Dish the Dirt
By Rebecca Noble
Dish the DirtJul 21, 2022
Botany Sustainable Florist
VOTE! Dish the dirt Listeners Choice Awards https://www.australianpodcastawards.com/voting
Botany is a sustainable online florist based in Melbourne. We take the traditional florist business model and give it a green overhaul, by offering products that have been created from farm to door without any single-use plastics or unnecessary packaging. We create all of our beautiful arrangements using only locally grown and seasonal flowers, and arrange them into glass vases that ensure your flowers arrive fresher and ready to enjoy! If you are as serious about sustainability as we are you will love sending flowers with Botany.
Craig Scott - East Coast Wildflowers
Craig Scott
East Coast Wildflowers
My father and I started farming together in 1984, our family has been involved in the cut flower and
foliage industry either as growers or florist for a number of generations. I live on the NSW Central
Coast Australia. Our main farm is at Mangrove Mountain and we wholesale our flowers and foliage
at Sydney Flower Markets where we have market stands and warehouse facilities.
On our farm we specialise in growing Australian flora, in the field as well as in greenhouses. The
main species that we grow are Anigozanthos, Eucalyptus for foliage and flower, Actinotus (Flannel
Flower), Grevillea, Telopea, Rhodanthe, Bracteantha (everlasting Daisies) Ptilotus (Mulla Mulla)
and a wide range of other interesting Australian wildflowers, we aim for year round production.
East Coast Wildflowers is one of Australia’s leading wholesalers specialising in Australian
Wildflowers and South African Proteaceae, we source cultivated flowers and foliage from most
states in Australia.
Maya Linnell - Bonus episode Kookaburra Cottage
From country show baking to raising orphaned lambs, bestselling author Maya Linnell writes about the life
she lives and loves. A keen bookworm, former rural journalist and radio show host, Maya is also an
ambassador for the digital library app Libby OverDrive. She lives in rural Victoria with a menagerie of animals,
sweeping gardens, three bookworms and the odd tiger snake or three.
Kookaburra Cottage is now available in all good bookstores, Big W, Kmart and also available for download.
Soho Rose Farm
Studio 24 - Central Otago NZ
About 6 years ago we purchased the land I grow on now and always had a vision to grow blooms for my floral design. Growing primarily hard to source garden blooms and in particular dahlias was the goal. Covid hit and I pivoted to selling online retail and growing a more diverse range of blooms in a small cutting garden and then selling excess flowers to other local florists. I am so lucky to have such amazing relationships with the fellow florists and other local growers in the area.
I am really passionate about locally and sustainably grown blooms and supplying high quality flowers not just for couples who are my clients but other florists and their clients who get to use and see our amazing blooms.
We also sell tubers from our dahlias each year and are developing our own hybridised varieties with the focus being on more wedding style blooms as the clients we supply to are mainly florists for weddings and my own clients getting married.
We are also wanting to grow a range of blooms for seed and see a need for less imported seeds and more self sufficient production in New Zealand - something I hope to delve more into over the coming years.
Field of Roses - Zoe Field
Clifton Blooms Flower Farm
Kate grows a mix of Australian natives, South African natives as well as interesting perennials and annual flowers.
Clifton Blooms supplies flowers directly to floral artists and clever creatives in the greater Hobart area
Caldera Flower Farm - story and their experience with the new bio sanitation laws.
‘ Carlie and Matt grow seasonal, open field cut flowers on their 5 acre property located in Upper Crystal Creek on Bundjalung country.
They grow their flowers based on regenerative agriculture and no till principles. They don’t use nasty chemicals and enjoy building beautiful, healthy soil with their three youngest daughters alongside them’
Three Valleys Flower Farms
We are Three Valleys Flower Farms, a collaboration of flower farmers located across Cardrona, Maungawera and the Lindis valleys in the Upper Clutha Basin.
With a love for all things floral we are passionate about growing stunning seasonal blooms. We are consciously growing artisan garden flowers sustainably that are full of character, for you, our local community.
THE FARMERS
Anna Mackay
CARDRONA FRESH
Jenny Clark
STUDIO 24 BOTANICALS
Sarah Rutherford
THE JOY FARMER
Vera Yakzhik
ALPINE BLOOMS FARM find them - hello@threevalleysflowerfarms.com
Ball Australia - Importation of seeds and the changes within bio security.
Ball Australia offers a daily national distribution of quality seed and vegetative lines for flowers, vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and tissue culture. Trails week is held from 6-9th of December. Register to be part of their wholesale distribution list BallAustralia.com
Little Forest Garden
Atkins Farm
In early 2022 we opened the farm to welcome guests to pick their own sunflowers during the global pandemic. What we didn’t realise or couldn't imagine was all the wonderful people we were lucky enough to meet from our community. We can’t wait to welcome guests back to the farm next summer.
Nourish Gardens
Together with Julie Treanor, of The Pickery, Christy also runs a coaching and mentoring programme for other flower growers, called Floral Business Activator.
"I like: selling every single flower that I grow, power tools, my kick ass crew, Sunday lie-ins, and cinnamon rolls. I dislike: deadheading, temperatures above 25 degrees, caterpillars, and cooked tomatoes" website- nourish gardens.com learn.floralbusinessactivator.com
Big Sky Flower Farm
Owner Jane lives on the 10 acre property with her husband, 2.5 year old and 5 month old sons as well a couple of horses, goats, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks.
Jane started the farm after 2 life changing events occured... 80% of their property was burnt in the 2019 Cudlee Creek Bushfire and then shortly after her 14 year career in the travel industry came crashing down due to covid all within a few months of having their first baby.
Jane and her family were lucky that although their house was damaged in the fire it was saved by the country fire service. With most of their property blackened and with being in lockdown Jane decided to use this time to repair her garden but didn't have a lot of money to do so so she learnt about growing from seed and propagating her own plants. From here she became obsessed and shortly after this obsession sparked a new career!
September Peony Farm
Serenade Farm
Arcobaleno Farm
Maya Linnell - Bonus Episode.
Northern NSW Flood episode
Our farm is 120 acres of undulating land , 6 km from Byron Bay. Our ancestors came to Australia in 1890 and had other farms before this one . They were all farmers on all sides of my family . I tried to escape and be a Science teacher but the farm spell drew me back to grow flowers “
Northern NSW Flood Episode
Collector Cottage
With a deep and lifelong love of nature, flowers, creativity and all things beautiful, Collector Cottage is Rachel’s heart and soul, brought to life.
Rachel is now a farmer and qualified florist growing seasonal chemical free flowers. Predominantly she grows Roses and Dahlias seasonally. When she isn’t in the flower field you will find her looking after her self-contained bnb cottage for guests.
Rachel is a lover of old things, vintage pieces that tell a story together with a touch of magic that is reflected in her creative wreaths and bouquets.
Having escaped the hustle and bustle of city life, Rachel is passionate about providing others with a sanctuary where they can decompress, slow down and simply, be.
Mount Vincent Flower Farm
Redlands Fresh Flowers
Dave and Jatinder know how to grow quality Gerbera’s, Roses, Chrysanthemums, Lissianthus, Delphinium, Stock, Snap Dragons, Sun Flowers the list is endless they also grow foliage and fillers as well. Detail in the preparation of flower growing from seedlings, managing the soil to picking and quality control in sorting is paramount they have won many product quality awards.
Redlands Fresh Flowers have been supplying flowers to florists in Brisbane, Beenleigh, Cannon Hill, Capalaba, Carindale, Cleveland, Coorparoo, Logan, Loganholme and to the General public for special occasions for generations.
Redlands Fresh Flowers stand by their product due to the fact that they grow majority of their own stock and also that they have nurtured their relationship with the countries top Flower Growers.
Quite Contrary Flower Farm
Local, Abundant and Whimsical are the words Mardi uses to describe the flowers that she grows on the family farm alongside her husband, parents, very naughty dog and far too many chickens. The crops include David Austin and other garden roses, dahlias, and a curated collection of annuals that change with the seasons.
After a few years full of mistakes, drought, and floods, the flowers are thriving and the farm is growing expanding its offerings each year.
Pretty Produce
Simone and Dave Jelley sold up on Macleay Island in 2019 to seek a suitable patch of land in Queensland’s celebrated Scenic Rim region. Finally settling into a stunning 8-acre parcel of land snuggled in the misty valley heading up into the mighty Lamington National Park, surrounded by the ancient Gondwana forests of the Southern Queensland border lands.
Flower Farm Collective
Curreys Flowers
Founded by Don and Lynda Currey on the family cattle farm over 45 years ago, Sonia and her husband help manage the farm and are in transition of Don and Lynda retiring.
Monvale Flower Farm
Nash Flower Farm
Nood Blooms
Noble Flower Farm
The Big Bouquet
Glenbernie Family Farm
Marika and John have years of experience in the agriculture industry and have farmed on the property in Kurmond for 14 years.
When COVID hit last year Marika was home schooling her 4 school age children. Being home more she found herself gardening at every chance she had. Finding Erin of Floret online reading her books. Marika’s love of farming and growing seeds started the talk of a flower farm. It was a long slow process learning so much and still learning.
We’re a pick your own flower farm, bringing the Sydney community together. We supply florist and the general public. Just recently
hosting online workshops and we will hold workshops on the farm when all the COVID restrictions are over.
It’s so important for our local community to see where there flowers come from, how there grown and how beautiful fresh Australian flowers can be and are.
Helix Australia
Southern Highlands Flower Farm
My pre-children corporate life never fulfilled me the way my boys and nature do, so my flower farm was born from a passion to incorporate these two parts of my life and build a sustainable business at the same time. The trigger was when I was studying Horticulture and my eldest son wanted to grow something with me to sell at the markets, so we decided to plant some flowers. I am known for my obsession with epic projects and I luckily have a very patient and accommodating husband, as I dove in head-first!
My goal is to produce seasonal sustainable garden-style blooms in my one acre growing space, that create a visual joy that I can share with our community. A smile is priceless and if I can create that with my locally grown flowers, then I am a happy grower.
Gather Flower Farm
Little Lyndoch Flower Farm
After moving to our property Rob fell in love with growing and caring for 6 dahlia plants. Im a florist and together we run an event business so the idea of growing our own flowers and using them in our work and being able to offer our clients fresh locally grown blooms was our inspiration.
Our little farm and first season was our lockdown project which has turned into a growing business thanks to the support of our community and has given us both purpose.
We have found our true passion and cant wait to learn more and now offer our industry friends beautiful blooms.
Charmers Garden
Farm Tour Monvale Flowers
Grown Not Flown
As relatively new flower growers themselves, they were all too aware of the challenges of entering this industry and forging new relationships with other growers and flower consumers alike.
At its core, Grown Not Flown’s aim is to promote locally grown blooms, showcasing the seasonal flowers available on our doorstep and making it easier than ever to connect and support growers no matter how big or small.
The team at Grown Not Flown have created an online platform, including app, to increase the choices available to consumers whether they’re wholesalers, florists, hospitality, event stylists, DIY brides or everyday flower lovers.
Grown Not Flown is about creating a community that supports and uplifts growers by providing a forum for them to share their skills and experiences, making it easier for new growers to enter the market whilst connecting existing growers with new opportunities.
Launching soon, Grown Not Flown is an exciting app development that will help put more “blooms in rooms”, reduce our flower miles and continue to showcase the best our industry has to offer.
Olive Gap Farm
Wallingford Flowers
Alchemilla
Bloomfield Flower Farm
Run by flower farmer/florist Michelle, it is a true project of love and passion that stemmed from many years of gardening and learning from nature.
Many different annuals, perennials, dahlias and bulbs are all grown on the 60 acre farm where a small, but productive 1/4 acre is dedicated to producing seasonal and chemical free flowers.
Offering bouquets to the local community through farm pick up and providing weekly to a local Food Hub, Michelle hopes to ignite a love for flowers that are fresh and local.
Gnarwarre Flower Farm
Ditching the city in favour of the country (and the coast) in 2019, they found the cattle and sheep farm they had bought contained over 9 acres of long established plants (including 50+ varieties of Protea, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, Banksia, Geraldton Wax, Gum, Isopogon etc). Whilst it was not love at first sight, they have spent the better part of 12 months learning the art of native flower farming, building their business and expanding their existing flower field with lots of new and exciting varieties.
Little House on the Dairy
The flower business she has established equally reflects her desire to stay on farm to care for their three young children, her need to contribute financially during what has been an incredibly difficult time in the dairy industry and an urge to channel her creativity and love of flowers. She sells direct to the local community and loves to arrange romantic, feminine bouquets with a nostalgic feel.
Cosmos and Kale
Ally and the family also grow dahlias, roses and lots of edible plants. The flowers are harvested and arranged in mixed bouquets for their stall at Hobart’s iconic Sunday farmers’ market, The Farm Gate Market. Ally loves talking to customers about flower miles, sustainable flower farming and the local flower movement.
Copper Blooms
Little Triffids Flowers
On the rich clay soil of North Wagga, with the Riverina’s four distinct seasons, we can grow a huge variety of stunning flowers. We love ranunculus, dahlias, roses and delphiniums as well as more unusual and delicate blooms such as chocolate cosmos, foxglove, nigella and lupin. And we love each and every one.