In the world of flower farming, it’s common to start by growing all the flowers. There’s a certain wisdom in this approach, especially in the beginning—you get to experiment, discover what you enjoy growing, find out what thrives in your zone, and learn what your customers love. But as time goes on, trying to grow it all can become overwhelming. That’s where the idea of specializing comes in.

As the summer draws to a close, flower farmers often find themselves exhausted and worn out. The relentless heat, constant battle with bugs and disease, and the necessity to work in all kinds of weather take their toll. It's no wonder burnout is a common challenge in our field.

There are all kinds of tips and strategies out there to help with burnout on the farm. Take a day for yourself. Go for walks. Schedule time off. While these are all great ways to help you get through the rest of the season, they don’t address the root cause of the burnout. They’re simply a band-aid.

As a flower farmer, giving up growing annuals feels like a radical move. After all, annuals are the backbone of many flower farms, providing the vibrant blooms that fill bouquets and bring in a steady stream of income throughout the growing season. But after dismantling an ingrained belief that I had to work myself to the bone to be successful, I set out on a mission to streamline my business and prioritize what truly mattered to me. And in that process, annuals ended up on the chopping block.

Running a successful flower farm takes a mix of passion, hard work, and the right tools. Over the years, I've come to rely on a few trusty tools and resources both in the field and in the office that have made my job easier and my business more efficient. From apps that streamline daily tasks to tools that keep my field in top shape and flower varieties that never fail to impress, these are the apps, tools, suppliers and varieties that have earned a permanent place at Muddy Acres Flower Farm.