This week, Scott explores the intersection of science and artistry in the world of flower breeding. Dr. Keith Hammett, New Zealand's leading ornamental plant breeder, shares his passion for developing Dahlias, Sweet Peas, and Clivias that blend genetics, color, and creativity. Together, they discuss the delicate balance between science and art, the importance of scent in breeding, the joy of discovery, and how breeders quietly shape the world of floristry through their vision and dedication.

This episode is made possible by our sponsors:

Rooted Farmers: Connecting flower farmers and florists through one simple, trusted platform. Visit RootedFarmers.com and use code TFP25 for $25 off your new membership.

ASCFG: Supporting flower farmers with education, research, and community. Learn more at ascfg.org.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

Starting Fresh with Galena Berkompas

Building a new flower farm from the ground up!

In this episode, returning guest Galena Berkompas of Micro Flower Farm shares what it's like to start over on a new piece of land in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about prioritizing perennials, choosing cover crops, and balancing short-term crops with long-term investments. Galena also dives into her watering schedule, dahlia care, and the lessons she's learning as she rebuilds her micro farm from the ground up.

Highlights:

1 Starting fresh on new land

2 Planting perennials for long-term success

3 TEFF as a cover crop

4 Midnight watering schedule & overhead irrigation

5 Dahlia care and nitrogen timing

6 Managing pollinated blooms

7 Building structure with shrubs & greens

8 Balancing quick-income crops with long-term growth


Sponsors:

Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers — Learn more and join at ascfg.org 


The Gardener's Workshop — Helping flower farmers grow smarter at thegardenersworkshop.com

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!

If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

What Is Your Most Important Tool?

Madeline Hooper has such a great story. After years in public relations, competing as a ballroom dancer, and teacher she turned her focus to gardening and helping others. Together with her husband, she's spent over three decades creating and caring for their Rockland Farm in New York. She's also the co-creator of the TV series GardenFit, and she shares down-to-earth ways we can take care of our most important tool—our own body.

Whether you're planting, weeding, hauling buckets, or marathon wedding installations, her tips will help you move smarter, avoid aches, and enjoy the work we love for years to come. It's all about self-care and taking care of our bodies to let them continue to take care of us.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

My guest today is Jenny Marks from Clifton Springs New York, a grower and educator who has built her business from the ground up. Jenny runs Trademarks Flower Farm, a productive one-acre farm celebrated for its gorgeous early spring blooms and smart, efficient growing practices. Alongside her own farm work, she created Trademark Farmer, where she teaches and mentors small-scale flower farmers who want to build profitable, sustainable businesses of their own.

Jenny is also the voice behind the Six Figure Flower Farming podcast and teaches an in-depth online course of the same name, sharing practical strategies to help growers plan, market, and manage their farms with confidence. On top of that, she serves as the Northeast Regional Director for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, helping connect and support growers throughout the region and today Jenny is on The Flower Podcast.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

In this episode of The Flower Podcast, Scott is joined by Tina Barkley, co-founder of Fleurs de Villes. With more than 25 years in creative industries, Tina has built a career around bringing beauty, entrepreneurship, and storytelling together. She shares how floral artistry can go beyond decoration — becoming a way to tell stories, engage communities, and open new opportunities for your business.

From saying "no" as a chance to pivot, to embracing perseverance and creativity, Tina encourages florists, flower farmers, and designers to see exhibitions and collaborations as powerful stages for their artistry. Fleurs de Villes showcases what's possible when flowers meet imagination, and this conversation is full of inspiration for anyone looking to grow their business and creative voice.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

From timeless vessels that complement any bloom, to bold statement pieces that spark conversation, Accent Decor provides the tools you need to elevate your designs and showcase your creativity. Their ever-evolving collections are built with both beauty and functionality in mind, helping you share your unique floral story in every arrangement. Discover how Accent Decor can support your work by visiting accentdecor.com

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!

If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

On this episode of The Flower Podcast, I'm joined by Layne Angelo, Seed Director at The Gardener's Workshop and co-host of Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne, alongside Lisa Mason Ziegler — gardener, flower farmer, educator, author, and founder of The Gardener's Workshop. Lisa has been a guest before, and it was wonderful to welcome her back and to also chat with Layne for the first time.

Their podcast, Seed Talk, is a true treasure trove of information, offering growers practical guidance and insight into all things seed-related. In our conversation, we talk about the importance of planning ahead, the timing and value of cool flowers, and how keeping notes season after season can help you grow smarter.

Lisa also shares details about her brand-new Jumbo Calendar Journal coming soon, designed to help gardeners map out and customize their planting plans. This episode is full of encouragement, practical tips, and inspiration for anyone growing flowers from seed.

You can also listen to Lisa's past episodes with this link.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

In this episode of The Flower Podcast, host Scott Shepherd sits down with Franceska McCaughan, The Hotel Florist, to explore how florists can grow their businesses with weekly floral accounts. Franceska shares her journey from experimenting with flower bars to building a thriving business serving hotels, restaurants, and professional spaces. She explains why embracing trial and error, thinking profit-first, and creating memorable client experiences can transform your floral business.

You'll learn:

-How weekly accounts can create reliable, recurring income


-Why embracing "no" as "not right now" can open new opportunities


-The importance of knowing your numbers and setting profit-first goals


-Tips for building client relationships that last


Whether you're a florist, event designer, or flower farmer looking to add a steady revenue stream, this conversation is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Learn more about Franceska's Starter Challenge - 7 days to learn how to pitch to hotels!

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!

If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

This week, Scott sits down with Kori Hargreaves, the heart and hands behind Dawn Creek Farm, for a conversation rooted in seeds, selection, and the creative process of flower breeding. Kori shares insights from her decade-long journey developing new open-pollinated varieties—including her collaboration with Floret.

They explore the practical side of breeding—avoiding inbreeding depression, selecting for color and form, and choosing varieties that fit your market—and the deeper reasons behind saving seed and growing what lights you up. Whether you're a flower farmer, florist, or a gardener dreaming of your own breeding project, this episode will leave you inspired to look closer at what's blooming—and what's possible.

Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.