Where Are the Ducks?

So! What’s the plan for next year?

Well, exciting news: a friend of mine told me I could use part her yard for the farm :D :D :D

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But a word of caution: it may seem like a solution to all your problems when a friend makes you an offer like this. But there are things to keep in mind, otherwise you may find the arrangement going sour.

You: are a business. The offer: is from a friend. The things you have to take into consideration may not have even crossed their mind.

For example: my friend has a lovely, big heart and is more of a ‘jump first, and hope for a net’ person. She may think that this is simply a big garden. But a farm is a very different thing. It requires all the detailed attention of any other business. So when I come in and start trying to evaluate the space and mark areas off - will she feel a bit overwhelmed? And if she decides it’s too much for her what happens to my plans and the supplies I’ve bought? Is there water and electricity on the land? Can I run irrigation? How much will I pay for water and electric? Protect your friendship: put it in writing.

But as of right now I’m proceeding cautiously.

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It’s a bit overwhelming to consider how I’m going to manage that space. I went from not having any land - to having a space I need to prepare right now. That means I need to figure out WHAT I’m going to plant, HOW MUCH and HOW MANY successions. And if I want to do any cool flowers in early spring I need to prep the ground now.

So what are the ducks? Here goes:

Determine your budget. Write your business plan. (Quickbooks has a great video series about this on YouTube)

My business will focus on bouquets next year.

I want about 2500 sq feet.

This will allow me to do 20 bouquets weekly.

Outside work:

1. Find out how to get water to the planting space.

2. What pests are common? How will you manage them? (Both insects and animals O.O)

3. See your land at different times of the day. Are there trees around? Where does the light fall?

4. Measure and place markers.

5. Amend the spring planting area and cover with a tarp.

6. Decide where the trellises will go and place them now before the ground freezes. (i.e. where will your sweet peas go?)

Inside planning:

7. Make a bouquet recipe. (I’ve looked at a lot of bouquet making videos on YouTube and made notes) Write a list of the flowers you will grow and for how many months. This will determine how much seed you need. BUY YOUR SEED NOW!!

8. Make a floor plan of the farm - what will be planted where.

9. Make a list of the tools you will need. (aka. things you need to buy other than seeds - grow lights, shelves, plug trays, landscape staples, fertilizer etc)

Buy as much as you can ahead of time.

10. Get a calendar:

• Mark your first and last frost dates.

• When do each of the seeds need to be planted to bloom at the same time? Mark your seed starting dates.

• Are there any events or classes you want to take?

11. Sell your flowers. Yes, sell them now. However you plan to do it: subscriptions, partnering with local restaurants etc. Form those relationships now. Get your name and brand known locally and online.

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These are some of the basic principles you’ll need. I know that as I go through the steps more details will come up and I’ll share them as I go along. (I highly recommend the latest podcast from Let’s Grow Girls: Reflections of a First Year Flower Farmer)

These principles will also be helpful even if you’re just doing a cutting garden.

I’m so excited for the next year you guys! Are you??? Please share with me over on FB or IG at lovelyrainflowerfarmmd or email me at info@lovelyrainflowerfarm.com I’d love to hear from you! See you next week!

Toodles,

Kerri.