The Cut Flower Podcast

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.Hi, I’m Roz Chandler, and welcome to The Cut Flower Podcast! This January, I’m excited to bring you a special five-episode series all about the benefits of growing your own cut flowers. Today, I’ll share how to start growing flowers as a side hustle or even transition into a full-fledged business.Episode SummaryIn this episode, I share my journey from starting with three raised beds to managing a thriving five-acre flower farm. Whether you’re looking to sell at local markets, supply florists, or offer DIY wedding buckets, I’ll guide you through the first steps. I’ll cover how to start small, grow sustainably, and set the foundations for a profitable venture.Key TakeawaysStart Small: When I started, it was just three raised beds. Even a small garden or a 1-square-meter plot can yield significant results with planning.Plan Your Flowers: Choose customer favorites like sweet peas, dahlias, and cosmos. Think about who you want to sell to—florists, markets, or DIY brides—and tailor your choices.Sustainability Matters: Growing your own flowers reduces reliance on imports and eliminates the need for harmful pesticides. It’s a great way to protect our environment.Profitability: With the right approach, even a small plot can be lucrative. For example, by rotating tulips and dahlias in the same space, you can double your yield.Community Support: Join my Cut Flower Kickoff 2025 Facebook Group, where you’ll find free guides, live Q&As, and plenty of support from fellow growers.Steps You Can Take Right NowStart prepping your soil with compost or manure.Browse seed catalogs and choose flowers you love.Plan for successional planting to maximize your blooms.Begin sowing hardy annuals in March or later in the season, depending on your setup.Brush up on basic floristry skills to create beautiful bouquets.Join Me in the Facebook GroupIf you’re excited to grow your own cut flowers, join our Cut Flower Kickoff 2025 Facebook Group. It’s full of resources, including free guides on setting up a side hustle, creating a cutting patch, and more. Plus, we’ve got live masterclasses coming up in February.Starting a side hustle can feel overwhelming, but I promise it’s worth it. If I could do it—without any horticultural experience—so can you. Let’s grow beautiful blooms together! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecutflowerkickoff2025 https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.Hi everyone, welcome to the Cut Flower Podcast! I’m Roz Chandler, and today we’re diving into one of my favourite topics, growing your own wedding or event flowers. Whether you’re planning for a big day or just dreaming about it, I’m here to show you how personal, cost-effective, and rewarding it can be to grow your own blooms.Episode HighlightsWhy Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers?There are so many wonderful reasons to grow your own flowers for your wedding or event:Save Money: Did you know couples in the UK spend between £1,800 and £2,500 on wedding flowers? Growing your own can cut that significantly.Love Gardening: If you or your family enjoys gardening, why not put that passion to work?Make It Personal: There’s nothing like the feeling of creating something special and meaningful for your big day.Embrace the Challenge: It’s such a satisfying project to take on, and you’ll have plenty of support from friends, family, and local flower farmers.Planning for SuccessEnvision Your Style: Romantic pastels, bold brights, or wild, rustic vibes?Focus on Timing: Work backwards from your wedding date to ensure flowers are at their peak.Allow Enough Time: Plan for at least 12–18 months for a successful harvest.What You’ll LearnI shared tips to make the process manageable and enjoyable:Best Annuals to Grow: Sweet peas, cosmos, snapdragons, and cornflowers are some of my favorites. They’re easy to grow and bring a lot of beauty to your arrangements.Perennials to Consider: For weddings further out, think about roses, dahlias, and peonies. They get better with age—just like us!Foliage Matters: Don’t forget about eucalyptus, herbs, and pittosporum to add texture and depth.Cutting and Conditioning: Learn how to cut flowers early, hydrate them properly, and keep them fresh for the big day.Join the CommunityI’d love to invite you to our free Facebook group, the Cut Flower Kickoff 2025, where you’ll find guides, tips, and live "fireside chats" throughout January. Plus, we’re hosting three online masterclasses in February to help you get started.Facebook Group: New Catalogue Out Now, https://plantsofdistinction.co.uk use the code CUTFLOWER30 for 30% off your order. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecutflowerkickoff2025 https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.Welcome to The Cutflower Podcast!Hi, I’m Roz Chandler, and in today’s episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Dr. Menije Boduryan, a licensed psychologist from Los Angeles. We explore the profound connection between mental health, perfectionism, and the healing power of nature and gardening.Episode SummaryDr. Menije shares her expertise on mental health challenges, including anxiety, perfectionism, and self-compassion, while offering actionable insights into how time spent in nature can transform our mental well-being. We discuss the therapeutic benefits of gardening, mindfulness, and redefining success in a world driven by productivity.Key Takeaways:Nature Heals: Time spent outdoors promotes mindfulness, gratitude, and grounding.Redefine Success: Shift focus from productivity to fulfillment, connection, and joy.Self-Care is Essential: Treat self-care as a non-negotiable priority in your day.Embrace Imperfection: Failure fosters growth, empathy, and resilience.Be Kind to Yourself: Practice self-compassion and allow your best to vary daily.Resources Mentioned:Books:The Power of Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin NeffThe Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brené BrownConnect with Dr. Menije:Youtube: youtube.com/@drmenije Website: www.perfectionismuniversity.comFree mini-course that I would love to share with you: https://www.perfectionismuniversity.com/perfectionism-email-course Get Involved:Did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts with #TheCutflowerPodcast and tag us! Let us know how gardening or nature has positively impacted your mental health.Take one step toward self-compassion today. Whether it’s spending a few moments outdoors, journaling about your values, or embracing imperfection, every small action matters. New Catalogue Out Now, https://plantsofdistinction.co.uk use the code CUTFLOWER30 for 30% off your order. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecutflowerkickoff2025 https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.Welcome to The Cutflower Podcast!Hi, I’m Roz Chandler, your host, and I’m thrilled to take you on another journey into the world of flowers, creativity, and sustainability. In this episode, I sat down with the amazing Susan Dye and Ashley from Nature's Rainbow. Together, they’ve built a life around growing natural dye plants and educating others about this beautiful craft.Episode SummaryI had the privilege of learning about Susan and Ashley’s story, from childhood inspirations to creating a dye garden in Hitchin. We talked about their journey into natural dyes, the technicalities of extracting colours, and the sheer joy of wearing or using something made entirely from scratch. We also explored how some dye plants can double as cut flowers and why reconnecting with these sustainable practices is so rewarding.Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss:Natural dyeing is a beautiful blend of art, science, and sustainability.Key plants like madder, woad, and weld are not only vibrant but also steeped in history.The preparation process is crucial for achieving bright, long-lasting colors.Workshops and mentoring bring the joy of natural dyeing to life for everyone.There’s something special about creating with plants you’ve grown yourself—it’s a soul-nourishing experience.Resources for YouExplore Susan and Ashley’s incredible work at Nature’s Rainbow.Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (links on their website).Join our growing community: The Cut Flower Collective Facebook Group.Get Involved!If this episode inspired you, tag us with #TheCutflowerPodcast and #Nature’sRainbow. I’d love to hear your questions and comments! You can also pop into The Cut Flower Collective on Facebook to join the conversation.Let’s Stay ConnectedAre you thinking of starting your own dye garden? Susan and Ashley’s workshops and blog are a fantastic place to start. I know I’m inspired to dive in and try something new. Let me know if you’re joining this journey, too! New Catalogue Out Now, https://plantsofdistinction.co.uk use the code CUTFLOWER30 for 30% off your order. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecutflowerkickoff2025 https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection