Dish the Dirt

The Big Bouquet is a flower farm located in the beautiful Yarra Valley, specialising in gerberas. The farm is owned and operated by Natalie Kerst, who has a wonderful team of staff who pick and bunch gerberas all year round! During spring, the farm also grows some varieties of peony roses. The Big Bouquet operates as a tourist attraction 5 days a week, allowing visitors to enter the glasshouse where all the magic happens, have a light meal in their cafe and purchase beautiful bouquets of fresh gerberas. They pride themselves on their quality, Aussie grown flowers, and hope to inspire listeners around the country to keep it fresh and support your local growers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marika and John’s Farm Glenbernie Family Farms is a small flower farm set on ten acres in the Hawkesbury an hour west of Sydney. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helix Australia specialises in the breeding, licensing and marketing of new and improved varieties of Waxflower & Boronia.Established in 2008, Helix Australia is the global leader in Waxflower and Boronia breeding targeting both the cut flower and landscape sectors. Our highly sophisticated Waxflower and Boronia breeding programmes have developed vastly improved flowering characteristics including exciting new colours, unique petal shapes, extended flowering times and improved plant vigor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Southern Highlands Flower Farm is a micro flower farm created by myself, Jen Foster, in the Winter of 2019, three years after falling in love with the Southern Highlands and making the quintessential tree-change from Sydney with my husband and two sons. ​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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When cousins Eliza and Mel shared an online horse gaming account at the age of thirteen, they had no idea that they would one day be starting up chemical-free Gather Flower Farm together. Back in 2015 when Eliza purchased the 7.5 acre farm in Yarra Valley, she had no idea that she was purchasing a north facing block of some of the best soil in the country. Making use of the long established protea and foliage on the property, the pair have also delved into garden roses, peonies, dahlias and a wide variety of annuals. With the flower farm officially launching in 2020, the pair have been on a very steep but satisfying learning curve. Mel and Eliza also run a wide variety of workshops in their refurbished barn with local artisans and creators – covering things like bouquet and vase arranging, flower growing, writing, wreath making, floral watercolour and macramé. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie and Rob ~ Building our dream boutique flower farm in the Barossa Valley. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Charmers Garden is a flower patch located in Serpentine, Victoria. The flowers are grown by Anna, a mother and photographer, who was drawn to gardening as a tool to help manage her anxiety and help her children connect with nature. Although the Charmers Garden is small, it is mighty and produces an abundance of blooms for florists, event organisers and the general public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tickets can be found on @_dishthedirt_ Instagram or via the link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/163138237861 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grown Not Flown was a passion project born out of the covid-19 pandemic from the growers behind Gnarwarre Flower Farm and Duck Duck Pig. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Luca is from Olive Gap Farm, a certified organic family farm run by herself, her husband and her two sister in laws in Northern NSW. They produce native essential oils and small scale slow seasonal flowers. A former musician and birth doula, Tara has been living off grid on an intentional community with her husband Alex and their three daughters for the past ten years. The farming developed out of their love of homesteading, growing food, owner/building and building soil from scratch. Tara now writes for Earth Garden Magazine and shares stories of their bush land life on Instagram @olivegapfarm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa grows, creates and teaches on her flower farm in Echuca Yorta Yorta Land Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alchemilla is a flower farm & floristry studio in Birregurra, south west Victoria. Phoebe uses biodynamic & permaculture techniques to plant, harvest and nurture the flower farm throughout the seasons & to create a system that is layered, thriving and abundant from the soil to the sky. Biodynamics & the lunar calendar are the backbone of the farm & provide its yearly structure, which Phoebe has created a 2021 lunar planting almanac about. Flowers from the farm are harvested for the Alchemilla studio for both bespoke events and wholesale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bloomfield Flower Farm is situated in the beautiful rolling green hills just north of Warragul, West Gippsland. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Accidental flower farmers”, Jayde and Hayden, grow a broad range of Proteas and Australian Natives on their flower farm in Gnarwarre (a couple of km’s outside of Geelong, Victoria). 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erica is a farmer florist growing cottage garden flowers on a 1/2 acre patch on their family dairy farm, run by her husband Steven in Jamberoo, NSW.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ally and her family grow as many flowers as possible on their acre of land south of Hobart, Tasmania. Originally from NSW, Ally never believed flowers were an important part of daily life until living in Europe and Tasmania changed her mind. With techniques learned from regenerative market gardeners, cool and warm season annuals are grown alongside hardy perennials that can withstand Tasmania’s famously fickle weather and the sandy soil. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and her family farm dahlias on their property in Sail Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Little Triffids Flowers is a floral design studio and flourishing micro flower farm, based in Wagga Wagga. From our idyllic little quarter acre block, we get our hands dirty pouring love and attention into the hundreds of varieties we cultivate from September to May each year. This means our flowers are field grown and seasonal, bringing a natural garden aesthetic to our arrangements and they are as fresh as can be.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A beautiful old fashioned garden situated in Ivanhoe Melbourne. Petrina is working hard to bring back the joy of an old fashioned garden through her open door policy and beautiful seasonal bouquets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broula Farm is located on the lands of the Worimi people, now known as Gloucester on the mid coast of NSW. Sheena and Sue are committed to stewarding the land and creating a sustainable, regenerative farm experience so that they can leave the land better than they found it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Country Style & Life is a boutique flower farm set amonsgt the rolling green hills of Ellinbank, 10 minutes outside of Warragul in West Gippsland. Growing dahlias, lavender, peonies and roses - and other seasonal flowers such as tulips, hyacinths and hydrangeas - the property is a visual feast of stylish, elegant 'flower rooms' making this lovely farm a pretty jewel in the local landscape.Created by former Melbourne stylist and media personality, Sarah Foster - known around Australia for her fashion workshop segments on Good Morning Australia - Country Style & Life hosts invitation-only gatherings and events that appeal to those needing to slow down and take a moment out from everyday life to smell the roses! Designed to uplift, soothe and inspire people, a day out at Country Style & Life is the essence of an 'escape to the country' experience, all within an easy 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD. Flower sale inquiries are welcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Situated just outside of Canberra, Amy farms on part of their 50 Acre block. Growing Dahlia, zinnias and chrysanthemums- having trialled other things and working out it was more economical to focus on a few and grow them well in more volume and colours. Going into their 4th season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10KM out of Bathurst you will find Dunkeld Flower Farm growing and arranging wild, untamed seasonal blooms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Melbourne based floral art studio that celebrates the delicate, the unexpected and the brave. Lead by Founder and Creative Director Vivien Hollingsworth they are an experienced team of passionate floral artists that focus on locally grown, artisanal blooms and honouring the abundance of seasons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My name is Lisel Vonhoff from Belle Bouquets and I am a small farmer florist in the Darling Downs or to be more specific, Pechey, Queensland. Together with my husband and 4 children I live on 160 acres where along with a number of cows, a little flock of sheep and some chickens, I have a small plot where I grow a mixture of roses, dahlias and cottage annuals and during my season (September to May) I make up weekly bunches, create and work on a small amount of wedding flowers as well as floral workshops held here at my converted dairy studio. I have been growing flowers for the last 5 years or so and every year gets better and better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cloud Land Flower Farm is locates in Lade Vale, NSW just outside of Gunning. The brought the property in April 2018 and have now got over 100 peonies in the ground, selling dahlias, and other annuals. Jane has a background in floristry and Jay is new to the flower world. They also have an off the grid cottage called “storm cottage” and hope to provide farm emersion weekends in the near future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Little Urban Flower Farm on Wonnarua country in the heart of central Maitland, NSW. After a lengthy career as a lawyer and CEO for an international association, Simone sought a career that would reduce her carbon footprint, allow her to work from home, as well as align her work with her beliefs around sustainability and community connection. More bohemian potager than strict flower farm, their goals are to grow beautiful seasonal flowers for the immediate flower loving community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hut Flower Farm is a family run farm in Southern Tasmania. They grow a variety of seasonal blooms, including roses, dahlias, ranunculus, annuals such as cosmos, chocolate lace and amaranth. Perennials such as ninebark, eucalyptus, hydrangeas nad viburnums. They aim to provide a local and sustainable alternative to flowers flown to their beautiful island state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hayden and Tash seed and grow their flowers with a strong intent for building climate resilience through combined regenerative agricultural practices. Their focus is healthy soil biology & building humus. Humus sequesters (stores) carbon, helping the natural cooling effect of the planet. How amazing!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harvest Cottage sits in the Dja Dja Wurrung land of Victoria. Here we work with the environment to create our products, using what comes naturally and caring for the future. All Catherines life she has been creating; painting, floristry, gardening, yarn making and sculpture. The connecting element in her process is nature. As a florist she helped make the most incredible floral dreams come true. Horticultural planting and propagating have taught the wonders of the seasons and patience.Plants are important. They exercise our senses. They calm and enliven; have fragrance, meaning and taste. Plants let us know when the daylight is increasing, when to expect different animals into the garden, when to plant the next crop and when there’s an anniversary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Webb is well known for her beautiful home garden where she produces all of her families fruit and vegetables. However the love of flowers got her and she was offered a piece of land at Wandin North where she started her Wild Violet flower farm journey. Listen to Sam share her journey and the realities of growing such beautiful blooms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a young girl, Sandy would visit her grandmother in the garden city of Christchurch, New Zealand, on holidays. It was during those special visits that she developed her deep love of flowers. With the middle name Rose, Sandy has always been drawn toward these special flowers that bloom so abundantly.In 2009, Sandy left her corporate career in marketing to pursue her passion for flowers. After being mentored by a retired florist, she opened her own floral studio specializing in events and weddings.A few years into owning her floral design business, Sandy had the opportunity to purchase rose bushes from a nursery that decided to focus exclusively on trees. She bought all 1,000 plants.“I knew we had good conditions to grow them, and given that we are over an hour away from the local wholesale flower market, I thought it was a good way to end the 2 a.m. jaunts to buy roses,” Sandy says. “At that point I had just finished reading Amy Stewart’s book, Flower Confidential, and was mortified about the global flower industry and its environmental and human health impacts.”As other florists in the area eagerly snapped up her fragrant organically grown roses, they started asking, “What else can you source and provide?” This simple question started her quest to find other local flower growers who could provide seasonal blooms beyond those she could grow. Meeting and connecting with other growers who were equally as passionate about seasonal blooms led to the creation of Consortium Botanicus. Recently she was appointed to the board of newly created Flowers Industry Australia which will provide advocacy for issues affecting flower growers and florists across Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A wonderful chat about how Josie, Chris and their three daughters came to be on this beautiful farm in Newlyn Victoria. Specialising in David Austin Roses, Josie hopes to one day be able to offer a wide variety of cut flowers to her wholesale and bridal clients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 8!! Please review at Apple Podcasts, so this can reach more people. At Sunrise Organic Flowers beauty and sustainability go hand in hand. Our summer flowering beauties and indigenous treasures are field grown on our certified domestic organic farm. Sunrise Organic Flowers is three acres, tucked in to 297 acres of Trust for Nature conservation-covenant protected forest. It's very special to caretake land like this and we take it seriously; another reason we're organic. No toxic sprays or excess nutrient runoff to disturb the delicate ecological balance of this magical wonderland we're so fortunate to call home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I get Tash and Hayden from Bloom into You located in Flowerdale Victoria to Dish the Dirt on their regenerative practices and how they found their farm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 6!! Who would have thought?! Today I speak to Lucy from Pennyweight Farm all about her journey to get to where she is now. She also shares valuable insights for new growers. Based in Franklinford in Central Victoria they grow everything from delicate sweet peas to giant sunflowers. Preferring beauty over utility every time. Find Lucy at pennyweightfarm.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a pleasure and inspiration this man is! Botany Green is a flower studio and micro flower farm in Gippsland 2.5 hours east of Melbourne. They have been cultivating their plot to make the most of a small space and test the limits as to how much space you really need to produce stunning flowers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s bonus episode is to bring a bit of hope and inspiration to your week. It’s been very tough for the community and this story is one that will lift your spirits. Kirsten is a qualified florist and along with her family they grow and arrange a wide variety of seasonal blooms from their 1/2 acre property in Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode three - Today I chat to Janae and Chris from Fleur de Lyonville where they farm with nature in mind, completely avoiding chemical sprays. Recycling and rejuvenation are always forefront in the operation of their farm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Two! Today I get to interview a wonderful friend of mine, Hayley from the Rook Blooms. Hayley grows dahlias and ranunculus amongst other things on her property in Bullengarook, Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we speak to the inspirational Lorelie Merton of Florelie Seasonal Flowers. This is our first ever episode! Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A little background into me and why a started on this journey of Dish the Dirt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dish the Dirt launches July 18th with weekly episodes showcasing flower growers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.