Today I’m joined by Lance Turner from Tomato Revolution (Wiltshire) — a proper tomato obsessive — and we break down what actually matters if you want strong plants and loads of fruit (not just a leafy jungle).

In this episode we cover the 8-week sowing rule, how to avoid leggy seedlings, why you should remove heat after germination, how to pot on deeper for stronger roots, what causes trusses not to set, and the feeding mistake that creates lots of leaves and hardly any tomatoes. We also talk blight — what helps, what doesn’t, and why ventilation is everything.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• When to sow tomatoes (the simple 8-week rule)
• Heat + light basics for sturdy seedlings
• Potting on deeper to build roots (and get more trusses)
• Why flowers drop / trusses don’t set (and the quick fix)
• Feeding: avoiding too much nitrogen so you get fruit

If you enjoyed this episode, share it and tag me — and come join my Grow-Alongs and growing guides for more UK-specific, no-fluff help.

Wholesale, Markets & Weddings All Mean Different Flowers

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest mistakes I see beginner cut flower farmers make: trying to grow one crop list for wholesale, markets, and weddings.

On paper, it sounds like diversification. In reality, these are three very different businesses — with different priorities, pressures, and flower requirements.

What I Cover

-Why “a bit of everything” creates stress and waste
Wholesale, markets, and weddings aren’t just different sales outlets — they need different flowers.

- Wholesale vs markets vs weddings
Wholesale prioritises consistency, reliability, and uniform stems
Markets are about colour, impact, and abundance
Weddings require precise timing, colour palettes, and backup plans

Trying to grow for all three at once often means your flowers don’t quite fit anywhere.

Why strategy matters more than skill
If things feel hard, it’s rarely because you’re bad at growing — it’s usually because your growing doesn’t match how you’re selling.

The power of choosing a primary sales channel
Focusing on one main sales route (with a sensible backup) makes crop planning, sowing schedules, harvesting, and pricing much clearer — without locking you in forever.

Key Takeaway

Wholesale, markets, and weddings all need different flowers.
Decide how you’re selling first, then let that guide what you grow.

Mentioned in This Episode

Blog: Finding Your Flower Farming Niche
Linked in the show notes to help you decide who you want to serve.

One Simple Action

Choose the sales channel you’re focusing on this season — and let that decision shape every growing choice you make.

Happy sowing, happy growing

If you likes this episode then follow for more.

This isn’t about algorithms, dancing on Reels, or becoming someone you’re not.
It is about understanding what running a flower business actually involves.

Here’s what we unpack:

🌱 Growing flowers ≠ selling flowers
Most beginners are better growers than they think.
The problem isn’t the flowers — it’s that no one knows they exist.

Posting occasionally, quietly launching a website, or mentioning it to a neighbour isn’t a marketing strategy. That’s hope. And hope isn’t a business model.

🌱 Why the growers who sell out aren’t “better” growers
They’re better communicators.

The growers you see selling out every week talk — consistently — about:

• what they’re growing
• why they’re growing it
• when it’ll be ready
• and who it’s for

Often weeks or months before they expect anyone to buy.

🌱 Why marketing is part of the job (even if you hate it)
If you want a sustainable flower business, you’ll likely spend more time marketing than growing.

That doesn’t mean shouting, being cringe, or chasing trends.

It means showing up, talking about your flowers, and repeating yourself far more than feels comfortable.

🌱 Marketing early stops waste later
So many growers:

• grow too much
• grow without a sales plan
• end up discounting, composting, or giving flowers away

Marketing lets you grow with intention — matching supply to demand and building relationships before you need the sales.

🌱 Simple marketing that actually works for beginners
No funnels. No ads. No tech overwhelm.

Good beginner marketing is:

• picking one or two places to show up
• talking about your flowers before you have them
• saying the same thing again (and again… and again)
• making it painfully obvious how to buy

If people are DM’ing you asking “are these for sale?” — your marketing hasn’t done its job yet.

🌱 You’re not just a grower — you’re a business owner
A flower business that doesn’t sell is just a very expensive garden.

That doesn’t make you less authentic.
It makes you sustainable.

And if you truly don’t want to do the marketing? That’s not failure — it’s clarity. But selling flowers long-term won’t happen without it.

A Realistic Look at “Two Hours of Marketing”

I break down exactly what those two marketing hours can look like — from taking photos and writing a simple email, to researching local outlets and planning next week’s content.

No complexity. Just consistency. Because consistency beats complexity every single time.

Mentioned in This Episode

🌱 Episode 15 + Blog: Planning for Profit – How Many Flowers You Actually Need to Grow