Imagine turning a small urban garden into a flourishing ½ acre flower farm—all while homeschooling four kids and battling postpartum depression. That’s exactly what Galena Berkompas accomplished, and she’s here to share her inspiring journey on the Backyard Bouquet podcast. Galena transformed her life through the power of flowers, starting with little knowledge and a modest space in 2020, and has now grown into a successful flower farmer known for her sustainable practices and heartwarming story. Join us as we explore the therapeutic effects of gardening and how flowers brought joy and purpose back into Galena's life.

Balancing a bustling family life with a thriving flower farm is no small feat, but Galena has found a way to weave her children into her passion seamlessly. From homeschooling to farm chores, her young ones are learning the value of hard work and the wonders of nature. Galena opens up about the tough decisions she’s had to make, like dropping summer CSAs to focus on her family, and shares humorous anecdotes of her kids’ farm escapades. You'll also discover her strategies for maintaining profitability while nurturing her children’s education and childhood, as well as exciting future plans like selling seeds and expanding her farming operations.

But Galena’s story doesn’t end there. Learn how an unexpected Airbnb listing led her to the perfect 6-acre property and how she’s embracing organic and sustainable farming practices. Listen to her serendipitous tale of purchasing her dream farm, negotiating with sellers, and managing unexpected challenges. Galena’s social media success, nearing a million followers on Instagram, underscores her genuine connection with her audience and commitment to sharing her journey. Tune in to this episode for an uplifting and informative discussion on flower farming, family, and the serendipitous joys of life.

• 00:02:10 - Galena's Inspiration for Flower Farming
• 00:04:30 - Transition from Hobby to Profitable Flower Farming
• 00:06:45 - Involving Kids in the Farming Process
• 00:10:35 - Balancing Business and Passion for Flower Farming
• 00:12:39 - Managing Profitability and Personal Preferences in Flower Farming
• 00:13:21 - Transitioning to a Larger Flower Farm Property
• 00:16:46 - Involving Family in the Farming Operation
• 00:21:45 - Balancing Work Ethic and Family Time on the Farm
• 00:27:13 - Finding the Perfect Property for Flower Farming
• 00:32:07 - Implementing Natural Pest Control Methods on the Farm
• 00:40:04 - Unexpected Discovery of New Farm Property
• 00:44:08 - Challenges and Successes in the Farm Property Purchase
• 00:49:46 - Impact of Social Media Presence on Flower Farming Journey

Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/06/25/ep-27-micro-flower-farm/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microflowerfarm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microflowerfarm
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn62VzXv-XdA9Kq1hVpUolQ
• Website: https://www.microflowerfarm.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered how a simple backyard gardening hobby could blossom into a thriving family-run business supplying high-quality rooted dahlia cuttings to flower farmers and gardeners across the country? In this captivating episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Julie and Ryan Williams, the passionate duo behind Stonehouse Dahlias in Northern Utah.

Julie and Ryan share their heartwarming tale of transitioning from teachers to dahlia propagators, recounting the pivotal moment when they were approached to sell Kristine Albrecht's renowned K.A. Dahlia varieties through cuttings. The Williams' dedication to producing virus-free plants through tissue culture and their commitment to quality shine through as they discuss the challenges and triumphs of their business.

Tune in to hear expert advice on caring for dahlia cuttings, including the importance of timely planting, providing ample light, and amending soil for optimal tuber growth. The Williams' innovative approach to dahlia propagation, their resilience in the face of setbacks, and their ongoing experimentation with tuber growth methods make Stonehouse Dahlias a beacon of excellence in the dahlia community.

Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer or a budding gardener, this episode is sure to inspire and educate, offering valuable insights into the art of growing vibrant and healthy dahlias.

• 00:00:55-00:01:07: Introduction to Stonehouse Dahlias
• 00:02:23-00:02:33: Story of How Stonehouse Dahlias Got Started
• 00:04:22-00:04:33: Transition to Cuttings
• 00:09:27-00:09:38: Challenges and Growth
• 00:10:30-00:10:40: Collaboration with Kristine Albrecht
• 00:19:47-00:19:58: Growing Virus-Free Stock and Tissue Culture
• 00:22:51-00:23:03: Virus Elimination Process
• 00:26:32-00:26:42: Learning Resilience and Adaptation
• 00:36:13-00:36:25: Controlling Pests in the Greenhouse
• 00:41:55-00:42:05: Tips for Handling Cuttings
• 00:46:34-00:46:46: Getting Tubers from Cuttings

Shownotes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/06/23/ep-26-stonehouse-dahlias-industry-leaders-in-growing-virus-free-dahlia-cuttings/

Learn More About Stonehouse Dahlias:

• Website: https://stonehousedahlias.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonehousedahlias/

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!

Sign up for newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3

In this episode, Melissa Hessney Masters, of Tangleboom Flower Farm, takes us on a heartfelt journey that began with a simple yet profound desire to find local flowers for her wedding back in 2010. This quest sparked a passion that led her to establish Tanglebloom in 2013. As we delve into her story, you'll hear about the myriad challenges she faced in the world of flower farming and how she gracefully navigated them.

Melissa also shares her innovative shift towards Agritourism, a move that has not only diversified her farm's offerings but also brought the beauty of Tanglebloom to a wider audience. One of the highlights of our conversation is the creation of Vermont's very first flower CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, a testament to her pioneering spirit and commitment to community engagement.

Throughout our discussion, Melissa emphasizes her dedication to sustainable farming practices, a topic that resonates deeply with many of us. We also explore the undeniable charm and popularity of peonies, a flower that has captured the hearts of many. Melissa even offers a sneak peek into her comprehensive digital course on growing peonies, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to grow these stunning blooms successfully.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical cut flower advice that you won't want to miss! So, grab your garden tools, find a cozy spot in your garden, and tune in to hear the full conversation with Melissa from Tangleboom.

• Melissa's journey to flower farming (00:02:30)
• Starting a flower CSA (00:07:18)
• Transition to agritourism and education (00:14:30)
• Focus on peonies and perennials (00:17:23)
• Agritourism and Glamping (00:22:48)
• Niche Down to Peonies (00:26:11)
• Lessons Learned and Challenges (00:33:00)
• Peony Growing Tips (00:36:56)
• Favorite Peony Varieties (00:42:57)
• Controlling botrytis and other diseases (00:49:08)
• Harvesting peonies and preventing thrips (00:57:52)
• Relocating and dividing peonies (01:02:25)
• Harvesting peonies in the first season (01:03:38)
• Harvesting and Marketing Strategy (01:04:49)
• Peony Course (01:07:44)

Show notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/06/15/ep-25-growing-peonies-with-tanglebloom-farm/

Learn More About Melissa & Tanglebloom:

• GrowAndSellPeonies.com - The Peony Course
• Tanglebloom.com - Learn more about Tanglebloom Flower Farm & Stays
• @tanglebloom - Follow on Instagram

***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***

If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.

New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!