451- Growing Cut Flowers & More for a Farmer's Market with Sarah Shuman

Struggling to figure out how to turn your love of gardening into something you can share—or even sell? In this episode, Sarah walks us through how she built a thriving cut flower business for her local farmers market. You'll hear the practical steps she took, what she wishes she knew sooner, and how she manages growing for both beauty and profit. If you've wondered whether you could do something similar, this conversation gives you hope and a clear starting point.

free download: Garden Cheat Sheet

A simple, step-by-step starter plan to help you begin your garden with confidence.
https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/when-to-plant/

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Key Takeaways

• Why selling flowers can be more approachable than selling vegetables

• How Sarah planned her first year—and what she'd change

• The importance of bloom times, succession planting, and crop selection

• How working with a partner shaped the business

• What she's learned from customers and community at the farmers market

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Chapters

00:00 – Why Sarah chose cut flowers
04:30 – Planning the first flower season
06:20 – Bloom timing and succession basics
10:40 – Overwintering and cool-season flowers
13:40 – Direct sowing vs. plugs
17:30 – Working with a business partner
21:05 – What keeps her motivated
22:50 – The hardest parts of flower farming
25:00 – Planning mistakes in year one
27:45 – Profitable vs. low-profit crops
36:30 – Using plant starts to build early customers
39:10 – Adding microgreens for income
43:40 – What farmers markets taught her about people
47:00 – How to get started selling at a market

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Resource Links

Free Garden Cheat Sheet: https://journeywithjill.net/gardening/when-to-plant/
Friday Emails (newsletter): https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/
Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/

Soft Paid Mention:
Complete Garden Planner – A simple system to plan and track your season.
https://shop.journeywithjill.net/

Disclaimer

Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.