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In this episode of MULCH, I'm joined by Jen from Bristol Flower Company, creator of the new FlowerTracker Pro. FlowerTracker Pro has been designed specifically for flower farmers, making it easier to record what you're cutting and turn those numbers into useful information about what is actually happening on your farm. Jen and I talk about how the idea began, what happened when 50 flower farmers started beta testing it, and how their feedback has shaped the finished product. We look at how the Tracker works in practice, from simply recording total stem numbers to tracking individual varieties, beds, buckets, orders and customers — and how that information can help us make better decisions about what earns its space on our farms. We also talk about where to start if data collection feels overwhelming, what FlowerTracker Pro does not replace, pricing, data ownership and security, and some of the features Jen hopes to add next. Most importantly, this is a conversation about something I talk about regularly on MULCH: collecting useful information about our farms so that the decisions we make are based on evidence rather than what we think happened. FlowerTracker Pro launches on Friday 14 August 2026.

This week on MULCH, Rebecca shares a short, steadying episode designed to help you stay focused and resilient as the season gathers pace. As we reach the end of the first quarter of the year, it's easy to feel behind, overwhelmed, or unsure whether you're doing enough. This episode offers five honest reminders to bring you back to what really matters on your flower farm. These are not complicated strategies, they're the simple truths that help you stay grounded, keep moving forward, and grow a business that works for you. This is an episode to return to when negative thoughts creep in, or when you find yourself comparing your farm to others.

This week on MULCH, Rebecca shares a lighter episode for growers coming through a busy Mother's Day weekend. Flower farms aren't usually held together by big moments or dramatic decisions. More often, they're sustained by small habits repeated quietly week after week across the season. In this episode, Rebecca talks through some of the simple practices that help keep a flower farm running smoothly and professionally — from preparing cutting tools and keeping buckets clean, to labelling seedlings properly, recording sowing notes, and replying to customer enquiries promptly. These small habits might not appear in the photographs we share online, but together they create the consistency that allows flower farms to deliver beautiful flowers reliably to customers. Rebecca also explains how she uses the Flower Farmer's Planner to track these habits, record propagation notes and review decisions across the season so that lessons learned aren't forgotten the following year. If you're feeling tired after a busy week of cutting and delivering flowers, this episode is a gentle reminder that professional flower farms are built on steady rhythms and small habits — not perfection. In this episode: • Why small habits matter more than big moments • Preparing tools and buckets for consistent flower quality • Avoiding the frustration of unlabelled seed trays • Recording sowing lessons so you don't relearn them next year • Managing customer enquiries without mental overload Links 🌿 Order the Flower Farmer's Planner https://www.silvergreyfoliage.com/education

Succession sowing is often presented as the key to having flowers all season long. But on many small UK flower farms, the pressure to keep sowing again and again can quietly create more work than the flowers are worth. In this episode of MULCH, Rebecca explores what succession sowing actually means and why misunderstanding it can lead to unnecessary labour, overwhelm, and resentment. Using ecological thinking and real examples from the field, she reflects on how a resilient flower farm often relies less on constant repetition and more on seasonal transition, where different plants step forward as the season moves on. You'll hear about: Why succession sowing doesn't always mean growing the same flowers repeatedly How seasonal transitions can create a steady flow of flowers The question every grower should ask before adding another sowing Why working with the season builds resilience in a flower farming business If succession plans are starting to feel overwhelming, this episode offers a calmer and more sustainable way to think about the season ahead. Mentioned in this episode Explore resources for flower farmers, including the Flower Farmer's Planner and business planning tools: https://www.silvergreyfoliage.com/education

This week on Mulch, we're celebrating two milestones, Episode 60 and 15,000 downloads. Thank you for being here and for building this thoughtful, business-minded flower farming community with me. Today's episode is about pests… but really, it's about resilience. Because pests are not a sign that you're failing. They're a sign that you're growing something worth eating. As sustainable flower farmers, the goal isn't elimination, it's building systems strong enough to absorb pressure without reaching for pesticides (or despair). In this episode, I share the 5 P's of Pest Resilience for the 2026 season: 🌿 Protection – When low tunnels help… and when they hinder. 🌿 Pungent – Using scent as a preventative layer (garlic, herbs, calendula, phlox). 🌿 Prickly – How spiky companions can deter deer and create natural boundaries. 🌿 Ponds – Inviting predators to rebalance your ecosystem. 🌿 Patience – The long game of ecological stability and small bird allies. Sustainable flower farming isn't about removing every challenge. It's about designing layered resilience into your land and your business.   ☕ Support the podcast & buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silvergreyfoliage  📓 Flower Farmers Planner & Business Planning resources: https://silvergreyfoliage.com/education/  🌿 Cut Flower Meadow Seeds (limited seasonal availability): https://silvergreyfoliage.com/shop   If this episode resonated, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more flower farmers find Mulch and build resilient businesses of their own. As ever, I'll be back next week encouraging you to get on and grow. Rebecca 🌿

In this episode of MULCH, Rebecca explores flower farmer self-care through the lens of our most important tools - our hands. From skin protection and glove choices to strengthening forearms and thinking about vitamin D and bone health, this episode offers practical, preventative advice to help you stay strong, safe and able to keep growing. A thoughtful reminder that sustainable flower farming starts with looking after yourself. You can find the Flower Farmers Planner, business planning kits and cut flower meadow seeds in our webshop:   Cut Flower Seed meadow Vitamin D Patient leaflet

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca offers a timely February pep talk for flower farmers feeling wobbly, behind, or overwhelmed. She shares three grounded reminders: create your own seed sowing plan (and stop chasing perfect ones), stop buying seeds you don't need, and focus on your own business priorities rather than comparing yourself on social media. A practical and reassuring listen for anyone navigating the uncomfortable, unpredictable season of early-year growing.

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares seven practical tips to improve seed germination and make the most of the money you spend on seeds. From compost choice and moisture levels to patience, airflow and handling tricky seeds like orlaya and annual phlox, this is a calm, experience-led guide to starting the seed-sowing season well. If you find Mulch helpful, you can support the podcast by leaving a review here: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mulch/id1723466433?action=write-review

When a flower farm starts to fill every spare moment — evenings, weekends and headspace — it can quietly turn into an every time job. In this episode, I explore The Every Time Job Trap: why it happens, what it looks like, and how to create more structure and sustainability when you're growing a flower farm alongside other work or caring responsibilities. There are gentle reflection prompts throughout, designed to support curiosity rather than criticism. Links: Join the newsletter: https://silvergreyfoliage.com Business Planning Module: https://silvergreyfoliage.thrivecart.com/business-planning-for-flower-farmers/ Live Q&A (Tuesday 27th January): https://silvergreyfoliage.thrivecart.com/live-flower-farmer-qa-january/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvergreyfoliage/ If you're finding MULCH helpful, leaving a review helps the podcast reach more growers. Thank you

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares five common mistakes to avoid in your first year of flower farming. From keeping everything in your head and underpricing your work, to overcomplicating successions and planting perennials too soon. Drawing on real experience, she offers calm, practical guidance to help new growers build businesses that are realistic, profitable and sustainable from the start.

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca explores two ways flower farmer-florists can build resilience for the season ahead: baggy planning and working within real capacity. Drawing on winter realities, crop planning, and lived experience, she shares how flexibility, intention, and asking for help can reduce overwhelm and support sustainable flower farming. To support your planning, you can sign up to the Grow Club newsletter and download the Business Planning module from our education page at www.silvergreyfoliage.com

As the year draws to a close, this episode of MULCH reflects on the quiet "what if" questions that sit underneath flower farming; the decisions, confidence and support that shape how we grow. Using a simple winter observation as a starting point, Rebecca explores what it means to choose steadier ground as we move towards the 2026 season, and invites listeners to reflect without urgency or pressure. The episode also includes two practical updates: a one-off 2026 Flower Farmer's Wall Planner preparation for the first GROW Club session beginning in early January Links mentioned in this episode: – 2026 Flower Farmer's Wall Planner – GROW Club

In this episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares the ten flowers she's most looking forward to growing in 2026, as Silver Grey Foliage closes the doors on another year and turns towards what's ahead. From fancy daffodils and sweet peas to anemones, white dahlias and a few new varieties yet to be grown, she reflects on why these plants matter — for reliability, scent, colour, texture and joy. Alongside the list, Rebecca talks about noticing patterns in our growing choices, the value of auditing what we already have before buying more seed, and the quiet excitement that comes with thoughtful planning. It's a gentle, end-of-year episode for flower farmers who are ready to rest, reflect, and begin imagining the season to come. If you'd like support with planning your 2026 season, Grow Club is still open, with the first quarterly planning session taking place in early January. https://silvergreyfoliage.com/grow-club/  Wishing you a restful Christmas and a hopeful turn towards the year ahead.

In this week's episode of Mulch, Rebecca explores five common challenges flower farmers face when they're trying to build a sustainable and profitable business — the kind that supports life rather than drains it. Drawing on the conversations from this week's Grow Club reflection session, she speaks openly about isolation, physical exhaustion, blurred boundaries, feeling pulled in too many directions, and the pressure to master every skill at once. Rather than seeing these challenges as personal failings, Rebecca reframes them as completely normal parts of the flower-farming journey — and as opportunities to build structure, clarity, support and confidence for 2026 and beyond. She also shares news of a private podcast series for Grow Club members, featuring expert voices on branding, design, websites, small-business strategy and content creation. If you'd like to grow your flower farm with steadier roots, shared learning and a strong community beside you, you can join Grow Club here: https://silvergreyfoliage.com/grow-club/ Doors close on 31st December.

In this week's episode of Mulch, Rebecca shares five simple, practical ways to prepare your flower-farm marketing for the start of 2026 — from sorting your photos with purpose, to reconnecting with your business values, to identifying which customers you want to be speaking to as the new year begins. She explores why reusing your own best-performing content is not cheating but smart, sustainable marketing — and why worrying less and doing more will always serve your business far better than trying to be perfect. Rebecca also shares an update on Grow Club, including the newly uploaded teaching library, the upcoming reflection session on 9th December, and the limited mentoring sessions available for the next three members. If you'd like structure, support and a grounded community as you prepare for 2026, you can join Grow Club here: https://silvergreyfoliage.com/grow-club/