Tips for starting a flower farm business
Are you thinking of starting a cut flower business? It will bring income for your family while adding beauty to your land. Partner up with mother nature to paint your garden with lush colours and put green in your bank account.
One of the best things about starting a flower farm business is the opportunity to start small. You do not have to do it at 100 miles an hour. Begin with modest space and let your business grow gradually. Here are five tips from experts to help you get started with your flower farm business.
1. Take care of seeds
Picking the right varieties of flowers is the first step. For example, daffodils and narcissus from https://dutch-bulbs.com/daffodils-and-narcissus/ are always in demand. The next task is ensuring appropriate conditions.
Seed starting is easier if you follow the instructions. Make sure the temperature is right. Is your seedling receiving enough moisture and light?
Soil blocks are great for farming of all scales. Whether you are a home gardener or a market farmer, using them instead of pots is beneficial. Blocks come infused with nutrients. They are containers and growing mediums at the same time.
A blocking mix is preferable to potting soil because the latter will not hold the form. In block soil, seedling does not become root-bound. Transplants are easy to handle, and the whole process is faster.
2. Pick the right planting sites
Some varieties need sun, others need shade. Planting in the right spots is crucial. Begin with a small space and expand it gradually. If you start too big or too soon, you may fail from the get-go.
3. Take care of the soil
The soil must take care of your plants, so make sure it is in a good shape. Add organic matter regularly. The roots, water, air and worms must have space to roam freely. Always add dry fertilizer when preparing the soil. Its bad condition is a common cause of struggling plants.
4. Prevent weeds, do not remove them
If there are weed seeds in your soil, you will be trying to eradicate them forever. The best strategy is prevention. Avoid disturbing the surface after the flowers are planted.
Do not go further than 1 inch deep. You have to deprive those unwanted seeds of light and water. Use a garden hoe to eliminate surface weeds before mulching. Some experts advise using a floating row cover for freshly planted flowers. Leave it on for a couple of weeks to protect against excessive sunlight, wind and pests.
5. Be selective
Some varieties are too needy, others will only grow in some gardens. Base decisions on common sense, not appearance. Not every pretty flower you like is suitable. Some plants only attract critters.
Extra tip: Combine wisely
Pairing plants the right way can help you use the powerful workers of nature. For example, when flowers grow with vegetables, they attract pollinators and good bugs that eat pests. Companion planting can work wonders!
