The Dirt on Flowers

Hosted by Shannon Allen and Lyndsay Biehl

Business Entrepreneurship Education Leisure

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Episodes

291

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

Learn from our mistakes as we talk business, marketing, and growing techniques to help you create the farm of your dreams. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get the dirt on flowers!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 10, 20261 hr 8 min

EP 293: How Photography Can Transform Your Flower Farming Business

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Maggie from Petal Back Farm in Wisconsin. Maggie shares her journey from corporate life to flower farming, driven by a passion for photography and growing. She discusses how Petal Back Farm evolved to include weddings, retail sales, and nationwide tuber and seed sales. The conversation focuses on photography as a powerful branding tool, with Maggie offering practical tips on lighting, composition, and editing. She encourages farmers to embrace imperfection, develop a consistent visual style, and use authentic storytelling to connect with their audience.Learn more about Petal Back Farm: Website, and Instagram, Links referenced in this episode: Another great example iPhone 12, and Peter McKinnon: iPhone 14 vs Canon R5Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

July 8, 202640 min

EP 292: Uncut Week 28 4th of July Rundown, Zinnia Distrust and Dumb Shit on the Internet

In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the duo recaps their post-vacation "hell week," 4th of July celebrations, and the challenges of fireworks near high tunnels. They discuss slow market sales during a heatwave, the pros and cons of wholesale flower arrangements, and debunk "get rich quick" flower farming myths. Shannon shares a new wholesale trial with a grocery store, while Lyndsay reflects on business diversification and retirement planning. They also answer a listener question about plant watering needs and tease an upcoming episode featuring photography tips for social media and farm marketing.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

July 3, 202639 min

EP 291: Celebrating 250 Years of American Agriculture

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon celebrate America's 250th birthday by reflecting on 250 years of American agriculture. They discuss how farming has evolved from a way of life for most Americans to a highly specialized, mechanized industry. The hosts highlight the growing disconnect between consumers and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of educating customers about seasonality, labor, and the true value of locally grown flowers. They challenge fellow farmers to use marketing as a tool for storytelling and consumer education to keep local agriculture thriving.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

July 1, 202641 min

EP 290: Uncut Week 27 Daggumit We're Back

In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the two flower farmers catch up on their week's highs and lows. They bond over sunburn struggles, share laughs about regional expressions, and discuss retirement dreams. Lindsay celebrates a lightning-fast dahlia workshop sellout, while Shannon navigates staffing challenges caused by visa issues. They dive into practical dahlia care tips, debate Facebook farming trends, and tackle the profitability of perennials. The episode wraps with a preview of an upcoming episode celebrating America's 250th birthday and a humorous discussion about Shannon's jury summons.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 26, 202638 min

EP 289: Enhancing Customer Experience with Artisan Vendors

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss how incorporating artisan and local vendors can elevate farm events. They share personal experiences transitioning from frequent open farm days to fewer, more curated events featuring vendors, food trucks, and activities. Key topics include vendor curation, communication strategies, pricing models, administrative workload, and the marketing benefits vendors bring. Both hosts emphasize the importance of aligning vendors with the farm's brand, careful vetting, and prioritizing the customer experience to create memorable, profitable events.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 24, 202627 min

EP 288: Uncut Week 26 We're at the Beach

In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the two flower farmer hosts record a pre-planned episode while vacationing at the beach. They discuss the challenges of stepping away from farm life and encourage listeners to prioritize taking breaks. Lyndsay and Shannon share practical tips, including blocking vacation dates in advance, pre-scheduling marketing content, delegating tasks to employees, and lowering expectations for farm operations while away. They emphasize that rest refreshes creativity and improves business perspective, reminding listeners that taking time for yourself makes you a better farmer and business owner.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 19, 202658 min

EP 287: In the Weeds with Judd

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Shannon's husband Judd.Together, they tackle one of flower farming's biggest challenges: weed control. Judd shares practical strategies, including the "stale seedbed" technique, multiple tillage passes, and timely cultivation. The group discusses tools like the Planet Junior cultivator, biodegradable plastic mulch, and cover crops, while addressing notoriously difficult weeds like bindweed and nut sedge. They emphasize that healthy soil, realistic expectations, and proactive management are key, reminding listeners that effective weed control is an ongoing, evolving process rather than a one-time fix.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 17, 202632 min

EP 286: Uncut Week 25 The June Slump, Preppin' for Vacay and Keeping your Business Moving Forward

In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the two flower farmers chat about pre-vacation farm chaos, the June slowdown in flower sales, and a disappointing farmers market. They discuss balancing retail and wholesale during slow periods, managing cash flow, and scaling back summer markets. They reflect on their early selling days, encouraging new vendors to just show up. Lindsay and Shannon also tease a new podcast segment highlighting questionable flower farming advice, share a motivational quote about persistence, and briefly cover larkspur harvesting and dealing with excess rain on the farm.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 12, 202638 min

EP 285: The Secret to Finding Great Help

In this episode, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss how to find and manage great employees for flower farms. They emphasize that prior flower experience isn't essential — personality and mindset matter most. The key traits they look for include personal ownership, curiosity, flexibility, toughness, and the ability to thrive in a focused role. They also highlight the importance of clear communication, realistic expectations, positive company culture, and strong leadership. The episode encourages farm owners to let go of perfectionism and build teams that allow them to step back from daily operations.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm

June 10, 202632 min

EP 284: Uncut Week 24 Bachelor Buttons are Back Baby, Wildroot Gin and Thank you

In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the hosts share updates from their flower farms. Lyndsay discusses an exciting lavender gin collaboration with a local distillery, while Shannon is surviving a two-day swim meet despite back issues, and battling invasive house sparrows on the farm. They chat about growing larkspur, dahlias, and planning fall crops like amaranth and marigolds. They also shares a new liquid calcium supplement recommended by a fellow farmer. The episode wraps up with a preview of an upcoming episode on finding great employees.Be in the know for DirtCon 2027If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over to www.thedirtonflowers.com/membership to join now.Did you love today's episode?Take a screenshot and share it in your IG stories. Don't forget to tag @dirtonflowers!Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!Head to www.thedirtonflowers.com to sign up for our newsletter and become a Dirt on Flowers insider!Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!Lyndsay @wildroot_flowercoShannon @bloomhillfarm