Flower Farming Through the Seasons

Now in it’s 4th year, this is our comprehensive series of three practical on-farm workshops looking at how to grow, harvest and sell quality cut flowers.

A small group will join Ashley and Rachel for this hands on, real time experience of a growing season on a productive flower farm. The course will run for three days spread out across the growing season, taking you step by step through our growing techniques and systems that have enabled us to run a successful cut flower business for over ten years.

This course is aimed at new flower farmers who are just beginning or have completed a season or two and feel the need to refine their skills and strategies to move their business towards being more efficient, productive and sustainable.

Each workshop will be divided between 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 season we will cover the following:

Site layout and preparation
Propagation methods – seed sowing, cuttings, division
Identifying your customers
Customer and site led variety selection for profit
Polytunnel cultivation
Irrigation and water management
Weeding and mulching techniques
Pests and diseases – a natural approach
Feeding and supporting the quickest way
Harvesting and conditioning for efficiency and vase life
Growers calendar – timely tasks for the best results
Plant group focus sessions
Buying the best tools and equipment for the job
Getting mechanised
Getting the price right
Compost and green manures

What is included in your class:

Seeds & Plug plants
Home-cooked vegetarian lunch
Plentiful supply of tea/coffee and cake
Detailed handout for each class

Dates:  Sundays April 3rd, 12th June, 25th September 2022

Time: 10 – 4 pm

Cost: £650