Field & Garden

I think when we hear the term "mulch" many of us automatically think of the wood chips that are so commonly used in landscapes, but there are many other choices and different ways to use them. The definition of mulch is simply a protective layer of material that we lay on the soil surface to protect the soil. It can be organic like leaves, bark, straw, etc. or inorganic like landscape fabric, plastic, and biodegradable film. All have a use in different applications. In this episode I share how my practice of mulching has evolved as the size of my gardens increased over the years. I use a mix of of methods depending on the season and what is available to me to use. Please consider subscribing and reviewing my podcast if you are enjoying what I share. It will help me so much! Mentions: Bio360 biodegradable film Visit my website to learn about our online courses and shop our online garden store.

Have you learned from Dave Dowling? Saying that Dave is a veteran flower farmer is a bit understating it. He is known in flower farming circles as the walking encyclopedia, I call him our flower genius. And he has such a heart for teaching. Dave's depth of knowledge from what to grow, where to get it, which way to grow it, and how to harvest and sell it is a business changing experience. I am sharing a portion of a conversation I had with Dave about the many choices we face when diving into growing more crops and his take on some of these. Sign up for Dave's Course News and waitlist and instantly get his webinar "Success with Succession Planting" Learn more about his online course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More! Registration is only open once a year for 5 days: June 14-18, 2021. Expand what you grow and sell more to your existing customers!!

Flower support netting, love it or hate it? That's the question! I love it and consider it an important part of my farm. Just the mention of it and I see peoples lips start to twitch. It doesn't have to go that way friend! Sharing what it is, what it does, what you should net, when you should remove it, and my tips to make using it easier. Flower support netting product page that includes videos. Happy supporting! Lisa

I am coming to you the week before Mother's Day and thought now is a great time to talk about helping fresh cut flowers last longer. Lots of mentions in this episode and below are the links:

• Request my article with all the steps to follow: Making the Most of Your Cut Flowers

• Dave Dowling's online course: Bulbs, Perennials, Shrubs, and More!

• Cool Flowers, find most of my resources for cool-season flower growing: The Cool-Season Flower Chronicles

• Sunflower Seeds

• Cool season seeds including the Dragon Snapdragons

• Our flower sales program details, they are sold out but you can see the details.

I hope you enjoy! Lisa

Many years ago when I became heavily involved with the sport and hobby of dogs, I also went to work at a very busy veterinary hospital. This opportunity gave me a unique point of view. I learned about the good of a owning and loving a dog and also just how bad it can go for a dog and how often that happens. With a little bit of deliberate thought and process you can select a family dog that will fit in and become a part of your family with as little struggle and issues as possible for you and the dog.

I hope that taking a walk through a year on my farm, month-by-month will help you see the big picture of gardening and flower farm. What is the big picture? Creating a garden that you you love and enjoy. Not a place that you always feel behind and all you see is work. Embrace succession at it's best and create a garden you can love. My book: Vegetables Love Flowers

Folks, I am so pleased to share part of a conversation I had with Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers on the florist and the farmer coming together to network, learn from each other, and to do business together. I hope you get some good take away tips! Learn more from Ellen: Ellen's online course Growing Your Business With Local Flower Sourcing enrollment is open April 19-23, 2021. This is a special accelerated presentation to help florist that are facing global supply disruption to connect with local sourcing. This course is also an excellent doorway for farmers to begin or ramp up selling to florists and designers. Hope to see you in school! Lisa

As I thought about the subject of this podcast, I began to realize that this topic maybe what truly led me to become a successful business owner. I either set myself up to always have options or I actually have just gotten good at seeing them. Not sure which, but I guess it really doesn't matter. Not backing myself into a corner in business, in farming, and in life has served me well. I hope this inspires you to consider options. Lisa Z

Friend are you feeling like you are behind in planting your cutting garden? Please don't! After you listen to this podcast you will understand that embracing the 3-season cutting garden means you are never behind. Learn my approach to flower farming 100% outdoors in a garden and how it leads to garden you love and want to live with. Not the dreaded garden that you feel like you are always behind on doing things for. Mentions:

• The Gardener's Workshop website

• My book: Vegetables Love Flowers

• Already have the book? Request the companion video book study HERE.

• Get Vegetables Love Flowers and The Cutting Garden Seed Collection

• My book: Cool Flowers

• Already have the book? Request the companion video book study HERE.

• Watch The Cool-Season Flower Chronicles

This is a special edition podcast. It includes the audio from the great conversation I had with Ellen Frost and Dave Dowling on the developing issues with the shortages of imported flowers and the problems that are developing as a result. Mentions in the Podcast:

• Request the replay of Ellen and Dave's webinar: 10 Reasons that Florists Don't Buy Local
• Join the Closed Facebook Group: Florists Buying Local
• Ellen's Online Course the enrolls April 19-23, 2021: Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing.
• Get on Ellen's waitlist, signup on her course page!
• Ellen Frost, Local Color Flowers: Instagram Facebook
• Dave Dowling, Ball Horticulture, [email protected]