Customer Reviews

The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, Revised and Expanded

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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.

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!

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.

This is a core book for anyone considering a cut flower business venture and definitely everyone who is already involved in one. The advice is practical and reliable, based on personal experience and that of other growers known and trusted by the author. The organic production methods have been helpful to those not committed to organic farming, particular in terms of pest management. When I was learning how to grow cut flowers after years of experience with vegetables and small fruits, the earlier edition of this book was what I turned to for questions of when to plant and what stage to harvest the flower -- which can be more confusing than you think when standing in the garden. This book makes it clear.

When they think of farming, most folk conjure up images of grains, vegetables, and livestock. One very active and lucrative area of specialized farming is the growing and harvesting of flowers -- mostly for the ubiquitous flower shops that are to be found in very town and village. Now in a newly revised and significantly expanded edition, "The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide To Raising And Selling Cut Flowers" by Lynn Byczynski (who draws upon her considerable experience and expertise as the publisher and editor of the monthly industry newsletter 'Growing for Market' and her operation of the Wild Onion Farm in Lawrence Kansas) is the ideal instruction manual and guide for novice and experienced gardeners and farmers alike who wish to take full advantage of new techniques for prolonging their harvests, utilizing greenhouses, selecting flower cultivars, and post-harvest handling for growers throughout North American supplying commercial markets with their flowers. Enhanced with a resource directory, complete with sources for seeds, plants, supplies, and expert information on organic production under the guidelines and standards of the National Organic Program, "The Flower Farmer" will prove to be as valuable as it is indispensable whether growing flowers for fun, family and friends in the back garden, or for commercial profit on the acres of a farm.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I was looking for additional information on cut flower growing. I have a small cut flower growing business and found this book to be very helpful and informative. It covers just about everything you could possibly need to know if you are considering getting into this business. I read it from cover to cover. The individual stories about actual growers was especially interesting. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is a joy to read and full of useful and very practical information. The author's writing style is user friendly and she provides clear explanations, options depending on the reader's gardening plans and expertise, and a wealth of resources. The pictures are lovely and the stories of real flower farmers are a plus. I am considering raising flowers on a small acerage and plan to start experimenting on my existing one acre property. This book is perfect as a starting point and will be a great resource if I move forward with my plans as well. I appreciate the ideas for starting on a very small scale as well as for what it is like to grow flowers by the acre. Glad I bought it!

This book is a great read for someone new to the flower business. As someone without a green thumb, I have been inspired to start my own seedlings this year for the first time ever. My husband the constant gardener has even picked up a tip or two. This book answered many of my questions about how to get our small organic farm business off the ground, and most especially if this is a possibility for us to think about and something to put our energy into. Lynn Byczynski answered questions about how to start, what plants to start with, how we will need to market our flowers and many other basic questions. If you are thinking about the flower business this book is full of valuable info.

This is the greatest book. It has answered all my questions and the ones I didn't know to ask. Highly recommended to anyone starting a business in flowers.

The Flower Farmer is an excellent guide for beginners and experienced cut flower growers. It covers everything with enough detail to get you going efficiantly. I intend to operate a very small cut flower business and will be going back to this book for all my needs.

I love the grower profiles. They provide insite and inspriration for newbies like me. Lynn's writing is easy and fun to read so you can breeze through this book quickly and really enjoy the info.

The plant profiles are very nice and she includes just about every plant you could want to grow. Great info on vase life for each flower and how to condition flowers for the best possible results.

Get this book if you want to get serious about cut flowers for your home or commercially.