#355: Dave Dowling's June Q&A, Ask A Flower Farmer
This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners!
Topics Covered
- Peony care: fertilizer timing, summer watering, and planting in warm zones
- Dahlia care: watering needs, pests, mildew, pinching, and harvest technique
- Pest and disease basics: powdery mildew and spider mites
- Sunflowers and crop rotation: how to plant and when to amend beds
- Foliage picks for cut flower farms and shade-friendly perennials
- Practical reminders: soil tests, drip irrigation checks, harvest times
Episode originally aired 6/25/25 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 3:00PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts!
Mentions
Southern Peony: Growing Peonies in the South
Walters Gardens, an online perennial wholesaler
Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More!
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers, owner of The Gardener’s Workshop, Flower Farming School Online, and the publisher of Farmer-Florist School Online and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa’s Story and connect with Lisa on social media!
