From the Farm

If you've spent any time in the flower growing world, you've probably heard the word "pinching" thrown around. Most people know it as a technique ...

I promised you a list of flower farm tools under $50. I lied. Sort of.

The truth is, when I sat down to write this post honestly, I couldn't keep it under $50 — because some of the things I reach for every single day on this farm are worth every penny over that limit, and I'd be doing you a disservice by leaving them out.

So here is my real list. The tools and supplies I actually use at Sugar Flower Farm, season after season, with honest thoughts on each one and links to everything so you can shop without the guesswork. 

Let's get into it.

If you're new to growing flowers, the terms "annual" and "perennial" get thrown around a lot — and while most people have a vague sense of what they mean, understanding the real practical difference between the two will change how you plan your cutting garden from the very beginning.

Let's break it down.

When I first started planning Sugar Flower Farm, I knew roughly what a growing zone was — but I didn't truly understand what it meant in practice until I was actually out in the field, racing against a frost date with a field full of dahlias still in bloom.

Growing zone isn't just a number. It's the framework around which your entire season is built. Once you understand yours, everything — from when to start your seeds to when to dig your dahlia tubers — starts to make a lot more sense.

If I could go back to the very beginning — before the dump trucks of soil, before the seed catalogues, before I'd ever grown a single flower from seed — and hand myself a planting list, this would be it.

These are the ten flowers I would grow without hesitation. Not because they're the flashiest or the most trending, but because they perform, they're beautiful, and together they make the kind of bouquets that stop people in their tracks. I've grown all of them here at Sugar Flower Farm, and I stand behind every single one.

This is one of the questions I get asked most often, and I love it because the answer is so much more encouraging than people expect.

The short answer? Less than you think.

The longer answer is what I want to walk you through today because whether you have half an acre or a few pots on a sunny deck, there is a way to grow beautiful cut flowers in the space you already have.

 

If you've ever wondered how Sugar Flower Farm came to be, pull up a chair — because this one starts way before the first zinnia seed was ever sown.

Here's something that might surprise you: until 2021, I had never grown a single flower from seed. Not one. I know, it's hard to believe given what the farm has become, but it's the truth, and I think it's important to say out loud because I don't want anyone to think that flower farmers are born knowing how to do this.

We are not. We learn. We figure it out. We make a lot of mistakes.

I get asked about this all the time, so today I want to break it down in a way that's actually useful: what a cutting garden is, what a small-scale flower farm is, and most importantly, how to figure out which one makes sense for you.

With Mother’s Day fast upon us, I thought I’d share my top ten flower-filled books! I’ve selected books that are visually stunning, well written, provide inspiration, and are a beautiful addition to any coffee table. It goes without saying that I also own each of these books and have recommended them over the years.

In Zone 8b, seed starting is just around the corner. To prepare, I’ve been taking stock of my seeds, organizing my planting calendar, and gathering/cleaning all the essential supplies. This year, I’ll be growing all my favourites from past seasons, in addition to trialing a few new varieties to add texture to arrangements.

 

If you’re like me, you pore over seed options for hours resisting the urge to buy every colour and form offered! (I must admit, I have a supply of seed packages in the office that have never been opened.) As I plan for season three at the farm, I’m more focused than ever on creating a field where flower colour is in harmony across every row and where forms are selected carefully to bring depth and interest to each arrangement.