Dish the Dirt

• From Bush Roses to Wildflower Advocacy – with Hannah Urquhart

  In this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with the vibrant and driven Hannah Urquhart, whose journey into the world of flowers began with a love for agriculture and a deep curiosity about how things grow. After completing her agricultural science studies, Hannah joined Bush Roses in New South Wales, where she now works full-time, surrounded by the beauty and challenges of flower farming.Hannah’s enthusiasm for Australian natives, her involvement with Wildflowers Australia, and her commitment to sharing knowledge are shaping her into a strong voice for the future of the industry. We talk about:How her upbringing and education inspired her career in flowersLife and work at Bush Roses — from early mornings to busy harvestsThe unique beauty and value of Australian native flowersHer role in Walk on the Wild Side, an event connecting growers and floristsWhy collaboration and education are essential for the industry’s futureIf you’re passionate about Australian-grown flowers, curious about how to start in the industry, or simply love hearing from people who are making a difference, you’ll find this conversation both inspiring and energising.Links & Resources:Connect with Hannah on Instagram: @agriculturalifeLearn more about Bush Roses: @bushrosesDiscover Wildflowers Australia: https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/Event: Walk on the Wild Side – https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/Subscribe & Review:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Dish the Dirt and leave a review. Your support helps more people discover the incredible stories behind Australian flowers.

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• Small Farm, Big Heart – Pretty Little Flower Farm with Sharon | Season Finale

  In this final episode of the season, host Rebecca Noble chats with Sharon from Pretty Little Flower Farm in Seville, Victoria. Sharon shares how her love of gardening, a lockdown during COVID, and a fascination with dahlias sparked a journey into flower farming — one that’s bloomed into a thriving roadside stall and a meaningful connection with her local community.Growing on just 400 square metres, Sharon proves that you don’t need acres to grow beauty — just intention, creativity, and a whole lot of heart. She opens up about the challenges of balancing work and flowers, how she designs her seasons around sustainability and sanity, and the pride of representing micro growers at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as part of Growers Avenue 2025.Plus, an important post-recording note on insurance for roadside flower stalls — a must-listen for anyone selling from home.Sharon’s journey from gardener to flower farmerStarting small: building a farm with salvaged materials and big dreamsThe magic of her roadside flower stall and why Saturdays are non-negotiableWhy she’s committed to only growing in summer – and how that helps prevent burnoutHer experience as part of Growers Avenue 2025 at MIFGSGiving back to her community and keeping flower farming sustainableAdvice for anyone starting out with limited spaceImportant insurance tips for roadside sellersSharon – Pretty Little Flower FarmLocation: Seville, VICInstagram: @pretty_little_flower_farmWe’d love to hear from you!📧 Email: [email protected] Noble – @dishthedirtTo all the growers, florists, listeners, and supporters – thank you for making this season of Dish the Dirt so special. Your passion, honesty and flowers continue to inspire. See you in soon!

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• From Dream to Dahlia Dynasty — Lorelie of Florelie Seasonal Flowers

  🌸 Episode Summary:This episode is a special one — recorded back in 2020, it captures the early days of Florelie Seasonal Flowers, a specialty cut flower farm in Bungaree, just outside of Ballarat, Victoria.Lorelie shares how a bunch of homegrown peonies gifted on her birthday planted the seed for what has since grown into a thriving, full-time flower farm. At the time of recording, Loralee was growing on a small scale with dreams of something bigger — and as of today, Florelie spans 2.5 acres of cultivated blooms on a 20-acre property.We talk about:The power of starting small (200 pots, 300 dahlias!)Transitioning from speech pathology to flower farmingHer passion for dahlia breeding and what makes Florelie’s tuber offerings so uniqueHow she connects with florists and customers through InstagramLessons learned about soil, irrigation, pests, and pinch pointsThe importance of understanding crop viability and niche valueHer long-term dream of a peony paddock — and how she’s slowly making it happenWhether you're a gardener, a florist, or dreaming of growing your own flowers — Loralee’s story is honest, practical, and deeply inspiring.🌼 Connect with Florelie:Website: www.florelie.com.auInstagram: @florelieseasonalflowers 💐 Want to Grow Your Own?Sign up for dahlia tuber sale alerts, workshops, and seasonal tips via their website. The online shop typically opens between July–August each year.🎧 Listen Now:Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

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• Growing Flowers for Seed: Emily from Petal & Bow Flowers

  n this episode of Dish the Dirt, we head to Coonamble, NSW, to meet Emily from Petal & Bow Flowers — a passionate grower carving out her own path in Australia’s warm, dry inland.What began as a maternity leave project has bloomed into four hectares of native paper daisies and a farm-based business focused not only on growing beautiful flowers, but also on harvesting and sharing their seeds. Emily shares her journey from backyard grower to managing a large-scale native flower operation, the clever ways she and her husband have built systems from scratch (including a DIY seed cleaner!), and how she’s now helping schools and community groups fundraise through meaningful flower-growing experiences.We also talk about:What it’s really like to farm in a hot, dry climateWhy paper daisies (Rhodanthe) are her hero cropThe importance of community, adaptability, and trial and errorHer experience joining Growers Avenue at MIFGSAnd the beautiful momentum building around Australian-grown flowers and seed sharingThis conversation is full of warmth, determination, and down-to-earth insight — a true reflection of Emily herself.🌼 Follow Emily:Instagram: @petalandbow.flowersWebsite: https://petalandbowflowers.com.au🌻 Want to support the show?Share this episode with a friend, tag us online, leave a review, or simply keep celebrating and buying local blooms.🎧 Listen on:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google | or wherever you tune in.

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• Love Sophie Floral — From Florist to Farmer with Sweet Peas, Sustainability & Soul

  Guest: Sophie, founder of With Love Sophie and Honey Bunch Farm Location: Yark, VIC — a picturesque valley near Mansfield with a short and unpredictable growing season, but loads of heart.What We Cover:Sophie's journey from floristry to flower farmingHow growing for florists shaped her crop choicesThe chaos and learnings from her first year (hello, flood + 300 lost dahlias!)Why she’s obsessed with sweet peas—and why they’re perfect for her business modelBuilding a product-based approach using seeds + cut flowersThe launch of her Micro Flower Farm ClubHer mission to grow more sustainable, foam-free floristry practicesThe role of wholesalers, co-ops, and collaboration in building a better industryEducating clients about seasonality and transparency around imported blooms🌸 Links & MentionsFollow Sophie: @hunnybunchfarm Sustainable Floristry Resource: Academy of WildflowerGrowers Avenue at MIFGSMentioned Growers: Josie from High Country Flowery, Marty from QC Flower Farm

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