Best Hoophouse Podcasts (2025)

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019: Foliage Picks: What to Grow in Your Cut Flower Garden 24:59

9M ago24:59

24:59

In this episode, we discuss the power of foliage in floral arrangements. Join me as I share my everything from discovering the exceptional vase life of thornless raspberries to exploring a variety of annual and perennial foliages like Nicandra, basil, Bupleurum, and eucalyptus. I offer innovative approaches to managing and harvesting woody foliage …

1
018: Innovating and Adapting a Cut Flower Market 27:24

9M ago27:24

27:24

Join me in this exciting episode as I share the dynamic world of cut flower growing, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. I'll discuss how I navigate changing weather, market demands, and innovative ideas to keep my flower business thriving. Through personal stories from recent months, I highlight the importance of direct custom…

1
017: Exploring Markets: Where to Sell Your Locally-Grown Cut Flowers 35:23

9M ago35:23

35:23

Join me as we explore the exciting world of selling cut flowers and the many market opportunities available for flower farmers. We'll discuss various sales channels, from farmers' markets to direct customer sales, and the importance of building a supportive community. I'll share my personal experiences and practical advice on harvesting and problem…

1
016: The Evolution of My Cut Flower Farm Stand 27:44

11M ago27:44

27:44

In this episode, I share how I grew from imagining sunflower fields for grocery stores to growing a range of flowers and creating a community through my farm stand. I'll give you practical advice on starting and running a successful farm stand, which includes having a walk-in refrigerator and 24/7 operation. I’ll also talk about the reality of bein…

1
015: Navigating May Madness: The Busy Season of Cut Flower Growing 21:10

11M ago21:10

21:10

This episode is packed with invaluable advice on managing the financial pressures of spring and preparing for a profitable summer. From my own journey of overcoming a $10,000 debt in my first year to practical strategies for navigating the intense periods of the growing season, you'll discover how to keep your flower farming dream alive and flouris…

1
014: Strategizing Your Focal Flower Succession Plan 21:05

12M ago21:05

21:05

There's something magical about the transformation of a seed into the bloom of a peony or the elegant curve of a lily stem. I've spent 16 years with my hands in the soil, coaxing these miracles into life, and in today's episode, I'm opening the garden gate to share this wonder with you. We'll traverse the seasons from the eager sprigs of pussy will…

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013: Raspberry Revelations: Turning Raspberry Foliage into a U-Pick Raspberry Patch 14:17

12M ago14:17

14:17

When life handed me raspberries, I didn't just make jam — I started a U-pick raspberry farm alongside my thriving flower garden. It's a tale that began with the hardy resilience of raspberry foliage, something I initially cultivated for its lasting beauty in bouquets. As my garden grew, so did the requests from my community, leading me down a path …

1
012: Preparing Beds in the Hoophouse for Cut Flowers 17:33

1y ago17:33

17:33

Join me as I walk you through the ins and outs of prepping your hoophouse for the new planting season. Sharing from my 16 years of hands-on experience, you'll get a sense of the various tools and techniques that can make your gardening both effective and manageable. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a newcomer to the soil, this episode is pa…

1
011: Market Competition: Resilience in the Face of Rejection 27:11

1y ago27:11

27:11

Listen in as I discuss the unexpected twists of joining larger markets, the harsh reality of being ousted, and the lessons learned along the way. We'll tackle the age-old saying, 'a rising tide lifts all boats,' and I'll share why this might not always ring true. This conversation is a candid look at the business dynamics that often go unseen behin…

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010: Setting Up Your Flower Field | Don't Overthink This 24:33

1y ago24:33

24:33

My journey in transforming my unyielding clay backyard into a flourishing oasis taught me that with a little love and a lot of compost, any soil can become a haven for your plants. This episode is brimming with wisdom on harnessing the natural power of the ground soil you're standing on. We'll discuss why a vibrant garden doesn't require fancy rais…

1
009: Succession Planting: Timing Your Seed Starts Right 22:28

1y ago22:28

22:28

In this episode, we are going through the critical steps of starting seeds and planning for a garden that dazzles from spring to fall. This is a goldmine for flower aficionados eager to refine their timing techniques and ensure a steady flow of blossoms to market. Discover how leveraging agricultural week numbers can sharpen your scheduling and why…

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008: Flower Farming Foundations: Starting Flower Seeds 101 20:35

1y ago20:35

20:35

Ever wonder why some gardeners seem to have a never-ending parade of blooms? It's all about getting the seed starting right, and that's what we're unpacking today. In our chat, I'll let you in on the secret world of flower seeds, from the ones craving a sunbath like the elegant snapdragons to the shade-seekers such as demure buplerum. We'll travers…

1
007: Seed Starting Strategy: Choosing the Ideal Method for Your Garden 23:32

1y ago23:32

23:32

As your guide through the world of cut flower farming, I bring my 16 years of green-thumb wisdom straight to your ears, spilling the dirt on seed-starting and the tools that transform a garden. You'll hear about my own shift from vast fields to a more personal touch with petals, weighing the worth of soil blockers against the simple click of orderi…

1
006: Blooming Profits: Harvesting Your Flowers and Learning from Your Farmer's Market 26:47

1y ago26:47

26:47

Join me as I recount the blossoming journey of selling at the farmer's markets. Listen in as I reveal the secrets to a successful market day, from efficient harvesting systems to on-site bouquet arrangements. You'll hear about the trials and triumphs of navigating customer expectations and the magic of real-time adaptation — like the joy of saving …

1
005: 3 Business Insights You Need to Implement Today & Few Unfiltered Opinions 24:26

1y ago24:26

24:26

Have you ever felt like your business was on the brink of blooming, only to find your profits withering away? Turn that frown upside-down because today I share with you the secret fertilizer that supercharged my cut flower farm's profitability. I’m not holding back on the juicy details of the 'profit first' approach, a game-changer in the world of …

1
004: My First Three Secrets for Successfully Growing Cut Flowers 23:42

1y ago23:42

23:42

Have you ever gazed at a vase of freshly cut flowers and wondered what it takes to create such beauty? Lucky for you, I’m here to sprinkle that magic into your life with my hard-earned wisdom from 16 years in the blossoming trenches. This episode is your seed packet of knowledge, offering expert advice for both budding enthusiasts and experienced g…

1
003: Cut and Come Again Flowers: What You Might Be Doing Wrong 12:52

1+ y ago12:52

12:52

Join me on a vibrant journey as I unveil the bountiful world of cut-and-come-again flowers, the garden gems that promise endless blooms, and a potential cash crop for the savvy grower. Tune in, and I'll share trade secrets from my 16 years in the trenches, teaching you how to cultivate a riot of color that's not just a feast for the eyes but also a…

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002: Blooming From Adversity: Pivoting When You Need To 25:59

1+ y ago25:59

25:59

Are you ready to uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about the world of flower farming? In this episode, I’ll walk you through my personal journey of transitioning to a farmer-florist business. From the hustle of trading markets and the bumpy road of labor challenges to the ultimate quest to simplify the business, I share it all. But my journey isn'…

1
001: My Story 24:46

1+ y ago24:46

24:46

From a humble vegetable garden to a bustling flower farm, follow my journey as I explore the world of cut flower farming. Discover how a simple passion for flowers blossomed into a thriving business and how, with an open mind, a spirit for learning, and a bold spirit, you too could cultivate your own floral success story. Join me as I bear my own t…

1
Welcome to Learn Cut Flower Growing! 4:42

1+ y ago4:42

4:42

Hey there, flower enthusiasts, and budding cut flower growers! Welcome to "Blossom Talk," the podcast that's about to take your passion for blooms to a whole new level. 🌸 Join us on this exhilarating journey into the vibrant world of flowers, where we'll unveil the secrets, the stories, and the sheer magic behind growing and selling cut flowers. Ou…

1
176: Jan Libbey of One Step at a Time Gardens on Scaling Up, Scaling Down, and Partnerships and Networking 1:10:34

6+ y ago1:10:34

1:10:34

Jan Libbey raises three acres of vegetables with her husband, Tim Landgraf, at One Step at a Time Gardens in North Central Iowa. With sales through their CSA and the North Iowa Fresh Food Hub, the market farm makes up one of multiple streams of income that include cash rent and CRP income on their 132 acre farm. We dig into how Jan and Tim have mad…

1
175: Lauren Palmer of Bloomsbury Farm on Sprouts, CSA, and Community Connections 57:28

6+ y ago57:28

57:28

Lauren Palmer raised 15 acres of vegetables in Smyrna, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. With year-round production, a sprouts operation, a 300-member CSA, wholesale accounts, farmers markets, and on-farm events, Bloomsbury Farm is a thriving hot spot in the local food scene in Nashville. We dig into how Lauren has built the farm from the ground …

1
174: Jack Algiere of the Stone Barns Center on a Diversified Farm, a Close Partnership with a Restaurant, and Innovative Production 1:14:31

6+ y ago1:14:31

1:14:31

Jack Algiere is the farm director for Stone Barns Center in the New York’s lower Hudson Valley. Actively farming since the early 1990s, Jack has been the director at Stone Barns since its inception fifteen years ago. Jack oversees the extensive and diversified farm operations, including indoor and outdoor vegetable production, small grains, and a d…

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173: Jean-Martin Fortier of La Ferme de Quatre Temps on Intensive Production on More Acres 1:15:34

6+ y ago1:15:34

1:15:34

Jean-Martin Fortier is most famous for his book, “The Market Gardener,” based on the high-output systems he developed at Quebec’s Les Jardens de la Grelinette, where his wife, Maude Helen, currently produces over $150,000 of produce on an acre and a half of production ground. He currently farms at La Ferme de Quatre Temps, an enlarged version of th…

1
172: Allan Gandelman of Main Street Farms on Meeting People’s Needs through Scaling and Marketing Decisions 1:17:17

6+ y ago1:17:17

1:17:17

Allan Gandelman raises 45 acres of crops at Main Street Farms in central New York state with his partner, BobCat. With twenty employees in its eighth year in business, Main Street Farms sells through a CSA, farmers market, and wholesale accounts. Main Street Farms got its start in 2011 with an acre of production and an aquaponics set up, so they’ve…

1
171: Caroline Pam and Tim Wilcox of Kitchen Garden Farm on Scaling Up, Value-Added Products, and Wholesale Marketing 1:20:07

7y ago1:20:07

1:20:07

Caroline Pam and Tim Wilcox farm 50 acres of vegetables at Kitchen Garden Farm in Western Massachusetts. Starting with an acre of produce in 2006, Caroline and Tim have steadily expanded the farm’s scale and added fire-roasted salsa and a naturally fermented sriracha to their farm’s production. We discuss the value-added products and how those fit …

1
170: Rebecca Graff and Tom Ruggieri of Fair Share Farm on CSA Transitions, Greening the Farm, and a Fermented Food Business 1:11:33

7y ago1:11:33

1:11:33

Rebecca Graff and Tom Ruggieri raise vegetables for a hundred-member CSA, manage a small laying flock, and operate a cottage-scale fermented food business at Fair Share Farm, 45 minutes north of Kansas City, Missouri. They’ve been farming together on family land since 2004 after meeting in the fields at Peacework Organic Farm in upstate New York. W…

1
169: Nate Fingerle of River Ridge Farm on Four Seasons of Fresh Vegetables in Rural Indiana 1:28:23

7y ago1:28:23

1:28:23

Nate Fingerle has been farming with his family at River Ridge Farm in north-central Indiana for ten years. With one-and-a-half acres of production and ten thousand square feet of high tunnels, River Ridge provides vegetables to its customers year-round. River Ridge has found success in a rural agricultural community with a combination of farmers ma…

1
168: Karen Washington of Rise and Root Farm on Self-Care, Managing Relationships, and Addressing Social Justice and Food Issues on a For-Profit Farm 1:20:19

7y ago1:20:19

1:20:19

Karen Washington owns and operates Rise and Root Farm with Lorrie Clevenger, Jane Hodge, and Michaela Hayes. Located in Chester, New York, just a little over an hour from New York City, Karen and her partners raise an acre of produce to serve two New York City Farmers Markets. Karen shares the story of finding land for farming in rural New York sta…

1
167: Genesis McKiernan-Allen and Eli Robb of Full Hand Farm on Four-Season Farming for Restaurants and Farmers Markets in Indiana 1:28:57

7y ago1:28:57

1:28:57

Genesis McKiernan-Allen and Eli Robb raise vegetables year-round at Full Hand Farm, 45 minutes northeast of Indianapolis. Going into year seven of their operation, Genesis and Eli have between four and five acres of produce production, with half of their sales going to farmers market and half going to restaurants in Indianapolis. Eli and Genesis di…

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166: Mike Madison of Yolo Press on Organic Fresh Flowers, Olive Oil, and Value-Added Products in California’s Central Valley 1:19:34

7y ago1:19:34

1:19:34

Mike Yolo raises 14 acres of organic olives, cut flowers, a variety of tree fruits, and the occasional vegetable crop at Yolo Press, near Davis, California. With his wife, Diane, Yolo Press creates olive oil and a variety of value-added products that are sold with the cut flowers through independent grocers and farmers markets in Davis. Yolo Press …

1
165: Olivia Hubert of Brother Nature Produce on Raising Salad Greens in Detroit, World War II Gardening, and Farm Yoga 1:23:05

7y ago1:23:05

1:23:05

Olivia Hubert farms with her husband, Greg Willerer, at Brother Nature Produce in Detroit Michigan, as well as at a farm an hour north of the city. Specializing in salad mix and fresh herbs sold to farmers markets, grocers, and restaurants, Brother Nature provides a living for both Greg and Olivia. Olivia grew up in Detroit, where she fell in love …

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164: Tom Kumpf of Double-T Farm on Right-Sizing the Farm, Rolling with the Punches, and Making the Transition to Full-Time Farming 1:21:19

7y ago1:21:19

1:21:19

Tom Kumpf raises about four acres of vegetables at Double-T Farm in Garner, North Carolina, just south of Raleigh. Double-T Farm markets through a CSA, restaurants, and a small neighborhood farmers market. Farming full time since 2008, and part time for many years before that, Tom and his wife, Theresa Ryan, have seen their share of transitions, fr…

1
163: Chandler Briggs of Hayshaker Farm on Farming with Horses in Walla Walla’s Wine Country 1:14:41

7y ago1:14:41

1:14:41

Chandler Briggs of Hayshaker Farm and his partner, Leila Schneider, make a living with about six acres of vegetables on the edge of Walla Walla, Washington. Now in their fourth season of production, Chandler and Leila do most of their farming with horses, and sell their produce through two farmers markets, restaurants, and a grocery store. Chandler…

1
162: Lorien Carsey and Shea Belahi of Blue Moon Farm on Farm Ownership Transitions, Farm-Life Balance, Complex Crop Rotations, and Custom-Packed CSA Shares 1:19:51

7y ago1:19:51

1:19:51

Lorien Carsey and Shea Belahi of Blue Moon Farm in Urbana, Illinois, raise vegetables for farmers market, restaurants, stores, and a CSA. With twenty acres dedicated to vegetable production, and ten high tunnels totaling just under half an acre of year-round production, Blue Moon Farm was founded in 1977 by John Cherniss and Michelle Wander, and no…

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