Shows
The Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastFlower Farmers: It's a Real JobThe muddy, exhausting, and deeply rewarding reality of flower farming doesn't match the idyllic images you see on social media. When you picture flower farmers, you probably imagine whimsical figures floating through fields in flowy dresses, effortlessly gathering perfect blooms. But as Kenley and Lizzie of Wildly Native Flower Farm reveal, the truth involves 5:30 AM starts, battles with intimidating insects called cicada killers, and planning complex crop rotations 18 months in advance.The misunderstandings are constant and sometimes comical. From Kenley being mistaken for a plumber while grabbing lunch covered in mud, to Lizzie repeatedly being asked if...2025-07-2932 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastFrom Paychecks to Petals: Navigating Life as Your Own BossEver wondered what it's really like to run your own business? Behind the Instagram-worthy moments and "follow your passion" platitudes lies a complex reality that entrepreneurs rarely discuss openly."Being human and owning your own business is feeling everything deeply, but having to put a good face on." This powerful insight from our conversation captures the essence of entrepreneurship – a journey filled with both magical moments and challenging realities that test your resolve daily.When I left teaching with its pension and health benefits to start Wildly Native Flower Farm, people thought I was crazy. Th...2025-07-2442 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastThe Art of Product Launch: From Crickets to CustomersEver poured your heart into a new product only to hear crickets when you finally announce it? You're not alone. The difference between underwhelming launches and sold-out success isn't just about having a great product—it's about mastering the art of the launch itself.This episode pulls back the curtain on what really makes launches work in the flower business. Forget simply posting "link in bio" and expecting magic to happen. We're talking about the psychology, energy, and strategy behind launches that convert browsers into buyers.You'll discover why a launch is more like a pe...2025-07-1512 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastBeyond Garnish: The Untapped Power of Edible BloomsDive into the vibrant intersection where culinary arts meet floral design as we explore the transformative world of edible flowers. No longer relegated to mere garnishes, these botanical wonders are revolutionizing everything from cocktails to cakes, steaks to grazing tables – creating multi-sensory experiences that guests won't forget.The journey begins with dispelling common misconceptions about edible blooms. While pansies, violas, and lavender may be familiar faces in the culinary floral landscape, we venture beyond these standards to uncover unexpected flavor profiles. Did you know that delicate snapdragons pack a spicy punch comparable to salsa? Or that the In...2025-07-0838 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastBeyond Beauty: The Delicious Secret Life of FlowersDive into the enchanting world where beauty meets flavor as we explore the art and science of culinary florals. From those delicate viola-topped wedding cakes to peppery nasturtiums bringing life to summer salads, edible flowers create magic beyond mere visual appeal – they transform ordinary dishes into sensory experiences.Growing flowers for consumption requires a completely different approach than standard flower farming. We break down exactly what it takes: the commitment to organic practices, the precise timing of harvests (those early mornings matter!), and the meticulous handling required to deliver pristine, flavor-packed petals. Whether you're cultivating for chefs or...2025-07-0118 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastThe Goat Chase: True Stories From Flower Delivery AdventuresThe life of a flower delivery person is filled with unexpected adventures that rarely make it to social media. In this candid and entertaining episode, host Liza Goetz along with team members Kenley and Amber pull back the curtain on the chaotic reality behind those perfect flower deliveries.From the daily struggle of keeping water-filled buckets upright during transport (and the inevitable mold that grows when spills happen) to the surprisingly common challenge of finding unmarked houses down winding farm lanes, delivering flowers requires creativity, patience, and sometimes a good pair of running shoes. The team shares...2025-06-2442 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastOrchestrating Floral Magic: Behind the Scenes of Wedding FlowersThe devil truly is in the details when it comes to wedding flowers, but those meticulous touches create the magic that transforms a beautiful day into an unforgettable experience. At Wildly Native Flower Farm, our approach to wedding florals starts not with color palettes or Pinterest boards, but with your unique love story.Walking you through our personalized wedding journey, we reveal how our process differs from traditional florists. We limit our wedding calendar deliberately, ensuring each couple receives our undivided creative attention rather than becoming another templated production. Growing our own flowers gives us extraordinary flexibility—al...2025-06-1820 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastWet Your Plants: A Florist's Comedy of Irrigation ErrorsEver found yourself dragging a garden hose at sunset, wondering if there's a smarter way to keep your flowers hydrated? You're not alone. Irrigation might be the least glamorous part of flower growing, but it's the foundation that determines whether your garden merely survives or truly thrives.The balance is delicate – too much water invites disease and rot, while too little results in stunted growth and what I affectionately call "Barbie doll-sized flowers." Finding that sweet spot of consistent, deep watering builds strong root systems that support magnificent blooms, longer vase life, and healthier plants overall.2025-06-1021 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastHot Plants, Cool Tips: A Florist's Guide to Summer GardeningAs the mercury rises, even the most dedicated gardeners find their flower beds waving white flags of surrender. But summer heat doesn't have to spell disaster for your garden! Through practical wisdom and time-tested techniques, this episode unpacks everything you need to know about keeping your flowers vibrant and thriving during the hottest months of the year.We start by breaking down the science behind summer stress on plants and dive into transformative watering practices that go beyond basic sprinkling. The timing, depth, and frequency of watering makes all the difference between weak, wilting stems and resilient...2025-06-0715 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastA deep dive into Peonies!The humble peony might just be the most anticipated bloom in the flower world—a perennial powerhouse that has customers planning weddings around its fleeting season and flower farmers scrambling to extend its magical but all-too-brief window of perfection.Stepping into the world of peonies means committing to a long-term relationship. These stunning perennials take 2-3 years before producing sellable stems, but once established, they'll reward your patience for decades with some of the highest-value blooms in the cut flower market. At Wildly Native Flower Farm, our three 100-foot rows produce stems that wholesale for $3-5 each du...2025-06-0327 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastGet Ready for the Weeds: Mulch, Fabric and More!The never-ending battle against weeds is something every gardener faces, but few tackle it with the strategic approach needed to truly gain the upper hand. As flower farmers managing five acres of blooms, we've developed battle-tested methods for keeping unwanted plants at bay while nurturing our intentional plantings.Whether you're tending a small cutting garden or managing acres of flowers, our farm-tested advice will help you develop sustainable weed management practices that work with nature rather than fighting against it. Take this week's "bloom homework" challenge—tackle one problematic garden area using our methods and share your be...2025-05-2736 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastWildflowers: Ethical Foraging for Floral DesignStepping off the farm and into the wild, this episode explores the beautiful art of ethical wildflower foraging. Many assume our name "Wildly Native Flower Farm" means we simply gather wild blooms, but today we're discussing those who actually do venture into nature's gardens to respectfully harvest seasonal treasures.Whether you're a flower farmer, florist, or wildflower enthusiast, this episode equips you with knowledge to forage safely, responsibly, and creatively. Share your foraging stories and favorite finds with us on Instagram – we'd love to hear about your wild adventures!Support the showInstagram: ht...2025-05-1323 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastFlorist SustainabilityBeneath the romantic facade of the floral industry lies an uncomfortable reality that few are willing to address. This eye-opening episode tackles the dirty secrets hiding behind those perfect blooms, challenging both professionals and flower lovers to confront the true environmental cost of beauty.This isn't about perfection – it's about intention. Designers can remain creative and profitable while making conscientious choices that respect our planet. Consumers deserve transparency about where their flowers come from and how they're grown. Together, we can transform floristry from an industry that often works against nature to one that truly hon...2025-05-0723 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastHarvesting Flowers: When to Cut for Peak BloomA critical moment between a flower's first bloom and its peak determines how long it will last in a vase. Miss this window, and you'll lose days of enjoyment from your carefully grown blooms.Flower farmers Liza, Lizzy, and Kenly dive deep into the secrets of perfect harvest timing that dramatically extends vase life. They reveal why early morning cutting makes all the difference (and why noon to 3 PM is catastrophic for your flowers), plus share specific indicators for knowing exactly when to harvest everything from spike flowers to bulbs.Whether you're growing cut flowers...2025-04-2956 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastPests, Diseases, and Weather. OH MY!Battling aphids on delicate ranunculus, chasing Japanese beetles off prized dahlias, and racing against an incoming thunderstorm to stake sunflowers—these are just glimpses into the not-so-glamorous side of flower farming that we're diving into headfirst.Flower farmers face a relentless trifecta of challenges: persistent pests, sneaky diseases, and unpredictable weather patterns that can transform a perfect field into a disaster zone overnight. From the vampiric aphids that multiply faster than you can count to the powdery mildew that creeps across zinnias after a single humid night, we're breaking down the enemies and our battle strategies with re...2025-04-221h 01The Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastClippers vs. Knife: What we UseEver wondered if your choice of cutting tool is affecting your flowers' longevity? In this refreshing deep-dive, mother-daughter duo Liza and Lizzy from Wildly Native Flower Farm tackle the great clipper versus knife debate that divides the floral industry.The science behind flower cutting is fascinating—creating a clean wound at the stem end significantly impacts water uptake and vase life. As Liza explains, "When you cut a flower, you're making a wound, and how you make that wound affects how long the flower will last." This episode unpacks why traditional florists often prefer the precision of a...2025-04-1530 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastHow to Stand Out: Cut Flowers at MarketThe conversation doesn't shy away from practical challenges like preserving flowers in sweltering summer heat ("chasing the shade" and keeping everything in water until purchase), navigating social media strategies across different platforms, and battling the market vendor's worst enemy: wind. You'll laugh at Renee's advice for couples at the market: "If your partner stops to admire flowers and you keep walking, you've messed up!"Whether you're a seasoned market vendor or considering your first booth, this episode delivers actionable insights wrapped in warm, honest conversation. Share your own market setup photos with us on Instagram or tell...2025-04-0933 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastHow to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer: Florist Secrets You Must KnowEver wondered why some cut flowers wilt after two days while others stay vibrant for weeks? The answer isn't expensive preservatives or complicated tricks—it's about understanding the fundamentals of flower care from harvest to vase.Flower farm florist Lizzy Frey pulls back the curtain on professional flower longevity secrets in this practical, tip-filled episode. You'll discover why morning harvest matters, how local flowers dramatically outlast imports, and why keeping leaves out of water prevents premature wilting.Whether you're looking to maximize your farmer's market purchases or properly care for flowers from your own cutting ga...2025-04-0118 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastDay in the Life of a Flower FarmerJoin Liza, Kenley, and Lizzy as they pull back the curtain on what spring really means for flower farmers. From pre-dawn alarms and caffeine-fueled early mornings to the meticulous tracking of thousands of seedlings, you'll discover why this season both exhausts and exhilarates those who grow flowers professionally.The team shares candid insights about the controlled chaos of spring farming – battling unpredictable weather patterns, managing planting schedules that can make or break the entire season, and processing the notoriously messy tulip harvest. The spring hustle might be exhausting, but as the team reveals, those first specialty blooms ma...2025-03-2533 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastSeed Starting 101Starting flowers from seed is a transformative journey that opens up a world of possibilities most gardeners never experience. While it might seem intimidating at first, the rewards are worth it – greater variety, significant cost savings, and the pure satisfaction of nurturing something from its very beginning.As Kenly reveals from her years of experience managing our seed starting program, success comes down to understanding some fundamental principles. The 128-cell trays we use hit that perfect sweet spot for most flower varieties – enough space for healthy root development without the risk of becoming root-bound too quickly. Proper soil...2025-03-1836 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastSoil Secrets: How to Build Healthy Soil BedsIn this Flower Files episode, we take a refreshing dive into the vital world of soil—the unsung hero of any flourishing garden. Many people underestimate the difference between dirt and soil, completely missing how deeply they affect gardening outcomes. Drawing on our personal experiences at Wildly Native Flower Farm, we discuss various soil types—sandy, clay, silty, and loamy—and how each plays a distinct role in nurturing flower growth.Join us as we unravel the complexities of soil amendments and strategies to boost soil health, ensuring your flowers flourish with vivid colors and lush foliage. We’ll...2025-03-1135 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastFloral Greens: How to Select the Types & Why we Love ThemStep into the vibrant world of floral design in our latest episode, where we unveil the often-overlooked potential of greens. We'll delve into practical advice on sourcing greens, highlighting sustainable practices such as foraging from your own garden. Discover the joy of incorporating personal touches in your work while also embracing current trends that put greens in the limelight. From lush installations to minimalist settings where greens take center stage, we cover it all. By the end of our chat, you'll see greens through a new lens and understand their significant role in your creations. Do...2025-03-0421 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastThe Hardest Blooms to Grow & Why we Still Love Them!Ever wondered why certain plants, like eucalyptus and snapdragons, seem to have it out for your sanity? We share our personal encounters with these stubborn growers, recounting humorous mishaps and hard-earned lessons. Our greenhouse adventures include a laugh-out-loud tale of overflow chaos, and we emphasize the importance of strategic planning, especially with big events like Mother's Day on the horizon. If you've ever struggled with germination, our candid confessions might just make you feel a little less alone.Listen in to enjoy and get a giggle or two! Support the showInstagram: https...2025-02-2533 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastMechanics of Building: Tips and TricksEver wonder what goes into crafting those awe-inspiring floral arches? Join Lizzy as she demystifies the complex process, spotlighting the intricate mechanics behind these breathtaking installations. From the strategic use of chicken wire and floral foam to the collaboration with talented visionaries, Lizzy offers a comprehensive guide to turning ambitious concepts into reality. She also opens the floor to you, the listeners, inviting you to share your own experiences with memorable floral installations.Support the showInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/ Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40...2025-02-1819 minThe Flower Files: The Wildly Native PodcastHow to Start a Flower FarmIn 2016, as a college horticulture student and a seed-experimenting mom united by a shared passion for gardening. We discovered that flowers, not vegetables, were our unexpected ticket to a thriving business. This episode uncovers the pivotal moments that led us to embrace flower farming as a viable and fulfilling path, drawing on our family's rich gardening history and our love for entrepreneurship.Transitioning from part-time farmers to full-time entrepreneurs wasn't a walk through a daisy field. We faced infrastructure challenges, like relocating a hoop house, and made tough decisions to grow our business amidst the pandemic's upheaval...2025-02-1134 min