Are you someone who thrives on spontaneity, or do you cling tightly to a plan? When life throws you a curveball, do you tackle it head-on or freeze in place? Whether it’s a major upheaval or a tiny disruption, your knee-jerk reaction can reveal a lot about your coping style.

I’ve always been a planner—or at least, I like to think of myself as one. My love of handwritten lists, goal boards, and meticulously mapped-out plans makes me feel in control. But here's the catch: I wasn’t always great at executing those plans, and I really struggled when life started to deviate from them. If something went even slightly off track, my "go-with-the-flow" abilities were, well, non-existent. I’d shut down, sometimes even get angry at the audacity of life to veer off my carefully laid-out path.

So, naturally, I became a flower farmer. Because what better way to embrace unpredictability than by working with nature?

In those early years, the lessons came hard and fast. I had to learn how to pivot, let go, and re-strategize on the fly—skills I absolutely did not have at the start. If you’ve ever read my blog post: Farmer-Florist- It’s a Thing, you know how raw and unpolished those beginnings were. My first year was filled with missteps, doubts, and tears. That experience even inspired me to write Advice for First-Year Flower Farmers and Dreamers, to remind others (and myself) to be kinder to ourselves when things don’t go perfectly.

Back then, I didn’t have much experience—or, if I’m being honest, much business—taking on such an ambitious venture. But sometimes, a calling feels impossible to ignore. Ignorance, as it turns out, can be bliss. Had I known the uphill battle ahead, I might have thrown in the towel before starting. Thankfully, I didn’t.

Flower farming forced me to grow in ways I never anticipated. It sharpened my problem-solving skills and taught me how to roll with the punches. Am I perfect at it now? Not quite—meal planning and laundry during peak season are still works in progress (feel free to send me tips, my husband will be eternally grateful).

But flower farming didn’t just make me a better grower; it made me a better person. I’ve become more flexible and, honestly, happier. And a happier me makes for a much more pleasant person to be around. If you’ve found yourself grappling with similar struggles, know this: you’re not alone.

A person wearing a white sweater harvesting periwinkle-colored Bristol sweet peas, captured through the blurred lines of Hortonova trellising. They hold a small bundle of sweet peas surrounded by vibrant plants climbing the trellis.

When Nature Doesn’t Play Nice

Unpredictable situations are part of life—and flower farming is no exception. Over time, as you face these challenges head-on, your problem-solving and coping skills will grow stronger. Like any muscle, they need exercise to develop.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s this: life is unpredictable. When your livelihood depends on nature, unpredictability becomes part of the job description.

Enter flower farming.

There’s a reason large agricultural corporations pour massive amounts of money into tech, specialized seeds, climate-controlled greenhouses, and chemicals. They’ll do anything to buffer against nature’s whims and guarantee a high-yield crop. But as small-scale growers, we take a different approach. With limited funds and a commitment to sustainability, we face nature head-on and make do with what’s within our means. And while we may not have the big-budget safety nets, we do develop resilience and resourcefulness—skills that prepare us to adapt to future challenges.

Take the 2021 season, for example. It was a tough year weather-wise. Spring brought dramatic temperature swings, relentless winds, and record-low moisture levels. After pulling our low tunnels out of a tree for the third time, we gave up and left the crops exposed, despite the freezing conditions.

And then summer came, bringing something even harder to bear: wildfire smoke. From early July through mid-September, our valley was blanketed in thick, choking haze. We didn’t see blue skies for months, and the relentless smoke affected everything. Field-grown crops were smothered by ash, our sinuses burned, and lungs ached. Our focus shifted to harvesting just enough to keep going, but ash-covered flowers required extra cleaning, costing us precious time and leading to a domino effect:

Leafhoppers thrived.
Disease spread.
Plants weren’t harvested hard enough.
Succession planting fell behind.

It wasn’t just the smoke; life threw everything at us that season: personal losses, illnesses, allergic reactions, and more. Add to that the everyday hurdles of farming—seedling deaths, crop failures, infrastructure breakdowns, and occasional unhappy customers—and it’s enough to make anyone question their sanity for choosing this life.

But here’s the thing: challenges, whether caused by nature, mistakes, or life events, are part of flower farming. They’re also what separate commercial growers from hobbyists. How we handle these mishaps—whether they’re gut-wrenching or merely inconvenient—defines our success.

So, what do you do when it feels like the odds are stacked against you?

You roll with the punches.

Don’t let setbacks weigh you down. They’re part of the gig. Face each challenge, solve the problem to the best of your ability, and move forward. Flower farming has many moving pieces, but when you take a step back, it’s kind of magical how everything comes together.

Let’s explore some ways to prepare for those moments when the season starts to veer off course.

A towering plume of wildfire smoke rises from a nearby hill, looming behind a neighboring house. In the foreground, an early-season flower farm field with rows of young plants contrasts with the dramatic backdrop.

Backup Plans: Preparing for the Unexpected in Flower Farming

If there’s one lesson flower farming has taught me, it’s this: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Whether it’s seeds, crops, or supplies, having backup plans can mean the difference between salvaging a season or watching it slip away. Here’s how we prepare for the unexpected.

Seed Purchasing and Sowing

Buy more seeds than you think you’ll need, and sow extras.

For most varieties, I skip single seed packets unless they’re specialty varieties for something specific, like a wedding. Buying in bulk is more cost-effective and ensures you’ll have enough seeds to cover both your planned needs and any emergencies. Seeds stored in a cool, dark, and dry location often remain viable for two seasons or more, although pelleted seeds tend to have a shorter shelf life.

Stockpiling seeds helps you avoid disruptions. Seed shortages and shipping delays have become more common, so having reserves allows you to act quickly. For example, if a mischievous mouse snacks on your seedlings, you can start a fresh batch immediately.

When planning, keep in mind that not every seed will germinate, and not every seedling will thrive. I typically plan for a 70–85% survival rate, sowing 15–30% more than I ultimately want to harvest. Some crops, like bachelor buttons, tend to thrive, while others, like lisianthus, require a little extra padding. As a general rule, sowing at least one 128-cell tray per variety and color is a good starting point.

Diversify Your Crops

One hard lesson we learned during the year of “zero snapdragons” is to diversify. A soil mishap wiped out our entire snapdragon crop, but thanks to other spike-shaped varieties like larkspur, foxglove, and bee balm, we still had suitable alternatives for designs.

Experimenting with new varieties or growing in unfamiliar conditions? Always have backups. Diversifying crops not only saves you in tough times but also adds variety to your bouquets and designs.

Succession Sowing

Succession sowing is more than a way to stagger your harvest—it’s a built-in backup plan. By planting crops in intervals, you reduce the risk of a single event wiping out your entire crop.

For example, sowing sunflowers weekly or cosmos monthly ensures that if an early freeze takes out your first round, you’ll have another crop just a few weeks behind. A small delay is far better than a total loss.

To learn more, check out our post on Simplifying Succession Planting for Cut Flowers.

Quick-Growing Varieties

Fast-growing crops can be lifesavers, especially in summer when time is short. Varieties that mature in 55–65 days, like single-stem sunflowers, bachelor buttons, calendula, and German chamomile, can help salvage a challenging season.

German chamomile has been my go-to filler in spring, while sunflowers have repeatedly saved me after unexpected frosts. They can be harvested at the right stage and held in cool storage for weeks, maintaining excellent vase life.

Stockpile Supplies and Order Early

Having essential supplies on hand is critical. Frost cloth, irrigation parts, twine, and even duct tape can be lifesavers when unexpected situations arise.

With ongoing shipping delays and supply shortages, it’s wise to stock up early. Don’t assume that items will be in stock or ready to ship when you need them. This season, we were left hand-watering new beds for over a month because our supplier couldn’t deliver irrigation parts on time—it hurt both our crops and our sanity.

When it comes to orders for seeds, corms, tubers, and bulbs, plan well ahead. Place spring crop orders in late summer or fall and fall crop orders in spring. Diversifying suppliers can also reduce risks if one experiences delays.

A close-up of a creamy ProCut White Nite sunflower in full bloom, with a yellow sunflower and green foliage of other sunflower plants softly blurred in the background.

Communication Is Key: Building Trust with Customers

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Business is the art of communication.” It’s true. How you communicate—whether sharing gratitude or managing challenges—can make or break your customer relationships.

In flower farming, communication plays a pivotal role in maintaining trust, especially when things don’t go as planned.

Honest and Open Communication

Being upfront with your customers about challenges like crop failures or supply chain issues may feel daunting, but it’s essential. If a problem will affect deliveries or product availability, communicate openly and quickly. Here’s how to approach it:

Acknowledge the Problem: Explain the issue clearly, whether it’s a crop gap, seedling loss, or missing supplies.
Thank Customers for Their Support: Gratitude helps maintain goodwill and shows customers you value their understanding.
Share the Next Steps: Outline how you plan to address the issue—whether it’s offering substitutes, delaying deliveries, or refunding orders.

This is especially important for subscription members or pre-order customers who have already invested in your blooms. Transparency reminds your customers of the human behind the flowers and fosters empathy for the challenges you face. In most cases, customers will rally around you with encouragement you didn’t even realize you needed.

For market customers, keep them informed too. Letting them know about challenges helps them understand the fierce nature you combat to bring those blooms to their hands.

Communication for Weddings and Events

When it comes to wedding couples, communication needs a more careful approach. Wedding planning is stressful enough without adding unnecessary worry. Unless a problem will directly affect their flowers, avoid discussing crop failures, especially on social media where brides or clients might see it.

Instead, focus your conversations on what you can deliver:

Emphasize the overall color palette, look, and feel.
Avoid promising specific varieties or blooms for a specific date. Nature is unpredictable, and guaranteeing anything puts unnecessary pressure on both you and your crops.

If a backup plan becomes necessary, lean on your network of flower farmers, wholesalers, or substitutes from your garden. Always be prepared to pivot, but keep the client experience stress-free.

A Habit of Gratitude

While managing challenges is important, don’t forget to communicate gratitude. A quick thank-you note, an email update about your farm, or a heartfelt conversation at the market can go a long way in building strong, lasting customer relationships.

An overview of a vibrant dahlia growing patch in full bloom, with neat rows separated by a dirt walking path. Evergreen trees frame the scene, with a golden sunset and blurred mountains creating a picturesque background.

You Are Not a Failure: Finding Strength in Setbacks

You are not a failure. No matter what happens—whether it’s a crop loss, a business mishap, or an unexpected curveball—your farm, your flowers, and your efforts are not failures. Let go of that toxic self-doubt. It can eat away at your confidence and hold you back from moving forward.

Failure only happens when you refuse to get back up and try again. It’s okay to feel disappointed—give yourself a moment to process—but then put on your critical thinking hat and take the next step. Start small:

Focus on one task at a time.
Tackle one hurdle at a time.
Connect with one customer at a time.

As Graham likes to say (with a phrase I could do without), “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” While not the prettiest visual, it’s a reminder that even the biggest challenges can be tackled bit by bit.

Embrace the Season’s Lessons

Every season has its ups and downs. Be okay with what happens, even if it’s not what you planned. Use the tough moments as opportunities to learn:

Take notes on what went well and what didn’t.
Identify mistakes and brainstorm ways to improve.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself. Watch for signs of burnout, especially during the peak season. Burnout can quickly spiral into full-blown depression, and it hits farmers hard. Use the slower months to set yourself up for success while your mind is refreshed and your energy is restored.

A close-up of a Buff Orpington chicken standing between garden rows, surrounded by lush green plants spilling over the edges.

You’re Not Alone

It’s easy to feel isolated in flower farming, especially when the season pushes you to your limits. But remember this: we all face struggles. Some seasons will feel magical, while others will test every ounce of your patience and perseverance.

What separates successful growers from the rest is the ability to roll with the punches. When things go sideways, remind yourself that you can always try again—maybe not this season, but definitely the next. With each setback, you’ll get better at recovering, stronger in your resolve, and faster at bouncing back.

You’ve got this.

Don’t Get Discouraged | Rolling with the Punches in Flower Farming

When Nature Doesn’t Play Nice