Bloommates

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.

In this episode, Sarah and Katie discuss:
Their experiences and insights on selling flowers wholesale to florists
The digital tools they use including an online availability list
Crop selection and understanding florist needs
The best ways to first approach florists
Strategies to make yourself stand out as a flower farmer
The importance of pre-orders
Strategies for pricing and invoicing, and
Effective communication for long-term relationships
Ultimately, they highlight the joy of selling to florists and the importance of adapting to market demands.

Find Sarah's companion resource with more detail and examples here: www.quaylecottage.com.au/shop

duckduckpig.com.au
instagram.com/duck.duck.pig
milkingducks.com
Nikki's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pie-Gets-Bigger-Complementors-Competitors/dp/0646715984

In 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.

In this conversation, Katie and Sarah reflect on the past month of November on their Hunter Valley farms. They discuss some of the challenges they've been facing such as hot dry weather, compaction and compost contamination. This conversation highlights the complexities of agricultural business and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Film & Foliage:
⁠www.filmandfoliage.com⁠
⁠www.instagram.com/filmandfoliage⁠
Wildflower Academy:
⁠www.wildfloweracademy.co⁠
⁠www.instagram.com/academywildflower⁠
The Harvest:
⁠www.quaylecottage.com.au/theharvest⁠

In 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.