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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25. Five Numbers Every Flower Farmer Should Know
If you’ve ever thought “I just need to grow more flowers” or “I don’t know if I’m charging enough” — this episode is for you.In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the five core figures every flower farmer needs to know. These aren’t fluffy numbers; they’re the ones that make or break your business. From calculating your true cost per stem to spotting which crops are quietly draining your profits, these are the figures that will help you move from guessing… to growing a profitable business with confidence.You’ll learn:How to calculate your true cost of production per stem (yes, even your labour counts!) Why knowing your target stem price is essential for profit — not just covering costs How to measure your yield per bed so you can ditch low performers and scale what works The power of setting weekly and monthly stem targets (and why this changes everything) How to work out your revenue per bed so you know exactly which crops are paying the rentBy the end, you’ll see how these five numbers give you clarity, confidence, and control over your flower farm’s success.Links & ResourcesFlower Farming Calculator — plug in your beds, crops, and get instant clarity on costs and yieldsPricing Flowers with Confidence BlogPlanning for Profit BlogLet’s Connect - If this episode was helpful, share it with a fellow grower who’s still guessing their numbers. And don’t forget to hit follow so you never miss an episode.
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24. AI for Your Flower Business - Chat GPT Prompts Every Beginner Needs
Are you a flower farmer or florist staring at a blank screen trying to write your website, social posts, or emails? AI tools like ChatGPT can help — but only if you use them right. In this episode, I’m sharing the first prompt every floral business owner should try, especially if you’ve been burned by cringey AI results in the past.I’ll walk you through how to train ChatGPT to sound like you, how to build a brand voice from scratch (even if you don’t think you have one), and how to make AI your marketing sidekick — not your worst nightmare.Whether you’re growing flowers or growing your audience, this episode will give you a total mindset shift around AI in your creative business.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why most florists get disappointing results from AI (and how to fix that)My exact foundational prompt to help you define your brand voiceHow to train ChatGPT to sound like you — not like a copy-and-paste robotThe importance of giving AI real brand context (like quoting Mary Portas or David Ogilvy!)How to use AI to brainstorm captions, content, and copy that actually sellWhy ChatGPT is a liar (yep!) Resources & Links:Blog with Free AI Prompts Starter Pack for Flower Farmers & Florists: Grab it hereMy Top 5 Begginers AI Prompts download
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