The Blooming Garden

• 30. Profit, Pricing & Knowing Your Numbers - The Break-Even Formula Every Flower Business Needs

  Hey flower friends — in today’s episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new mini series all about making money in your flower business… and more importantly, how to stop quietly losing it.This episode is your friendly nudge (or loving shove!) to finally look at your numbers in a way that feels simple, empowering, and totally doable — even if maths has never been your thing.I’m breaking down the exact break-even formula I used at a recent Christmas market — the one that told me by lunchtime on Day 1 that we wouldn’t make our money back. Not because I’m negative… but because once you know your numbers, you can make smart decisions, pivot faster, and protect your business from quietly sinking in the background.If you’ve ever avoided your costs, guessed your margins, or hoped the sales would “work themselves out,” this episode will change the way you plan every market, every event, and every season in your flower business.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Why your school maths trauma has nothing to do with running a profitable businessThe simple “back-of-a-fag-packet” formula to work out your TRUE break-even — for any eventThe difference between markup and margin (and why it matters)How to know, in real time, whether a market is heading toward profit or lossThe silent danger of only counting your stand fee as a costWhy understanding your numbers gives you clarity, control, and confidenceThe first steps to forecasting your business properly (yes, even if spreadsheets make you sweat)A sneak peek at the new Flower Business Bootcamp for beginners ready to turn their idea into a real, profitable businessLINKS & RESOURCESBreak-Even Formula Blog PostJoin the Flower Business Bootcamp WaitlistFollow along on Instagram: @thehampshireseedcompanyIf you’re dreaming of starting a flower business — or already growing and selling without a plan — make sure you’re signed up for the Flower Business Bootcamp. It’s beginner-friendly, jargon-free, and gives you the exact steps you need to build a profitable flower business from day one. 

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• 29. Seed Sowing for Beginners - Preventing Damping off

  In this episode, I’m stripping things right back to basics — how to sow seeds successfully. Whether you’re new to gardening or just want better germination rates, this is your no-nonsense guide to getting it right from the start.I’ll walk you through everything from timing your sowings (and why enthusiasm isn’t a planting strategy!) to choosing the right compost, containers, and watering methods. You’ll learn why some trays fail, how to avoid damping off, and the simple habits that turn seed sowing from guesswork into success.This episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever stared at an empty seed tray wondering what went wrong — or who just wants to stop wasting time, compost, and confidence.What You’ll Learn-Why timing matters more than enthusiasm-The difference between hardy annuals and tender annuals-How to stop damping off before it starts-Why bottom watering beats top watering every time-The truth about seed compost (and when you actually need it)-How to harden off your seedlings for outdoor life-The biggest beginner mistakes — and how to fix themMentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 14  - Direct Sowing vs. ModulesBlog - Understanding StratificationThe Hampshire Seed Company Grow-AlongsTune In & Take ActionStart small. Sow less. Watch more. Focus on consistency over chaos — because every tray teaches you something.

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• 28. Autumn Sowing Secrets - Your Growing To-Do List for a Flower-Filled 2026

  In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest game-changers for your growing season — autumn sowing. Forget the idea that autumn is the end of the gardening year; it’s actually the beginning of the next one. Whether you’re a home grower dreaming of an early flush of colour or a flower farmer chasing those lucrative May stems, this episode shows you how to sow now for serious results later.I’ll walk you through my seven must-grow crops for autumn sowing — from Orlaya grandiflora and Larkspur to Lupins and Ranunculus — plus why these hardy plants will outperform every spring batch you’ve ever grown. You’ll also learn how to avoid the hungry gap, get blooms earlier, and free up precious spring bench space for summer annuals.And if you’ve ever wondered what to sow when, my Grow-Along videos and blogs are linked below to help you get started with cold stratification, timing, and success tips for each crop.What You’ll Learn-Why autumn sowing gives you stronger, earlier blooms -How to bridge the “hungry gap” between spring bulbs and summer flowers- The best hardy annuals and perennials to sow now- How to layer your crops for a seamless spring-to-summer display -Why lupins and ranunculus are my ultimate May workhorses and beauty bloomsMentioned in this EpisodeGrowing Orlaya grandifloraGrow-Along VideosTune In & Take ActionPick jut  three hardy annuals or perennials and start your autumn sowing this week. Your spring self will thank you when your beds are blooming and everyone else’s are bare.

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• 27. Finding Your Ideal Customer

  When you’re growing for everyone… you’re really growing for no one.In this episode, I’m unpacking the power of finding your ICA — your Ideal Customer Avatar. This isn’t just a marketing buzzword. It’s about building a flower business that works for you — your lifestyle, your crops, and your goals.I’ll share the mistakes I made in my early days (think late-night bouquet deliveries, impossible wedding requests, and those dreaded houses with no numbers 🙃), and why saying yes to everything nearly burnt me out. More importantly, I’ll walk you through how finding your ICA gives you the clarity and permission to say no — and focus on the customers who bring both joy and profit.You’ll learn:Why finding your ICA matters more than just “choosing a niche”How to spot the red flags that an ICA doesn’t fit your business Examples of different flower farm ICAs — from high-end brides to weekly bouquet buyers How your lifestyle, location, and crop choices all shape your ICA Why pricing, vase life, and marketing should be tailored to your dream customerWhether you’re just starting out or pivoting from chaos to clarity, this episode will help you stop spinning plates and start building a flower business that truly fits.Links & ResourcesFinding your Flower Farming Niche The Florists Guide to finding Dream Clients Let’s ConnectIf this episode was helpful, share it with another grower who’s feeling pulled in too many directions. And don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss a weekly dose of flower farming strategy.

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• 26. How to Start Breeding Dahlias (Without Losing Your Mind)

  What do you get when you cross patience, petals, and a little bit of chaos? Dahlia breeding.In this episode, I’m sharing the real process behind breeding your own dahlia varieties — from hand-pollination tips to spotting the traits worth keeping. Whether you’re dreaming of your own exclusive varieties or just curious about how new dahlias are born, this is a peek behind the curtain of one of the most exciting (and unpredictable) parts of flower farming.You’ll learn: Why dahlia breeding is part science, part gamble — and why that’s the fun of it How to hand-pollinate dahlias for more control over your crosses The dominant vs recessive traits that shape form, colour, stem length, and vase life Why keeping records, tagging plants, and growing over multiple years is essential What beginners should focus on first (hint: start small and enjoy the surprises)I’ll also share how I grow out my own seedlings, what I look for in keepers, and the traits that often don’t make the cut. And if you’re already dreaming of filling your garden with dahlias — including some from my own breeding patch — you’ll want to be on my launch list for November.Links & ResourcesBreeding Dahlias BlogDahlia propagation BlogRegister for our weekly newsletter  where you'll get information all out our new season Dahlias for 2026.  Dahlia tuber pre-sale opens 1st November 2025 (dispatch early 2026) & Dahlia breeding seeds release 1st January 2026 — the perfect New Year’s Day startLet’s ConnectIf you loved this episode, leave a review and let me know what you’d like me to cover next. And don’t forget — the best varieties always go fast, so join my list to get first dibs.

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