Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler
Join Lisa Mason Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop on the Field and Garden Podcast talking flower farming, cut-flower gardening, business, and all things related!
#418: Starting and Growing a Flower Farm
Dreaming of starting a flower farm, or wondering how to make yours more profitable? Growing beautiful flowers is just one piece of the puzzle! Lisa shares the essential foundations of a successful flower farming business, from finding customers and choosing what to grow to managing your time, avoiding costly investments, and producing flowers consistently. Learn how to build a business that supports the life you want, instead of taking it over.
Mentions
Free Live Masterclass: "Where to Sell Your Flowers" - choose from two dates! (Oct '26)
Lisa's Online Course: Flower F...
#417: Timing Disasters - Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Want more flowers with less work? Timing can make all the difference! Lisa shares four important lessons learned over nearly 30 years of flower farming, from when to start seeds and harvest blooms to installing support netting and preparing garden beds. Discover how doing these simple jobs at the right time can save you weeks of extra work and frustration!
Mentions
Free Live Masterclass: "Where to Sell Your Flowers" - choose from two dates! (Oct. '26)
Lisa's Books: Growing A Beautiful Life, Cool Flowers
ASCFG.org: Association of Specialty...
#416: Ask A Florist: Selling to Florists, Pricing, and Design Tips
What do florists really want from local flower growers? In this episode, floral designer Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers and the FlowerMore community shares practical advice on selling to florists, pricing your stems, creating availability lists, choosing colors customers love, and designing with seasonal flowers.
Mentions
YouTube: Ellen Frost Flowers
Instagram: @ellenfrostflowers
Ellen's Online Community: FlowerMore
Ellen's Online Courses: Preparing to Sell to Florists, Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing
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#415: Why We Brought Back Our Seed Fundraiser
Nearly 20 years after first trying the idea, we’ve brought The Gardener’s Workshop Seed Fundraiser program back with better tools, simpler fulfillment, and the same goal: helping groups raise money while helping more people succeed at growing flowers from seed. Lisa shares how the program began, why it was put on hold, and how it works today.
Mentions
*New* The Gardener's Workshop Seed Fundraiser Program
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning a...
#414: The Forgotten Flowers of Spring
What happened to the flowers that once filled our spring gardens? Lisa shares the story of cool-season hardy annuals, why so many of these beautiful flowers were forgotten, and how learning when to plant them can bring an entirely new season of blooms back to your garden.
Mentions
Cool Flowers resources: Book, Online Course, Planning Tool
Lisa's book, The Cut Flower Handbook
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award...
#413: Have We Met? Lisa’s Flower Farming Story
How did a flower farmer with limited land, no greenhouse, no tractor, and no cooler build a successful flower farming business and eventually The Gardener’s Workshop? Lisa shares her story, the challenges that shaped how she grows and teaches, and some of the lessons she learned through nearly three decades of flowers, business, and figuring things out as she goes.
Mentions
Free Resources: All About Soil Blocking
Lisa's Book, Growing A Beautiful Life
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#412: How To Stop Overplanting
More flowers aren’t always better! In this episode, Lisa shares why overplanting can lead to weeds, missed harvests, broken succession plans, and garden burnout — and how growing less can actually help you create a healthier, more productive, and much more enjoyable cutting garden.
Mentions
Merlin Bird ID Phone App (free!)
Lisa's Book, Growing A Beautiful Life
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables...
#411: Birthing the Cool-Season Cut-Flower Planner
Cool-season flowers can be confusing because they don’t follow the same rules as warm-season flowers. In this episode, Lisa shares the story behind the new Cool-Season Cut-Flower Planner and explains how it can help you grow gorgeous spring blooms with more confidence.
Mentions
The Cool-Season Cut-Flower Planner
Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers
Lisa's Book, The Cut Flower Handbook
BIG Calendar-Journal
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, awar...
#410: Ask A Florist, with Ellen Frost
This episode of Field & Garden is a replay of a recent Ask Me Anything event with guest host Ellen Frost, one of our online instructors and the owner/head designer of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, Maryland.
Ellen shares practical floral design advice for working with seasonal, locally grown flowers — including favorite foliage for September weddings, how to keep hydrangeas hydrated, reliable flowers for fall boutonnieres, ways flower farmers can practice designing with what they grow, and why fall can be a great time to connect with florists.
Mentions
More fr...
#409: Fall Blooms Worth Planning For
Fall flowers deserve more attention — especially if you want rich color, useful texture, long vase life, and blooms that customers are excited to buy in September and October. In this episode, Lisa shares 13 standout flowers and foliage for the fall cutting garden, plus simple planning tips to help you time them well for next season.
Mentions
The Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop
Baker's Dozen Fall Flowers (find them here)
Florist's Knife
BIG Calendar-Journal
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#408: How to Ask for the Review
Happy customers are one of the best marketing tools a flower business can have, but they often need a simple invitation to share their experience. In this episode, Lisa explains why reviews matter, when to ask for them, and how to make it easy for customers to help others discover your flowers.
Social Media suggestion
"We hope you’re loving your experience with The Gardener’s Workshop! If you have a moment, we’d be thrilled if you could share your thoughts with us in a review. Your feedback helps our community grow and le...
#407: Landscape Tips From A Flower Farmer
A beautiful landscape does not have to feel like one endless chore. In this episode, Lisa shares practical flower-farmer habits — like planting in groups, planning before buying, choosing the right season, and feeding the soil — that can help create a more peaceful, low-maintenance garden.
Mentions
Preorder Lisa's New Book, Growing A Beautiful Life
The BIG Calendar-Journal
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Ha...
#406: Top 5 Mistakes, Cool Flowers Edition (Encore)
Cool Flowers can bring some of the earliest, strongest, and most rewarding blooms of the season — but only when their timing and needs are understood. In this episode, Lisa walks through five common pitfalls that can trip up gardeners and flower farmers, plus the simple shifts that can set you up for cool-season success.
Mentions
Silage Tarp
Plug Suppliers: Farmer Bailey, Ball Hort/Colorlink
Cool Flower Seeds from The Gardener's Workshop
Lisa's Book, Cool Flowers
Online Course: Cool Flowers from Seed to Harvest
TGW Phone App/Live Shopping Show
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#405: Cool Flowers, Unveiling the Truth (Encore)
If you are a Southerner or a Northerner, you may think the Cool Flower concept doesn't work for you. Nothing could be further from the truth! When you find your planting time sweet spot, you will be the envy of all your grower friends, and your customers will think you are nothing short of a miracle worker!
As a Southerner, I spent years at the farmers market watching customers love on my sweet peas and tell me why they can't be grown here - Ha!
Meanwhile, I hear from...
#404: July Check-In: Spring Flowers Start Now
It may be hot outside, but now is the time to start thinking about spring flowers. In this episode, Lisa shares why July planning is the key to earlier blooms, stronger plants, and a spring garden that’s already set up for success long before winter arrives.
Mentions
Register for a Free Live Webinar: When Do YOU Plant Cool Flowers?
The Garden Club of Virginia's Historic Garden Week
The BIG Calendar-Journal
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#403: When Everything Blooms at Once
What do you do when the garden bursts into bloom all at once — and then leaves you with buckets of flowers, wasted stems, or an empty-looking garden a few weeks later? In this episode, Lisa shares how simple succession planting can help spread out the work, extend the harvest, and keep flowers coming through the season.
Mentions
The Cut Flower Handbook: Hardcover, Spiral-Bound
The BIG Calendar-Journal
Plant-It-Pink Video Series (on YouTube)
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Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!...
#402: When Flower Sales Drop: What to Do Next
Summer slowdowns can feel discouraging when the flowers are blooming, but sales suddenly go quiet. In this episode, Lisa shares practical ways to make the most of the season: using extra flowers for marketing, creating simple offers, preparing for fall sales, and making smart decisions instead of panicked ones.
Mentions
Book, The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski
Amy's Organic Garden on Instagram
Rooster Pepper Seeds (for fall wreaths)
The Flower Farmer Club, Presented by The Gardener's Workshop
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Shop the TGW Online Store f...
#401: Good Flower Farming Advice Doesn't Expire
Trends, tools, and growing seasons may change—but the advice that builds successful flower farms remains remarkably steady. In this episode, Lisa shares the timeless lessons that help growers make wiser choices, protect their time and money, and build confidence season after season.
Mentions
Publication: Growing for Market
Frank & Pamela Arnosky (Website)
Lisa's Course: The Basics, Annual Crops, Marketing, and More
Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More
LIMITED-TIME Course Bundle Sale
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The Fiel...
#400: Top 3 Perennials That Pull Their Weight with Dave Dowling (Encore)
Which perennials truly earn their space on a cut flower farm? In this episode, Lisa and Dave Dowling reveal three standout crops that deliver lasting value through dependable harvests, manageable care, and strong sales potential.
Originally aired as episode #348 on 6/24/25
Mentions
Dave's Course: Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More
Flower Farming School Online: Growing Cut Flower Crops in Hoop and Greenhouses
Ball/Colorlink: plant broker
Walter's Gardens: perennial wholesaler
Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers
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#399: Random Tips, or Roadmap?
Flower farming advice is everywhere! But more information doesn’t always mean more clarity. In this episode, Lisa talks about the difference between collecting random tips and following a real roadmap, and why learning in the right order can save new growers time, money, and frustration.
Mentions
The BIG Calendar-Journal
Lisa's Course: Flower Farming School Online
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Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!
The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook...
#398: Choosing Crops that Make (and Save) You Money (Encore)
Want to make more money (and avoid wasting it) on your flower farm? In this episode, Lisa shares her hard-earned tips for choosing the best crops to grow for profit. From low-cost annuals to succession planting and market-smart decisions, get practical advice to help you grow a thriving flower business. Whether you're just starting out or refining your crop plan, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away!
Mentions
Lisa's Course: Flower Farming School Online
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#397: Buckwheat, A Speedy Summer Cover Crop
Empty summer beds can turn into weedy messes fast—but buckwheat is a simple cover crop that can step in while you wait. In this episode, Lisa shares why buckwheat is one of her favorite warm-season tools for suppressing weeds, feeding pollinators, building soil, and keeping the garden working between crops.
Mentions
Cover Crop, Buckwheat
Silage Tarp
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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 Work...
#396: The Power of Community (Encore)
Today, I am here to share my thoughts on something that has had a big impact on my flower farming journey personally: community. A community is powerful, no matter where you are on your flower farming journey. I created The Flower Farmer Club to be a safe place for us all to be motivated and encouraged, and to be a place for learning, inspiration, and exploration! I am so eager to join you on your adventure, and I look forward to seeing you in the club.
Mentions
The Flower Farmer Club, presented by...
#395: Just Don't Quit!
When flower sales suddenly go quiet, it can feel scary — especially when you’re new in business. In this episode, Lisa shares encouragement and practical next steps for slow weeks, reminding flower farmers to stay steady, keep finding customers, and just don’t quit.
Mentions
Download our FREE phone app for live shows and great deals!
The Flower Farmer Club, Presented by The Gardener's Workshop
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced...
#394: Bringing Joy Through Flowers - Meet Tricia of The Simple Sunflower (Encore)
Today we're thrilled to share an inspiring story! Meet Tricia from The Simple Sunflower, an organization that’s making a big difference in our community by repurposing flowers for those in need. In this interview, you'll learn what they do, how they do it, and ways to apply this in your own community as well. Together, we can bring a little more joy into the world, one bouquet at a time!
MENTIONS
The Simple Sunflower: Website, Instagram
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<...#393: Early May Garden Check-In
Early May is the perfect moment to pause, take a clear look at your garden, and make smart adjustments before the season gets away from you. In this episode, we walk through what to evaluate right now—from cool flowers to warm season plantings—so you can stay on track for a smoother, more productive season.
Mentions
The BIG Calendar-Journal
June 27, 2026: Open Farm & Warehouse Tour Info
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The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason...
#392: How Flower Farm Spending Makes or Breaks You (Encore)
Let’s talk money—the kind that keeps your flower farm alive or quietly drains it dry. In this episode, Lisa digs into the tough truth about spending on the farm: what’s worth it, what’s not, and how to make choices that lead to long-term success instead of slow collapse. If you're ready to face your farm finances head-on, this one's for you.
Originally published as episode #337 on 4/08/25.
Mentions
Free Phone App for Live Gardening Shows: Get the App
Lisa's Course, Flower Farming School Online
Shop the TGW Online Store for all you...
#391: Why Birds Matter In The Garden
A simple moment in the garden can remind us of what really matters. In this episode, Lisa shares how birds bring balance, beauty, and natural pest control—and how easy it is to welcome them into your space.
Mentions & How to Learn More
Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy
Lisa's Book, Vegetables Love Flowers
June 27, 2026: Open Farm & Warehouse Tour Info
Video: Growing & Maintaining A Native Plant Border
Merlin Bird ID phone app by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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#390: Simplicity of a Cutting Garden (Encore)
Today, we’re diving deep into the wonderful world of cutting gardens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this guide will help you create a cutting garden that brings joy and beauty to your life. Here, Lisa covers what you need to know to make your cutting garden thrive.
Originally aired 5/13/25
Mentions
[Register Here] Free Training with Lisa: The Secret to Big, Beautiful, Abundant Summer Flowers
Online Courses: The Easy Cut Flower Garden, Cool Flowers from Seed to HarvestBooks: Cool Flowers, Vegeta...
#389: Restored By Nature
Better flowers don’t always come from more effort—they come from better choices. Here, Lisa shares how working with nature, not against it, can transform your garden into something stronger, simpler, and more rewarding.
Mentions
Find locally-grown flowers: localflowers.org
Lisa's book: Vegetables Love Flowers
The BIG Calendar-Journal
Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!
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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...
#388: Lisa Talks Seed Starting on the No-Till Flowers Podcast (Encore)
On episode 28 of The No-Till Flowers Podcast, Lisa Mason Ziegler joined host Jennie Love to discuss all things seed starting! Jennie's focus is on regenerative farming. She invited Lisa on the show to compare seed starting techniques and discuss methods that support superior seed germination and seedling growth sustainably and regeneratively. Both Lisa and Jennie share lots of great resources for additional research and learning, see below for some of those links.
Podcast excerpts are published with permission.
Originally aired as Field & Garden episode #228 in March '23.
M...
#387: Follow Through to the Joy of Gardening
Starting a garden is exciting — but the real joy comes from following through on the small, important steps that make everything work. In this episode, Lisa shares how doing less, but doing it better, can completely change your garden and bring the joy back.
Mentions
Deer Repellent Sprays: Tree Guard, I Must Garden, Liquid Fence
Book: The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman
Products: Biodegradable Mulch Film, Flower Support Netting, Row Cover Kit
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#386: Why Collaboration Beats Competition (Encore)
Today I'm diving into a topic that I've never really talked about before: collaboration versus competition. Why are we so afraid of competition? Let's explore why collaboration can actually be more beneficial.
Mentions
Amy's Organic Garden on Instagram
Online Workshop: Collectives101
The Flower Farmer Club, presented by The Gardener's Workshop
Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!
Sign up to receive our weekly Farm News!
The Field and Garden Podcast is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers...
#385: Top 5 Steps to Start a Garden
Most garden problems start before the first seed is planted. In this episode, Lisa shares the five simple setup decisions that make a cutting garden easier to care for—and far more productive.
Mentions
Products: Garden Fork & Spade, TGW Seed Collections, Biodegradable Mulch Film, The BIG Calendar-Journal, The Cut Flower Handbook
Online Courses: The Easy Cut Flower Garden, Flower Farming School Online
Irrigation Suppliers: Dripworks and Berry Hill
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The Field and...
#384: Flower Farming Do's & Don'ts (Encore)
If I had the opportunity to restart my business today based on what I have learned since starting in 1998, these are some of the things that would change the course of my business. They seem so simple now, but when I was in the weeds-- I never even thought of these things!
Hope they help! ~Lisa
P.S. Listen through to the very end for an uplifting note from Jennifer!
Mentions
Lisa's Course: Flower Farming School Online
Shop the TGW Onlin...
#383: Smaller Is Better!
If your garden (or your to-do list) feels too big, this episode will feel like a deep breath. Lisa shares how cutting back her growing space—on purpose—actually increased her productivity, lowered stress, and brought the joy back into her season. Learn why “smaller” can make you a stronger, more profitable grower, and the simple shifts that help you get more from the beds you already have.
Mentions
The BIG Calendar-Journal from The Gardener's Workshop
Book: The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman
Live Class with Lisa: "Where to Sell Cut...
#382: 3 Steps to Fail as a Flower Farmer (Encore)
Today, I’m thrilled to share some important tips for anyone dreaming of starting a flower farming business. As I look back on my journey, I wish I had these resources when I started. This is about the three key steps that can lead to failure as a flower farmer. I’ve seen many passionate people vanish from the business, and it’s often due to skipping over some basic but crucial steps. I'd love to keep YOU from failing, and I hope these tips help you navigate the challenges of flower farming and keep your passion alive.
<...
#381: It's a Pull, Not a Push
In this episode, Lisa shares the deeper truth behind nearly 30 years of growing, teaching, and building The Gardener’s Workshop: success didn’t come from pressure or perfection—it came from following the quiet pull toward the work she loves. From discovering gardening as a dyslexic learner to building tools and resources that help others succeed, this is a gentle, inspiring reminder to listen to the tug that keeps you showing up, season after season.
Mentions
Documentary, The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
The BIG Calendar-Journal
Shop the TGW Online St...
#380: Keep It Simple, Keep It Profitable (Encore)
In this episode, Lisa shares a gentle but game-changing reminder: a focused plan beats a flashy one every time. If you're building a flower farm (or dreaming of one), tune in to hear why growing a few reliable crops, resisting the urge to overcomplicate, and sticking to your plan can lead to real, lasting success.
P.S. Listen through to the end for a special note from Julia!
Original air date 1/31/23 as Field & Garden #222
Mentions
Arnosky Family Farms on Instagram
...
#379: A Superpower for Beginner Flower Farmers?
Don’t Go It Alone: The Flower Farmer’s Superpower
Dreaming of flower farming success? There’s one simple (but powerful) strategy that can save you time, money, and burnout: community. In this episode, Lisa shares why building a solid support network might be the most important decision you make as a beginner flower farmer.
Mentions
Lisa's Private Online Community: The Flower Farmer Club
Lisa's Course: Flower Farming School Online
Book: The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski
Discover our online courses!
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