5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Growing My First Year Flowers

Coming into our fifth growing season I can look back now and see incredible amounts of mistakes (or really, how I like to think of them, opportunities to learn) along with all the hustle of our first year of flower farming.  If having one first year is not enough, we essentially had a second first year all over again when we moved to our current property in late summer 2018.  Two times we have had first year experiences and it wasn’t until the second time around we learned some really vaulable lessons.

Back in 2017, we took the leap and opened our biggest and 'best' patch at our first property—the side driveway! It may have been a small space, but it gave us everything we needed to launch our flower farming dream.

Looking Back on our journey

We started Sierra Flower Farm with limited financial backing and a tiny piece of property. Our first year was filled with mistakes, fueled by the excitement of diving into this dream. With just a couple of seasons growing vegetables in my backyard and some flowers for companion planting, I had little experience in horticulture or floriculture. My background was in business, a degree I pursued with big aspirations—but life had other plans, and flower farming unexpectedly became a new passion.

At that time, I was searching for something to fill my time and my heart. Staying home with my babies became everything I wanted, yet I soon realized I needed something more. With a tight budget, limited time, and little land, I leaped into flower farming and brought my husband along for the ride.

Fast forward, and Sierra Flower Farm 2.0 was born. After outgrowing our original property, we moved to a larger, one-acre lot—a fixer-upper that’s given us room to expand our vision. This bigger space brought its own set of challenges, from soil detoxing to endless repairs, but the opportunity to grow more flowers and offer more to our community made it all worthwhile.

Looking back, experiencing 'first-year flower farming' twice has given us valuable lessons. Here are the top five things I wish I had known about growing when we started out:

Fast forward, and not only have we moved to a larger property, but we’ve also learned to better care for our soil to maximize quality and production on our land.

1. Prioritize Soil Testing

You’ve probably heard that a soil test is essential, and it really is. But for many beginners, it’s easy to put it off, especially when the budget is tight. Even if you’ve had decent results gardening in the same soil before, testing is crucial for growing quality blooms.

Early on, I knew we needed a professional soil test, ideally from a lab like our local extension office. But with limited funds, we had to make a choice: either spend on a soil test or buy soil amendments. Without the test, we ended up guessing and purchasing amendments at retail, hoping they’d work. To make matters worse, someone with flower farming experience advised us to skip the test and stick with basic nutrients. I was outnumbered and doubted my instincts.

On our original property, we got lucky and managed with minimal issues. But when we moved to Sierra Flower Farm 2.0, our luck ran out. Amidst the rush of relocating, selling our old property, and preparing for spring bouquet subscriptions, we didn’t prioritize the soil test—despite knowing the new land had been treated with herbicides for years.

We’re now just uncovering what we’re truly working with in the soil, and in hindsight, a soil test from the start would have saved us a lot of time and effort. Don’t make the same mistake: invest in a professional soil test every fall, especially if you’re breaking new ground or dealing with past land use issues. It will give you the knowledge to make smart, effective choices with your soil care from the beginning.

2. Applying Frost Dates and Hardiness Zones to Seed Starting

Deciphering frost dates and hardiness zones for seed starting can be confusing, especially with seed packets geared toward professional growers. While the packets provide essential growing information, understanding how to apply it to your local frost dates and zone can feel overwhelming.

When a packet says “start four weeks before last frost date,” it’s specific to that particular variety’s needs, not just an average frost date. Unlike hobbyist gardening, flower farming requires more precise timing. But don’t worry—everything I wish I’d known about applying frost date and hardiness zone information is available in a concise video on our YouTube channel. Check it out for a clear, step-by-step guide, or if you prefer reading, explore the concepts further in our blog post here.

3. Invest in Quality Potting Soil, Seeds, Corms, Bulbs, and Tubers

This is a lesson we learned the hard way. To save money, we tried making our own potting soil based on an online recipe (with a few “improvements” of our own). It was a disaster! Our mentors warned us that DIY potting soil could cost more time and money in the long run, but we had to see for ourselves. Trust us: skip the experiment and invest in a high-quality mix like Sunshine Pro Mix, which is expertly formulated with the right nutrients and consistency.

If you're tempted to grab basic potting soil from a local store, resist! Quality potting soil is essential for seed starting, and choosing a fluffy mix with lots of perlite will make a huge difference in the success of your seedlings. Growing like a professional flower farmer means mastering seed starting, and a reliable potting mix is a foundation for that success. For more tips on seed starting, check out our blog here.

When it comes to seeds, corms, bulbs, and tubers, quality matters just as much. Buying in bulk from reputable wholesalers will save you money and likely offer higher germination rates compared to retail packets. Even if you’re working with limited space, the cost savings on wholesale seeds add up, and you’ll get more product to experiment with.

Starting with a smaller variety of high-quality flowers can also simplify crop planning, making it easier to pull together cohesive bouquets or products. As tempting as it is to buy a little of everything, I’ve found that fewer, well-chosen varieties can streamline production and improve profitability. Save the splurge on premium items like specialty dahlia tubers until you’ve mastered the basics of growing, storing, and propagating them.

Having a larger supply of seeds and corms also provides a buffer for inevitable crop failures. If a batch doesn’t take, having extra seeds on hand allows you to try again without setting back your season. Invest in quality from the start—it’ll pay off in time, success, and long-term savings.

4. Drip Tape, Drip Tape, Drip Tape!

If there’s one thing that transformed our flower farm, it’s drip tape irrigation. On our first property, we initially used basic “soaker” lines from a big-box store. These were inefficient, wasted water, and didn’t support healthy plant growth. When we switched to drip tape, everything changed—our plants thrived with consistent moisture, and we used less water. So if you’re still relying on retail soaker hoses, consider sourcing professional-grade drip tape from a supplier like Dripworks.

Overhead watering isn’t ideal for most flowers, especially in arid climates. It can cause fungal diseases, crop failure, and blemished blooms. Many flower varieties are sensitive to water on their foliage, so a targeted approach with drip tape is often best.

When we moved to Sierra Flower Farm 2.0, we quickly realized the irrigation setup was nonexistent. For weeks, we were stuck hand-watering twenty rows of struggling plants, often twice daily. It became a dreaded task, wasting time and leading to unhappy plants and tired farmers.

Investing in a drip tape irrigation system with a timer is essential, especially if you’re in a dry climate. Efficient watering allows you to focus on other tasks while keeping your plants healthy. So commit to a reliable irrigation system—it’ll save you time, reduce water waste, and lead to stronger, more beautiful blooms.

5. Bloom Where You Are Planted

In our very first year of flower farming, we spent too much time trying to launch our business on a distant property, doubting our own space was enough. Eventually, we realized that our tiny property had more than enough potential to support our vision. Once we embraced where we were planted, our flower farm truly began to bloom.

That small property opened doors and allowed our business to grow alongside us. It wasn’t until our third season there that we genuinely needed more space, and even then, the transition to a larger property felt like a natural next step. Now, on Sierra Flower Farm 2.0, we’re once again embracing our location as a stepping stone on this journey.

If you’re just starting out, remember: you don’t need acres to begin. Being close to home, especially in the early days, is invaluable. Staying close means you’re always there to nurture your plants and handle emergencies—whether it’s protecting beds from high winds or adjusting tunnels at midnight.

With just 1,500 square feet, we launched a successful flower business that included a farmer’s market booth, weddings, bulk orders, a bouquet subscription, and even a magazine feature. It’s amazing what you can achieve with limited space if you make the most of it. So, don’t be discouraged if your operation is small; be proud of starting something from the ground up. Remember, you can bloom where you are planted!

There you have it—tough lessons and tasks I wish we’d tackled in our first year of growing. From soil testing to irrigation, these foundational practices would have saved us time, money, and many headaches. A simple soil test can prevent crop failures, while investing in quality, bulk potting soil and reputable seeds, corms, and tubers will lead to healthier plants at a fraction of the cost. And don’t underestimate the power of an efficient drip irrigation system for saving both time and water.

Most importantly, bloom where you are planted. Embrace your unique space and work within your means—whether you have a tiny plot or sprawling acres. Flower farming isn’t one-size-fits-all, and every flower farm has its own story and strengths. That’s what makes this journey so special, and it’s what will make your farm truly unique. You’ve got this!

We are looking forward to sharing more blooms with you soon.

Jessica & Graham