Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler

We are heading into the time of the year that folks start thinking it's to late to start seed, when in fact there is almost always seeds to be started. When we embrace annual seed starting fully--- both cool and warm season, the possibilities are endless. Part of the secret sauce to a longer and easier season is to learn when to plant each group in your garden and to run with it! 

Checkout:

Warm-season flower seeds.

Cool-season flower seeds. 

Seed-starting equipment.

Where does your mind go when you close your eyes? What do you see? I see where flower farming has led me and I'm so happy to be here.

Steve and I are both owners of small businesses. Like all business owners we have worked so hard, made sacrifices, and kept our heads down and continued doing it even when we didn't want too. 

Now, as we are entering the time of life that we can stop peddling quite so hard, we are reaping the benefits of all of those years of hard work. Part of that is our forethought of building our farm assets for our golden years beyond the bank account. 

We are working towards creating that place we see when we close our eyes.

Starting and being in business is overwhelming. Yep, it's true, the overwhelm doesn't just stop one day. You have to decide to stop it and take control and make it happen. You are the only one that has that choice.

Add on top of starting and being in business, a flower farming business--- and it comes clear how so many new growers never make it out of the gate.

I tend to categorize folks pursuing or already in the cut-flower growing business in one of two groups:

Those that indulge in endless dreaming, planning, and learning.

Those that pursue learning and then do the work.

In this episode I'm sharing one of the keys to getting started and staying in business as a flower farmer. Consider it. 

Allow yourself the fair opportunity to learn how and join the ranks of a cut-flower grower. I highly recommend it!

I was right there with you and the other 98% of the world trying to start seeds, failing and feeling defeated.

I gave up and moved on to buying plants---but then I stumbled onto the a few simple steps to follow on seed starting and I literally became an overnight success. Well, maybe not a "success" out of the gate, but I began starting from seed and growing plants. I can't even tell you how rewarding, satisfying, and happy this made me.

Success came when I:

Selected seeds to start that were easier to succeed with while learning.

Learned what each seed needed to start and then provided it.

Provided the basic care to grow healthy transplants.

Resources Mentioned:

Seed Starting Made Easy, my 90-minute online course teaching starting seeds indoors using the soil blocking method and how to plant and start seeds outdoors in the garden.

Easy flower seeds to start that I also grow in my garden. I have learned through the years that there are tons of easy seeds to start and grow. They are the foundation of my flower farming business.

Seed Starting Equipment. Having the tools you need to provide what the seeds need to sprout and then to grow indoors until they can be planted outdoors is essential to success.

Have questions? Join me on my weekly LIVE events and I do my best to answer your questions.

If you are enjoying my podcast please share it with your friends! It helps me so much.

Fondly,

Lisa

Did you know that very early spring is your 2nd opportunity to plant Cool Flowers? Wait, what are Cool Flowers?? I’m talking about those cool-season hardy annuals that don’t just tolerate cold, but thrive in these conditions. I’m sharing my tips on how to make it possible to get these spring blooming beauties in your garden and farm.

I am so proud of the online course that I have created and published. As more and more styles of learning are becoming available I thought I’d share from the heart why I’ve developed our platform into what has become a medley of flower-industry leaders offering what is needed to start and expand a flower-based business in unlimited ways. I hope it shares a snapshot of what we offer and how it can grow into a lifelong relationship.

Have you ever considered how much being afraid is costing your business? Little did I understand that being afraid led me to chase shiny objects and it held me back from finding the meat and potatoes of my business for years. All because of my fear of being that “simple” field growing flower farmer on that little urban farm. Join me as I share how I believe each one of us brings our unique way to set us apart in staple cash crops and being a flower farmer. I also share from the heart on how my dyslexia is affecting my podcast.

We are all in the same boat. Whether starting a flower farm, a podcast, or any other unfamiliar tasks—-it’s the fear that holds us back. I know because I’ve been afraid to start this podcast! I’m sharing my experience and the encouragement to push past the fear.

Hey friend I can’t wait to connect with you here! I’m talking all things cut flowers, the urban farming life, business, and even having a large garden with a giant golden retriever roaming around!