When Danielle emailed asking if we were interested in greens, I looked at her company name, Mainly Wild, and thought, we are basically sisters. In Episode 136 she shares how she wild-forages balsam fir in Downeast Maine, why the best wreath greens are worth waiting for, and how to harvest without hurting a single tree.
What if, instead of keeping pesticides away from bees, we could make bees better able to survive them? That is the question behind a piece of research Gary Hartley came across, and the deeper he dug, the more complicated it got. In Episode 135 we talk about bee detox microparticles, which bees they would actually reach, and why “save the bees” might be the wrong slogan.
Cindy King is one of the people who got me into this. She was a mentor when I first started working with plants, and she is the one who told me to go get my CPH. In Episode 134 she walks me through how she built a yard so full of pollinators that it is constantly in motion, and why she does almost no fall cleanup at all.
Most people start thinking about flowers when the weather warms up. But if you want a garden full of blooms in April and May, spring is too late to start. In Episode 133 I walk through the hardy annuals, bulbs, and perennials that belong in the ground this fall, the ones that absolutely should not go in yet, and the mistakes I have made along the way.
I was new, I was excited, and I finally had flowers people wanted to buy. So I cleaned out the spare refrigerator in the garage, harvested my iris, and came back a few hours later to find every single stem frozen solid. I cried. Episode 132 is the conversation I wish I could have had before that happened.
I have said publicly that cover crops do not really work on our farm. Our turnover is too fast and I like leaving seed heads standing for the birds. This year I am doing it anyway. In Episode 131 I sat down with Jenny from our soil conservation district to work out which cover crop to use, how to kill it without spraying, and whether the whole plan is sound.
Every gardener has had that moment. You walk out to your garden, spot holes in the leaves or a patch of yellow, and your stomach drops. But most plant problems are diagnosed backwards, starting with the treatment instead of the question. In Episode 127, I’m walking you through how to read what your plants are actually telling you, so you stop spraying things that never needed to be sprayed.
July and August bring the same question every year: how do I water? The honest answer is that most of us are watering too often, too shallowly, and at the wrong time of day. Here’s what we’ve learned after years of watering a working flower farm, plus a hoop house test that shows exactly what shallow watering does to your soil.
Seed packets contain far more than planting instructions—they’re packed with valuable information that can help you become a more successful grower. In this episode of The Flower Files, we explain the terminology behind germination rates, F1 hybrids, pelleted seed, primed seed, days to maturity, and more so you can confidently choose the right seeds for your garden or flower farm.
Have you ever wondered what happens before a flower seed arrives in your mailbox? In this episode of The Flower Files, we continue our exclusive behind-the-scenes series with the GeoSeed team to uncover the incredible journey every seed takes—from growers around the world to the packets we rely on each season. We explore how seeds are sourced, tested, packaged, and shipped, why some varieties cost more than others, how seed shortages happen, and what growers can do to plan ahead. If you’ve ever wanted a deeper appreciation for the work behind every bloom, this conversation offers an inside look at the people, processes, and expertise that help make every growing season possible.
We’re digging into the world of seeds with the team behind Park Seed, GeoSeed, and Twilley. From hard-to-find cut flower varieties to plugs, liners, catalogs, and industry trends, this conversation is packed with insight for flower farmers, gardeners, and growers.
Building a successful flower farming business takes more than growing beautiful flowers. In this behind-the-scenes episode, we share the lessons we’ve learned about pricing, scaling, profitability, and why we’re creating practical courses to help aspiring flower farmers avoid the mistakes we made.
When most people think of pollinators, they picture honey bees. But some of the most important pollinators in our gardens are native bees, hoverflies, beetles, moths, bats, and even birds. In this episode of The Flower Files, we explore why pollinator conservation is about much more than flowers—and how creating habitat may be the single most important thing we can do to support biodiversity.
Weeds are often viewed as the enemy of a beautiful flower farm, but they can reveal valuable information about soil health, growing conditions, and management practices. In this episode of The Flower Files, we walk through our fields to discuss the weeds we encounter, the suppression techniques we rely on, and the lessons we’ve learned through years of trial and error.
If your work or hobbies keep you outside, your skin is working overtime. In this episode of The Flower Files, we sit down with dermatology physician assistant Christina Da Leon to discuss skin cancer prevention, sunscreen myths, skincare trends, scalp health, and simple ways to protect your skin without sacrificing time outdoors. Whether you’re a gardener, farmer, florist, or simply someone who loves sunshine, this conversation is packed with practical advice that can help you care for your body’s largest organ.
There is nothing quite like making your first sale! Whether it is your first flower bouquet,...
In Episode 114 of The Flower Files, Liza Goetz visits Dr. Maddie Schofield of Chestertown Animal Hospital for a conversation every flower-loving pet owner should hear. From toxic lilies and curious cats to dogs eating green tomatoes, compost, mulch, and mystery plants in the yard, this episode is all about enjoying spring while keeping our animals safe.
In this episode of The Flower Files, we sit down with Ellen Frost, founder of Local Color Flowers, to talk about how local flowers move from farms to florists. We explore floral hubs, wholesale markets, flower education, seasonality, and what the future of the American-grown flower movement could look like.
Spring garden clean-up can do more harm than good when it’s done too early. Here’s what to trim, what to leave in place, and how to support pollinators, soil health, and stronger plant growth this season.
Selling at a farmers market is about more than showing up with beautiful flowers. From booth placement and pricing pressure to copycats and market dynamics, success often comes down to strategy, professionalism, and understanding how the market really works.
A soil test is more than a sheet of numbers! It is a decision-making tool that helps us understand what our soil can support, what needs attention, and how to make smarter choices for healthier flowers, better stem quality, and stronger yields.
In Episode 106 of The Flower Files, we dig into the soil myths that may be quietly costing you blooms, money, and confidence. From nitrogen-heavy fertilizer to compost overload and drainage issues, this episode breaks down what is really happening below the surface and how to grow with more intention.
Want to turn your flower garden into a reliable income stream? In this episode of The Flower Files, we walk through the entire system—from planning your seed beds and building a sales mix to harvesting, bouquet recipes, and beginner-friendly sales channels. If you’ve ever grown beautiful flowers but struggled to actually sell them, this guide is for you.
From aerated static piles to pathogen reduction temperatures, we explore how commercial composting works and why compost is one of the most powerful tools for building healthy soil.
Soil amendments aren’t magic fixes — they’re support tools for healthy garden soil. In this episode, we explain organic matter, minerals, nutrient amendments, and compost so you can stop guessing and start growing with confidence.