Bloommates

This episode is a dahlia lover’s dream. Katie and Sarah asked each guest from this season of the podcast to share their top 5 favourite dahlias for cut flower production, then compiled all the answers (as well as their own) into one big list of Australian grower favourites.From tried-and-true classics to newer releases, a few tissue culture varieties from Ball Australia, and even a few that haven’t quite hit the market yet, this episode covers more than 30 cultivars that flower farmers across Australia are loving right now. Whether you’re growing on a tiny patch or a large-scale farm, there’s plenty of inspiration for your wish list ahead of tuber sale season!Featured growers & their picks:Luen (@luensflowers) Coorabell Astrid, Bracken Palomino, Coorabell Texas, Boundary Snowflake, Kotare Buttermilk. Honourable mention: Devon SeattleJen (@southernhighlandsflowerfarm) Fancy Pants, Penhill Watermelon, Lileah Pink Petticoats, Darbro Barton A25, Florelie Cosmic RomanceKate (@bushy.blooms) Portlight Pair Beauty, Orange Stone, Yellow Quartz, Coorabell Astrid, Winkie RhubarbMardi (@qcflowerfarm) Queen Vic Life on Mars, Serenade Rosa, Serenade Fairylights, QC Hot Mess (working title), Coorabell EmmaSarah (@quayle.cottage) Everbloom First Dance, Florelie Antique, Everbloom Lioness, Everbloom Rockmelon, Sheila, Boundary Snowflake.Katie (@grown_by_lightninghollows) Carlos Watermelon, Winkie Truffle, Bracken Palomino, Florelie Lizzie Lou, XanZu Bek, Devon Salmon. Honourable mentions: Pink Quartz, Florelie Flamingo, Coorabell Moonglow

OUR FREE GUIDE: ⁠How To Order From Ball Australia⁠In this episode, Katie & Sarah talk through where they actually buy everything from for their Australian flower farms including plugs, seeds, live plants, bulbs, farming tools, and floristry equipment.Chapters:00:37 Ball Australia28:13 High Sun Express for Bulk Seeds35:39 Royston Petrie Seeds40:30 Bulb Suppliers44:35 Plant Suppliers56:39 Retail Seed Suppliers01:05:46 Essential Equipment and Tools for Flower Farming & Floristry. Suppliers mentioned:​Ball Australia​High Sun Express​Royston Petrie Seeds​Drewitts Family Farms (wholesale) / Red Earth Bulbs (retail)​Van Diemen Quality Bulbs​JD Propagation​Mikiry Chrysanthemums​Wild Violet Flower Farm​Pure Maiden Farm​Twist Creek Flora​Southern Highlands Flower Farm​Di’s Delightful Plants​Woodbridge Nursery​ERA Nursery​Veggie & Flower Garden Seeds​The Seed Collection​The Diggers Club​Transition Farm​Earthenry Farm​Southern Harvest​Seed Scape​Three Dogs Flower Farm​Active Vista​Koch & Co​Apack​Garden City Plastics⁠Seeds per gram list⁠ (to help with ordering from Royston Petrie Seeds)

In this episode, Katie and Sarah chat with Kate from Bushy Blooms in Albany, Western Australia. They cover everything from growing at scale, selling to a wholesaler, growing dahlias, and diversifying your sales channels to ensure your flowers always have an outlet. As well as wholesale, Kate also sells her flowers at a farmers market, through her roadside stand, to event florists, and does DIY event buckets. Kate gives a behind the scenes look at the process of selling to a wholesaler and the logistics involved.Find Kate here: https://www.instagram.com/bushy.blooms/https://www.bushyblooms.net/

In part one of this interview with Jen from Southern Highlands Flower Farm, Sarah and Katie ask about Jen's background and how she got started before diving into her sales channels, how the business has evolved and diversified, and growing Ranunculus as a cut flower. Make sure you head to part two for all things Italian cut flower Pansies, on farm event and workshops, as well as how Jen has created a workplace that supports mums.Find Jen here:https://southernhighlandsflowerfarm.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/southernhighlandsflowerfarm

Sarah and Katie share their detailed crop planning process for the 2026-2027 season, focusing on spring flowers, succession planting, intercropping, and lessons learned from last year. They discuss specific crops, planting strategies, and how to optimise flower farm productivity.

In this episode, Sarah and Katie share their experience with cool flowers in Australia, covering seed starting, climate considerations, crop selection, and tips for success. Perfect for growers in temperate and subtropical climates looking to optimise their spring flower production.

In this final episode of the season, Sarah and Katie celebrate their milestone of completing Season 1 of the podcast and plan to return with Season 2 in March 2026. They share an update on the working bee at Grown By Lightning Hollows, reflect on the challenges of irrigation and seedling care in the Summer heat, share their data on four crops from the Spring season including Delphinium, Ranunculus, Corn Cockle (Agrostemma), and Pansies. They also give recommendations for resources and podcasts for flower farmers to enjoy over the break before the return.

duckduckpig.com.auinstagram.com/duck.duck.pigmilkingducks.comNikki's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pie-Gets-Bigger-Complementors-Competitors/dp/0646715984In this conversation, Nikki Davey discusses the importance of collaboration in the flower farming industry, emphasising the need for an abundance mindset rather than a competitive one. She shares her journey from finance to flower farming, explores innovative practices that can benefit the flower industry, and highlights some case studies other agricultural sectors that she mentions in her book "The Pie Gets Bigger". The discussion also touches on the impact Grown Not Flown has on the flower farming community and the future of collaborations within the industry. Nikki stresses the importance of treating flower farming as a legitimate business and the need for data-driven decisions to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Film & Foliage:⁠www.filmandfoliage.com⁠⁠www.instagram.com/filmandfoliage⁠Wildflower Academy:⁠www.wildfloweracademy.co⁠⁠www.instagram.com/academywildflower⁠The Harvest: ⁠www.quaylecottage.com.au/theharvest⁠In this conversation, Sarah and Katie are joined by Ash Wheelhouse, a seasoned floral designer and founder of Wildflower Academy. They explore the intricacies of floral design, the challenges faced by florists, and the importance of local sourcing. Ashlee shares her journey in the floral industry, the impact of the pandemic on her business, and the creation of 'The Harvest', a local flower hub that connects growers and florists. The discussion also delves into the sourcing process for wedding flowers, the importance of focus when shopping, and the value of building relationships with growers. The challenges of sourcing local flowers compared to imports are explored, highlighting the benefits of quality and cost. The conversation also touches on the customisation available when working with local growers and the growing demand for unique and unusual floral varieties. Finally, the barriers to importing seed for desired flower varieties are discussed, shedding light on the complexities of the floral industry. In this conversation, Ash discusses her journey in the floral industry, focusing on the transition from traditional practices to sustainable methods, the establishment of Wildflower Academy, and the importance of community among florists. The dialogue explores the evolving perception of floristry as an art form, the significance of personal branding, and practical advice for growers considering entering the wedding market. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the perspectives of both florists and growers, effective marketing strategies, the importance of CRM systems for managing events, and the complexities of pricing in the floral industry. They also discuss the intricacies of floristry, including the challenges of foraging, pricing strategies, and the value of craftsmanship in floral design. They explore how growers can better understand their worth and the importance of community collaboration in the industry. The discussion also touches on personal favourites in flowers and trends.

Bec, from Dish the Dirt, discusses the evolution of the Australian flower farming community, the challenges faced by growers, and the impact her podcast has had. We explore the importance of collaboration between growers and florists, the role of community in the industry, and the significance of platforms like Growers Avenue. The discussion also touches on sustainability practices, the future of flower farming, and advice for new growers entering the field.

Bed Rotations & Sowings - Template spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lHdGneb_V7inYF9mMgZKfKXSpdOrYHg8xbnFwKJu7gY/edit?usp=sharing(You are welcome to copy and paste this template into your own spreadsheet to use)In this conversation, Sarah and Katie discuss their approach to crop planning. After discussing how they choose what they grow in a previous epsiode, this conversation dives into what they do after they have their list of flowers. From where crops are placed, mapping their growing spaces, planning sowing dates and successions, and managing the timing of it all.

In this episode, Sarah and Katie, two flower farmers from Australia, discuss their experiences and insights into flower farming. They explore how they choose what to grow based on market needs, personal preferences, and constraints. The conversation delves into the importance of profitability, data analysis, and the balance between joy and financial viability in farming. They also share their experiences with trialling new crops and the challenges they face in the industry. The episode wraps up with a look at future plans and the excitement of upcoming interviews with other growers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Flower Farming and Seasonal Changes06:18 Constraints in Flower Farming: Space, Time, and Climate14:11 Risk Tolerance in Flower Farming: A Balancing Act28:57 Crop Planning: Lessons Learned and Future Goals34:03 Understanding Crop Costs and Labor38:40 Balancing Joy and Profit in Crop Selection44:13 Trialing New Crops and Learning from Failures59:17 Engaging with Florists and Customers for Crop Planning