10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded, October 13, 2009
This review is from: The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded (Paperback)
I've always wanted a cutting garden. Although I love having bouquets of flowers in my house, I don't like picking flowers from my carefully planned borders. A separate plot, preferably in an inconspicuous spot from which I could plunder as many blossoms as I wanted without worrying about leaving holes in my planting scheme, is definitely the answer. But how to begin? How to decide what to plant, when to plant, the best methods of harvesting to ensure the longest vase life? Surprisingly, I found the answers to all of my questions as well as questions I didn't know I should be asking in "The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut flowers".
In this revised and expanded edition, Lynn Byczynski covers every aspect of raising flowers for sale in easy to understand terms. The book is incredibly detailed but I was never bored. Rather than a manual or a textbook, it was like a friendly talk over the backfence. It's obvious that she loves flowers and the business of growing flowers. The author starts with the basics of site, soil, seeds and plants then moves through pests, diseases, season extenders and harvest. She devotes several chapters on what to grow, not only the usual annuals and perennials, but also plants one doesn't usually think of, trees and shrubs, whose foliage, flowers and berries are used in both fresh and dried arrangements. Then she moves on to flower arranging, transport and marketing.
Along the way, successful flower farmers are featured. Their farms, their market niches, how they got started and how they have expanded or shrunk their businesses to suit their financial and lifestyle goals are explained.
All of the information is presented in an easy to understand format. Each concept is clearly explained. Technical terms are defined. No prior knowledge is assumed on the part of the reader. Nor is the book limited to one climate or region of the country. For information not covered in the book, sources are given where the information can be found. The author points out how the each section applies to both large and small farms and even cutting gardens such as I envision.
Whether you are thinking of growing flowers for market or just want a cutting garden, I can't recommend this book highly enough. But don't take my word for it. Cathy Jones of Perry-winkle Farm in central North Carolina was one of the experienced flower farmers asked for their Top Ten varieties for each area of the country. Cathy says, "It doesn't seem that long ago that I was reading The Flower Farmer to learn just these sorts of things!"(page 25)
As for me, I'm finally going to plant that cutting garden. Thanks to "The Flower Farmer", I know what to plant, when to plant it, and how to plant it. I've learned about succession planting and other techniques to extend the season. And when it comes time to harvest my flowers, I know the proper way to harvest each variety to prolong its vase life.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded, February 19, 2009
This review is from: The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded (Paperback)
I purchased the first edition of the Flower Farmer several years ago. It was my constant companion. Chock full of excellent information for a beginning grower, I studied it through and through, over and over, always finding something I'd forgotten or missed the time before. When the revised edition came out, I wondered if it would be just the same info rehashed in a different format... As well as I love the book, I didn't want two of the same. I took a chance and have been absolutely delighted. It is my new constant companion! The wealth of new information, data,and advice, along with new anecdotes from other cut flower growers is again presented in Lyn Bcyzinski's friendly, staightforward style. She takes readers by the hand and introduces them to the possibilities, realities and satisfactions of cut flower production. It is a book for novice and intermediate grower, alike. Thank you, Lynn!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't plant a seed until you read this book!!!, January 30, 2010
This review is from: The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded (Paperback)
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who THINKS they want to become a flower grower. Written by someone who has a passion for flowers it's a needed reality check ... but in a good way. I could not have formulated my business plan or even known where to start without the many insights found through out. As I've connected with other growers, just about everyone of them has this book on their shelf.
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