Are you curious about what it takes to hybridize dahlias in your own backyard? Tune in to hear how Vonda VandeHoef, PNW gardener, has become a ​​backyard dahlia hybridizer.

In this episode we are joined by Vonda VandeHoef, a passionate backyard gardener from the Pacific Northwest. Vonda shares her journey from growing up around flowers to becoming a passionate backyard dahlia hybridizer.

Vonda's love for flowers is deeply rooted in her family history, having grown up with a mother who ran a flower shop. She recounts how her early experiences in the floral industry planted the seeds for her current passion. Despite facing significant personal losses, including the sudden deaths of her sister, mother, and brother-in-law, Vonda finds solace and healing in her garden. Her story is a testament to the therapeutic power of gardening.

Listeners will be inspired by Vonda's detailed process of hybridizing dahlias, from saving seeds to growing out new varieties over several years. She discusses the challenges and joys of cultivating a diverse range of dahlias, including her favorite anemone types and the unique seedlings she has developed. Vonda also touches on her plans to name some of her dahlias in honor of her loved ones and her aspirations to support her family through her gardening endeavors.

Tune in to hear Vonda's heartfelt journey, her expert tips on dahlia hybridization, and how she manages to grow over 1,300 dahlias in her backyard. This episode is a beautiful blend of personal stories and practical gardening advice that will leave you feeling inspired and eager to let your own backyard bloom.

00:03:14 - Vonda's Early Passion for Flowers
00:05:45 - Transition from Interior Design to Floristry
00:07:09 - Color Theory in Floristry and Photography
00:09:29 - Vonda's Current Home and Garden
00:16:14 - Coping with Loss & Finding Healing Through Gardening
00:26:06 - Process of Hybridizing Dahlias
00:31:06 - Evaluating and Saving Dahlia Seedlings
00:32:50 - Favorite Dahlia Varieties
00:37:16 - Family Support and Business Aspirations
00:41:07 - Evolution of Vonda's Garden
00:43:39 - Sharing Flowers with the Community
00:44:47 - Plans to Release Hybridized Dahlias

Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/10/16/ep-39-vonda-vandehoef-backyard-dahlia-hybridizer/

Learn More About Vonda VandeHoef:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vondavhoef/

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(Offer valid through October 31, 2024)

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New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!

How can legacy farming and mental health intertwine to create a thriving community?

Trina delves into the challenges and rewards of legacy farming, emphasizing the importance of diversification and soil health. She also highlights the mental health benefits of gardening, drawing from her experience as a mental health nurse practitioner. Trina's story is a testament to the power of dreams, gratitude, and community in creating a sustainable and fulfilling farming practice.

Tune in to hear the full conversation, where we dig into the intersection of agriculture, hospitality, and mental wellness, offering valuable insights and inspiration for both seasoned farmers and gardening enthusiasts. Don't miss this enriching episode that cultivates wisdom and joy through flowers and farming.

00:03:30 - Trina's Childhood and Early Dreams
00:08:18 - Trina's Career Journey and Return to the Farm
00:11:05 - Succession Planning and Family Collaboration
00:13:30 - Diversifying the Farm
00:18:29 - Expanding the Farm Stand and Adding Flowers
00:20:03 - Launching Grateful Vineyard
00:30:20 - Soil Health and Pest Management
00:33:20 - Planting Sunflowers During COVID
00:40:17 - Mental Health and Farming Community
00:42:34 - Benefits of Gardening for Mental Health
00:49:08 - Growing for the Community

Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/10/11/ep-38-mt-view-orchards-the-healing-power-of-flowers/

Learn More About Mt.View Orchards:

• https://www.mtvieworchards.com/
• https://www.gratefulvineyards.com/
• https://www.mtvieworchardsweddings.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/mtvieworchards
• https://www.facebook.com/mtvieworchards

Podcast Listens Can Enjoy One-Month Free Subscription To The Dahlia Patch! Join Here: https://bit.ly/thedahliapatch (Offer valid through October 31, 2024)

Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter

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!

In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we are joined by Katy King, of Hidden Springs Flowers in central Pennsylvania. Katy shares the inspiring journey of transforming a century-old family farm into a thriving cut flower business. She and her husband Jim started Hidden Springs in 2018, turning a simple backyard veggie patch into two acres of stunning seasonal cut flowers. Katy discusses the challenges and joys of balancing her roles as a farmer, entrepreneur, educator, and mother.

Tune in to learn about the farm's history, dating back to Jim's great-grandparents, and how Katy's passion for gardening and business led her to flower farming. She details the evolution of their business model, from selling to florists to focusing on retail and subscription bouquets. Katy also shares insights into her planting schedule, the importance of making the business fit around her life, and her strategies for managing the farm with minimal help.

Additionally, Katy talks about her passion for educating others in the floral industry, particularly on the business side of flower farming. She offers tips on using social media effectively and discusses her online course designed to help aspiring flower farmers.

Listen now to hear the full conversation and gain valuable insights from Katy King's journey with Hidden Springs Flowers.

00:03:36 - History of Hidden Springs Flower Farm
00:05:23 - Transition from Vegetable Farming to Flower Farming
00:09:58 - First Flower Sales and Pop-Up Markets
00:19:44 - Adjusting Business Model for Family Life
00:29:53 - Current Flower Varieties Grown
00:31:05 - Year-Round Business Operations
00:32:31 - Selling Subscriptions During Holidays
00:34:15 - Starting Flowers from Plugs
00:40:03 - Passion for Educating Others
00:43:02 - Using TikTok for Business
00:45:58 - Importance of Storytelling in Business
00:46:36 - Online Flower Farm Course: In The Weeds

Learn More About Hidden Springs Flowers:

• In The Weeds Flower Farm Course: https://hiddenspringsflowers.com/pages/in-the-weeds
• Website: https://hiddenspringsflowers.com/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenspringsflowers/
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenspringsflowers
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenspringsflowers

Join me inside Amy Porterfield’s Course Confident: A LIVE Bootcamp to Get Digital Course Clarity, Attract Your Audience, and Show up with Confidence Online.

Save Your Seat For Only $47: https://bit.ly/apcourseconfident

Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter

New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!