Bloommates – Details, episodes & analysis

duckduckpig.com.au

instagram.com/duck.duck.pig

milkingducks.com

Nikki's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pie-Gets-Bigger-Complementors-Competitors/dp/0646715984

In this conversation, Nikki Davey discusses the importance of collaboration in the flower farming industry, emphasising the need for an abundance mindset rather than a competitive one. She shares her journey from finance to flower farming, explores innovative practices that can benefit the flower industry, and highlights some case studies other agricultural sectors that she mentions in her book "The Pie Gets Bigger". The discussion also touches on the impact Grown Not Flown has on the flower farming community and the future of collaborations within the industry. Nikki stresses the importance of treating flower farming as a legitimate business and the need for data-driven decisions to enhance productivity and sustainability.

In this conversation, Katie and Sarah reflect on the past month of November on their Hunter Valley farms. They discuss some of the challenges they've been facing such as hot dry weather, compaction and compost contamination. This conversation highlights the complexities of agricultural business and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

In this episode, Katie and Sarah, two flower farmers from Australia, discuss the rapid transition to high temps in early Spring, share insights on direct sowing techniques, the excitement of designing for weddings (and Katie's big wedding drama). The conversation also touches on the complexities of colour descriptions and reflections on their farming journey as they look forward to the rest of the season.

Chapters

00:00 Spring Weather Changes and Impact on Flower Farming

06:08 Irrigation and Watering

12:40 Direct Sowing and Seed

19:05 Flowering Varieties and Seasonal Blooms

25:20 Wedding Preparation and Drama

31:28 Flower Sales Success

40:11 Physical Challenges in Flower Farming

48:42 Crop Trials

55:15 Seasonal Transitions and Future Planning

In this episode, Katie interviews Sarah about her unique experience in the world of flower farming. She discusses her urban growing space, the evolution of the crops she grows, and the importance of community. The conversation delves into the challenges she faces, particularly regarding time constraints and small space growing, and how she navigates the business side of selling flowers to florists.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flower Farming Journeys

10:02 Selling to Florists: The Business Side

14:39 Challenges in Flower Farming

19:35 Time Management and Farming Practices

24:00 Partnerships in Flower Farming

28:37 Future Crop Expectations and Innovations

In this episode, Sarah interviews Katie about her journey into flower farming, discussing her growing space, customer base, and the challenges she faces. Katie elaborates on her property, the flooding issues, and her approach to growing flowers sustainably. She also touches on her sales strategies, including a roadside stand and selling florists, and expanding her growing space. The conversation highlights the joy of harvesting, the business mindset required for flower farming, and the story behind the name 'Grown by Lightning Hollows.'

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flower Farming Journey

05:56 Customer Base and Sales Avenues

11:51 Favourite Aspects of Flower Farming

17:28 Weekly Workflow

23:18 Future Plans

In the very first episode of the Bloommates podcast, Sarah and Katie, two passionate flower farmers from Australia, share their journey into flower farming, their motivations for starting the podcast, and their experiences in the industry. They discuss the need for more Australian-specific content in the flower farming community, their personal stories, and the diverse flower varieties they grow. The episode also touches on building a customer base with florists and their future plans for the podcast, including upcoming episodes and topics.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bloommates Podcast

06:05 Personal Stories and Backgrounds

12:00 Starting Out in Flower Farming

21:49 Building a Florist Customer Base

Bloommates season 1 coming 2025.

Film & Foliage:

⁠www.filmandfoliage.com⁠

⁠www.instagram.com/filmandfoliage⁠

Wildflower Academy:

⁠www.wildfloweracademy.co⁠

⁠www.instagram.com/academywildflower⁠

The Harvest:

⁠www.quaylecottage.com.au/theharvest⁠

In this conversation, Sarah and Katie are joined by Ash Wheelhouse, a seasoned floral designer and founder of Wildflower Academy. They explore the intricacies of floral design, the challenges faced by florists, and the importance of local sourcing. Ashlee shares her journey in the floral industry, the impact of the pandemic on her business, and the creation of 'The Harvest', a local flower hub that connects growers and florists. The discussion also delves into the sourcing process for wedding flowers, the importance of focus when shopping, and the value of building relationships with growers. The challenges of sourcing local flowers compared to imports are explored, highlighting the benefits of quality and cost. The conversation also touches on the customisation available when working with local growers and the growing demand for unique and unusual floral varieties. Finally, the barriers to importing seed for desired flower varieties are discussed, shedding light on the complexities of the floral industry. In this conversation, Ash discusses her journey in the floral industry, focusing on the transition from traditional practices to sustainable methods, the establishment of Wildflower Academy, and the importance of community among florists. The dialogue explores the evolving perception of floristry as an art form, the significance of personal branding, and practical advice for growers considering entering the wedding market. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the perspectives of both florists and growers, effective marketing strategies, the importance of CRM systems for managing events, and the complexities of pricing in the floral industry. They also discuss the intricacies of floristry, including the challenges of foraging, pricing strategies, and the value of craftsmanship in floral design. They explore how growers can better understand their worth and the importance of community collaboration in the industry. The discussion also touches on personal favourites in flowers and trends.

This conversation explores the intricacies of selling flowers retail, focusing on roadside stands. Sarah and Katie discuss the selection of flowers, the different ways to sell flowers direct to consumer, the benefits and challenges of retail versus wholesale, customer engagement, marketing strategies, payment methods, and pricing. They also touch on the importance of social media and the hidden costs associated with running a flower business. Overall, the discussion provides valuable insights for aspiring flower sellers.

Bec, from Dish the Dirt, discusses the evolution of the Australian flower farming community, the challenges faced by growers, and the impact her podcast has had. We explore the importance of collaboration between growers and florists, the role of community in the industry, and the significance of platforms like Growers Avenue. The discussion also touches on sustainability practices, the future of flower farming, and advice for new growers entering the field.