This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: ⁠⁠⁠Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More⁠⁠⁠. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners!

Topics Covered

• Peony care: fertilizer timing, summer watering, and planting in warm zones
• Dahlia care: watering needs, pests, mildew, pinching, and harvest technique
• Pest and disease basics: powdery mildew and spider mites
• Sunflowers and crop rotation: how to plant and when to amend beds
• Foliage picks for cut flower farms and shade-friendly perennials
• Practical reminders: soil tests, drip irrigation checks, harvest times

Episode originally aired 6/25/25 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 3:00PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts!

Mentions

Southern Peony: Growing Peonies in the South

Walters Gardens, an online perennial wholesaler

Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More!

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The⁠⁠⁠⁠ Field and Garden Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers⁠⁠⁠⁠, owner of⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Gardener’s Workshop,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flower Farming School Online,⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the publisher of⁠⁠⁠⁠ Farmer-Florist School Online⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ Florist School Online.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa’s Story⁠⁠⁠⁠ and connect with Lisa on social media!