Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler

Encore: Our most popular episode of 2025!

Original air date January 14, 2025

Today, I want to dive into the topic of cool flowers and the importance of planting them in very early spring. The basic idea is to plant these flowers in cool to cold conditions to get the best performance out of them, which can happen in fall, winter, or very early spring.

Many people have been led away from planting during these unusual times. But I assure you, this is where the magic happens! For flower farmers, planting cool flowers can significantly boost your business. 

We’re talking about flowers like:

• Bells of Ireland
• Sweet peas
• Stock
• Snapdragons
• Lisianthus
• Larkspur
• Status
• Poppies

When planted at the right time, these flowers bloom earlier, grow taller, produce more stems, and are more resistant to diseases and pests. Listen in to learn who can plant in this window, when and what to plant, and more!

Mentions

Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers 

Lisa's Book, The Cut Flower Handbook

Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest

The Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop

⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠

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!

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I could never do that”? In this episode, Lisa Mason Ziegler unpacks the quiet assumptions that stop so many people before they ever plant their first row.

Mentions

ASCFG - Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers

Mimo Davis at Urban Buds: Website, Instagram

Lisa's Course: Flower Farming School Online

Discover our online courses!

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Why Starting From Seed Changes Everything for Your Cut Flower Garden

Seeds are small but powerful! In this episode, Lisa breaks down why starting from seed gives you more variety, better timing, stronger plants, and huge savings. From common mistakes to simple rules that make seeds sprout reliably, plus why soil blocking is her go-to method, this episode will give you the confidence to start (or improve!) your own seed-starting routine.

Mentions

Lisa Talks Seed Starting on the No-Till Flowers Podcast

Online Course: Seed Starting Made Easy

Seed Starting Equipment Category

Soil Blocking Mix Recipe & Instructions

About Soil Blocking: Free Online Resources

Discover our online courses!

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Timing is everything when it comes to cool flowers! In this episode, Lisa explains the simple but crucial “very early spring” planting window — when to start, how to prepare, and why getting it right makes all the difference. Whether you’re growing sweet peas, snapdragons, stock, or others, this practical episode will help you plan, plant, and grow the gorgeous blooms you crave!

Mentions

Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers

Spiral-Bound Edition: The Cut Flower Handbook

The BIG Calendar-Journal

The Garden Fork

Discover our online courses!

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Discover how serving your community can spark creativity, confidence, and real business growth. In this episode, Lisa shares simple, practical ways to connect, collaborate, and give back, and why those connections become one of your farm’s greatest strengths.

Mentions:

Discover our online courses!

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Discover how a simple idea—planting a native border—became a powerful living shield around Lisa’s flower farm. In this episode, you’ll learn why native plants matter more than you think, how a “halo” habitat can protect your land, and the practical steps to create your own wildlife corridor, no matter the size of your space.

Mentions:

Book: Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy

Field & Garden #368: Why & How I Use Leaves

Video: Growing & Maintaining a Native Plant Border

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Dreaming of blooms beyond your field season? Join Sunny Meadows Flower Farm as they share hard-earned lessons from two decades of growing in hoop houses and greenhouses. Learn how season extension opens up year-round sales, supports your team, and transforms your flower business—whether you're just adding your first tunnel or leveling up your entire operation.

Mentions: 

Online Course: Grow Cut Flower Crops in Hoop & Greenhouses

⁠Learn more about and connect with⁠⁠ Steve & Gretel Adams and their business, Sunny Meadows Flower Farm.

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

In this episode, Lisa shares her favorite secret weapon for building rich, living soil — leaves! Learn how Grandpa Ziegler inspired a lifelong practice that feeds the soil, saves water, reduces weeds, and supports a thriving ecosystem. Lisa explains when and how to collect leaves, what kinds to avoid, and simple ways to turn them into “leaf mold gold” for your own garden. Whether you have a small backyard or a flower farm, this episode will change how you see every leaf that falls. 

Mentions

Download our phone app for your FREE course on building a trellis tunnel!

Lisa's book, Vegetables Love Flowers

The BIG Calendar-Journal 

⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!

Flower farming is full of beauty, but turning that beauty into a profitable business takes strategy. In this episode, Lennie Larkin breaks down the real numbers behind a thriving flower farm, from understanding profit margins and valuing your time to pricing, marketing, and knowing when to pivot. You’ll learn practical, down-to-earth tips for making smart money decisions, avoiding common pricing traps, and building a farm that not only blooms but lasts. Whether you’re dreaming of your first acre or refining your current systems, this conversation is your roadmap to a more sustainable and rewarding flower business.

Mentions

Lennie's Upcoming Event (Nov 2025): Sell Your Flowers Summit

Lennie’s Instagram: ⁠flowerfarming.forprofit⁠

Lennie's online course: ⁠Profitable Flower Farming⁠

Field & Garden #362: "What's Your Problem?" Mentorship Roundtable

⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠

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!

Starting a flower business comes with its fair share of jitters — and most new growers face the same three big fears: Are my flowers good enough? Will I have enough to sell? How much should I charge?

In this episode, Lisa shares her own early experiences as a new grower and the simple habits that transformed anxiety into steady progress. Whether you’re in your first season or thinking about taking the leap, this conversation is packed with real-world strategies to help you quiet the doubts and find your footing.

Mentions

Register in Oct '25 for Lisa's Live Masterclass, "Where to Sell Cut Flowers: Finding the Best Markets for YOUR Flower Farm" ⁠

⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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!