Nicole Pitt of Flower Hill Farm: Growing Through Change and Finding Strength in Every Season
In Episode 74 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast we are joined by Nicole Pitt of Flower Hill Farm. Nicole opens up about growing through change, resilience, and finding strength in every season.
About This Episode
In this heartfelt episode, Jennifer welcomes Nicole Pitt, the flower farmer and creative behind Flower Hill Farm — a 20-acre flower farm and nursery in upstate New York — and Boon Street Nursery, her retail greenhouse and community hub in the village of Boonville.
Nicole is also the voice behind the popular Flower Hill Farm YouTube channel, where she shares the joys and challenges of flower farming with honesty, humor, and heart. Over the past year, her journey has taken unexpected turns, yet through it all she’s continued to grow — in business, in perspective, and in gratitude.
“I’ve always been a glass, not even half full — I’m a glass three-quarter full person,” Nicole says. “I’m always looking on the bright side. I always find a solution to a problem, sometimes before there’s even a problem.”
Her optimism and authenticity have made her a beloved voice in the flower-farming community, where she’s known not just for her beautiful blooms, but for the resilience that shines through every story she shares.
🌸 A Season of Change
When Nicole moved back to her childhood home in 2018, she never imagined how her life and land would intertwine.
“I drove by it every day from the age of 15 when my parents had to sell it,” she recalls. “I pointed at it and said, ‘Someday, someday, someday.’ Because that was my home.”
What began with 50 dahlias, a few rows of gladiolus, and kale for filler has now blossomed into a thriving flower farm, a retail nursery, and a global online community.
Yet this past year brought an unexpected detour. Nicole’s openness about navigating a breast-cancer diagnosis while running a farm and business has inspired thousands. Her strength, she says, comes from focusing on what she can do — and refusing to let fear define her story.
“For right now, I’m okay,” she shares. “And as long as I’m okay, then I’m going to continue to push forward.”
Community, Connection, and the Power of Flowers
From customers at her small-town nursery to followers across the world, Nicole’s community has shown up for her in remarkable ways.
When she announced her diagnosis, neighbors and online supporters alike poured out love, support, and even a fundraiser to help cover unexpected medical costs.
“It was overwhelming,” she says. “My neighbor Kelly created a T-shirt fundraiser, and we extended it to my online audience. The emotional support was incredible — the cards, the messages, the women who said, ‘You inspired me to get a mammogram.’”
At Boon Street Nursery, Nicole continued to greet visitors, often with hugs and tears.
“My door was literally open for people to come in and hug me,” she says. “At least 2,000 people came into my shop and just hugged me and started sobbing in my arms… It made me really fall in love with my community all over again.”
Through flowers, she’s found connection that transcends geography.
“It’s not about me anymore,” Nicole reflects. “It’s about the flowers and the way they make people feel and the way they bring people together, because so many times flowers speak words better than words.”
Dreams That Keep Blooming
Despite a difficult season, Nicole’s vision for the future of Flower Hill Farm and Boon Street Nursery continues to expand. She recently received a $385,000 state grant to grow her business and enhance tourism in her community — an opportunity that will allow her to create new spaces for visitors and local artisans alike.
Her plans include rebuilding the nursery barn, creating a botanical garden and memorial walk, supporting local artists, and adding a café for visitors to enjoy.
“I’m shooting for the stars,” Nicole laughs. “I don’t know if there will ever be a period at the end of this sentence — I think it’s going to be a continual act of renovation and adding on.”
And of course, she’s not slowing down on the flower farm either. Nicole shared details about expanding her hoop houses, growing hundreds of ranunculus, campanula, and delphinium, and trialing new varieties for 2026.
“Next year is going to be my best year yet,” she says with conviction.
Words of Encouragement
Nicole’s story is more than one of business growth — it’s a testament to the power of optimism, community, and persistence.
“Find something that makes you feel good,” she encourages. “You can’t dwell on the situation you’re in. You need something to look forward to — whether that’s placing a seed order or calling a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.”
She also reminds new flower farmers that comparison is the enemy of creativity:
“Just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you,” she says. “The more you fail, the more you learn, the better your outcome will be.”
What’s Next for Nicole
Even as she recovers from surgery, Nicole is already looking ahead. She recently announced her newest project — a podcast partnership with Epic Gardening called In the Garden with Flower Hill Farm. The show will explore gardening topics, listener stories, and the joy of growing both flowers and vegetables.
“It’s going to be fun,” she says. “We’re taking video submissions from listeners and sharing their stories. I just love to hear other people’s experiences.”
Connect with Nicole Pitt
- Flower Hill Farm Website
- Flower Hill Farm YouTube Channel
- Flower Hill Farm Instagram
- Flower Hill Farm Facebook
Key Takeaway
Nicole’s journey is a reminder that growth doesn’t always look like we expect it to. Sometimes, the most beautiful blooms come after the hardest seasons.
“Every single failure led to an experience that I learned from,” she says. “It’s back-breaking, it’s rewarding, and the most rewarding part is the community you build around it.”
Join the Conversation
What part of Nicole’s story resonated with you most?
Share your thoughts on Instagram and tag @thefloweringfarmhouse with #BackyardBouquetPodcast — I love hearing your takeaways.
🎧 Listen to Episode 74 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast
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