Flower Farming

Growing ranunculus from seed can be a rewarding challenge for gardeners, especially those new to these stunning flowers. I remember my first attempt at sprouting ranunculus seeds in my garden here in the Macedon Ranges. It wasn’t easy at first, but with a few practical tips, I managed to get those delicate seeds to germinate and grow into vibrant blooms. If you’re a gardener looking to add ranunculus to your flower beds or even grow them for a florist business, these tips wil

Growing flowers is more than just planting seeds and waiting for blooms. On our Macedon Ranges flower farm, every flower’s journey is carefully nurtured from the very beginning. I want to take you behind the scenes and share how we transform tiny seeds into vibrant stems ready for bouquets. Whether you are a florist or a flower lover, understanding this process deepens appreciation for the blooms you hold or arrange. Seedlings growing in our custom greenhouse Starting with Se

Weddings are moments of joy and celebration, but they can also leave a significant environmental footprint. Floral arrangements, a key part of wedding decor, often contribute to waste and resource depletion. Choosing regenerative wedding flowers offers a way to design with nature in mind, creating beautiful, meaningful celebrations that support the environment. This post explores how regenerative floral design can transform weddings into sustainable events while maintaining e

When I first started gardening, I believed synthetic fertilizers were the key to a thriving garden. After all, it promised quick growth and lush plants. But over time, I learned that these chemical fertilizers do more harm than good. They disrupt the natural balance of the soil, making it dependent on artificial inputs and damaging the very life that supports plant health. I want to share why I would never advise anyone to buy or add synthetic fertilizer to their plants and h

The slow flower movement is reshaping how people think about flowers, gardening, and the environment. It’s about choosing local, seasonal blooms and supporting small growers rather than relying on imported, mass-produced flowers. This movement has gained momentum in many countries, but the way it unfolds reflects unique cultural and environmental factors. Let’s explore why the slow flower movement is thriving! What Is the Slow Flower Movement? The slow flower movement encoura

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing many industries, and farming is no exception. We hear stories about robots harvesting crops and drones monitoring fields. This raises a big question: will AI replace farmers? As someone who has spent years working in the technology industry, I want to share my thoughts on this topic. AI is powerful, but farming is deeply tied to local knowledge and experience. Let’s explore if AI will replace farmers. Understanding What AI Is and How I

Growing without chemicals can seem like a challenge, especially when pests threaten your plants. I learned this firsthand when I was growing tomatoes in our small backyard before we bought our farm. Whiteflies, tiny sap-sucking bugs with wings, kept attacking my tomato leaves. My first reaction was to spray chemicals aggressively. I reckon we sprayed so much that no insect survived within 100 meters of our house! Yet, a week later, the whiteflies returned. After my third trip

Weeds can quickly take over our farm. Many farmers and gardeners reach for chemical herbicides to control weeds, but these can harm the environment, soil health, and beneficial insects. Managing weeds regeneratively without chemicals offers a sustainable way to keep your garden thriving while protecting your crops. This post shares some handy permaculture methods we use to manage weeds on our farm. These techniques are also great for gardeners looking to keep their spaces tid

If you’ve ever held a bouquet of local flowers and felt they had a certain "glow" compared to supermarket stems, you’re likely picking up on more than just freshness. You’re seeing the results of farming that gives back more than it takes. In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, regenerative flower farming is stepping beyond "doing no harm" and moving toward "active healing." Here is a look at how this movement is changing the way we think about the flowers in our

When I first started designing permaculture plant guilds for companion planting, I quickly realized how confusing the whole concept could be. There is so much conflicting information about which plants grow well together that it felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. For example, I found at least half a dozen websites arguing both for and against planting tomatoes and corn together. Some said they were perfect companions, while others warned they would compet