Have you ever imagined leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind to embrace the serenity of country living? In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, host Jennifer Gulizia sits down with flower farmer, Lexi Bokenkotter of Bokenkotter Blooms to delve into her remarkable journey from city living to becoming a successful flower farmer in rural Indiana.

Join Jennifer and Lexi as they chat about the joys and challenges of transitioning from a postage stamp-sized garden to a sprawling flower farm. Lexi shares her passion for sustainable living and community engagement, highlighting her commitment to organic practices and locally sourced compost. Lexi shares how she draws inspiration from fellow flower farmers like Floret and Muddy Acres, and how she has cultivated a diverse crop selection including dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, and more.

Throughout the conversation, Lexi opens up about her experiences with pests like corn borer beetles and her creative solutions to mitigate them naturally. She also discusses her on-farm events, such as U-picks and workshops, and her plans for future expansion.

Tune in to the full episode to be inspired by Lexi's dedication to sustainable farming practices and her flourishing flower farm business. Learn how she navigates the challenges of rural life and find out how she turns her passion for flowers into a thriving business that blooms with beauty and community spirit.

• 00:00:02 - Introduction to Flower Farming in Rural Setting
• 00:05:27 - Making the Leap: Transitioning to Rural Living and Flower Farming
• 00:06:17 - Exploring Property and Initial Plans for Flower Farming
• 00:10:12 - Challenges and Learnings in Starting the Flower Farm
• 00:11:26 - Diversifying Farming Activities: Events and Workshops
• 00:20:03 - Selling Flowers and Engaging with Florists: Business Expansion
• 00:23:39 - Sustainability Practices on the Flower Farm: Eco-Friendly Approaches
• 00:25:43 - On-Farm Events and Vendor Collaborations
• 00:29:08 - Addressing Insurance and Safety Concerns for On-Farm Events
• 00:30:14 - Managing Surrounding Agricultural Practices and Impact on the Flower Farm
• 00:33:02 - Balancing Wildlife and Livestock on the Flower Farm
• 00:34:58 - Challenges and Benefits of Having Animals on the Property
• 00:37:31 - Transition from Goats to Poultry on the Flower Farm
• 00:39:02 - Utilizing Acreage for Cover Cropping and Future Plans
• 00:40:02 - Primary Flower Crops and Expansion into Sunflowers
• 00:41:14 - Variety of Flowers Grown on the Farm
• 00:43:15 - Strategies for Dealing with Pest Control and Organic Practices
• 00:46:15 - Focus on Sustainability and Organic Practices in Flower Farming

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

• Kiss The Ground Movie: https://kisstheground.com/
• NRCS Grant: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/cig-conservation-innovation-grants

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 week to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered how you can practice sustainable gardening in a small urban space? In this episode we are joined by Chia-Ming, a Los Angeles-based food-focused landscape designer. Chia-Ming is here to share her journey of going from corporate finance to a flourishing urban homestead.

Chia-Ming shares her expertise in blending culinary and floral beauty seamlessly, drawing from her upbringing cultivating rare Asian fruits and vegetables alongside her mother in Taiwan. Her passion for sustainable gardening led her to found Coastal Homestead in 2020, where she empowers gardening novices to become green-thumbed enthusiasts through innovative design and personalized mentorship.

In this blossoming conversation, Chia-Ming discusses the challenges and joys of urban gardening, the importance of soil health, and the unique aspects of coastal gardening, including dealing with powdery mildew and implementing biocontrol methods. Join us as we delve into the complexities of disease management in plants, highlighting the need for vigilance and responsible gardening practices.

Tune in to this episode as we explore the intricacies of growing food and flowers in small spaces, sharing valuable insights to inspire you to cultivate your own source of beauty and sustenance. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of sustainable gardening.

00:01:16 - Chia-Ming's Background in Cultivating Rare Asian Fruits and Vegetables
00:01:38 - Transition to Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening
00:01:59 - Passion for Growing Exotic and Hard-to-Find Edible Plants
00:02:10 - Discussion on the Science of Gardening and Soil Importance
00:02:38 - Chia-Ming's Urban Gardening Space and Challenges
00:08:07 - Importance of Soil Testing for Backyard Gardeners
00:10:18 - Chia-Ming's Urban Garden Setup
00:11:59 - Year-Round Growing Season and Challenges
00:12:36 - Appreciation for the Growing Process and Gardening Journey
00:14:02 - Chia-Ming's Diverse Garden Overview and Projects
00:33:10 - Biocontrol Strategies in Gardening for Pest and Disease Management
00:42:08 - Discussion on Disease Control in Dahlia Cultivation
00:48:56 - Considerations for Disease Management and Plant Health in Gardening

• Website:https://www.coastalhomestead.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastal_homestead
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coastalhomestead

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

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 week to help keep your garden blooming!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a successful flower farm and create a unique on-farm experience for visitors? Today we are joined by Meg McGuire from Red Daisy Farm in Brighton, Colorado. Meg is here to share the inspiring story of how her family turned their property into a vibrant community hub, offering everything from wholesale flowers to overnight farm stays.

Meg's journey began with a wedding request from her cousin, sparking her love for flower farming. Over the past 11 years, she has navigated the challenges of crop failures, physical demands, and balancing work and personal life. Meg's dedication to her farm and her family's involvement in the business exemplifies the importance of succession planning and passing down the farm's legacy.

At Red Daisy Farm, guests can enjoy DIY flower buckets, floral workshops, and unique accommodations like converted silos with stunning mountain views. Meg's commitment to building relationships with florists and providing a memorable experience for visitors showcases the hard work and passion that goes into running a flower farm. Her story serves as an inspiration for those looking to create a thriving agricultural business while maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

• 00:00:55 - Introduction to Red Daisy Farm
• 00:05:31 - Expanding into Farm Stays
• 00:07:18 - Family Involvement in the Farm
• 00:19:09 - Irrigation and Water Sources
• 00:22:00 - Creation of the Natural Swimming Pond
• 00:15:25 - Challenges with Hail and Crop Loss
• 00:31:01 - Succession Planning for the Farm
• 00:35:25 - Flower Sales to Florists
• 00:36:50 - DIY Flower Buckets and CSA
• 00:43:21 - Flower Workshops and Events
• 00:44:26 - Importance of Taking Time Off

• Red Daisy Farm: https://www.reddaisyfarm.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/reddaisyfarm/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/reddaisyfarm1

• Follow The Blooms: https://www.youtube.com/@flowers.for.people/
• Zeta Water Management Systems: https://zetarod.com/
• Icy Breeze Car Cooler: https://www.icybreeze.com/

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

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!