Join Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo as they discuss all things related to gardening, flower farming, and growing from seed. Lisa brings over two decades of flower farming experience to the conversation, while Layne offers the perspective of an avid home gardener, seed starter, and engineer. Together, the duo provides an informative and entertaining look into the world of flowers as well as vegetables, bulbs, woodies, and more. From seed starting to harvesting and everything in between, ...
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#103 - Protecting Transplants with a "Suncap"
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Do your transplants struggle when planted out in the extreme summer heat? Have you had to delay putting your fall cool flower transplants in the ground due to extended warm weather? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss how to protect your transplants in extreme heat with a "suncap". They cover what a "suncap" is and when you may want to install it, the be…
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#102 - Sweet William Variety Comparison with Dave Dowling
22:56
22:56
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Confused by all the Sweet William varieties available? Wondering how to choose which ones to plant, if there are benefits to growing multiple varieties, and when to start your seeds? Today, Lisa and Layne are joined by Dave Dowling of Ball Seed to compare and contrast six varieties of Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus / Dianthus x barbatus). They di…
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#101 - Growing Perennials as Annuals for Cut Flowers
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Wondering if there are any perennials that are best treated as annuals for cut flowers? Curious why someone might choose to plant a fresh crop each year rather than leave the existing plants in place? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss various reasons why growers may choose to treat certain perennial plants as annuals for cut-flower production. They cov…
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Did you know that this is both the 100th episode of "Seed Talk" and the 10-year anniversary of Lisa's Cool Flowers book? To celebrate these two special occasions, Lisa and Layne discuss six important Cool Flower lessons Lisa has learned in the ten years following the book's publication. Listen to the podcast and learn some of the most critical keys…
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#99 - 3 Native Perennials for the Cutting Garden
26:09
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Would you like to incorporate more native plants in your garden or on your farm? Wondering which ones are not only beautiful and beneficial but also make great cut flowers? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three perennials native to various parts of the United States (Joe Pye Weed, Mountain Mint, and Goldenrod) to consider including in your cutting ga…
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Looking for interesting, textural elements to add to your autumn bouquets? Wondering which varieties of seed-grown grasses work well as fall crops? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss six gorgeous grasses that are perfect for fall bouquets. For each cultivar (Frosted Explosion, Green Drops, Lowlander, Hylander, Lime Light, and Purple Majesty), they descr…
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Wondering which varieties of cosmos to grow in your garden or on your farm? Curious which blooms have the longest vase life, or which ones are must-have flowers for fall? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of the most popular varieties of cut-flower cosmos. For each cultivar (Double Click, Sensation Mix, Apricotta, Cupcakes Blush, Rubenza, Fizzy Wh…
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#96 - Open Farm Highlights with Dave, Ellen & Lisa
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Did you come to The Gardener's Workshop's Open Farm event this past weekend? If so, we are thrilled you were able to join us! Even if you were not able to attend, would you like a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the day's happenings? Today, Layne talks to flower experts and online course instructors Dave Dowling, Ellen Frost, and Lisa regarding their …
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#95 - Flower Conditioning Products & Process
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Wondering how to maximize the vase life of your flowers? Unsure which flower conditioning products you should use and when? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of flower conditioning. They cover the importance of conditioning flowers and the process, from harvesting out in the field or garden to the vase, using four key products (pre-tre…
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Looking for different colors, forms, and textures of foliage to fill out your bouquets? Wondering which warm-season plants you can grow from seed to meet your needs? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three of their favorite foliage plants for the warm-season cutting garden, plus helpful harvesting tips for each one. Listen to the podcast and learn tips…
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Looking for big, beautiful flowers to fill up your summer bouquets? Wondering how to grow, harvest, and store hydrangeas to ensure a long vase life and prevent wilting? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of growing hydrangeas as cut flowers. They cover why they are a valuable addition to cutting gardens and flower farms, the optimal gro…
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Frustrated by cockscomb plants blooming on short stems? Confused by conflicting information about whether or not you should pinch your plants? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss five of the most common cockscomb (Celosia argentea cristata) questions. They cover pinching, which varieties are the best for drying, cockscomb varieties with the largest heads…
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Wondering whether or not you should bother netting your flowers? Curious about when to install support netting, what height to place it at, and the most efficient and effective way to install it? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of flower support netting. They cover reasons to consider netting (or not netting) your flowers, the pros a…
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#90 - 3 Vining Plants to Grow Plus Tips for Building a Tunnel
24:51
24:51
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Would you like to add some vertical interest to your garden and unique elements to your flower arrangements? Wondering how to support vigorous vining plants as they grow and prevent your underlying structures from collapsing? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three warm-season vining plants to consider growing this summer. They cover what makes each pl…
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#89 - 3 Warm-Season Flowers to Succession-Plant Every Week
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Working on your summer succession-planting schedule? Wondering if there are any warm-season flowers you should consider planting on a weekly basis? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three warm-season flowers to consider succession-planting every week. They cover why the flowers are worth growing and planting weekly, favorite varieties, the price per st…
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Searching for the perfect focal flower to star in your spring bouquets? Wondering how to grow, harvest, and store peonies to ensure loads of luscious blooms with the longest possible vase life? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of growing herbaceous peonies as cut flowers. They cover why they are a valuable addition to cutting gardens …
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Looking for ways to suppress weeds and improve your soil? Wondering what cover crops are and if you should incorporate them into your farm or garden? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of cover cropping. They cover what cover crop is and why it is used, potential benefits, crop considerations depending on the time of year and equipment …
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#86 - Bunny Tails - A 'Cool Flower' Grass
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Looking for a cute new addition to your spring cool flowers lineup? Do you love the look of 'Bunny Tails' blooms but struggle with stems that are too short to use? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the newest plant to be designated as a cool flower (aka cool-season hardy annual) - 'Bunny Tails' grass (Lagurus ovatus). They describe the soft, cottontail…
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Looking forward to a flower-filled garden all summer long? Wondering when to plant, and how to adjust your grow room to provide the optimal environment for warm-season seeds and seedlings? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss their checklist of key items to keep in mind when planning your warm-season plantings and sowing your seeds. They cover when to pla…
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#84 - 6 Tips to Maximize Flower Production + An Exciting Announcement
19:36
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Looking forward to buckets of blooms this growing season? Wondering how to get the most flowers out of your space? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss six tips for maximizing flower production in your field or garden. Plus, the girls share an exciting announcement for cool flower growers everywhere. Listen to the podcast and learn how to make the most of…
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#83 - Fungus Gnats + Tips to Prevent & Control
22:13
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Frustrated by fungus gnats in your growing space? Wondering how to get rid of your unwanted house guests or prevent them from taking over in the first place? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss fungus gnats and practical methods for prevention and control. They cover the fungus gnat life cycle and lifespan, where they prefer to lay their eggs and how man…
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#82 - Snapdragon Bloom Order & Group Considerations
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Wondering which order your snapdragon varieties will bloom in this spring? Confused about snapdragon groups and if you should consider them when planning your plantings? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the typical bloom order of snapdragons, how group classifications factor in, and important considerations when planting in spring. They cover how snap…
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#81 - Germination Chambers for Seed Starting
17:19
17:19
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Running short on heat mat space? Wondering how to sprout high volumes of seeds in a space-efficient manner? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the ins and outs of germination chambers for seed starting. They cover what germination chambers are, key benefits and considerations, which seeds can be sprouted inside, an overview of how to make one yourself, …
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#80 - 3 Green Cool Flower Fillers to Add Texture & Interest to Bouquets
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Do you love the fresh look green flowers bring to a bouquet? Looking for unique shapes, forms, and textures to add interest to your arrangements? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three gorgeous green cool flower fillers, plus a helpful tip for each one. Listen to the podcast and learn tips and tricks for growing and harvesting Atriplex, Bells of Irela…
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Would you like to have sunflowers blooming as early as possible in your growing season? Wondering what steps you should take to make that happen and which varieties to choose? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss a checklist of key items to keep in mind when planting "early bird" sunflowers. They cover the potential risks and rewards, variety and color co…
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Wondering how far above seedlings to place your grow lights? If a seed needs light to germinate, should your trays be under grow lights from the moment you sow the seeds? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about grow lights. They cover grow light placement, when to move seedlings under lights, how long to leav…
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Looking for an early-blooming, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in the shade? Wondering if hellebores can be used as cut flowers and, if so, when to harvest to prevent wilting? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss tips and tricks for growing and harvesting hellebores. They cover why you should consider growing hellebores as cut flowers, variety reco…
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Wondering how soil blocking mix differs from regular seed starting mix? Confused about how wet your soil mixture should be or why you are having issues ejecting your blocks? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about soil blocking mix. They describe the key differences between blocking mix and other seed startin…
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#75 - Cool Flower Succession Planting in Very Early Spring & Beyond
28:57
28:57
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Curious about planting cool-season hardy annuals beyond very early spring? Wondering which cool flowers you should consider succession planting? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss cool flower succession planting in very early spring and beyond. They cover potential consequences of planting cool-season hardy annuals later in the season, what makes a cool…
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Looking for an efficient seed-starting method that allows you to maximize your indoor growing space? Wondering what soil blocking is and whether or not it is right for you? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about soil blocking. They give an overview of the soil blocking process and cover a myriad of common qu…
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#73 - 7 Common Causes of Cool Flower Plant Loss Over Winter
28:55
28:55
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Are some of your overwintered cool flowers looking questionable? Wondering if the plants will make it through winter and if not, what may have gone wrong? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss seven common causes of cool flower plant loss over the winter months. From drainage to plant size and everything in between, listen to the podcast and learn how to i…
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#72 - Bupleurum Germination & Succession-Planting Tips
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24:57
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Looking for the perfect filler flower for your spring bouquets? Wondering how to start successions of bupleurum indoors during late winter and early spring to ensure a steady supply? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss tips for germinating and succession-planting bupleurum. They cover why bupleurum is such a useful filler, tips for germination success ou…
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Has the turn of the year inspired you to get organized? Wondering the best ways to categorize your seeds for easy access and efficiency? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some helpful tips and considerations to keep in mind when organizing your seeds. They cover identifying your seed organization goals, different ways to group your seeds, alphabetizing…
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#70 - Pantone Color of the Year 2024 & Celosia 'Jura Salmon'
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Happy New Year, everyone! Interested in integrating the Pantone Color of the Year into your garden or floral arrangements? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the Pantone Color of the Year for 2024 ('Peach Fuzz') and a beautiful cockscomb flower that embodies this color story (Celosia 'Jura Salmon'). Listen to the podcast and find out why 'Jura Salmon' i…
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Are you ready for a fresh start in 2024? Have you taken some time to reflect on changes you will be making going into the new year? Today, Lisa and Layne wrap up the year with a review of the top-selling seeds of 2023, new things they will be trying in 2024, some flowers they will not be growing, and resolutions for a new gardening season. Listen t…
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Wondering how to install row cover that actually stays in place? Confused about when to put covers up or take them down? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some important row cover do's and don'ts when overwintering cool-season hardy annuals (a.k.a. cool flowers). They cover how to properly space your hoops and secure your row cover, fabric weight consi…
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#67 - Great Books for Gardeners & Farmers
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Shopping for a gardener or farmer (or yourself) this holiday season? Wondering which books are worthy of adding to your collection? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss some of their top book recommendations for gardeners, flower farmers, and nature lovers. Listen to the podcast and get ready to expand your library with some of the girls' all-time favorit…
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#66 - 3 Tips to Prevent Paperwhites from Flopping Plus a Note About Scent
17:32
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Do you love brightening up your home during the cold winter months with the fresh, beautiful blooms of paperwhites? Wondering if there is any way to avoid the frustrating problem of foliage and flower stems that grow too tall and flop over? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss three tips to help prevent your paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) from flopping w…
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#65 - Understanding the Updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
20:14
20:14
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Did your hardiness zone change in the newly updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map? Wondering what this means for your plantings of cool flowers going forward? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the just released 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and implications for growers whose zone designations have changed. They cover noteworthy updates and nationw…
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#64 - Two More Flowers We Are Thankful For
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17:30
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In honor of Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Lisa and Layne continue with last year's theme and discuss two more flowers they are thankful for - foxgloves and snapdragons. Listen to the podcast and learn what these beautiful flowers have to offer. For those celebrating Thanksgiving today, we wish you a safe and happy holiday with family and f…
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#63 - Troubleshooting Premature Blooms on Fall-Planted Cool Flowers
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20:17
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Are you distressed to see buds forming on your fall-planted cool flowers before winter has even set in? Wondering what might have gone wrong and what you should do? Today, Lisa and Layne troubleshoot premature blooms on fall-planted cool flowers. They cover potential causes of premature bud formation and blooming, which cool flowers are more prone …
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#62 - A Trip to England with Florist Ellen Frost
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Are you a garden and flower lover who has always dreamed of traveling to England? Wondering which sights to see on a flower-filled journey across the pond? Today, Lisa and Layne are joined by florist Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers to discuss Ellen's recent trip to England. Ellen describes her stops at Columbia Road Flower Market, Brothers Farm …
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#61 - Is It Too Late to Start Cool Flowers This Fall?
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17:18
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Running behind schedule on your fall cool flower plantings? Wondering if you still have time to plant, or if your window of opportunity has passed? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss whether or not it is too late to start or plant cool-season hardy annuals this fall. They cover how to determine whether it is too late based on your seed-starting method (…
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Contemplating which tasks should be on your mind when preparing your flower beds in the fall? Wondering how bed preparation may differ depending on your plans for the space or the type of bed (conventional versus no-till)? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss their checklist of key considerations to keep in mind when preparing your beds in the fall. They …
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#59 - 5 Simple Steps to Remove, Store & Reuse Flower Support Netting
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Does your flower support netting end up in a tangled mess when you try to remove it? Wondering if there is a better way to remove the netting so that it can be easily stored and reused? Today, Lisa and Layne cover five simple steps to remove and store plastic mesh netting (such as Hortonova) for future use. They cover each step in detail, from stak…
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#58 - Cool Flower Drying Experiment Results
24:27
24:27
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Would you like to grow your own material for dried flower crafts or arrangements? Wondering which cool flowers to include in your garden for drying purposes? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss the results of this year's cool flower drying experiments. They cover a variety of cool flowers, describing how the flowers look when air dried, whether they hold…
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#57 - Troubleshooting Cool Flower Transplant Timing Issues
24:22
24:22
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Are you realizing that you may have started your cool flower transplants a bit too early? Wondering how to slow down seedling growth if weather is preventing you from transplanting out on time? Today, Lisa and Layne troubleshoot issues with cool flower transplant timing. They cover the ideal transplant size and weather conditions for fall-planted c…
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#56 - Germination Troubleshooting - Rudbeckia, Bells of Ireland & Poppies
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22:10
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Are you having difficulty germinating some of your cool flower seeds? Wondering why you are not seeing more sprouts in your grow room or in the garden? Today, Lisa and Layne troubleshoot germination issues with rudbeckia, bells of Ireland, and poppies. They cover tips, tricks, and common pitfalls for each seed to help improve germination. Listen to…
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#55 - 10 Direct Seeding Mistakes to Avoid for Cool Flowers in Fall
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Are your direct-seeded beds of cool flowers looking thinner than you would like? Wondering what may have gone wrong and if there is anything you can do going forward to improve germination? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss ten mistakes to avoid when sowing cool flower seeds directly outdoors in the fall. From bed preparation to thinning and everything…
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#54 - 7 Cool Flowers Plus Tips for Growing in Tunnels, Part 2 - Orlaya, Foxgloves, Godetia, Anemones & Ranunculus with Jonathan Leiss
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Would you like to grow gorgeous godetia and orlaya flowers on taller plants with longer stems? Today, Layne is joined again by Jonathan Leiss of Spring Forth Farm to continue discussing the seven cool-season annual crops his farm will be growing next year and the advantages of growing these flowers in tunnels. Episode 53 (part 1) featured snapdrago…
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