When it comes to sowing flower seeds, should you go high-tech, low-fi, or somewhere in between? In this episode I dive into one of the most spirited debates in the flower farming world: modules vs. soil blocks vs. direct sowing. I Cut through the noise, sharing real-life tips and lessons from my greenhouse and garden trenches. Whether you're surrounded by seed trays or armed with just a rake and a dream, this episode will help you find the sowing method that suits your flowers — and your life.

🌼 What You’ll Learn:

• The pros and cons of direct sowing, modular trays, and soil blocks
• Why “one size fits all” is a myth in seed sowing
• My no-fuss compost method for soil blocks
• Which seeds thrive with each method (hint: poppies love the wild life)
• The golden rule: Match your method to your lifestyle, space, and sanity
• Common mistakes to avoid (and why your cardboard pots might be the problem)

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Soil Blocking 101 Blog
• The Great Seed Sowing Debate Blog

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and share it with a flower-loving friend. And don’t forget to follow so you never miss a bloom-filled conversation.

Welcome to the Blooming Garden Podcast — the go-to space for aspiring and established flower farmers who want to grow beautiful blooms and build a thriving business.

In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest questions I get asked time and time again:

“How do I start a flower farm?”

Whether you’ve got a tiny patch of lawn, a couple of raised beds, or a whole field to play with, this episode gives you a clear, step-by-step plan to help you get growing — without the overwhelm.

Here’s what we cover:

Defining your goals — and why you need to know your "why" before you sow a single seed

• What to grow: my top 5 beginner-friendly, high-value flowers
• How to plan your first season like a pro (even if you hate spreadsheets!)
• Why marketing before your flowers bloom is your secret weapon
• How to find customers and make sales, even in your very first season

Plus, I share why starting small is the best thing you can do to succeed long-term — and why fancy tools or acres of land are absolutely not required.

Want to go deeper?

If you're ready to go from idea to income with your flower farm, Then register your interest for our course which launcher later this year:

Flower Farming 101: Start Your Business in 30 Days A practical 4-week roadmap to help you plan, grow, and sell with confidence.

Register Now for our waiting list

Free Resources Mentioned:

• Succession Planning Guide
• Planting Planners

Loved this episode?

Share it on Instagram and tag me @hampshireseedcompany — I’d love to see what you’re planning for your patch this season.

And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. See you next time!

In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Raskin, Head of Agroforestry at the Soil Association and author of The Woodchip Handbook, to talk about one of the most underrated (and free!) resources in the garden: woodchip.

We cover:

• What woodchip actually is (and the different types)
• How it supports fungi and microbial life in your soil
• The truth about nitrogen lock-up
• Why it helps with both drought and waterlogging
• How to use it around trees, borders, veg beds and more
• Where to get your hands on woodchip—without spending a fortune

Key Quotes:
“Woodchip is like fast food for fungi—full of cut ends, easy to break down, and full of potential.” – Ben Raskin
“Every bit of woody growth in your garden is captured sunlight. Don’t let it leave your system.” – Ben Raskin

🌱 Resources & Links:

• Buy The Woodchip Handbook – by Ben Raskin (Chelsea Green Publishing)
• Arbtalk – Register as a woodchip drop-off site
• 🎧 Listen to more episodes at [Your Website or Podcast Page Link]

🪴 Keep Exploring:

• How to Make Nettle Tea Fertiliser – another free garden boost you probably already have growing.
• Quick Compost: The Fast Way to Feed Your Soil
• Grow Again Next Year – The Essential Guide to Seed Saving

📩 Stay in the Loop:

Like what you heard? Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and sign up to the newsletter for weekly growing tips, podcast updates, and first dibs on new resources.