For cut flower growers, starting seeds indoors is an essential step toward extending your growing season and getting blooms earlier. Plus, it’s a great way to scratch that gardening itch while it’s still cold outside. In this article, I’ll show you everything you need to set up a successful seed-starting operation.

As fall rolls in, it’s time for many of us to start digging up our dahlia tubers. Why? Because if they’re left in the ground in colder climates where the soil freezes, your precious tubers will turn to mush. If you’re in a warmer region, you might be lucky enough to leave them in the ground all year. But for those of us in areas with freezing winters, digging and storing dahlia tubers is a must.

With so much information out there on how to dig and store your tubers, it can feel overwhelming. The truth is, there’s no one "right" way to do it. What I want you to take away from this article is that you have options, and the coolest part is that you get to choose what works best for your specific conditions. At the end of the day, this isn’t rocket science—the goal is simple: dig them out of the ground, and keep them dormant and alive through the winter. That’s it! Let’s dive into how to make it happen.

As the temperatures begin to drop and the fall season sets in, it’s time to start thinking about planting hardy annuals for the upcoming season. Did you think you were done with seed starting? Not so fast—don’t put those seed trays away just yet!

As summer's vibrant colors fade, the warm, earthy tones of fall come into focus. For flower farmers and floral enthusiasts, this season offers a great opportunity to create beautiful bouquets that capture the feel of autumn. Whether you’re new to flower farming or looking to enhance your selection, choosing the right flowers is essential for creating fall-inspired bouquets that will leave your customers saying, "I need that!".

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.

Have you ever had an empty space in your field and wondered what to plant? Many just plant what they enjoy growing the most or maybe what’s easiest to grow. But when you are running a cut flower business, you gotta look at it from a business perspective. What flower will provide the most yield. And when I say yield, I’m talking about profit.

It was mid-May and the last of our tulip crop had just left the farm. I finally had a chance to breathe and check on the peony field. Much to my surprise, Clair de Lune, our first peony to bloom, was starting to pop.

When I saw those soft yellow flowers, it hit me—why am I working so dang hard growing ALL the flowers when peonies bloom beautifully with minimal effort?

Peonies are the big, showy stars of the late-spring/early-summer garden. When the growing season transitions away from spring annuals and there’s a lull before summer annuals get going, peonies take center stage. While their show is short lived, they definitely make sure to make a statement while they’re around.

We are often bewildered with how to grow ranunculus. But once you understand their preferred conditions and what temperatures they can tolerate, it’s simpler than what you might think!

Peonies are the dreamy, fluffy stars of the early summer garden and a favorite for so many flower lovers. If there’s anyone who says they don’t absolutely adore them, I’m not sure I could ever believe them! In fact, they’re one of the few types of flowers I grow on my flower farm today.

So it makes perfect sense that many people anxiously await peony bloom time each year. Whether you’re a flower farmer interested in adding peonies to your flower farm or you’re a gardener wanting to add some of these beauties to your space, this resource will help you understand where and when peonies grow and bloom.

You’ve been bitten by the flower farming bug and are ready to dip your toes in the soil. But what the heck do you grow? The options are overwhelming and the pretty seed catalogs just keep coming!

Your goal is simple - you want to grow a good mix of easy to grow flowers that will allow you to make gorgeous bouquets. But how many do you plant? How do you divvy up the field? Should you grow just as much Statice as you grow Zinnias? The questions just keep coming.

So, you've decided to start a flower farm—that’s exciting! As you start taking the first steps towards making your love for flowers as a full-time business, it won’t take you long to run into this million dollar question: How many flowers should I grow on my flower farm?

Like most big questions like this, I’m sorry to say that there isn’t a cut and dry answer. The number of flowers that’s right for you depends on a variety of factors—and some of those factors are out of your control.

But while there is no magic formula to tell you exactly how many flowers you should grow, I want to help give you the information you need to help make the best decision for you.

Dahlias are loved by gardeners, flower farmers, and customers for good reason. Their variety of colors and shapes, along with their ability to thrive in late summer and fall, make them a popular choice for cut flowers. Whether you're just starting out or growing your farm, dahlias bring beauty and reliability to the table.

I knew in the beginning peonies would have a place at Muddy Acres Flower Farm. 7 years later and they are one of the only 5 flowers we grow. And for good reason. Once they are planted, they require minimal labor. They get better year after year. The demand for peonies is unmatched. They can be shipped across the country and the price per stem is seductive. These qualities make for a dream product.

My tailgate slowly opened to reveal the goods inside. I felt like I was hustling gold chains in NYC except it wasn’t gold chains. I had tulips that resembled limp spaghetti noodles with a bulb dangling from the bottom. The florist, her staff and the bank tellers from across the parking lot were rummaging through my stash and building piles to buy.

So you’re ready to jump head first into growing your own cut flowers and you’ve reached the most exciting part so far: deciding which flowers to grow. But when choosing seeds, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the options and just choose the flowers you think are the prettiest. It’s also easy to feel like you need everything — especially when you’re a beginner. 

But what’s more important than having a wide variety of flowers is having types that are are easy to grow, produce a high yield and are still beautiful.

Starting a cut-flower field is not as simple as picking a spot in your yard and converting the grass to soil. I wish it was. Instead, you want to choose a location that sets your field up for success. In this article we will go over six key factors to consider when choosing the location for your field.

Trying to decide if a raised garden bed is right for your cut flower garden or farm? Consider the pros and cons before choosing the best method to grow your flowers.

When I was ready to buy my first hoops to make a low tunnel, it was a mystery. I couldn’t find them anywhere. Where were growers getting these horseshoe shaped tubes? And then I realized that I had to MAKE the hoops. Come to find out, it’s actually pretty easy. Let me show you how!

When it comes to planning your cut flower field, zinnias should be the foundation. From their ease of growing and prolific production to a rainbow of beautiful color varieties, zinnias are a great choice for any flower field.