Have you ever wondered what happens when a passion for music and farming intertwine to create a symphony of nature and artistry? In Episode 22 of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we journey down South to Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast of Australia to chat with the remarkable Bec McConnell of Serenade Farm.

Bec shares with us the beautiful story of how her love for gardening and flowers was nurtured from childhood memories of her Nan and Pop's garden, to her backpacking adventures in organic farms across England, Ireland, and Wales. After years of running an entertainment company, Bec and her husband finally realized their dream of owning a farm on Tamborine Mountain, where they initially focused on growing food.

However, it was a serendipitous encounter with a bunch of dahlias that sparked Bec's passion for breeding these vibrant flowers. Over the years, Bec has dedicated herself to hybridizing dahlias, creating unique and stunning varieties like Serenade Curiosity, Serenade Moondance, and Serenade Sonata, each named with a touch of musical inspiration.

Bec's story of passion and creativity will leave you inspired and eager to grow dahlias from seed. Tune in to hear the full interview with Bec McConnell of Serenade Farm and delve deeper into her journey of intertwining music and farming.

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In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• 00:01:19-00:01:30 Introduction to Serenade Farm
• 00:02:36-00:03:29 Bec's Journey into Flower Farming
• 00:09:16-00:09:27 Location and Climate of Serenade Farm
• 00:10:59-00:11:09 Hybridizing Dahlias
• 00:15:21-00:15:32 Assessing and Selecting Dahlias
• 00:31:47-00:32:08 Breeding Progress and Future Plans
• 00:32:39-00:32:50 Connecting with Other Breeders
• 00:33:40-00:33:50 Impact of Social Media and Community
• 00:40:18-00:40:29 Sharing Dahlia Names and Inspirations
• 00:42:01-00:42:12 Challenges and Benefits of Breeding Dahlias

Show notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/21/ep-22-intertwining-music-and-flower-farming-with-serenade-farm/

Learn more about Bec McConnell & Serenade Farm

• https://www.instagram.com/serenade_dahlias/
• https://serenadefarm.com.au/

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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!

Are you ready to be inspired by a heartfelt story of healing, motherhood, and the beauty of dahlias? Join us on the Backyard Bouquet Podcast this week as we welcome Kamille, a flower farmer and mother, who shares her journey of finding solace in flower farming after experiencing grief and loss.

Discover the therapeutic power of flowers and the importance of prioritizing family and relationships through Kamille's touching story. Hear about her passion for breeding dahlias and the value of mentorship and community within the dahlia world.

Explore Kamille's approach to nurturing her daughters, each with their unique personalities, and gain insights into balancing flower farming with motherhood. Find inspiration in Kamille's message of encouragement and support, emphasizing the power of affirmation and building meaningful relationships.

Join us on this episode as we delve into the intersection of flower farming, motherhood, and the beauty of nurturing relationships through Kamille's inspiring journey. Let the Backyard Bouquet Podcast be your guide to wisdom, joy, and the transformative power of flowers. Tune in now to let your backyard bloom with Kamille's heartfelt tale.

Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/15/ep-21-balancing-motherhood-and-dahlias-kamilles-flowers/

In This Episode You'll Hear About:

• 00:01:07 - Kamille's Background in Flower Farming
• 00:07:26 - Importance of Flowers in Feeding the Soul
• 00:09:25 - Nurturing Relationships with Daughters in the Garden
• 00:15:50 - Passion for Breeding Dahlias
• 00:20:34 - Building Relationships in the Dahlia Community
• 00:39:00 - Prioritizing Family and Flower Farming
• 00:46:18 - Balancing Motherhood and Flower Farming
• 00:47:06 - Avoiding Comparison and Fostering Encouragement

Learn more about Kamille’s Flowers:

• https://www.kamillesflowers.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/kamillesflowers/
• https://www.whatcomcountydahliasociety.com/

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JOIN THE DAHLIA PATCH

Monthly LIVE Trainings, Q&A Sessions, & Online Learning Community To Help You Grow And Enjoy Healthy & Abundant Dahlias This Year

https://thefloweringfarmhouse.mykajabi.com/the-dahlia-patch-membership-growing-dahlias

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***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 are coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

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

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Steve Kaufer, also known as Sunflower Steve, shares his journey from planting a prairie garden to becoming a renowned sunflower seed breeder. Starting with planting native prairie flowers in Wisconsin, Steve's passion for flowers has led him to cultivate unique sunflower varieties over the last 20 plus years. Through trial and error, Steve established relationships with large retailers and wholesalers, eventually focusing on high-volume production of sunflowers and zinnias. His innovative methods, such as using birds of prey to deter rodents, set him apart in the flower farming industry.

Steve's dedication to seed breeding led to the discovery of a rare double-flowering sunflower named Gigi, sparking his interest in enhancing sunflower genetics. By carefully selecting and cross-pollinating different varieties, Steve has created stunning bicolor and maroonish colored sunflowers. Despite challenges like frost and pest control, Steve's unique approach to flower farming showcases the intersection of nature, innovation, and dedication in creating beautiful blooms. Join Steve on a journey through the vibrant world of sunflowers and the art of seed breeding, where each petal tells a story of resilience and growth.

Shownotes:

https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/05/12/ep-20-growing-sunflowers-with-sunflower-steve/

In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• 01:15-05:16: Steve's Journey: From Flower Farming to Sunflower Breeding
• 13:19-16:23: Maximizing Efficiency and Planning for Contingencies
• 0:26-23:33: Evolution of Steve’s Flower Farm
• 24:35-32:01: From Hobby to Breeding Success
• 37:51-41:40: Protecting Sunflowers from Rodents and Birds
• 01:06:30-01:09:47: Sunflowers and Camp
• 01:10:33-01:14:33: Breeding and Growing Unique Sunflowers

Learn More About Sunflower Steve:

• · https://sunflowersteveseedco.com/
• · https://www.instagram.com/sun_flower_steve
• · CBS Sunday Morning: https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/0Hr_4AyQAfnOZQeb44TCkxu_omlTvF4E/
• · Camp: https://www.crosswoods.camp/

***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 are coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

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