Commercial flower farming can be a fulfilling career for those with gardening skills and a willingness to work hard. It not only generates income but also provides beautiful flowers for customers. Whether new or experienced, there are ways to maximize output and reduce costs. This article offers tips for flower farming, including choosing the right plants and harvesting at the optimal time. Proper strategies can turn a passion into a profitable business.
Flower farming, particularly growing cut flowers, has gained in popularity as people sell them at markets or venues such as restaurants and flower stalls. This is financially feasible because one can start small, perhaps with just a garden in their own or a neighbor’s yard, or with a few buckets of flowers. Based on one’s location, market type, and farming skills, average annual sales of $25K to $30K per acre are achievable.
A floriculturist is one who specializes in cultivating, harvesting, and marketing flowers. Choosing what to grow is important, with the most profitable flowers being popular ones for bouquets, crowns, and arrangements. Warm-season annuals, such as celosia, sunflowers, and zinnias, are the easiest for beginning floriculturists to grow, and these varieties can appeal to a broad audience.
When planting for bouquets, choosing flower varieties that complement each other is essential. Focal flowers, such as zinnias, add an eye-catching feature, while accent flowers, including lisianthus, support the bouquet without breaking the budget. Hardy annuals such as black-eyed Susans add long-lasting color and texture, while soft annuals and perennials, such as cosmos and dahlias, offer a delicate touch. Foliage plants such as ferns, eucalyptus, and ivy provide structure and texture.
Starting a successful flower farm takes planning and research. Benchmarking other flower farmers in the area provides a better understanding of profitable flowers, growing seasons, and common issues. Planning the business aspects such as naming, branding, marketing, and budgeting is crucial, and creating a flower farming business plan is essential. Choosing the type of flower farm one wants to create is an important decision and should be made before selecting flower varieties.
