This story features my new friend Kelly Shore. Kelly has an incredible floral design business, Petals by the Shore, in the Washington DC area and beyond. Where it gets really interesting is Kelly also put a tremendous amount of effort into sourcing her flowers domestically in the United States. She and I try to bridge the gap between flower grower and floral designer. You also should follow Kelly on Instagram @petalsbytheshore and at www.petalsbytheshore.com  

After last weeks story I wanted to recap the feedback. I also wanted to clarify some very complicated issues regarding what I do here at Natchez Glen. 

This is the most important story to date. My guest is Nate Miller who has worked with PASO Internacional in Columbia. He and PASO Internacional interviewed over 400 people employed by the cut flower trade in Columbia. We explore what he saw and learned during that process and we try to unravel a very complicated story of international grown flowers. 

This week's story is Naomi Slade. Naomi is an incredible author and gardener. Her book on Dahlias, aptly named Dahlias,  communicates their magic along with botanical science. In this story we explore her books on Dahlias, Snowdrop, and the idea and journey of Orchards.

All of her books can be found at these links:

Dahlias

 https://www.amazon.com/Dahlias-Beautiful-Varieties-Home-Garden/dp/1423648323/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dahlias&qid=1551962654&s=gateway&sr=8-1

The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops

http://www.timberpress.com/books/plant_lovers_guide_snowdrops/slade/9781604694352

An Orchard Odyssey

http://www.timberpress.com/books/plant_lovers_guide_snowdrops/slade/9781604694352

This is the most I've shared of what being a flower farmer really is about. Not just about an image on Instagram but what the realities of "farming" flowers means versus gardening with flowers. There is a group of people that this Podcast will not be popular with but my goal with all of the content I produce isn't for those people. The content I create is for people that love plants and gardening or are just starting to find their passion for plants. 

In this story we explore the world of garden guest and how gardening is more local than global. The story also answers Christopher Llyod of Great Dixter's question asked nearly 30 years ago. A huge range of story in this Garden Notes. 

Each podcast I try to shed light on the journeys of plants and the people who love them. This story I'm joined by Dr. Allan Armitage and the story ranges from why people who work in plants need to do a better job sharing their passion and his story of being a true pioneer in the horticultural world. Allan's work with perennials has been one of the key reasons for their gained popularity over the last twenty years. For anyone that loves plants all of Allan's books are a must own and you can get them at www.allanarmitage.net/shop and if you use the promo code STEVE you will get 20% off your order. 

I was so fortunate early on in my plant research I discovered Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott's work. Linda has spent decades challenging many of the myths that gardening and horticulture has generated. In this story we examine so many of those myths as well as how you can learn to avoid them. We also discuss the cottage industry of flower and plant growing workshops that are developing and how there are so many great free resources available. Two of those free resources can be found from Linda's work. The first are many of her papers available here https://puyallup.wsu.edu/lcs/ and a great tool to determine if the horticultural information you're being given is fact or opinion through scientific literacy https://pubs.wsu.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=15830 

For years I've been fascinated by Chrysanthemums. Both in a magical plant way and also in a mysterious how do you grow these things way. Last year I grew some fantastic varieties that I loved and was extremely excited about how easy they were to grow. To further solve the mysteries of all things "Mum" I wanted to have Brian from King's Mums on to talk his story and how he came to own one of the only nurseries in the world growing heirloom mums. Plus, we had to talk about the "mums" outside the grocery stores in the fall.