Growing For Market Podcast

When he was running Ardelia Farm in Vermont, Bailey Hale found that many trending flower varieties were not available in quantities market farmers could use, or available at all, which led him to start brokering orders with other growers. In this interview, we hear about how that business grew until Farmer Bailey plant brokerage became the full-time business and moved to Portugal. Bailey tells us how his background as a floral designer and farmer helps him spot new varieties that will become important for flower growers. 

Bailey and host Rebecca Kutzer-Rice of Moonshot Farm discuss why growers are trying more fall planting of bulbs, what to start from seed and what to use plugs for, and thoughts on plug sizing. They also talk about coming developments in ranunculus, nigella, campanula, evergreen campanula, and dahlia breeding, including winter dahlias. They also talk about Bailey’s sweet peas and methods for growing them, and what they would do if they were starting over. Rebecca’s article from the May Growing for Market Magazine came up during the interview, so we linked it here if you want to read about “Strategies for reducing plant input costs on flower farms.”

Connect With Guest:

Website: farmerbailey.com

Instagram: @farmerbaileyplugs

Read the article “Strategies for reducing plant input costs on flower farms” by host Rebecca Kutzer-Rice from the May 2026 Growing for Market Magazine

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there’s only one that’s cooperatively owned by farmers. That’s GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

Soil is finally getting the attention it deserves, and though many of the best practices in the field hold true in the greenhouse, there are some important differences and that’s what we talk about this week with Judson Reid. We talk about why you can’t apply all the fertility a long-season crop like tomatoes need at the beginning of the season, and how to handle supplemental fertility needs. Judson tells us why water may be the most important input going into your greenhouse and what to get it tested for.

We also discuss how much organic matter is too much, why too much calcium can throw your soil out of balance over time, and how foliar testing can tell you whether your fertility plan is working or not before deficiencies show up. Some of this is covered in the Cornell publication “High Tunnel Best Management Practices- Long Term Soil Health and Fertility,” linked in the show notes.

Connect With Guest:

YouTube: @AgriculturewithJud

High Tunnel Best Management Practices- Long Term Soil Health and Fertility

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Their catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. They offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and their experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm’s needs. Growing For Market listeners are eligible for an exclusive discount. Visit 7springsfarm.com/GFM or give them a call at (540) 651-3228.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there’s only one that’s cooperatively owned by farmers. That’s GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

When Kate-Lynn Clark got the opportunity to take over a peony farm, it didn’t include the land. So she dug up and moved over 250 varieties of peonies to her family’s farm in Brownsburg-Chatham, Quebec. There she runs En Fleurs, shipping peony roots to Canada and the USA, so we figured she could tell us everything about planting and maintaining peonies!

We cover the difference between tree peonies and herbaceous peonies, why they need a certain amount of chilling for good blooming, and why intersectional peonies may be a more reliable option for southern growers. We also learn how often to dig, divide and replant peonies, and why this usually happens in the fall. We also talk about why single peonies are mostly for event work, but doubles are better for cuts, good varieties for cut flowers, and best practices for harvest and postharvest handling.

Connect With Guest:

Instagram: @en.fleurs

Website: enfleurs.ca

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there’s only one that’s cooperatively owned by farmers. That’s GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

In 2023, Maggie Taylor wrote an article for Growing for Market Magazine about several projects she had started as part of a grant program incorporating agroforestry into Delight Flower Farm in Illinois. Since many of the projects were on a three-year timeline, we thought this would be a great time to check in and see how they turned out! The projects included alley cropping, windbreak renovation, wildlife structures, cover cropping and adding an additional high tunnel through the NRCS EQUIP program. 

You can read her original article in the link above or show notes below. Then, hear what Maggie wishes she knew before starting her alley cropping project, how having perennials mixed in with annuals affects both, and why it’s a good idea to give yourself more time than you think you need for USDA grant projects. We also cover intercropping ideas so you can make some revenue off your perennial beds before they are mature, and talk about how having multiple programs on your NRCS application can improve the chances of getting your grant approved.

Connect With Guest:

Instagram: @delightflowerfarm

Website: delightflowerfarm.com

Read Maggie’s GFM article (discussed in the interview) : Flower farm incorporates agroforestry

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Their catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. They offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and their experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm’s needs. Growing For Market listeners are eligible for an exclusive discount. Visit 7springsfarm.com/GFM or give them a call at (540) 651-3228.

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

Farming is hard. Running it shouldn’t be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there’s only one that’s cooperatively owned by farmers. That’s GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

Chip and Susan Planck ran Wheatland Farms growing vegetables in Virginia for 37 years, and in this interview, we talk with them about what worked, what didn’t and what changed in market farming over almost four decades. We talk about founding farmers markets, and then how they pulled off 10-15 farmers markets every week during the season. That involved employing hundreds of people over the years, and we talk about why it was important to hire people and not have them work as apprentices or interns.

We also talk about narrowing down your crop list, the group farmland purchase that started the farm, and how they now live in a “hamlet” on their farm. We discuss advice for new farmers, how they rewarded workers who returned, and the business logic they used to build their farm steadily over the years. A lot of this is in Chip’s new book, Sky Blue Trades: Essays and epiphanies from thirty-seven years of vegetable farming.

Connect With Guest:

Book: Sky Blue Trades: Essays and epiphanies from thirty-seven years of vegetable farming

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

Farming is hard. Running it shouldn’t be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there’s only one that’s cooperatively owned by farmers. That’s GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!