Podcast

The podcast where stories bloom from local flower fields and home gardens. Show notes and links to listen.

Connecting with Nature and Giving Back with Flower Farmer Misha Gillingham

In Episode 7 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, guest Misha Gillingham shares her evolution from novice to expert flower farmer and garden designer. Starting with a small, pre-established garden, Misha expanded her knowledge through trial and error, emphasizing the importance of starting small and organic gardening. She integrates design elements and community spirit into her work, encouraging others to embrace local, sustainable practices and contribute to their communities.

Flower Farming on 1/6 Acre

In episode 6 of The Backyard Bouquet podcast, Erin Simmons shares her transition from lobbying to flower farming on Vashon Island. Beginning with little experience, she now successfully cultivates easy-care cut flowers like dahlias and daffodils. Erin balances selling her flowers with family life, advising aspiring flower farmers to learn by doing and seek mentorship.

Creating a Cottage-Style Flower Garden

In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, flower gardener Kim Robinson shares her inspiring journey from novice to expert, building a stunning cottage-style garden in the Pacific Northwest. She overcomes gardening challenges and embraces imperfection, finding joy and therapy in the process. Kim generously shares her blooms with her community and offers valuable advice for beginner gardeners.

Growing Sweet Peas with Marryn Mathis

Marryn Mathis, flower farmer and educator at The Farmhouse Flower Farm, shares her passion for sweet peas in this podcast episode. She discusses her journey into flower farming, the emotional significance of sweet peas, and her upcoming sweet pea school workshop and book. Her inspiring message encourages others to pursue their passions in flower farming.

Episode 3: The Art of Flower Farming

In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, host Jennifer Gulizia is joined by her friend Paul Matalucci of Apple Core Farm and Cut Flowers. Paul shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a flower farmer in Hood River, Oregon. He talks about his lifelong love for flowers and how he finally found the opportunity to pursue his passion. Hear the challenges he faced in transitioning from a small backyard garden to a four-acre flower farm, including learning to let go and adapt to the larger space.

Episode 2: Blooming Into Joy

In this episode, I sit down with the delightful Kara Jamison, the cut flower gardener behind Blooming Joy Flower Co in Christiana, Tennessee. Kara’s story is one of resilience, healing, and, most importantly, joy. She shares her touching journey from backyard gardener to flower farmer, honoring her mother’s legacy through the beauty of blooms.

Episode 1: Introduction to The Backyard Bouquet Podcast

In this first episode of the Backyard Bouquet podcast, host Jennifer Gulizia shares her background in cut flowers and how the podcast came to be. She recounts her love for flowers since childhood and her dream of growing her own flowers to fill her home with bouquets. Jennifer started her journey with a small cutting garden in her backyard and eventually moved to Hood River, Oregon, where she had more space to grow flowers. She shares how her farm started with small beginnings and selling her flowers to local florists. Inspired by the stories she heard from people passing by her farm, she decided to start the Backyard Bouquet podcast to share the stories of backyard gardeners and flower farmers.