Have you ever wondered how a simple backyard gardening hobby could blossom into a thriving family-run business supplying high-quality rooted dahlia cuttings to flower farmers and gardeners across the country? In this captivating episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Julie and Ryan Williams, the passionate duo behind Stonehouse Dahlias in Northern Utah.

Julie and Ryan share their heartwarming tale of transitioning from teachers to dahlia propagators, recounting the pivotal moment when they were approached to sell Kristine Albrecht's renowned K.A. Dahlia varieties through cuttings. The Williams' dedication to producing virus-free plants through tissue culture and their commitment to quality shine through as they discuss the challenges and triumphs of their business.

Tune in to hear expert advice on caring for dahlia cuttings, including the importance of timely planting, providing ample light, and amending soil for optimal tuber growth. The Williams' innovative approach to dahlia propagation, their resilience in the face of setbacks, and their ongoing experimentation with tuber growth methods make Stonehouse Dahlias a beacon of excellence in the dahlia community.

Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer or a budding gardener, this episode is sure to inspire and educate, offering valuable insights into the art of growing vibrant and healthy dahlias.

• 00:00:55-00:01:07: Introduction to Stonehouse Dahlias
• 00:02:23-00:02:33: Story of How Stonehouse Dahlias Got Started
• 00:04:22-00:04:33: Transition to Cuttings
• 00:09:27-00:09:38: Challenges and Growth
• 00:10:30-00:10:40: Collaboration with Kristine Albrecht
• 00:19:47-00:19:58: Growing Virus-Free Stock and Tissue Culture
• 00:22:51-00:23:03: Virus Elimination Process
• 00:26:32-00:26:42: Learning Resilience and Adaptation
• 00:36:13-00:36:25: Controlling Pests in the Greenhouse
• 00:41:55-00:42:05: Tips for Handling Cuttings
• 00:46:34-00:46:46: Getting Tubers from Cuttings

Learn More About Stonehouse Dahlias:

• Website: https://stonehousedahlias.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonehousedahlias/

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Sign up for newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3

In this episode, Melissa Hessney Masters, of Tangleboom Flower Farm, takes us on a heartfelt journey that began with a simple yet profound desire to find local flowers for her wedding back in 2010. This quest sparked a passion that led her to establish Tanglebloom in 2013. As we delve into her story, you'll hear about the myriad challenges she faced in the world of flower farming and how she gracefully navigated them.

Melissa also shares her innovative shift towards Agritourism, a move that has not only diversified her farm's offerings but also brought the beauty of Tanglebloom to a wider audience. One of the highlights of our conversation is the creation of Vermont's very first flower CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, a testament to her pioneering spirit and commitment to community engagement.

Throughout our discussion, Melissa emphasizes her dedication to sustainable farming practices, a topic that resonates deeply with many of us. We also explore the undeniable charm and popularity of peonies, a flower that has captured the hearts of many. Melissa even offers a sneak peek into her comprehensive digital course on growing peonies, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to grow these stunning blooms successfully.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical cut flower advice that you won't want to miss! So, grab your garden tools, find a cozy spot in your garden, and tune in to hear the full conversation with Melissa from Tangleboom.

• Melissa's journey to flower farming (00:02:30)
• Starting a flower CSA (00:07:18)
• Transition to agritourism and education (00:14:30)
• Focus on peonies and perennials (00:17:23)
• Agritourism and Glamping (00:22:48)
• Niche Down to Peonies (00:26:11)
• Lessons Learned and Challenges (00:33:00)
• Peony Growing Tips (00:36:56)
• Favorite Peony Varieties (00:42:57)
• Controlling botrytis and other diseases (00:49:08)
• Harvesting peonies and preventing thrips (00:57:52)
• Relocating and dividing peonies (01:02:25)
• Harvesting peonies in the first season (01:03:38)
• Harvesting and Marketing Strategy (01:04:49)
• Peony Course (01:07:44)

Show notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/06/15/ep-25-growing-peonies-with-tanglebloom-farm/

Learn More About Melissa & Tanglebloom:

• GrowAndSellPeonies.com - The Peony Course
• Tanglebloom.com - Learn more about Tanglebloom Flower Farm & Stays
• @tanglebloom - Follow on Instagram

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered about the art of drying flowers and creating stunning arrangements that last a lifetime? In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we have the pleasure of hearing from Hannah Muller, a cut flower farmer located in the beautiful Capay Valley of Northern California. Hannah shares her journey from growing up on Full Belly Farm to becoming a wedding farmer-florist to shifting her focus to dried flowers. We explore the process of drying flowers, the best conditions for drying, and the importance of harvesting at the right stage.

Plus, get a glimpse into Hannah's newly released book, "Designing with Dried Flowers," which offers 32 unique arrangements that capture the enduring beauty of dried flowers. From everyday wreaths to breathtaking celebration pieces, Hannah teaches us how to craft these beautiful arrangements ourselves, whether from a backyard garden or a simple supermarket bouquet.

Tune in to today’s episode to discover the secrets of preserving the fleeting beauty of flowers into something permanent and the joy of connecting people to the earth through Hannah's work.

In This Episode You'll Hear About:

• 00:02:29 - Hannah's Journey to Writing Her Book
• 00:03:05 - Growing Up on Full Belly Farm
• 00:05:01 - College Years and Return to the Farm
• 00:06:11 - Transition to Wedding Flowers
• 00:09:05 - Impact of COVID-19 on Wedding Industry
• 00:10:55 - Writing the Book on Dried Flowers
• 00:13:10 - Personal Stories and Inspirations in the Book
• 00:14:46 - Evolution of Flower Growing at Full Belly Farm
• 00:18:19 - Incorporating Dried Flowers into the Business
• 00:22:46 - Tips for Drying Flowers at Home
• 00:32:07 - Sunflowers and Other Dried Flowers
• 00:33:56 - Inside the Wreath Room
• 00:38:19 - Favorite Dried Flowers and Techniques
• 00:39:17 - Harvesting and Drying Techniques
• 00:41:28 - Experimenting with Drying Different Flowers
• 00:43:10 - Importance of Harvest Stage for Drying
• 00:45:13 - Outlets for Selling Dried Flowers

Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/06/04/episode-24-designing-with-dried-flowers-hannah-muller-full-belly-farm/

Learn More About Hannah:

• https://www.instagram.com/farmerhands/
• https://www.instagram.com/wreathroom/
• https://www.instagram.com/full_belly_farm/
• https://fullbellyfarm.com/
• Designing With Dried Flowers Book: https://amzn.to/4bADBC1

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Sign up for newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3