The Dirt on Flowers

Latest Episodes:

EP 279: Are you looking at costs? May 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon dig into crop-level profitability and the decision framework flower farmers need to decide what to grow, what to scale, and what to cut. Using tulips and sunflowers as concrete case studies, they walk through the full set of cost drivers — material inputs, labor (including owner labor), shrink/waste, storage and handling, equipment choices, and market/channel fit — and emphasize the non-financial factors (systems capacity, fuss factor, personality, social-media pressure) that shape good choices. The goal is to collect the data that lets you make deliberate CEO-level decisions for your farm.

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 278: Uncut Week 21 Peony + Spring Crop Download May 20, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Dirt on Flowers, Shannon and Lyndsay catch up on what’s thriving, what’s struggling, and the crops they’re loving most this season. From surprisingly gorgeous tunnel-grown Bells of Ireland to statice, snaps, and all-time favorite cool flowers, they share the varieties earning permanent spots on the farm. They also get honest about disappointing peony seasons, overwintering losses, tunnel fatigue, and the reality that perennial crops still need plenty of attention and care. The conversation dives into soil health, irrigation, plasticulture, crop rotation, and the mental side of flower farming after years of unpredictable weather. Plus, they talk wedding workshop details, favorite fall-planted flowers, USPS disasters, and the flowers they’d happily never grow again.

Lyndsays wedding workshop

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 277: Designing Systems and Choosing Equipment: A Deep Dive into Mechanized Flower Farming May 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Lydell Steiner from Tilmor, a family-owned equipment company in Northeast Ohio, to discuss weed control and mechanization in flower farming. They explore different tractor types, cultivation strategies, and planting systems suited for small-scale growers. Lydell highlights Tilmor's innovative equipment, including the Power Ox two-wheel tractor and the electric Super E tractor, designed to make farming more accessible and efficient. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early weed management, standardized planting systems, and ergonomic tools to help flower farmers scale their operations sustainably.

Learn more about Tilmor- Website, Instagram and Facebook

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 276: Uncut Week 20 - Mother's Day Rundown, Favorite Zinnias + Bad review Drama May 13, 2026

Show notes

Mother’s Day weekend is officially behind us, and Shannon and Lyndsay are recapping everything — the wins, the weather stress, leftover bouquets, flower bars, pricing experiments, customer behavior, and the lessons they’re taking into next year. They also talk about handling negative reviews, donation request burnout, and creative ways to support their communities while protecting their businesses. Plus, they answer listener questions about growing eucalyptus and favorite zinnia varieties.

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

Ep 275: When accidents happen - Dr. Cole Biehl May 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss farm emergency preparedness after both recently experienced situations requiring 911 calls. They're joined by Lyndsay's brother, Dr. Cole Biehl, a pathologist, who provides expert guidance on handling common farm emergencies. Shannon shares a frightening experience involving a worker's severe allergic reaction to a spider bite. Cole covers essential topics including managing allergic reactions, severe bleeding and tourniquet use, heat exhaustion versus heat stroke, seizures, chemical exposures, and burns. The episode concludes with practical advice on upgrading first aid kits, CPR training, and fostering a farm safety culture.

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 274: Uncut Week 19 - Spirit Airlines, Prom Drama and Mother's Day Prep May 06, 2026

Show notes

In this midweek episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon, the two flower farmers catch up on spring crop updates, including peony delays caused by a recent cold snap and an anticipated mid-season flower gap. They celebrate wrapping up their spring subscription and dive into Mother's Day preparations, sharing organizational tips and pricing strategies. The hosts also discuss a business lesson drawn from Spirit Airlines' collapse, emphasizing the value of quality over undercutting prices. Additional topics include NRCS funding concerns, handling flower bar inquiries, and a frustrating last-minute prom bouquet request. They close by teasing an upcoming farm safety episode.

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 273: Design Innovation with Passionflower Sue McLeary May 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Sue McLeary of Passionflower, a Michigan-based floral designer with over 20 years of experience. Sue shares her accidental journey into floristry, her transition from weddings to teaching, and her innovative wire armature corsage technique. She offers advice for flower farmers looking to develop design skills, discusses color theory, and emphasizes focusing on fulfilling work. Sue also introduces her current offerings, including online classes, the Virtual Studio membership, and an upcoming product line based on her wire armature method.

Learn more about this weeks guest Sue McLeary: Website, and Instagram

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Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 272: Uncut Week 18 2026 Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of "The Uncut," flower farmers Lyndsay and Shannon chat candidly about farm life, self-care, and the realities of running a flower business. They explore the difference between luck and fortune, emphasizing that success comes from persistence and calculated risk-taking. The duo updates listeners on their peony and ranunculus crops, discussing weather challenges and the importance of diversification. They answer a listener question about market bouquet pricing and share personal season highlights, including strong tulip sales and team growth. The episode wraps with previews of upcoming content and an interview with Passionflower Sue.

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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!

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Want to learn more about your hosts? Follow us on Instagram!

Lyndsay @wildroot_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 271: Inside Lovely Hollow Farms with Nikki Van Lith Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, hosts Lyndsay and Shannon interview Nikki Van Lith of Lovely Hollow Farms in Caldwell, Idaho. Nikki shares her unconventional journey from a cattle ranching family to running an experience-driven flower farm, hitting six figures during COVID-19. She discusses her farm's you-pick days, live music, food trucks, and craft events, along with challenges like seasonality, cash flow, and setting boundaries with customers. Nikki also reveals future plans, including a VIP membership, peony festivals, and transitioning to seasonal events to achieve a more sustainable work-life balance.

Learn more about this weeks guest Nikki Van Lith : Website, Facebook and Instagram

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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_flowerco

Shannon @bloomhillfarm

EP 270: Uncut Week 17 2026 Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon talk about the highs and challenges of busy spring flower farming season. They share lessons from record-breaking markets, handling customer complaints, and why negative feedback often says more about the person leaving it than your business. They also dive into Mother’s Day prep, including pre-orders, pricing, crop timing, and how to pivot when flowers don’t bloom exactly as planned. They answer listener questions about must-have farm supplies and share simple ways they regulate stress during busy seasons—from setting hard work boundaries to taking walks, painting, and remembering that at the end of the day, it’s just flowers.

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