Can I visit your farm?
While I would so love to say yes, our farm is currently closed to the public. With a bustling business, wild children running about and a million and one things always calling for attention, hosting visitors just doesn't work at this time. But, do stay tuned because someday in the near future, visits will become possible.
How big is your farm?
Super tiny, just under 3 acres with a bit less in production. By squeezing things close together and maximizing every square inch we are able to grow and harvest an incredible amount of flowers on this small plot. City dwellers and new growers take heart! You can grow a thriving flower farm on even the smallest piece of land.
What kind of camera do you use?
I have a Canon Rebel XTI that I bought used from a friend for $150. You don't need a fancy camera to take beautiful pictures, just a lot of patience and beautiful subjects ; )
My favorite lens are 50mm 1.4 and 28-70mm 2.8
Where do you get those brown paper bouquet sleeves?
I buy all of my sleeves from A-Roo. Give Yolanda a call (830) 372-4770 and she'll get you set up with samples and pricing information. Ask for the brown Kraft sleeves. I've found that 18x16x5 is the perfect size for standard mixed bouquets.
You can find the detailed how-to: HERE!
Who do you get your greenhouses from?
Well, I have gotten our fleet of greenhouses from three different sources.
#1 Steuber's Distributing here in WA. Their houses, which I have two of, are both fantastic! Super sturdy, well made and since we're close, the shipping was free.
#2 Oregon Valley Greenhouses. I bought two houses from them this spring through an NRCS High Tunnel grant. Both were very reasonably priced, the service was great and the houses are very well made.
#3 Homemade structures. This season we are making 3-4 temporary houses based on a design by The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture. You can find the detailed how-to: HERE!
I'm a new grower, are there any books or publications you recommend I read?
Why yes, I have a big fat list!!!
The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski
Grow Your Own Cut Flowers and The Cutting Garden by Sarah Raven
The Hoophouse Handbook by Growing For Market
Specialty Cut Flowers by Armitage and Laushman
We're Gonna Be Rich! and Local Color by Pamela and Frank Arnosky
A yearly subscription to Growing For Market magazine (I write the flower column!)
Who are your favorite suppliers?
Plants: I go through my favorite broker, The Fred Gloeckner Company, to source nearly all of my perennial planting stock.
**If there are specific things you'd like to know, please leave any questions in the comment section below.
Do you use any kind of fertilizer after you plant your plugs to help them out of any transplant shock?
ReplyDeleteI do! We spray weekly w/compost tea +kelp +fish.
DeletePlants are also placed into highly amended beds full of compost and a good balanced organic fertilizer (9-3-4)
thanks for the reply. do you make your own spray? or buy a certain brand?
DeleteLove your Blog. I'd like to know if you grow lilies and tulips just one year and then pitch the bulbs, or do you use them on and on like we do in our home gardens?
ReplyDeleteWarm regards, Linda
we grow both as annuals and toss the bulbs after harvest
DeleteThanks for the answer/ advice.
DeleteJust curious about the different vases/urns/containers you use. Do you include them as part of the cost of the arrangement and the customer keeps them or do you get them back to reuse another time?
ReplyDeleteFor the large, fancy pieces (urns,silver, large glass) I include rental in the price of the bouquet. Then depending on the size of the event we either pick them up the next day or have the family return them to our drop spot within the week.
DeleteFor simple glass vases (bud vases, mason jars,glass cubes) we often arrange it so that guests can take the centerpieces home at the end of the night. Brides either provide the containers or I supply them and then add it in the cost.
Thanks so much for answering!
DeleteI learned about your farm from the post on Saipua's blog. I find what you're doing incredibly inspiring and I can't stop dreaming of one day having my own organic flower farm. I have some experience -- my family has a plot of land, Rabbit and Raven Farms, where we dry farm almonds, pistachios, and grapes. (I live out of state and only visit the farm every couple of months; my brother also lives out of state and farms on weekends. We do it for fun more than anything.) I also have a certificate in floral design.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious if you have any special training or if you can think of training you wish you had before you stated?
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous farm and flowers with the world!
Also,
Hey Shannon!
DeleteI am completely self taught.
Get the books on my list above and subscribe to Growing For Market and then devour them.
You'll have lots of questions and then we can talk : )
Email me after October to set up a time to chat.
My dream in the near future is to start a small CSA and flower farm. An acre or so to start. I plan to read all the books on your list. I've read a few including Eliot Colemans and Lynn Byczinskis and subscribe to Growing for Market. We are currently farm hunting and may be buying by this fall. Do you have any advise for a newby in Michigan? Should I start calling flower shops once I buy the farm?
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and articles!
Michelle
Michelle, I promise I'll do a big ole blog post on this specific topic soon.
DeleteIf you are too antsy or have specific questions before I do, we can set up a time to talk over the phone (I'm terrible at emailing these days).
info (@) floretflowers.com
Hi Erin - I am starting to act on my dream of having a cut flower farm and taking to market. We have 10 acres in SE Michigan and I have a degree in Agriscience. My question: Am I crazy? :o) I work full time and have 3 kids! I truly believe farming brings families together and really want to make this happen. Any advice? Start small? Less variety to get started? If you could recommend 5 flowers to start with, what would they be?
ReplyDeleteLove the blog!
Mandi, we should talk!
DeleteNo and yes on the crazy ;)
email me so we can set up a time by phone, i'll give you the scoop.
info(@)floretflowers.com
I live on a small farm and my zone is 5b....do you think it's feasable to run a smaller scale version of what you do in my zone? Also are your fields tile drained?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your knowledge!! I just love what you're doing! :)
Lynne, we are a zone warmer and only two wee acres.
DeleteYes, I firmly believe it is doable!
Get ready to work your ass off though ; )
Our soil is sandy loam so no tile needed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My winter is going to about research and thoughts and planning. I'm so excited!
DeleteLynne
I'm a florist in Australia, just finishing my third year of my apprenticeship, however over the past year I've found myself yearning to try my hand at farming. I love the idea of what you're doing, and your blog is so inspirational!! Three months left on my apprenticeship, but I've been doing an online course in growing cut flowers on the side (I'm one of those people who always has to be busy, I get fidgety otherwise!). Your farm is so amazing and inspiring, I'm suprised that most of our local farms are specialty (eg: only growing roses, or bouvardia and carnations, etc) and not as diverse in their range. Keep up the amazing work Erin! Your blog brings a smile to my face every update :)
ReplyDeleteah, thanks!
Deletekeep me posted on your progress : )
Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteYour article on dahlias in GFM suggests that you do not check for eyes in the fall but rather wrap all seemingly viable tubers in Saran and check for eyes after they have over-wintered. Is this correct? I really appreciate your articles in GFM. They have been so helpful during my first year growing for market. And your site is great.
Thanks,
Bill Johnson
oldcapecutflowers@gmail.com
I check them closely for eyes when I cut in the fall but can only really be certain in the spring when the swell. so I guess I actually check them twice.
Deleteso happy the articles are helpful!!!
I live in Maine. I just put up a new greenhouse on a piece of land that is covered with nasty grass rhizomes. My thought is landscape fabric and then bulbs in containers with straw bedding. Or direct seed in containers. I know it's December. The house isn't heated - warm during the day and freezing at night. Any advice? What varieties might come up (with the day time warmth) and then not sacrificed by the evening cold? Your work/passion is very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links! The Ivy Garth selection is just mind blowing!!! Not sure if I'll do cut flowers or potted plants at the moment. I had no idea there were that many hollyhock to choose from! And Zinnias!! Again, Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get your rose plants?
ReplyDelete