• Key topics:

  • Diversifying crops and sustaining staff year-round

  • Protected cultivation and the benefits of greenhouses

  • Exporting Australian flowers to Japan and beyond

  • Collaboration, community, and why sharing knowledge matters

  • Adapting to climate change and investing in renewable energy

• Mentioned:

  • Wildflowers Australia

  • AgriFutures research library

  • East Coast Wildflowers and the growers who inspire him

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guests: Elsa from Hunter Forage & Madeline from Mount Vincent Flower Farm

In this episode, Rebecca chats with Elsa and Madeline about how a small group of passionate local growers turned into a thriving community of 30+ members known as the Hunter Flower Collective.

We talk about:
🌼 How the collective began — and the joy of growing from five friends to 31 members
🌸 The challenges and creativity of micro-scale flower farming on residential blocks
🌿 How connection, collaboration, and shared learning have become their biggest strengths
💧 Dealing with floods, pests, and limited space — and finding resilience through community
💐 The importance of supporting local florists and fostering strong grower–florist relationships

The Hunter Flower Collective is proof that big things grow from small beginnings — and that when flower farmers come together, they can change the landscape of their region.

Connect with the Hunter Flower Collective:
Instagram → @hunterflowercollective
Elsa → @hunter_forage

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Harvest (Hunter Valley’s local flower hub)

• Grow Not Flown

• Earthenry Flower Farm (TAS)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest: Caitie O’Grady – Springview Irises, Ebden VIC
Host: Rebecca Noble

Nestled in the hills of northeast Victoria overlooking Lake Hume, Springview Irises is home to hundreds of bearded iris varieties grown by Caitie O’Grady and her family.

In this episode, Caitie shares her journey from planting flowers in her childhood sandpit to running a thriving iris farm known for its colour, character, and care. We talk about:
🌸 The story behind Springview Irises and its stunning lakeside setting
🌸 Growing bearded irises for Australia’s climate — from soil to frost
🌸 Why irises are far more than just purple, yellow, and white
🌸 The joy of open days and connecting with people through flowers
🌸 The importance of supporting small, family-run flower farms

Follow Caitie’s journey:
🔗 springviewirises.com.au
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @spring_view_irises

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with Belinda from The Flowering Field, based in Burra, New South Wales. Belinda shares:

• How her passion for gardening during maternity leave blossomed into a flower farm
• The challenges and opportunities of farming in a cool, frosty climate
• Why dried flowers became a key part of her business model

• 
  

  The importance of community, mentorship, and investing in the business of farming
• Her biggest successes, learning curves, and advice for new growers

Belinda’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and building a business with heart. Whether you’re a grower, florist, or flower enthusiast, you’ll take away plenty of inspiration.

✨ Connect with The Flowering Field: @the_flowering_field

✨ Follow Dish the Dirt: @_dishthedirt_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with the inspiring Kathy from Plumtree Floral Farm in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.

Kathy’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. After a long career in media and even a stint as Australia’s “shopping queen,” she traded city life for gumboots and flower fields. Since moving to the subtropics, Kathy and her husband have faced drought, floods, cyclones, and endless curveballs from the weather. But through resilience, adaptability, and passion, they’ve built a flourishing flower farm that continues to grow and evolve.

In our conversation, Kathy shares:
🌸 The bold decision to leave Sydney and start a new life on the land
🌸 How she fell in love with growing flowers (and why chrysanthemums have stolen her heart)
🌸 The challenges of farming in the subtropics and learning to adapt to climate extremes
🌸 Shifting from retail to wholesale and her vision for expanding the farm
🌸 Why she believes it’s so important to educate consumers about imported vs. local flowers

Kathy’s energy and honesty make this such a special episode—you’ll walk away feeling uplifted and inspired to follow what makes your heart sing.

Connect with Plumtree Floral Farm:

Instagram: @plumtreefloralfarm

Find out more about the Flower Summit @theflowersummit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode of Dish the Dirt, I sit down with Sarah from Quail Cottage and Ash, wedding florist Film and Foliage and founder of Wildflower Academy, to talk about The Harvest—a collection point that’s transforming the way florists and growers connect in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region.

We dive into how a simple idea—bringing growers together under one roof—has grown into a supportive community that’s making local flowers more accessible, profitable, and sustainable. From collaborative crop planning to navigating pricing, mentoring new growers, and strengthening relationships between florists and farmers, Sarah and Ash share the challenges, wins, and unexpected joys of starting The Harvest.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Sarah’s journey from a packet of zinnia seeds to a thriving micro flower farm.

• Ash’s path from weddings to coaching florists and championing local flowers.

• The origin story of The Harvest—how convenience sparked community.

• Why visual ordering platforms like Floralist are game-changing for florists.

• The importance of collaboration over competition in small-scale flower growing.

• How The Harvest is helping growers become more strategic, profitable, and connected.

• Environmental and creative impacts of choosing locally grown blooms.

• Practical advice for anyone wanting to set up a similar model in their own community.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Quail Cottage (Sarah’s flower farm) @quayle.cottage

• Film and Foliage (Ash’s Floristry Business) @filmandfoliage

• Floralist platform

✨ If you’ve ever dreamed of creating stronger connections between florists and growers—or are curious about how local flower collectives work—this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with the vibrant and driven Hannah Urquhart, whose journey into the world of flowers began with a love for agriculture and a deep curiosity about how things grow. After completing her agricultural science studies, Hannah joined Bush Roses in New South Wales, where she now works full-time, surrounded by the beauty and challenges of flower farming.

Hannah’s enthusiasm for Australian natives, her involvement with Wildflowers Australia, and her commitment to sharing knowledge are shaping her into a strong voice for the future of the industry. We talk about:

• How her upbringing and education inspired her career in flowers

• Life and work at Bush Roses — from early mornings to busy harvests

• The unique beauty and value of Australian native flowers

• Her role in Walk on the Wild Side, an event connecting growers and florists

• Why collaboration and education are essential for the industry’s future

If you’re passionate about Australian-grown flowers, curious about how to start in the industry, or simply love hearing from people who are making a difference, you’ll find this conversation both inspiring and energising.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Hannah on Instagram: @agriculturalife

• Learn more about Bush Roses: @bushroses

• Discover Wildflowers Australia: https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/

• Event: Walk on the Wild Side – https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Dish the Dirt and leave a review. Your support helps more people discover the incredible stories behind Australian flowers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final episode of the season, host Rebecca Noble chats with Sharon from Pretty Little Flower Farm in Seville, Victoria. Sharon shares how her love of gardening, a lockdown during COVID, and a fascination with dahlias sparked a journey into flower farming — one that’s bloomed into a thriving roadside stall and a meaningful connection with her local community.

Growing on just 400 square metres, Sharon proves that you don’t need acres to grow beauty — just intention, creativity, and a whole lot of heart. She opens up about the challenges of balancing work and flowers, how she designs her seasons around sustainability and sanity, and the pride of representing micro growers at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as part of Growers Avenue 2025.

Plus, an important post-recording note on insurance for roadside flower stalls — a must-listen for anyone selling from home.

• Sharon’s journey from gardener to flower farmer

• Starting small: building a farm with salvaged materials and big dreams

• The magic of her roadside flower stall and why Saturdays are non-negotiable

• Why she’s committed to only growing in summer – and how that helps prevent burnout

• Her experience as part of Growers Avenue 2025 at MIFGS

• Giving back to her community and keeping flower farming sustainable

• Advice for anyone starting out with limited space

• Important insurance tips for roadside sellers

Sharon – Pretty Little Flower Farm
Location: Seville, VIC
Instagram: @pretty_little_flower_farm

We’d love to hear from you!
📧 Email: [email protected]

Rebecca Noble – @dishthedirt

To all the growers, florists, listeners, and supporters – thank you for making this season of Dish the Dirt so special. Your passion, honesty and flowers continue to inspire. See you in soon!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we sit down with Elissa from @larkspur.flowers, a passionate florist and designer based in Daylessford, Victoria. With a background in permaculture and landscape design, Elissa brings a unique, deeply intentional perspective to her work with flowers — one that’s grounded in sustainability, seasonality, and storytelling.

We explore Elissa’s journey into floristry, from the spark that was lit at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, to her formative time working on the flower farm at Fleurs de Lyonville, and the creation of her own floral studio, Larkspur Flowers.

What we chat about:
🌿 How permaculture and landscape design inform her floristry
🌷 The emotional and sensory experience of flowers — and how scent guides her creative choices
💐 Working with local, seasonal, and native Australian flowers
🌱 Her relationship with flower farmers and the local growing community
📚 The importance of education, gentle guidance, and learning from nature
🌸 Trusting in the process — and what tulips taught her about patience

Elissa’s story is one of slowing down, paying attention, and building a floral business with purpose.

Links + Mentions:
– @larkspur.flowers
– @fleurs_de_lyonville
– Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

🎙️ Follow @dishthedirt for more episodes celebrating Australian flower farmers and florists.
💚 If you loved this conversation, please rate and review the podcast — it helps us grow and share more local stories!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🌸 Episode Summary:
This episode is a special one — recorded back in 2020, it captures the early days of Florelie Seasonal Flowers, a specialty cut flower farm in Bungaree, just outside of Ballarat, Victoria.

Lorelie shares how a bunch of homegrown peonies gifted on her birthday planted the seed for what has since grown into a thriving, full-time flower farm. At the time of recording, Loralee was growing on a small scale with dreams of something bigger — and as of today, Florelie spans 2.5 acres of cultivated blooms on a 20-acre property.

We talk about:

• The power of starting small (200 pots, 300 dahlias!)

• Transitioning from speech pathology to flower farming

• Her passion for dahlia breeding and what makes Florelie’s tuber offerings so unique

• How she connects with florists and customers through Instagram

• Lessons learned about soil, irrigation, pests, and pinch points

• The importance of understanding crop viability and niche value

• Her long-term dream of a peony paddock — and how she’s slowly making it happen

Whether you're a gardener, a florist, or dreaming of growing your own flowers — Loralee’s story is honest, practical, and deeply inspiring.

🌼 Connect with Florelie:
Website: www.florelie.com.au
Instagram: @florelieseasonalflowers

💐 Want to Grow Your Own?
Sign up for dahlia tuber sale alerts, workshops, and seasonal tips via their website. The online shop typically opens between July–August each year.

🎧 Listen Now:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.