release on March 4th, 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere and is already available in Australia.Throughout the episode, Rebecca discusses her diverse experiences gardening in different climates, from the UK to Switzerland, Connecticut, and finally Australia. She emphasizes the importance of adapting gardening techniques to local conditions and shares valuable tips on growing a variety of flowers, including Mediterranean perennials, North American prairie perennials, and Australian and South African native plants.Rebecca also talks about the challenges and rewards of flower farming in a remote area, her approach to no-till farming, and the importance of perennials in her garden. She highlights some of her favorite perennials, such as salvias, geraniums, lavender, and echinacea, and shares her excitement about new trends in flower fashion.As a flower farmer, Rebecca has diversified her business by offering market bunches, wedding flowers, dried flowers, and even dahlia tubers and seeds. She discusses the unique opportunities and challenges of running a flower farm in a small town and her efforts to promote local flower farming.Be sure to tune in to hear Rebecca's heartwarming story, expert tips, and passion for sustainable flower farming. Don't miss this vibrant and informative episode!Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2025/01/21/ep-46-starling-flowers-secrets-from-the-flower-farm/Learn More About Starling Flowers: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starlingflowers_/ Web: https://starlingflowers.com.au/ Secrets From The Flower Farm Book: https://amzn.to/4g9t6XP*****Podcast Listeners Are Invited To Enjoy 7 Days of Growth Day FREE: https://www.growthday.com/?via=floweringfarmhouse*****Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletterRate, Review, & Follow The Backyard BouquetIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving the podcast a review. Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!