Starting Strong | Essential Varieties and Tips for Your First Year of Flower Farming
Starting a flower farm is an exciting journey, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many choices and tasks. In this guide, I share the key strategies for a successful first year, from selecting easy-to-grow varieties like zinnias and sunflowers to essential planning tips that ensure your garden thrives. Learn how to prioritize soil health, manage your climate challenges, and pick flowers that fill bouquets beautifully, making your farm both productive and profitable from the start.
More Advice for First-Year Flower Farmers, Dreamers & Beyond
Flower farming isn’t just about flowers—it’s about balancing beauty, business, and your well-being. This heartfelt post dives into redefining success, scaling back when needed, and staying inspired on your flower farming journey. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches, this advice will help you dream big while staying grounded.
Benefits of Hiring a Flower Farmer as Your Wedding Florist
Discover the unique advantages of hiring a farmer-florist for your wedding. From sustainable practices to fresh, locally grown blooms, explore how this personalized approach creates a meaningful floral story that’s as memorable as your special day.
Wildflowers and Downhill Biking: Neile & Ryan's Tahoe Wedding at Zephyr Lodge
High atop Northstar’s Zephyr Lodge, Neile and Ryan’s wedding celebrated nature, sustainability, and the beauty of Tahoe. With wildflower-inspired designs, a custom aspen arbor, and thoughtful details, their day brought Lake Tahoe’s charm to life.
Navigating Economic Shifts as a Flower Farmer: Insights, History, and Strategies for Success
Are flowers recession-proof? As the economy tightens, flower farmers face unique challenges balancing costs, pricing, and customer demand. This in-depth exploration examines the flower industry’s history, its relationship with economic downturns, and actionable strategies to thrive—even in a slowing market. Learn how to get lean, pivot offerings, and nurture customer relationships while staying sustainable and profitable.
Entity Selection for Flower Farmers: Navigating Liability and Taxes
Choosing the right business entity is a critical step for any small flower farm. From liability protection to tax handling, understanding your options—like sole proprietorships, LLCs, partnerships, or corporations—empowers you to make informed decisions for your farm's future. This guide breaks down complex topics into practical insights to help you determine the best path for your unique operation.
4 Varieties I’ll Never Grow Again (and What I’m Growing Instead)
Not every variety we grow turns out to be a winner. Some are downright dangerous! In this blog, I’m sharing four varieties I’ll never grow again and the alternatives I’ve found that work better for our high-desert flower farm.
5 Reliable Varieties That Save My Flower Farm Every Season
Discover the five crops that save my flower farm every season. These reliable, versatile varieties handle tough conditions and keep the blooms coming all year long!
Open Fields and Motorcycles: Shelbi & Zach’s Gansberg Ranch Wedding
Shelbi and Zach’s wedding at Gansberg Ranch captured the essence of rustic charm with a modern twist. Surrounded by the stunning backdrop of Job’s Peak, their special day featured locally grown blooms, heartfelt details, and a touch of boho vibes. Discover how we brought their vision to life in this beautiful Gardnerville celebration.
Rustic Meets Art Deco: Alysse & Fernand’s Roaring 20s Tahoe Wedding at Valhalla
Rustic meets art deco in Alysse and Fernand’s Lake Tahoe wedding at Valhalla. Combining the roaring 20s elegance with Tahoe’s natural charm, their day featured stunning seasonal florals, a historic venue, and personal touches that made the celebration unforgettable. Discover how we brought their vision to life with custom designs inspired by the Sierra Nevada.
Mastering Customer Relations for Your Flower Farm
Cultivating a strong relationship with your customers is as vital as tending to your flowers. Whether you're navigating the highs and lows of feedback or fine-tuning your communication strategies, this guide provides actionable tips to nurture trust, handle tricky situations, and keep your flower farming business blooming.
Building a Bouquet Subscription Program for Your Farm
Curious about launching a bouquet subscription? Discover practical insights on bouquet size, style, and seasonal variations to create a memorable experience for your members and grow customer loyalty.
Building a Bouquet Subscription Program | Our Story and Key Takeaways
Over six seasons, our bouquet subscription has transformed in response to customer demand, personal insights, and the unexpected twists that come with flower farming. Join me as I reflect on the journey, share lessons learned, and offer insights for creating a sustainable flower subscription model.
Budgeting for the Flower Farmer's Second Year and Beyond
Learn how to create a practical budget tailored for your flower farm. From analyzing last year’s finances to setting realistic goals for revenue and expenses, this guide will help you plan for growth, make smarter investments, and avoid common financial pitfalls.
Start Selling Flowers Before Your First Bloom: A Beginner’s Guide to Flower Farming as a Business
Think you need a blooming field to sell flowers? Think again! Learn how to build your flower farm business and brand before your first harvest with actionable steps for success.
Crop Planning and Rotation: Seasonal Turnover to Maximize Production
Crop planning is the foundation for a productive flower field, but the real magic happens when you master crop rotations, successions, and the seasonal flow. Learn how to plan, pivot, and keep your beds in bloom all season long!
Crop Planning Tools and Templates: Streamline Your Flower Farm
Simplify your flower farming with tools and templates designed to streamline crop planning. From sowing schedules to rotation guides, get everything you need for a successful season.
Advanced Crop Planning: Succession, Rotation, and Tracking Systems
Master advanced crop planning techniques with this guide, covering succession planting, crop rotation, and tracking systems to help you maximize harvests and streamline your flower farm.
Crop Planning Basics: Mapping, Spacing, and Planting for Beginners
Crop planning is the foundation of a successful flower farming season. From mapping your growing space to estimating plant quantities and setting target dates, this beginner-friendly guide breaks down each step to help you start strong. Ready to transform your farm? Let’s get planning!
The Why and How of Crop Rotation: Long-Term Planning for Flower Farmers
Crop rotation is a powerful tool for flower farmers, helping to build soil health, prevent pests and diseases, and maximize productivity. Learn how to create a sustainable rotation plan tailored to your flower farm.