Flower Farming through the Seasons
£800.00
This is a three day comprehensive course designed to help you plan and develop a thriving flower farming business. Whether you are a new flower farmer or have been growing for a season or two, it’s aim is to help you refine your skills and strategies to move your business towards being more productive, profitable and sustainable.
A small group will join us (Ashley and Rachel) for this hands on, real time experience on an established flower farm. We have decided to hold this course over three timely dates throughout the flowering season so that we can take you step by step through our planning, growing and selling techniques and systems. This approach is also a way to offer ongoing support and share in what can sometimes feel like a lonely enterprise.
Each workshop will be divided between lessons in the greenhouse, polytunnel, field, flower studio and office. The focus will be on improving your skills and knowledge in all of these areas and learning how to cultivate a balanced approach to growing and selling.
Through the seasons we will cover the following:
Assessing your resources – your skills, budget, land and market
Site layout and preparation – designing for efficiency
Identifying your customers and flower sales channels
Crop planning and scheduling
Propagation methods – seed sowing, cuttings, division
Customer and site led plant selection
Polytunnel cultivation
Irrigation and water management
Weeding and mulching techniques
Pests and diseases – a natural approach
Feeding and supporting your crops
Harvesting and conditioning efficiently
Growers calendar – timely tasks for the best results
Plant group focus sessions
Tools and equipment including machinery
Marketing
Bouquet making for shop customers and brides
Hiring and managing staff
Pricing for wholesale and retail customers
Soil health, compost and green manures
What is included in your class:
Three on farm days of learning
Seeds and plug plants
Home-cooked vegetarian lunch and refreshments
Detailed handout for each class
Dates: Wednesday 19th March, Wednesday 11th June, Wednesday 10th September
Time: 10 – 4 pm
Cost: £800
5 in stock
