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Becoming A Cut Flower Grower

Lydia Watson

Becoming a Cut Flower Grower is a raw and honest podcast about growing and selling cut flowers and the realities of what it really takes to build a cut flower business from the ground up.

Hosted by a working cut flower grower, the podcast combines practical insight with thoughtful reflections on the decisions, trade-offs, and rhythms of the work — from production and selling, to confidence, sustainability, and shaping an off-grid business on a tight budget.

Episodes will be useful whether you’re starting out with cut flowers, developing a small-scale flower business, or simply interested in the craft, economics, and rhythm of growing cut flowers for sale.

With twice-weekly episodes, this podcast is an intelligent, steady companion for anyone curious to know what growing and selling cut flowers with intention and care really looks and feels like.

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Instagram @henhillcutflowers.

Subscribe/follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes.

www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk

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#179
Friday · 29 min
Recollections May Vary, I've Been Poorly All Week, Autumn Wreath-Making, Plus Plant Profile: Amaranthus
Welcome to Friday 2 October 2026. Where did September go...?!?!!? Join me on the field for today's episode where I'm struggling with some kind of nasty cold/flu. Before I got sick, I spent an afternoon this week learning how to make a fresh autumn wreath with my wedding & event florist (photos on my instagram, if you're interested in taking a look). I've been diving into my camera roll this week for photos and I shocked myself to discover just how much I'd achieved this summer. For the last couple of months I've had a narrative running through my head that it's been a bad year (drought/heatwaves/short stems, etc) when in fact, it hasn't been that bad. So I'm sharing some of the learnings I've made with you tonight. It's perhaps a gentle reminder to celebrate the wins. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#178
September 29 · 27 min
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong? How & Why I'm Planning For The Worst (So I Can Keep Growing)
Welcome to Tuesday 29 September 2026. Did you spot the new podcast logo?! I thought it was time to update it and I hope you like it. I've got some news to share with you about the hens, the bed prep I've been doing over the weekend plus my seed saving situation. The main topic in this episode is contingency planning and I'm going to be discussing why I'm going to do it, what it involves, why it's important, the risks I'll be considering, how I'll be taking steps to protect things like my resources, as well as myself. If you have sole responsibility for your cut flowers then you might find this episode interesting. This exercise isn't going to involve a complicated spreadsheet (for a change...), it's really more about thinking about what could go wrong before it does, and having a plan to handle it without panicking. I'd love to know what you think - please do get in touch (details of how to do this below). I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#177
September 25 · 22 min
Is It Ok To Buy-In Stems? An Alternative To Marketing On Socials & What Happens To Prices When Columbia Increases Its Minimum Wage by 23%?
Welcome! It's Friday 25 September 2026. Come and let the hens out with me this morning: I'm recording this episode on the field so there is quite a bit of cockerel crowing in the background. In today's episode I'm answering some great listener questions including whether or not you can buy-in stems if you're already a grower, and an alternative way of marketing (that has worked for me in the past) if you're finding social media increasingly frustrating. I'm also talking about what an increase in the minimum wage in Columbia might mean for prices of their flower exports, and the knock-on effect this might have on local growers. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#176
September 22 · 26 min
Self-Seeders Galore, Strategy for 2027 & Dahlias: Should They Stay Or Go?
Welcome! It's Tuesday 22 September 2026. Two topics today: letting self-seeders get on with it, and a look at the overall strategy for 2027. I discovered lots of self-seeded Ammi and Clarkia over the weekend when I was bed prepping and decided to leave them, even though they're not on The Big Five list of annuals for 2027 - all the reasons why in this episode. I'm also going into the details of my strategy for next year and the thinking behind it. Plus, dahlias: should they stay or should they go? I'm 50/50 on this right now. I'd love to hear what you think if you're growing dahlias. Do you find them profitable? Do they earn their keep for you? Also, a reminder that the closing date for winning a FREE place on The Six Figure Flower Farming course is this Friday 25 September 2026 so don't delay if you're thinking of entering! Six Figure Flower Farming GIVEAWAY: Jenny Marks runs a brilliant course called Six Figure Flower Farming and it's the course I took in 2025. It has been an absolute game changer for me and I'd love you to experience it too. Being the superstar that she is, Jenny is giving away one completely FREE spot on the 6-week course. Give it a go - you could win it! Entries are open from wherever you are in the world, until Friday 25 September 2026. Please let me know if you enter: I'm not on commission, I'm genuinely interested. Good luck! Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl_sfa90kHPUXGXz05BglENOEkHkaEaSE1dY509QOuucX39w/viewform I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#175
September 18 · 31 min
FOLIAGE: Do You Need It? What Should You Grow? How & Why To Get Started Right Now
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 18 September 2026. Tonight's episode is all about foliage and it's essentially a massive souped-up plant profile series in one single episode. Curious about foliage? Are you asking yourself if you really need to grow foliage? Do you already have some but not sure if it's suitable? Are you wondering about getting some but not sure where to start? I'll be sharing how much I have and where I got mine from. I'll talk you through all the plants I have, why I chose them and what they're good for, plus the foliage you might already have (and not realise). Six Figure Flower Farming GIVEAWAY: Jenny Marks runs a brilliant course called Six Figure Flower Farming and it's the course I took in 2025. It has been an absolute game changer for me and I'd love you to experience it too. Being the superstar that she is, Jenny is giving away one completely FREE spot on the 6-week course. Give it a go - you could win it! Entries are open from wherever you are in the world, until Friday 25 September 2026. Please let me know if you enter: I'm not on commission, I'm genuinely interested. Good luck! Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl_sfa90kHPUXGXz05BglENOEkHkaEaSE1dY509QOuucX39w/viewform I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#174
September 15 · 35 min
Evening Field Tour: What's Good/Embarrassingly Small/Going Elsewhere, Hen News & The "Why"
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 15 September 2026. Join me on a cheerful tour of the plot tonight as I talk you through everything that's going on right now, including the flowers blooming right now, the plants that I'm re-locating, the flowers I'm keeping for drying, the plants that just keep coming and the flowers that are very short (but just about usable). There's an update on the chickens and the stems I sold last week, plus a little discussion on the personal struggles I'm experiencing at the moment, which make life a bit harder. If you're going through something similar, do seek some help and don't struggle alone. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome! Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#173
September 11 · 27 min
The Madness Of Taking Orders When Abroad, A Spanish Funeral Arrangement, Plus Plant Profile: Sedum
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 11 September 2026. Thanks for your Spotify comments: I always love hearing from you and your ideas are always interesting. And I'm grateful for your kind words. Tonight I'm talking about the orders I took when recently out of the country. I don't recommended doing this unless you particularly want a massive adrenaline spike. Thankfully the order got successfully collected this morning, although I then forgot to deliver a separate foliage order I'd also taken.... I'm also talking about the flowers I just bought in Spain for a funeral casket: it was a very odd feeling buying overseas and my buying principles went out of the window. It was very weird taking delivery of flowers sitting in floral foam. I'm discussing all the reasons why this whole process felt distinctly uncomfortable and why it made me so much more appreciative of what native growers produce. The Plant Profile series this week is Sedum, an absolute workhorse of a plant which produces lots of beautiful robust stems. It's easy to propagate from (even for people like me who struggle with propagation) and the plants cope well with drought conditions, once they're established. Have a great weekend and I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome! Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#172
September 8 · 19 min
Pricing & Profit: Your Questions Answered, Plus How Does My Local Flower Hub Actually Work?
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 8 September 2026. Ok, so after the last episode on pricing, I received some questions so I thought I'd answer them on tonight's episode. Pricing is a hot topic - if you have more questions, feel free to send me a DM on instagram or click the "Text The Podcast Here!" link at the bottom of these notes. I thought I'd share some information with you about my local flower hub, having sold some stems to it last week. I'll be sharing details about what it does, when I deliver, how I condition my stems before drop-off, and lots more. If you're thinking of joining your local hub, you might find this of interest. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome! Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#171
September 4 · 32 min
PRICING: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Pricing (And How I Do It)
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 4 September 2026. Tonight's episode is all about pricing: why it's so hard (especially when you're a new grower), benchmarking with other suppliers (pros and cons), the impact of market forces, how the Dutch auction system works (it's fascinating), how to just get started with pricing and finally, THE most important thing to consider when pricing. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#170
September 1 · 22 min
Exactly How I Chose My 5 Annuals for 2027, Hub Sales & Why I've Been Removing Dahlia Foliage
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 1 September 2026. Somehow, it's September! How did that happen?!? Hub sales - I've finally made some! Very exciting and I'll tell you all about this tonight, including what I've sold. I've been doing some work on my dahlias over the weekend and I'll share the details of what I've been doing and why. Plus, I found a slug! I'm also talking about exactly how I chose my 5 annuals for 2027: did I choose based on profitability or best sellers? Well, I'm talking you through my thought process for each of the chosen ones. The next episode on Friday will be all about pricing: why it's so hard (especially when you're a new grower), benchmarking with other suppliers, the impact of market forces, how the Dutch auction system works (it's fascinating), how to start with pricing and the most important things to focus on when pricing - you won't want to miss this episode. If you haven't already, subscribe/follow the show so you'll be the first to hear it (it's free). I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#169
August 28 · 24 min
RAIN (At Last!), Borehole News, 2027 Annuals Masterplan & Plant Profile: Nicotiana
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 28 August 2026. Much to tell you in tonight's episode including an update on the borehole, the rain situation, my footwear, and an unexpected pile of grey feathers on the field... Thank you if you sent me a message of support after my last episode - it's very much appreciated. The main topic tonight is those pesky annuals for 2027: what am I growing and why? I had some questions following my announcement that I couldn't face spring-sown annuals again (especially if we have heatwaves and drought again) so tonight I'm sharing all the details of my annuals masterplan for 2027. Today's Plant Profile is Nicotiana, and what a fabulous plant it is. Branching stems, big plants, pretty flowers and scent, oh, the scent! What's not to love? I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#168
August 25 · 19 min
Shocking News, Why Visiting Fellow Growers Is So Valuable & Composting Tips
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 25 August 2026. I've just had some really shocking news about the future of my field, which I'm going to share with you tonight. It's potentially very serious and I won't know anything else for a while. Where does this leave me in terms of planning for 2027? In other (good) news, I'll update you on the work I've been doing on the field over the weekend and I visited a fellow grower yesterday and explored her growing arrangements. It was fascinating and I love meeting other growers, especially if they're at the same stage of their business as me. Plus, she made us a wonderful lunch (anyone who does that is a winner in my books!). If you haven't made contact with fellow local growers, do reach out, it's well worth it. Finally I'm talking about my compost bins and what I probably should have done with them during this hot and dry summer. Plus I'm sharing my tips for composting and how to not get overwhelmed with all the information that's available about composting... I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#167
August 21 · 20 min
My Top Perennials For 2027, Exploding Seedpods & Plant Profile: Beech
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 21 August 2026. Seed harvesting mini-disaster (already): all the details of this, plus a reminder to myself that as the rains are finally incoming, it's time to check gutters and downpipes for blockages and detritus, plus ensure that all taps are in the closed position, ready to capture as much water as possible. I'm answering a listener question about what perennials I'm focusing on in 2027 and how I'm going to grow them. I'll be growing some from seed and some from plugs, and it's really time to get cracking with the autumn sowing. Tonight's Plant Profile is Beech: a very useful plant which can be inexpensive to buy (I'll tell you how) and really in demand by wedding and event florists for use in displays, arches, urns and more. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast (it's free) so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you really enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a rating or review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. You can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#166
August 18 · 25 min
The Advice I Wish I'd Taken For Growing Annuals, Seed Harvesting & Underplanting Roses
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 18 August 2026. Non-stop flower news from the field in tonight's episode including my sales figures since last week (and possibly why), all the seeds I've been harvesting over the weekend (and how I'm storing them), and the plants doing really well right now (and the reasons for this). Dahlias - I'm not doing any more disbudding for the rest of this season. I've decided to just let the plants do what they want and see what happens. I want more stems with smaller heads and buds (for more interesting stems). It's also a win because it reduces my labour costs. I'm talking about the substantial differences in sizes between my 2025 dahlia plants and the 2026 ones, and the impact of labour and materials costs of staking the dahlias on my cost of production figures this year. I'm answering a question about what 2027 on the field is going to look like in terms of what plants I'll be growing, in light of my decision not to do spring-sown annuals. It's certainly going to be different next year but if we have another spell of heatwaves and drought then it will be a good decision, if not, then not so much... Finally I'm offering you a top tip for growing annuals. You'll hear this advice everywhere - I completely ignored it - and I'm regretting it. So I'm talking all about this and the reasons why. I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#165
August 14 · 35 min
6 Really Important Lessons This Drought Has Taught Me, Plus Plant Profile: Physostegia
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 14 August 2026. It's all happening on the field tonight: government wildfire warning alerts, teatime for the hens, and tonight's episode. The heat has been insane this week - yesterday was brutal - so I hope you've made it through the week ok. Tonight I'm sharing news of what I've been doing this week plus my seed harvesting plans for the annuals that didn't get sold this summer. I'm also sharing the six key things that the drought has taught me this summer including choosing the right types of plants for the field, why water harvesting is crucial if you're off-grid (like me), how watering at the right stage of seedling growth is crucial, plus the importance of a healthy soil for water retention. My Plant Profile this week is Physostegia, a new perennial for me this year, which I've really enjoyed watching growing from a tiny plug to beautiful flowering stems. And finally, a fellow grower has written a brilliant open letter to the UK Prime Minister about the significant impact that the weather this summer has had on the British cut flower industry and some brilliant suggestions for national infrastructure improvements. Kelly from Wye Grow in Herefordshire has uploaded the letter to her website and is inviting other growers (and in fact, anyone who has an interest in this issue) to add their names. I've signed and I'd encourage you to check it out. Have a read of the letter and see how you feel about signing it here: https://www.wyegrow.com/post/an-open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-andy-burnham I hope you enjoy the episode - please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
- Transcript
#164
August 11 · 26 min
What's Actually Happening In Drought Soil, Rose Lily Drama Continues & Am I Pruning My Dahlias All Wrong?
Welcome to today's episode on Tuesday 11 August 2026. Lots going on as usual: I've been topping up the IBCs again, trying to keep my shrubs and perennials alive and mulching as much bare soil as possible to stop it overheating. Tonight I'm talking about what happens below the surface during a drought: what are the earthworms doing? Are the microbes dead or dormant? What's happened to the mycorrhizal network? How does all of this affect the plants? And what can be done about it? In other news, it looks like I've been pruning my dahlias all wrong - all the details of why I think this. And finally - my rose lilies continue to cause me drama by producing stamens (they're not supposed to have any)... I hope you enjoy the episode! Please come back and join me for the next one - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
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#163
August 7 · 27 min
Q & A Session: Pests/Fertilisers/Short Stems/Green Manures & Do I Have A Toilet On The Field?
Welcome to today's episode on Friday 7 August 2026. Tonight I'm answering some brilliant questions that I've been asked recently including: what pests I've had this year (and how I've dealt with them) what data I'm collecting (how and why) which natural fertilisers I'm using (and the ones I want to try) why so many flower stems are short this year (and the science behind this) what my pivot means for what I'm doing on the field for the rest of this year green manures and - my favourite - do I have a toilet on the field?!? I hope you enjoy the episode. As you probably know by now, I love hearing from you - feel free to send me a DM on instagram or drop me an email lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
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#162
August 4 · 26 min
I Have More IBCs & A New (Very Old) Car, Chickens Celebrate Birthdays & A Big Exciting Plan
Hello, it's Tuesday 4 August 2026. Still no rain - and none in sight. In light of this I went and bought three new big secondhand water storage tanks so I'm ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at me next year. Tonight there's news from the field including what I realised when I was stood on top of a transit van on Sunday. Tonight I'm sharing with you my plans for next year and beyond. It's been a big decision and I'm excited about it. This year has been a huge wake-up call for me: the field has been telling me that it can't support what I'm trying to grow, and I ignored it. Big mistake... HUGE! I've also been trying to grow more than I can manage, given my other commitments. So I'm reverting to my original dream for the field and I really can't wait to tell you about it and get started. I hope that you and your flowers are doing ok, wherever you are in the world. Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
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#161
July 31 · 26 min
Why I Can't Face Growing Annuals in 2027, My Flowers Go Off To A Wedding & Plant Profile: Euonymus
Hello, it's Friday 31 July 2026. Welcome to tonight's episode. I'm trying a new format tonight so there's deliberately no intro or outro music. The heatwaves have finally come to an end but the drought continues and there's barely any rain forecast, which is somewhat concerning. I've been busy cutting stems this week for a wedding tomorrow: my wedding florist came to collect the order on Thursday and I can't wait to see the photos. I've been ruminating about not growing any annuals in 2027 this week: my off-grid field does not lend itself to annuals and, quite honestly, I can't face the thought of trying to support them in another hot summer. Somehow my focus has moved quite far away from my dream of growing roses and I kept asking myself this week why I'm struggling to grow things that don't like the conditions and aren't what I wanted to grow in the first place. Something to think about... My Plant Profile Series continues with Euonymus: a really robust, useful and easy shrub to grow which I'm talking about tonight. Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
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#160
July 28 · 24 min
Teatime On The Field, I'm Not Growing Cosmos Again & Outsourcing Marketing (Is It Ok To Do This?)
Hello, it's Tuesday 28 July 2026. You're joining me on the field for tonight's episode. We'll feed the flock together and then I'll update you on my thoughts on the flowers right now and what I'm culling after this year. I've had to top-up with external water again (I really wish I didn't have to) and I'm about to buy three more IBC storage tanks so I can collect more rainwater myself, rather than having to bring it onsite. It's looking like the whole of July isn't going to be the time of my life: I'm battling some hormonal issues which are causing sleepless nights and brain fog, and my car has reached the end of its life so I need a replacement one asap (how?). I'm also talking you through my recent marketing strategy: I've been given the opportunity to outsource my marketing and I've taken it. I'll talk you through the reasons why and what I've been doing to get it organised. I've really been struggling with marketing so it's a relief to pass it to someone who knows what they're doing. I'd love to know what you think! Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always very welcome. Connect with me If you like what you hear, please follow/subscribe to this podcast so that you're the first to hear new episodes when they become available every Tuesday and Friday. And if you enjoy this episode, please take a minute to leave a review because it really does help more cut flower-lovers just like you to find the podcast. Follow me on instagram @henhillcutflowers for a behind-the-scenes look at life on my cut flower plot. And you can find my website at www.henhillcutflowers.co.uk and my email is lydia@henhillcutflowers.co.uk. Join me on my journey through a year of growing and selling cut flowers in England. I'm giving you the low-down on what it's really like, how I'm getting started, what you do and don't need, what I do when and why, the successes and failures, and just about everything in between. All in real time. With guest appearances from my chickens every now and then. Text The Podcast Here! Support the show
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