16. Pricing Flowers with Confidence — How to Charge Properly Without Apologising
Are you charging enough for your flowers—or just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? In this honest and number-packed episode, I peel back the layers of pricing guilt and walk you through how to confidently price your flowers, whether you’re a grower, a florist, or both.From emotional undercharging to spreadsheets that make sense, I offer a clear, real-world guidance on valuing your time, your skills, and your stems. If you’ve ever ended a busy weekend with sore feet and no profit, this one’s for you.What You'll Learn:Why you're not just selling flowers—you're selling time, labour, expertise, and peace of mindHow to calculate your overheads and fold them into your pricing (with real examples!)A step-by-step walkthrough for florists and flower farmers to price for profitThe difference between COGs (cost of goods) and overheads—and why both matterHow to calculate your cost per stem (even if you're terrified of spreadsheets!)Why it’s okay to be “too expensive”—you’re just not for the Tesco crowdResources & Links:Pricing with Confidence Blog- with all of this weeks examples Planning for Profit Blog: How Many Flowers Do You Really Need to Grow? Flower Farming Planning ToolMore From MeFollow me on Instagram @thehampshireseedcompanySUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps me reach more growers who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks so much for for tuning in - See you next week!
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15. Planning for Profit: How to Grow Smarter, Not Just More
Are you drowning in blooms but wondering where the profit is? In this episode, I cuts through the flower farming fluff and walk you step-by-step through how to set realistic financial goals — and actually grow enough stems to meet them.Perfect for growers who are ready to move beyond the “hope and hustle” model and start building a thriving, flower-based business. Whether you’re aiming for £10K or £100K, I show you how to turn your dream into an actionable growing plan using my real-world methods and trusty spreadsheets. Episode TakeawaysHow to reverse engineer your season around your income targetReal crop examples for early, mid and late season growingWhy fewer, well-priced bouquets are often more profitableA simple six-bed growing plan to produce 5,000+ stemsThe difference between growing for joy and growing for businessResources & LinksPlanning for Profit Blog Post Flower Farming Niche BlogFlower Farming Excel Crop Planner
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14. Sow Smart: Direct Sowing, Soil Blocking, or Modules?
When it comes to sowing flower seeds, should you go high-tech, low-fi, or somewhere in between? In this episode I dive into one of the most spirited debates in the flower farming world: modules vs. soil blocks vs. direct sowing. I Cut through the noise, sharing real-life tips and lessons from my greenhouse and garden trenches. Whether you're surrounded by seed trays or armed with just a rake and a dream, this episode will help you find the sowing method that suits your flowers — and your life.🌼 What You’ll Learn:The pros and cons of direct sowing, modular trays, and soil blocksWhy “one size fits all” is a myth in seed sowingMy no-fuss compost method for soil blocksWhich seeds thrive with each method (hint: poppies love the wild life)The golden rule: Match your method to your lifestyle, space, and sanityCommon mistakes to avoid (and why your cardboard pots might be the problem)🔗 Resources & Links:Soil Blocking 101 Blog The Great Seed Sowing Debate Blog Loved this episode? Leave us a review and share it with a flower-loving friend. And don’t forget to follow so you never miss a bloom-filled conversation.
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13. How to Start a Flower Farm: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Welcome to the Blooming Garden Podcast — the go-to space for aspiring and established flower farmers who want to grow beautiful blooms and build a thriving business.In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest questions I get asked time and time again:“How do I start a flower farm?”Whether you’ve got a tiny patch of lawn, a couple of raised beds, or a whole field to play with, this episode gives you a clear, step-by-step plan to help you get growing — without the overwhelm.Here’s what we cover:Defining your goals — and why you need to know your "why" before you sow a single seed What to grow: my top 5 beginner-friendly, high-value flowers How to plan your first season like a pro (even if you hate spreadsheets!) Why marketing before your flowers bloom is your secret weapon How to find customers and make sales, even in your very first seasonPlus, I share why starting small is the best thing you can do to succeed long-term — and why fancy tools or acres of land are absolutely not required.Want to go deeper?If you're ready to go from idea to income with your flower farm, Then register your interest for our course which launcher later this year:Flower Farming 101: Start Your Business in 30 Days A practical 4-week roadmap to help you plan, grow, and sell with confidence. Register Now for our waiting list Free Resources Mentioned:Succession Planning GuidePlanting PlannersLoved this episode?Share it on Instagram and tag me @hampshireseedcompany — I’d love to see what you’re planning for your patch this season.And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. See you next time!
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12. Using Woodchip for Soil Health, Mulching & Composting
In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Raskin, Head of Agroforestry at the Soil Association and author of The Woodchip Handbook, to talk about one of the most underrated (and free!) resources in the garden: woodchip.We cover:What woodchip actually is (and the different types)How it supports fungi and microbial life in your soilThe truth about nitrogen lock-upWhy it helps with both drought and waterloggingHow to use it around trees, borders, veg beds and moreWhere to get your hands on woodchip—without spending a fortuneKey Quotes:“Woodchip is like fast food for fungi—full of cut ends, easy to break down, and full of potential.” – Ben Raskin “Every bit of woody growth in your garden is captured sunlight. Don’t let it leave your system.” – Ben Raskin🌱 Resources & Links:Buy The Woodchip Handbook – by Ben Raskin (Chelsea Green Publishing)Arbtalk – Register as a woodchip drop-off site🎧 Listen to more episodes at [Your Website or Podcast Page Link]🪴 Keep Exploring:How to Make Nettle Tea Fertiliser – another free garden boost you probably already have growing.Quick Compost: The Fast Way to Feed Your SoilGrow Again Next Year – The Essential Guide to Seed Saving📩 Stay in the Loop:Like what you heard? Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and sign up to the newsletter for weekly growing tips, podcast updates, and first dibs on new resources.
Perfect for gardening enthusiasts at any level, this podcast is your companion to cultivating success and beauty in your own backyard or flower patch. Hosted by Jane Westoby from Fuchsia Blooms Florist and The Hampshire Seed Company.
Each episode is a treasure trove of practical tips, expert advice, and insider flower farming guides designed to help you sow and grow with confidence and harvest with pride. Whether you’re dreaming of rows of neat vegetables or cutting flowers for bouquets all year round, we’ll walk you through every step.
Let’s grow together!
UK