Blog version of the podcast: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/blog/creating-a-beautiful-wildflower-patch-my-journey-and-tips-for-success

In this episode, Liz discusses her wildflower patch and the process of planting and maintaining it. She shares her personal experience and tips for preparing the soil, choosing the right seeds, and dealing with weeds. Liz also mentions the importance of regular maintenance and the transition from annuals to perennials in the patch.

Takeaways

• Preparing the soil and removing weeds and debris is crucial before planting a wildflower patch.
• Choosing the right seeds for your climate and soil type is important for successful growth.
• Regular watering in the initial weeks is crucial for seed germination.
• Maintaining the patch and controlling weeds is necessary to prevent them from taking over.
• The patch will evolve over time, with annuals going to seed and perennials becoming more dominant.
• Consider seeking support and grants from programs like the CSP for larger-scale wildflower projects.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

The Flower Farmer Forum Friday Featured Flower Farmer is a series of interviews with flower farmers who are doing things differently.

Nicole from Olson Blooms shares her journey of starting a flower farming business in Holly, Minnesota. She talks about the inspiration behind her farm name and the significance of her family's history in the area. Nicole discusses her transition from teaching to farming and the challenges she faced along the way. She explains her current offerings, including bouquet subscriptions, DIY bloom buckets, and flower arranging workshops. Nicole also shares her goals for the future, including adding more perennials and shrubs to her farm.

Takeaways

• Starting a flower farming business can provide a sense of control and fulfillment for individuals looking for something of their own.
• It's important to find a balance between personal goals and family needs when running a flower farm.
• The business side of flower farming can be just as important, if not more, than the growing aspect.
• Growing a variety of flowers allows for seasonal changes and customer satisfaction.
• Having an open mind and being adaptable to change is crucial for long-term success in the flower farming industry.

Olson Blooms: https://www.olsonblooms.com/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this conversation, Liz and Kelly Cane of Moxie Creative discuss the importance of branding, website creation, and the pitfalls of DIY marketing. They emphasize the need for professional expertise in logo design and branding, as well as the significance of a well-maintained and updated website. The conversation also touches on the challenges and misconceptions faced by small business owners in the realm of marketing and branding.

Takeaways

• The importance of professional expertise in logo design and branding
• The significance of a well-maintained and updated website
• Challenges and misconceptions faced by small business owners in marketing and branding

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

The Flower Farmer Forum Friday Featured Flower Farmer is a series of interviews with flower farmers who are doing things differently. The first episode features Katie and Audra from Ranchy Stems in South Dakota. They discuss their journey into flower farming, their initial struggles with selling at farmers markets, and their shift towards agritourism. Their why for starting a flower farm includes the desire for freedom and financial stability, as well as a love for flowers. They also emphasize the importance of finding a niche and adjusting their business model based on market demand. Audra and Katie discuss their love for flowers and their journey in starting Ranchy Stems, a flower farm in rural South Dakota. They talk about the challenges they faced, the importance of communication and record-keeping, and the value of learning from failures. Audra and Katie also share their plans for the future, including subscriptions, nursing home sponsorships, and on-farm events. They emphasize the need to have a sense of purpose and to be confident in one's abilities.

Follow Ranchy Stems: https://www.instagram.com/ranchystems/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz discusses her experience growing ranunculus in zone 4B. She shares her methods for pre-sprouting the corms, planting them in the high tunnel, and overwintering them. Liz also talks about the importance of using high tunnels in colder climates and the challenges she faced with saving and replanting the corms. She concludes by mentioning her plans for the upcoming year and the changes she will make to her subscription offerings.

Takeaways

• Ranunculus can be successfully grown in zone 4B with the use of a high tunnel.
• Pre-sprouting the corms and planting them in trays or directly in the ground can yield good results.
• Overwintering ranunculus is possible but requires careful storage and selection of healthy corms.
• Soil health is important for successful ranunculus cultivation, and cover crops can help improve it.
• Consider the timing of ranunculus blooms when planning subscriptions or sales.
• Selling ranunculus at a premium price is justified due to the high demand and cost of wholesale corms.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

$25 off code: https://storeitcold.referralrock.com/l/6R543BWF/

In this episode of the Sunny Mary Meadow podcast, Liz Fiedler discusses flower coolers and cooling solutions for small businesses with Julia DeGennaro from CoolBot. They cover topics such as the use of floral coolers, the importance of coolers for flower storage, retrofitting coolers, and the basics of building a cooler. Julia also explains the Coolbot and its capabilities, as well as the different types of coolers and their setup considerations. The conversation covers the importance of cool storage for flowers, the options for building or buying a cooler, and the considerations for mobile coolers. It also delves into the impact of temperature on flower storage and the referral program for Coolbot.

Takeaways

• The use of floral coolers is instrumental in the efficient storage and preservation of flowers for small businesses.
• Retrofitting coolers with the Coolbot controller can be a cost-effective solution for businesses facing compressor issues.
• Understanding the basics of building a cooler, including setup considerations and humidity levels, is essential for businesses looking to create their own cooling solutions. The importance of cool storage for flowers, especially for flower farmers and florists.
• Considerations for building or buying a floral cooler, including the options for mobile coolers.
• The impact of temperature on flower storage and the referral program for Coolbot.

CoolBot: https://www.storeitcold.com/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

More information on Farmer Florist Boot Camp and the link to sign up: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/joinus-32544a52-8c39-4821-b321-b3548312c38e

Check out Jeni: https://www.thefloralhustle.com/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz discusses the importance of rest and recovery in business. She emphasizes that running a business is not a solo endeavor and shares her experience of having a team to help her. Liz talks about the dangers of trying to do too much and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. She also explores the role of rest in enhancing productivity, maintaining physical and mental health, fostering creativity, and making informed decisions. Liz encourages listeners to prioritize rest and incorporate it into their business plans.

Takeaways

• Running a business is not a solo endeavor; having a team to help is important.
• Trying to do too much can lead to burnout; finding a balance is crucial.
• Rest and recovery enhance productivity and maintain physical and mental health.
• Rest fosters creativity and improves decision-making.
• Incorporating rest into your routine and setting boundaries is essential for long-term success and well-being.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this conversation, Liz and Abbey discuss various topics related to flower farming and entrepreneurship. They touch on the challenges of balancing multiple businesses, the importance of finding your niche, and the need to evaluate and adjust your business strategies. They also talk about risk tolerance and the mindset needed to overcome fear and pursue your goals. Overall, the conversation provides insights and advice for aspiring flower farmers and entrepreneurs. In this part of the conversation, Abbey discusses the benefits of having systems in place to manage her schedule and handle customer requests. She also talks about the challenges of turning down potential business due to being fully booked. Abbey shares her experience with adjusting her pricing and learning the value of her products and services over time. She emphasizes the importance of keeping track of hours and costs when starting a business. Abbey also provides insights on growing and selling peonies, including the need for a good cooler and understanding the shelf life of the flowers. She talks about attracting customers through word of mouth, joining local groups or chambers, and collaborating with traditional florists. Abbey encourages entrepreneurs to be brave and take the leap in starting their own business.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz Fiedler discusses the pros and cons of selling flowers in your first year of flower farming. She shares her personal opinion and experiences, emphasizing the importance of identifying your goals and motivations. Liz believes that selling flowers in the first year can provide valuable market insight, help build a customer base, and jumpstart learning in business operations. However, she also acknowledges the potential risks and challenges, such as maintaining quality standards and managing pricing. The episode concludes with a reminder to weigh personal circumstances, resources, and goals when deciding whether to sell flowers in the first year.

Takeaways

• Identify your goals and motivations before deciding whether to sell flowers in your first year.
• Selling flowers in the first year can provide valuable market insight and help build a customer base.
• Consider the potential risks and challenges, such as maintaining quality standards and managing pricing.
• Weigh personal circumstances, resources, and goals when making the decision to sell flowers in the first year.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852