Mulch

Succession sowing is often presented as the key to having flowers all season long. But on many small UK flower farms, the pressure to keep sowing again and again can quietly create more work than the flowers are worth.
In this episode of MULCH, Rebecca explores what succession sowing actually means and why misunderstanding it can lead to unnecessary labour, overwhelm, and resentment.
Using ecological thinking and real examples from the field, she reflects on how a resilient flower farm often relies less on constant repetition and more on seasonal transition, where different plants step forward as the season moves on.
You'll hear about:
Why succession sowing doesn't always mean growing the same flowers repeatedly

How seasonal transitions can create a steady flow of flowers

The question every grower should ask before adding another sowing

Why working with the season builds resilience in a flower farming business

If succession plans are starting to feel overwhelming, this episode offers a calmer and more sustainable way to think about the season ahead.
Mentioned in this episode
Explore resources for flower farmers, including the Flower Farmer's Planner and business planning tools:
https://www.silvergreyfoliage.com/education

This week on Mulch, we're celebrating two milestones, Episode 60 and 15,000 downloads. Thank you for being here and for building this thoughtful, business-minded flower farming community with me.
Today's episode is about pests… but really, it's about resilience.
Because pests are not a sign that you're failing.
They're a sign that you're growing something worth eating.
As sustainable flower farmers, the goal isn't elimination, it's building systems strong enough to absorb pressure without reaching for pesticides (or despair).
In this episode, I share the 5 P's of Pest Resilience for the 2026 season:
🌿 Protection – When low tunnels help… and when they hinder.
🌿 Pungent – Using scent as a preventative layer (garlic, herbs, calendula, phlox).
🌿 Prickly – How spiky companions can deter deer and create natural boundaries.
🌿 Ponds – Inviting predators to rebalance your ecosystem.
🌿 Patience – The long game of ecological stability and small bird allies.
Sustainable flower farming isn't about removing every challenge. It's about designing layered resilience into your land and your business.
 
☕ Support the podcast & buy me a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silvergreyfoliage 
📓 Flower Farmers Planner & Business Planning resources:
https://silvergreyfoliage.com/education/ 
🌿 Cut Flower Meadow Seeds (limited seasonal availability):
https://silvergreyfoliage.com/shop
 
If this episode resonated, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more flower farmers find Mulch and build resilient businesses of their own.
As ever, I'll be back next week encouraging you to get on and grow.
Rebecca 🌿

In this episode of MULCH, Rebecca explores flower farmer self-care through the lens of our most important tools - our hands. From skin protection and glove choices to strengthening forearms and thinking about vitamin D and bone health, this episode offers practical, preventative advice to help you stay strong, safe and able to keep growing. A thoughtful reminder that sustainable flower farming starts with looking after yourself.
You can find the Flower Farmers Planner, business planning kits and cut flower meadow seeds in our webshop:
 
Cut Flower Seed meadow
Vitamin D Patient leaflet

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca offers a timely February pep talk for flower farmers feeling wobbly, behind, or overwhelmed. She shares three grounded reminders: create your own seed sowing plan (and stop chasing perfect ones), stop buying seeds you don't need, and focus on your own business priorities rather than comparing yourself on social media. A practical and reassuring listen for anyone navigating the uncomfortable, unpredictable season of early-year growing.

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares seven practical tips to improve seed germination and make the most of the money you spend on seeds. From compost choice and moisture levels to patience, airflow and handling tricky seeds like orlaya and annual phlox, this is a calm, experience-led guide to starting the seed-sowing season well.
If you find Mulch helpful, you can support the podcast by leaving a review here:
👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mulch/id1723466433?action=write-review