#378: Dave Dowling on "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:
- Getting smart deals on plants and bulbs in winter
- Alstroemeria for cut flowers - what to know
- Protecting plants from sudden cold and winter pests
- Lilies - which types can work for you
- Vase life, what lasts and what does not
- Rescuing a weedy perennial bed
- Peony care basics
- Pruning limelight hydrangeas
- Overwintering lisianthus and snapdragons
- Ordering plugs and supplies
- Underrated and overrated cut flowers
- Quick seasonal checklist
Episode originally aired 12/17/25 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
Field & Garden #361: Snapdragon Growing with Dave Dowling
Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers: ASCFG.org
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!
