23. Cut Flower Secrets - When to Harvest & How to Condition for the best Vase Life
In this episode, I’m getting into the not-so-sexy but absolutely essential topic of flower conditioning — what it is, why it matters, and how to do it properly. Whether you’re a newbie with your first bucket of cosmos or a seasoned grower supplying weddings, this one’s for you.I walk you through the best time to cut specific flowers (including tulips, dahlias, zinnias, snapdragons, sweet peas, and poppies), and explain how to actually condition them for long-lasting vase life. Expect practical tips on:Exactly when to harvest each flower for maximum vase lifeWhy conditioning isn’t optional (and the most common mistakes to avoid)My go-to routine and tools for healthy, hydrated, flop-free stemsThe difference between soft, sappy, and woody stems — and how to treat themWhy your zinnias are turning the water brown (and how to stop it!)PLUS: You can download "The Ultimate Flower Conditioning Guide" When to Harvest & How to Condition the Top 50 Cut FlowersAND: read the blog - Cut Flower Vase Life & Conditioning Guide - How to Make Your Blooms Last Longer If this episode helped you upgrade your post-harvest routine, I’d love it if you could do just one thing to help thsi podcast to grow and reach more people: Follow the show so you never miss an episode or Leave a review — it genuinely means the world and helps me shape future episodes.If you are feeling more generous then you could do both but that may be one step to far for my ask, I know !
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22. Succession Sowing 101
Ever wonder how some gardeners already have armfuls of colour while you’re still rummaging for your seed trays? It’s not magic — it’s timing. And in this episode, I’m pulling back the compost curtain on succession sowing — specifically why August is prime time to start.You’ll learn:Why autumn-sown hardy annuals give you earlier, stronger blooms (and the Instagram bragging rights to match)The secret to succession sowing that fills your garden with colour every week, not just in MayExactly what to sow now (and what to save for later)The difference between cool flowers, biennials, and tender annualsHow I stagger sweet peas and cornflowers across the seasons to hit every bloom window and wedding dateThis one’s jam-packed with tips, timing tricks, and real talk on growing smarter — not just more.LINKS & RESOURCESRead my Succession Sowing Guide (PDFs, sowing charts, and month-by-month cheat sheets) Read the Cold Stratification BlogJoin the Weekly Newsletter — you'll be first in line for autumn grow-alongs, seed launches, and new-season DahliasFollow along on Instagram: @thehampshireseedcompanyYOUR TASK THIS WEEKGrab your phone, walk your plot, and dictate notes as you go. Spot the colour gaps and bald patches — then play matchmaker with hardy annuals to fill them. August you is planning. Future you is thriving.FOLLOW: If this episode got you itching to grab your seed trays and plan your best spring ever — make sure you hit ‘follow’ on The Blooming Garden Podcast so you don’t miss a single sowing tip, marketing strategy, or grow-along update.New episodes drop every week — and if you’re feeling generous, I’d love it if you left a quick rating or review. It helps other growers find the show and lets me know what’s blooming in your world.Subscribe, share it with a flower friend, and I’ll see you in next week’s episode! 🌸
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21. Snapdragon Secrets for Long, Straight, Florist-Grade Stems
Snapdragons might look sweet and cottagey, but don’t be fooled — these are serious cut flower powerhouses. In this episode, I’m diving into everything you need to know to grow tall, straight, florist-grade snapdragons from seed, whether you're a hobby grower or scaling up for serious sales.From understanding snapdragon group classifications (yes, that’s a thing) to sowing tricks, pinching hacks, and how to stop them curling in a vase — this episode is packed with practical growing tips you can apply right now.Why not all snapdragon seeds are created equal — and which ones to avoidWhat the Group 1–4 system means (and why Madame Butterfly is the rebel of the bunch)When to sow snapdragons for the best stems — and what to do if your greenhouse gets shady in winterWhether to pinch (and how to turn pinched tips into new plants for free)The #1 post-harvest mistake growers make with snapdragons — and how to keep those stems straightJane’s real-life sowing routine, plus what went wrong last year — and how she fixed it🛍️ Resources & Mentions:Shop snapdragon seeds – tall florist-grade onlyJoin our mailing list for the Snapdragon Grow-Along – it's free! ( If you are already registered with us you don't need to re register - I'll automatically send you the link when its time) Blog post - Growing Snapdragons If this episode got you fired up to grow better snapdragons this season:Follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s nextLeave a review — it helps more growers find usShare this episode with a flower friend who’s had a snapdragon flop or two💬 Got questions? Message me on Instagram @thehampshireseedco — or join the grow-along!
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20. The Florist’s Guide to Finding Dream Clients
Sick of posting “Bookings now open!” and hearing nothing but crickets? This episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down how to actually attract better clients to your floral business — the kind who value your work, pay on time, and come back for more. From defining your niche to fixing your website and building a proper marketing system (yes, more than just a pretty Instagram post), this one’s full of practical advice to help you grow sustainably — and profitably.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why dream clients don’t fall from the sky (and how to find them instead)How to speak directly to the people you want to attractThe real job of your website (spoiler: it’s not just looking pretty)What to stop doing today if you want more bookingsHow to build a marketing system that works for you — not the other way aroundSEO basics for florists + how blog posts can bring more traffic than InstagramWhy saying “DM to book” is losing you sales (and what to do instead)Episode Mentions & Resources: Listen to last week’s episode — Why Your Website MattersMy niche blog post — Finding Your Floral Sweet SpotAI for Florists Blog Post — get started with ChatGPT If this episode hit home, hit Follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow florist. Your dream clients are out there — now let’s help them find you.
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19. The Florist’s Guide to Building a Website That Sells While You Sleep
In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic many florists and flower farmers put off for far too long: your website. Not just having one — but making sure it actually works for you. Whether you're running a full-scale cut flower farm or designing bouquets from your kitchen table, your website should be attracting customers, answering questions, and taking payments (even while you’re elbow-deep in sweet peas).I’ll walk you through:The best platforms for flower growers and florists (Wix vs Shopify vs Squarespace)The non-negotiable elements every website needs to convert browsers into buyersHow to set up your site to take payment upfront — no more ghosting customersWhy SEO isn’t scary (and how to do it without jargon)A simple schedule for keeping your site fresh, seasonal, and sales-readyIf your site is out of date (or non-existent), this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to finally get it working for you — not against you. Resources & Links Mentioned:My wedding site: fuchsiabloomsflorist.comMy seed business: thehampshireseedcompany.comWebsite builders: Wix, Squarespace, ShopifyMy Business Blogs for more helpful information about setting up and running your business : Business Blogs
Perfect for gardening enthusiasts at any level, this podcast is your companion to cultivating success and beauty in your own backyard or flower patch. Hosted by Jane Westoby from Fuchsia Blooms Florist and The Hampshire Seed Company.
Each episode is a treasure trove of practical tips, expert advice, and insider flower farming guides designed to help you sow and grow with confidence and harvest with pride. Whether you’re dreaming of rows of neat vegetables or cutting flowers for bouquets all year round, we’ll walk you through every step.
Let’s grow together!
New Zealand