Looking Back and Moving Forward in Flower Farming with Lisa Mason Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop

Looking Back and Moving Forward in Flower Farming with Lisa Mason Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop

Author: Scott Shepherd, Host and Flower Educator November 5, 2024 Duration: 1:03:16

Lisa Mason Ziegler, cut-flower farmer, author, educator and founder of The Gardener's Workshop is returning to The Flower Podcast. Since 1998, she has cultivated her three-acre urban farm in Southeastern Virginia, producing thousands of flower stems weekly for florists, supermarkets, farmer's markets, and her members-only on-farm market. Lisa has authored several books, including Cool Flowers, and she is the creator of Flower Farming School Online, which has expanded to include courses for both flower farmers and florists, in addition to starting two podcasts, Field and Garden and Seed Talk.

I'm really excited to have Lisa back for a personal year-in-review for flower growers. It's been several years since our last episode, and I always learn something new from my conversations with her. In this episode, Lisa shares some of the valuable lessons she's learned along the way, many that are at the heart of what she teaches in her courses. We talk about the importance of setting clear goals and truly understanding your market. I appreciate how she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to tackle challenges with confidence while keeping customer convenience front and center. Her practical advice on building a solid foundation for success in flower farming is incredibly helpful, and she also offers a realistic perspective on business and the importance of continually moving forward. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow in the industry! 

Be sure to listen Lisa's other episode on The Flower Podcast and also search The Gardener's Workshop on our YouTube Channel to watch my chats and an instagram Live with Lisa. 

Learn more about Lisa and listen to her first episode with today's show notes and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. 

Sponsors of The Flower Podcast

The Gardener's Workshop

ASCFG 

Farmer Bailey

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor


Scott Shepherd has spent years immersed in the world of blooms, not just as a host but as an educator, and he brings that entire perspective to The Flower Podcast. This isn't just about pretty arrangements; it's a deep, root-level exploration of the entire floral industry. Conversations here weave between the practical realities of running a business and the sheer creative joy found in a garden. You'll hear from the people whose hands are in the soil-flower farmers and growers-as well as the designers, photographers, and entrepreneurs who translate that natural beauty into art and commerce. Each episode features a different voice from this vibrant community, sharing specific knowledge on trends, techniques, and the personal journeys that fuel a life with flowers. Whether you're a professional florist looking for savvy advice, a hobbyist seeking inspiration, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of nature and enterprise, this podcast offers a unique bouquet of insights. Tune in for genuine, meandering chats that always circle back to a shared passion, revealing the surprising depth and connectivity within the floral world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Flower Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Questions for a Floral Wholesaler: Scott Shepherd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
Welcome to The Flower Podcast, the podcast for anyone who grows or designs with flowers and even then, we talk about so much more. I'm your host, Scott Shepherd and I love chatting with guests about their stories, and un…
Are You Using The Old Farmer's Almanac? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:27
From planning your planting schedule based on lunar cycles to predicting weather patterns that could impact your crops, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been a go-to guide offering invaluable insights into moon phase plantin…
Replay: Get Back Up! Sandra Sigman of Les Fleurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:41
This week we're replaying our episode with our guest Sandra Sigman, award winning floral designer, owner of Les Fleurs, and author. She launched her first book, French Blooms, last year, which is a beautiful book display…
Dundee Butcher:  Paving the Future with Phoam Labs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
My guest is Dundee Butcher, a florist, educator, artist, and advocate for sustainability. After training with the premier London florists of Jane Packer Flowers and McQueens, Dundee established the Russian River Flower S…
The New Field Guide by Dr. Allan Armitage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:40
I'm thrilled to welcome my former professor, Dr. Allan Armitage, to this week's episode of the Flower Podcast. Dr. Armitage, a revered expert in cut flower production and a key figure in horticulture, has profoundly impa…