Growing Sweet Peas with Marryn Mathis
Ep. 4: The Sweet Pea Queen: Flower Farmer Marryn Mathis on Her Passion for Growing and Sharing Sweet Peas
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We have a very special guest joining us for Episode 4 of The Backyard Bouquet. Marryn Mathis, the flower farmer behind The Farmhouse Flower Farm, is here to share her expertise on growing sweet peas. Marryn is known for her incredible dahlia field and her amazing sweet peas, and she’s also a cut flower educator and the queen of growing sweet peas. We’re going to dive deep into all things sweet peas, including Marryn’s sweet pea school, growing tips, seed sale, and even get a sneak peek at her upcoming book on growing sweet peas. I’m so excited to have Marryn with us for episode 4, so let’s get started!
“You can never have too many sweet peas in the world.”
-Marryn Mathis, The Farmhouse Flower Farm
Marryn’s Journey into Flower Farming
Marryn’s journey into flower farming started when she decided to make a career change from her job in IT. She had always been drawn to the beauty of flowers and the power they hold, and she knew that flower farming was what she wanted to do. With the support of her husband, she started her flower farm in 2018 and hasn’t looked back since. Marryn’s love for sweet peas was planted in her as a child by her grandmother, and now she grows thousands of them on her farm. She finds so much joy in sharing the beauty and emotion of sweet peas with others.
“Flower farming has fed my soul in a way that I never would have imagined in a million years.”
-Marryn Mathis, The Farmhouse Flower Farm
The Magic of Sweet Peas
Sweet peas hold a special place in Marryn’s heart because of the memories she has of her grandmother. They are not just beautiful flowers, but they also have a deep emotional connection for many people. Marryn shares a touching story of giving a bouquet of sweet peas to an elderly lady who had just lost her husband. The sweet peas brought back memories for the lady of her time gardening with her husband, and it was a powerful moment of healing and connection. This is the magic of flowers, and sweet peas in particular. They have the ability to evoke emotions and create lasting memories.
Sweet Pea School Workshop
Marryn’s passion for sweet peas led her to start the Sweet Pea School workshop. People from all over the world attend her workshops to learn everything there is to know about growing sweet peas. The workshop covers everything from start to finish, including different types of sweet peas, the history of sweet peas, and tips for growing them successfully. Marryn’s goal is to ensure that everyone leaves the workshop with all their questions answered and the knowledge to grow beautiful sweet peas in their own gardens. The workshop is interactive and includes a Q&A session, so participants can get personalized advice and guidance.
Tips for Growing Sweet Peas
One of the most important tips Marryn shared for growing sweet peas is to keep them cool. Sweet peas thrive in cooler temperatures, so it’s important to start them at the right time and provide them with the right conditions. Starting them too warm can cause them to bolt and become long and lanky. Marryn recommends starting sweet peas at around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and giving them plenty of light. She also emphasized the importance of not babying them and letting them grow strong and resilient.
Harvesting Sweet Peas and Seed Sale
Sweet peas start blooming for Marryn in late June and continue through July. They start setting seed in August, and Marryn allows some of her sweet peas to go to seed for her seed sale. She harvests all the seeds and sells them on her website. The seed sale is a highly anticipated event, and Marryn’s varieties are known for their vibrant colors and fragrance. The seed sale is a labor of love for Marryn and her family, as they package the seeds themselves and ensure that each packet is filled with love and care.
Marryn’s Upcoming Book on Sweet Peas
Perhaps one of the most exciting announcements from Marryn is her upcoming book on growing sweet peas. Writing a book was not something she initially considered, but after receiving requests from her workshop attendees, she decided to go for it. The book will cover everything there is to know about sweet peas, from their history to growing tips and more. Marryn has poured her passion and knowledge into this book, and she can’t wait to share it with the world. The book is set to be released in March 2025, and it will be a must-have for any flower lover or aspiring flower farmer.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up this episode, I want to leave you with Marryn’s inspiring words: “Just get growing.” Don’t be afraid to try something new and follow your passion. Whether it’s growing sweet peas or any other flower, do what brings you joy and don’t be afraid to fail. Flower farming is a journey of learning and growth, and the beauty and joy it brings are worth every challenge. So go out there, get your hands dirty, and let your backyard bloom with the beauty of flowers.
“Do what brings you joy. When it brings you joy, it’s going to change your life.”
-Marryn Mathis, The Farmhouse Flower Farm
I hope you enjoy our conversation with Marryn Mathis and learn something new about growing sweet peas. Scroll down to check out Marryn’s Sweet Pea School workshop, seed sale, and mark your calendars for the release of her book in March 2025. Until next time, keep growing and let your backyard bloom!
Listen Now
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- 00:02:24 – Marryn’s Background and Journey into Flower Farming
- 00:05:10 – Marryn’s Favorite Flower and The Emotional Connection
- 00:08:56 – Her Special Connection with Sweet Peas
- 00:12:01 – Farmer Finn’s Involvement in Flower Farming
- 00:13:01 – Sweet Peas as a Family Affair
- 00:18:03 – Starting with Sweet Peas and Learning Along the Way
- 00:21:33 – Sweet Pea School Workshop Details
- 00:25:06 – Tips for Beginners Growing Sweet Peas
- 00:30:47 – Challenges and Struggles with Growing Sweet Peas
- 00:33:02 – Sweet Pea Growing Success Tips
- 00:35:28 – Sweet Peas and Dahlias Blooming Together
- 00:36:00 – Harvesting and Selling Sweet Pea Seeds
- 00:38:11 – Farmer Finn’s Dahlia and Involvement in the Farm
- 00:42:01 – The Process of Breeding and Releasing Dahlias
- 00:43:52 – The Future of Hybridizing Sweet Peas
- 00:49:17 – Marryn’s Upcoming Sweet Pea Book
- 00:54:17 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Flower Growers
- 00:57:30 – Marryn’s Top Sweet Pea Varieties and Seed Sale Preview
Marryn’s Favorite Sweet Peas To Grow:
- Kings Ransom
- Castlewellen
- Blue Shift
- Bix
- Emma
- Wild Swan
- Susan Burgess
- Clementine Kiss
Learn more about Marryn Mathis and The Farmhouse Flower Farm
Upcoming Events at The Farmhouse Flower Farm
- Sweet Pea School With Marryn Mathis: Saturday, January 20th, 2024 (Click here to register)
- Annual Seed Sale: Thursday, January 25th (Preview here)
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