#314: Flower Farming: 5 Beginner Crop Plan Tips
by Lisa Mason Ziegler
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Whether you're new or improving your farm, these insights can help. The journey can be tough, but with commitment and adaptability, the rewards are worth it. Take the time to learn and experiment—your efforts will pay off.
1. Find Your Markets Understanding your market is the first step to successful crop planning. Consider factors like demand and pricing, which can change quickly, making thorough analysis vital.- Identify Your Customers: Know your target audience, whether florists, event planners, or supermarkets.
- Understand Their Needs: What flowers do your customers want? This informs your growing decisions.
- Plan for Timelines: Different markets have varying timelines; florists may need early week deliveries, while farmer’s markets may focus on weekends.
- Seasonality: Educate your customers about seasonal flowers, like tulips in spring.
- Mix Early, Mid, and Late Season Flowers: Keep offerings fresh year-round by offering complementary flowers.
- Plan for Customer Demand: Grow flowers that excite customers at different times, such as Iceland poppies early and zinnias later.
- Use Compost: Add compost regularly to enrich soil.
- Practice Crop Rotation: This maintains soil fertility and reduces disease.
- Encourage Beneficial Insects: Create habitats for beneficial bugs to control pests naturally.
- Plan Multiple Plantings: Plant the same crops at different times for continuous harvest.
- Focus on Consistency: Customers value being able to purchase their favorite flowers regularly.
- Know Your Space: Understand your land and what you can manage.
- Utilize What You Have: Use existing tools and resources.
- Consider Renting Equipment: If you need tools, consider renting when starting out.
The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers , owner of The Gardener’s Workshop,