The Backyard Bouquet

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Steve Kaufer, also known as Sunflower Steve, shares his journey from planting a prairie garden to becoming a renowned sunflower seed breeder. Starting with planting native prairie flowers in Wisconsin, Steve's passion for flowers has led him to cultivate unique sunflower varieties over the last 20 plus years. Through trial and error, Steve established relationships with large retailers and wholesalers, eventually focusing on high-volume production of sunflowers and zinnias. His innovative methods, such as using birds of prey to deter rodents, set him apart in the flower farming industry.

Steve's dedication to seed breeding led to the discovery of a rare double-flowering sunflower named Gigi, sparking his interest in enhancing sunflower genetics. By carefully selecting and cross-pollinating different varieties, Steve has created stunning bicolor and maroonish colored sunflowers. Despite challenges like frost and pest control, Steve's unique approach to flower farming showcases the intersection of nature, innovation, and dedication in creating beautiful blooms. Join Steve on a journey through the vibrant world of sunflowers and the art of seed breeding, where each petal tells a story of resilience and growth.

Shownotes:

https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/12/ep-20-growing-sunflowers-with-sunflower-steve/

In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• 01:15-05:16: Steve's Journey: From Flower Farming to Sunflower Breeding
• 13:19-16:23: Maximizing Efficiency and Planning for Contingencies
• 0:26-23:33: Evolution of Steve’s Flower Farm
• 24:35-32:01: From Hobby to Breeding Success
• 37:51-41:40: Protecting Sunflowers from Rodents and Birds
• 01:06:30-01:09:47: Sunflowers and Camp
• 01:10:33-01:14:33: Breeding and Growing Unique Sunflowers

Learn More About Sunflower Steve:

• · https://sunflowersteveseedco.com/
• · https://www.instagram.com/sun_flower_steve
• · CBS Sunday Morning: https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/0Hr_4AyQAfnOZQeb44TCkxu_omlTvF4E/
• · Camp: https://www.crosswoods.camp/

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New episodes are coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

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Have you ever wondered how you can practice sustainable gardening in a small urban space? In this episode we are joined by Chia-Ming, a Los Angeles-based food-focused landscape designer. Chia-Ming is here to share her journey of going from corporate finance to a flourishing urban homestead.

Chia-Ming shares her expertise in blending culinary and floral beauty seamlessly, drawing from her upbringing cultivating rare Asian fruits and vegetables alongside her mother in Taiwan. Her passion for sustainable gardening led her to found Coastal Homestead in 2020, where she empowers gardening novices to become green-thumbed enthusiasts through innovative design and personalized mentorship.

In this blossoming conversation, Chia-Ming discusses the challenges and joys of urban gardening, the importance of soil health, and the unique aspects of coastal gardening, including dealing with powdery mildew and implementing biocontrol methods. Join us as we delve into the complexities of disease management in plants, highlighting the need for vigilance and responsible gardening practices.

Tune in to this episode as we explore the intricacies of growing food and flowers in small spaces, sharing valuable insights to inspire you to cultivate your own source of beauty and sustenance. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of sustainable gardening.

In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

00:01:16 - Chia-Ming's Background in Cultivating Rare Asian Fruits and Vegetables
00:01:38 - Transition to Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening
00:01:59 - Passion for Growing Exotic and Hard-to-Find Edible Plants
00:02:10 - Discussion on the Science of Gardening and Soil Importance
00:02:38 - Chia-Ming's Urban Gardening Space and Challenges
00:08:07 - Importance of Soil Testing for Backyard Gardeners
00:10:18 - Chia-Ming's Urban Garden Setup
00:11:59 - Year-Round Growing Season and Challenges
00:12:36 - Appreciation for the Growing Process and Gardening Journey
00:14:02 - Chia-Ming's Diverse Garden Overview and Projects
00:33:10 - Biocontrol Strategies in Gardening for Pest and Disease Management
00:42:08 - Discussion on Disease Control in Dahlia Cultivation
00:48:56 - Considerations for Disease Management and Plant Health in Gardening

Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/07/23/ep-30-coastal-homestead-small-urban-gardening/Learn More About Chia-Ming and Coastal Homestead:

• Website:https://www.coastalhomestead.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastal_homestead
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coastalhomestead

Sign up for our newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered what happens when a passion for music and farming intertwine to create a symphony of nature and artistry? In Episode 22 of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we journey down South to Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast of Australia to chat with the remarkable Bec McConnell of Serenade Farm.

Bec shares with us the beautiful story of how her love for gardening and flowers was nurtured from childhood memories of her Nan and Pop's garden, to her backpacking adventures in organic farms across England, Ireland, and Wales. After years of running an entertainment company, Bec and her husband finally realized their dream of owning a farm on Tamborine Mountain, where they initially focused on growing food.

However, it was a serendipitous encounter with a bunch of dahlias that sparked Bec's passion for breeding these vibrant flowers. Over the years, Bec has dedicated herself to hybridizing dahlias, creating unique and stunning varieties like Serenade Curiosity, Serenade Moondance, and Serenade Sonata, each named with a touch of musical inspiration.

Bec's story of passion and creativity will leave you inspired and eager to grow dahlias from seed. Tune in to hear the full interview with Bec McConnell of Serenade Farm and delve deeper into her journey of intertwining music and farming.

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In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• 00:01:19-00:01:30 Introduction to Serenade Farm
• 00:02:36-00:03:29 Bec's Journey into Flower Farming
• 00:09:16-00:09:27 Location and Climate of Serenade Farm
• 00:10:59-00:11:09 Hybridizing Dahlias
• 00:15:21-00:15:32 Assessing and Selecting Dahlias
• 00:31:47-00:32:08 Breeding Progress and Future Plans
• 00:32:39-00:32:50 Connecting with Other Breeders
• 00:33:40-00:33:50 Impact of Social Media and Community
• 00:40:18-00:40:29 Sharing Dahlia Names and Inspirations
• 00:42:01-00:42:12 Challenges and Benefits of Breeding Dahlias

Show notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/21/ep-22-intertwining-music-and-flower-farming-with-serenade-farm/

Learn more about Bec McConnell & Serenade Farm

• https://www.instagram.com/serenade_dahlias/
• https://serenadefarm.com.au/

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered how a backyard garden with just 10 dahlias could transform into a flourishing flower farm with over 1500 dahlias? Join Christopher Tomaso and Wyatt Thomas, partners at Darcy's Dahlias, as they share their journey on the Backyard Bouquet podcast. Tune in to hear their inspiring conversation about their growth from hobbyist dahlia growers to successful flower farmers.

In this episode, Christopher and Wyatt discuss their organic journey to becoming flower farmers. They share how they expanded their dahlia production from just a few plants to over a thousand, sharing their experiences and challenges along the way. Hear how they've dealt with everything from severe weather conditions to experimenting with different growing and propagation techniques.

Learn how Darcy's Dahlias has overcome obstacles like heavy clay soil and severe weather events, and how they turned setbacks into opportunities for growth. Learn about their approach to soil health, their strategies for supporting their dahlias in windy conditions, and their experiences with overwintering tubers and growing dahlias from cuttings.

Don't miss this engaging conversation with Christopher and Wyatt as they offer valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to turn their backyard garden into a successful cut flower farm. Tune in to the Backyard Bouquet podcast to hear the full conversation with these passionate flower farmers.

In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• Introduction to Darcy's Dahlias: 00:02:40-00:02:51
• Expanding Dahlia Production: 00:03:30-00:03:41
• Transition to Flower Farming: 00:04:22-00:04:33
• Growing a Variety of Flowers: 00:05:56-00:06:07
• Selling Flowers Locally: 00:06:24-00:06:35
• Urban Flower Farming: 00:07:09-00:07:20
• Challenges of Soil Improvement: 00:13:00-00:13:10
• Dealing with Severe Weather: 00:16:09-00:16:19
• Division of Farming Responsibilities: 00:36:26-00:36:36
• Future Plans for Darcy's Dahlias: 00:44:57-00:45:07
• Breeding and Hybridizing Dahlias: 00:46:13-00:46:23

Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/08/16/ep-33-darcys-dahlias/

Learn More About Darcy’s Dahlias:

• https://darcysdahlias.com/
• www.instagram.com/darcys_dahlias
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084431747613

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Sign up for our newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

Are you curious about what it takes to be a sustainable farmer-florist? In episode 23, we delve into the vibrant world of flower farming with Heather Staten from Heather's Flower Farm in Hood River, Oregon. Heather's journey from an avid gardener to flourishing flower farmer is a testament to her love for the earth and the beauty of cultivation.

In this episode, Heather shares her passion for growing over 250 varieties of flowers and foliage on her family's 18-acre property in Hood River, Oregon. From her commitment to sustainability, using no-till techniques and natural fertilizers, to her dedication to reducing the floral industry's carbon footprint, Heather's Flower Farm is a true example of eco-friendly flower farming.

Discover how Heather's flower farm is a family endeavor, with her husband, Ben, crafting the farm's infrastructure, and their children, Lottie and Jake, actively involved in the field and design. From weddings and events to bouquet subscriptions and farmer's markets, Heather's business model showcases the beauty and joy of locally grown flowers as a sustainable alternative to imported blooms.

Join us in this episode as we explore Heather's insights into the world of flowers, her tips for successful cut flower growing, and the joy of connecting with the season through blooms. Tune in to hear about her unique approach to bouquet subscriptions, the art of floral design, and the beauty of foraging for greenery on her picturesque property.

In This Episode You'll Hear About:

• 00:02:36 - Heather's journey into flower farming
• 00:06:02 - Overview of Heather's business model
• 00:08:42 - Heather's approach to full-service weddings
• 00:14:38 - The value of investing in floral education
• 00:26:44 - Sustainability practices in the wedding industry
• 00:29:39 - Building a hoop house for flower farming
• 00:30:25 - Forcing tulips in a hoop house
• 00:31:57 - Benefits of growing perennials for flower farming
• 00:35:50 - CSA bouquet subscriptions
• 00:43:23 - Benefits of growing perennials for sustainable flower farming
• 00:46:16 - Utilizing foraged greenery for floral arrangements
• 00:50:48 - Importance of local flowers
• 00:53:19 - Family involvement in Heather's flower farm

Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/28/ep-23-farmer-florist-heather-staten-heathers-flower-farm/Learn More About Heather’s Flower Farm:

• https://heathersflowerfarm.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/heathersflowerfarm/

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Sign up for newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3