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The flower farming movement has a problem facing its future - but it’s hopefully one that can potentially be averted by changing the way we think about growth in flower farming
If you’re a small scale flower farmer that’s planning out your flower varieties for spring, look no further! I’m sharing with you today ten of my favorite varieties of flowers that are perfect for the small scale flower farmer.
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The relationship between a floral designer and a flower farmer or grower is one of the best and most special relationships there are. They’re like peanut butter and jelly, Spongebob and Patrick, Shrek and donkey, Oprah and Gayle, Pinky and the Brain - iconic friendship duos that share a special bond and appreciation for flowers that surpasses all expectations.
The flower farming movement has a problem facing its future - but it’s hopefully one that can potentially be averted by changing the way we think about growth in flower farming
If you’re a small scale flower farmer that’s planning out your flower varieties for spring, look no further! I’m sharing with you today ten of my favorite varieties of flowers that are perfect for the small scale flower farmer.
Growing in a small space is not without its challenges - many of which are constraining factors based on the size of your growing space of course, but it’s also important to know that there are some solutions to the issues and ways you can make your small scale farmer effective.
There’s a resiliency and strength in growing small scale. A challenge in a way - how can we still grow flowers, how can we continue to move forward and continue to create joy and beauty in the world through our growing and designs?
And this is a challenge that I have taken to heart. And a challenge that I would like to extend to you, dear reader.
Do you ever have flower farm envy?
I certainly do.
I have envy of those flower farmers that get to actually grow in an agricultural setting.
You know the ones I’m talking about. Big plots in middle of nowhere, with big rolling fields and verdant green pastures surrounding them, with big rows of flowers with accompanying photos of large armloads of blooms.
When we first started out as flower farmers, we were trying to do it all. Farmer’s markets, selling on consignment at local businesses and coffee shops, subscription services, DIY buckets, full service weddings - you name it, we were doing it.
But after a while, we stopped doing everything, focusing down on the income streams that worked best for us and also were the most profitable for us. We decided instead of trying to do everything and cover every single niche in our locale, we decided to just pick a niche and stick with it.
We grow a lot of zinnias as a small scale flower farmer - they are over 50% of our plantings in the warmer summer months - and I’m actually contemplating moving them to 75% of our plantings. I do have a specific intention with planting so many zinnias which I’ll share with you later, but just know that they have always been a staple on our farm and will continue to be for many reasons.
When it comes to choosing varieties for a small scale flower farm, there are a plethora of flowers that you can of course grow.
But the question that you may have (as I did) was what are some of the best flower varieties to grow?
If you’re growing on a small scale flower farm, there are going to be advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages don’t mean that it is impossible to be successful, and the advantages don’t mean that you’ll automatically be successful, but it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into when you decide to grow small scale.
The relationship between a floral designer and a flower farmer or grower is one of the best and most special relationships there are. They’re like peanut butter and jelly, Spongebob and Patrick, Shrek and donkey, Oprah and Gayle, Pinky and the Brain - iconic friendship duos that share a special bond and appreciation for flowers that surpasses all expectations.