Podcast · Business

The Dirt on Flowers

by Shannon Allen and Lyndsay Biehl · English · Business

Learn from our mistakes as we talk business, marketing, and growing techniques to help you create the farm of your dreams. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get the dirt on flowers!

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 41 minNew

EP 320: Uncut Week 42 Frostmas on the Horizon + Wedding Recap + Spittoon

An update on the 450-guest wedding called for 23 dahlias in a single centerpiece—and cleanup revealed one very unexpected use for a flower vase. Lyndsay and Shannon swap stories from the event, talk through the exhaustion of an expanded dahlia harvest, and weigh whether to squeeze in one last flower-field sale before frost. They also share practical ways to make a self-serve flower stand more memorable, from kid-friendly scavenger hunts to a QR-code welcome video, and compare their very different approaches to wedding florals—like whether to dye carnations or order pricey orchid Get your…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E319 · 9 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
EP 319: The Ripple Effect with Dan & Julia
A flower farm can sell out every week and still be making the wrong move by growing more. On this episode, Julia Shanks and farmer Dan Brisebois explain how to follow the ripple effects of a business decision—from added harvest and labor to market costs, profit, and time off. They share practical ways to track what a market actually costs, why an extra $20,000 in sales may not be worth giving up every Saturday, and how one farm chose to let some sunflowers bloom out rather than pay for Sunday harvests. It’s a grounded look at building a farm around both the numbers and the life you want.…
E318 · 7 Oct 2026 · 33 min
EP 318: Uncut Week 41 Big Ol' Weddin, Fall Fest Recap and DirtCon Qs
A 450-person wedding has Lyndsay calling in reinforcements—and relying on a colleague’s U-Haul loading map to get every floral detail there safely. Lyndsay and Shannon swap stories from their final fall events, debate whether anyone really needs to wire a boutonniere, and share how growing their own flowers has made them picky about buying wholesale. They also talk Christmas plans, Dirt Con ticket and scholarship details, and why some flower farmers are trading snips for sickles to reduce repetitive strain. Expect practical farm talk, wedding-season chaos, and plenty of laughs. Listen to…
E317 · 2 Oct 2026 · 49 min
EP 317: Action Creates Confidence - DirtCon Tickets are Live
Ten years into flower farming, Lyndsay still has moments when she wants to throw in the towel—and Shannon admits a new greenhouse has her feeling unconfident, too. In this candid conversation, they get specific about what confidence looks like in business: hiring before you feel ready, facing the numbers you’ve been avoiding, and taking small steps that build trust in yourself. Lyndsay shares how struggling to learn a turkey call exposed a bigger pattern of expecting herself to master new skills instantly. Along the way, they explain why farming keeps even experienced growers feeling like…
E316 · 30 Sep 2026 · 45 min
EP 316: Uncut Week 40 Fall trail recap + Greenhouse recap + Shansey 2.0 is back!
A wedding party arrived for eight buckets of flowers—and found just one. Lyndsay owns the mix-up, gets the couple to come back the next morning, and sends them off with an extra bucket. That’s one of the real-life moments in this unfiltered farm update, alongside a surprisingly successful two-day farm trail that drew thousands of visitors and 618 cars to Lyndsay’s dad’s parking area. They also share practical photo-op tips, talk honestly about hiring help as their businesses grow, and reveal Shannon’s big new move: buying a greenhouse. Plus, they unveil the speaker lineup and dates for Dirt…
E315 · 25 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
EP 315: Strengthening your "No" muscle with Charlotte Smith
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome farm marketing coach Charlotte Smith to discuss burnout prevention in flower farming. Charlotte emphasizes the importance of building the "no muscle" — learning to decline requests without explanation or guilt. She advises farmers to evaluate their commitments early, ideally after their first season, and narrow their focus to one profitable area before diversifying. Charlotte also addresses mindset shifts around scarcity and competition, encouraging farmers to prioritize sustainability over people-pleasing. The…
E314 · 23 Sep 2026 · 36 min
EP 314: Uncut Week 39 Event Hangover + TP Rolls + Your Best Investment
In this episode of The Uncut , Lyndsay and Shannon, two flower farmers, share an honest conversation about the realities of farm life. Lyndsay recounts returning from vacation to a hectic week, including a last-minute tent crisis for a farm dinner that was resolved just in time. They discuss evolving their workshop and dinner formats to better suit attendees. The duo also highlights the upcoming Dirt Con 2027 conference, featuring expert speakers on crop strategy, soil health, and more. Throughout, they balance humor with practical insights, encouraging fellow farmers to invest in education…
E313 · 18 Sep 2026 · 48 min
EP 313: 3 Numbers You Should Track Each Week
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , hosts Lyndsay and Shannon break down the business side of flower farming by identifying three essential weekly metrics: sales , labor , and waste . They explain how tracking sales by revenue stream helps farmers measure progress toward annual goals, while monitoring labor hours reveals true profitability. Tracking waste highlights inefficiencies in crop production and harvesting. They also encourage farmers to choose one additional personalized metric. The episode emphasizes simplicity, consistency, and data-driven decision-making to build…
E312 · 16 Sep 2026 · 42 min
EP 312 : Uncut Week 38 Dahlia Fest Recap + My petals are Fallin' Off
In this episode of Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon , flower farmers share candid stories from their recent Dahlia Fest, navigating rainy weather, parking chaos, and late-night flower pickers. They discuss Facebook ad struggles, pricing strategies for pick-your-own cups, and crop losses from pumpkin rot. Lyndsay previews an exciting multi-farm Harvest Fest featuring a "farm passport" experience. A listener question sparks conversation about dahlia petal drop and Midwest growing challenges. The episode closes with an announcement about Dirt Con 2027 and practical tips on bucket-filling systems…
E311 · 11 Sep 2026 · 35 min
EP 311: PR for Flower Farmers- How to Get Your Farm in the News
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , Shannon and Lyndsay explore the power of Public Relations for flower farmers. They emphasize that flower farming is a real business requiring strategic PR, not just beautiful blooms. Lyndsay shares her experience using press releases and TV appearances to build brand awareness, while Shannon highlights the importance of overcoming insecurity about self-promotion. Together, they discuss practical PR angles—seasonal events, business milestones, and personal stories—and offer actionable advice on crafting press releases, building media contact lists, and…
E310 · 9 Sep 2026 · 44 min
EP 310: Uncut Week 37 Weather Woes + Dahlia Fest + Should I Grow One Flower?
In this episode, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the realities of running a flower farm business. They cover weather challenges, including El Niño forecasts and strategies like high tunnels and soil steaming. Event planning for Dahlia Fest is explored, including flower wall construction and managing customer demand. The conversation touches on merchandising using print-on-demand services, bouquet wrapping techniques, and whether to specialize or diversify flower offerings. They emphasize that success requires consistent hard work, with no shortcuts. Upcoming podcast content on public relations…
E309 · 4 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
EP: 309: The Double Shift - Building a Farm while working a Full-time job
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , Lyndsay Shannon discuss the realities of running a flower farm while working full-time—what they call "the double shift." Inspired by listener Amy, they share personal experiences of exhaustion, guilt, and mental load, while offering practical advice on financial planning, managing capacity, and knowing when to make the leap to full-time farming. They emphasize separating farm and personal finances, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing mental health, ultimately encouraging listeners to build sustainable businesses on their own timeline. Be…
E308 · 2 Sep 2026 · 48 min
EP 308: Uncut Week 36 Bouquet rules + Are we going to get cancelled?
In this midweek episode of The Uncut , flower farmers Lyndsay and Shannon chat candidly about bouquet-making challenges, including color mixing rules and communicating standards to employees. They discuss crop struggles from heavy rainfall, upcoming farm events, and agritourism collaborations. Lyndsay shares her disappointing experience canceling a cyanotype workshop after poor ticket sales. They answer a listener question about the difference between working on a flower farm versus owning one, emphasizing the business pressures of ownership. The episode wraps with mentions of upcoming…
E307 · 28 Aug 2026 · 53 min
EP 307: Are You Growing Flowers or Building a Flower Farm?
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the critical difference between growing flowers as a hobby and running a profitable flower farm business. They emphasize adopting a CEO mindset, making decisions based on profitability rather than personal preference, and avoiding common pitfalls like underpricing. The hosts break down key business components—production, marketing, labor, and financial management—while sharing personal growth experiences. They close with five reflective questions to help growers identify their goals, bottlenecks, and next learning steps…
E306 · 26 Aug 2026 · 41 min
EP 306: Uncut Week 35 Brayan's Debut + Crappy Marquee Letters + The Zinnia Soak
In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon , the two flower farmers chat about Lyndsays successful customer appreciation night with 90 attendees, a Fleetwood Mac playlist, and dahlia field tours. They discuss their heartfelt connection with H-2A farm workers, particularly crew lead Brian, who recorded his first video in Spanish. Topics also include creative festival props, Facebook Marketplace finds, speaking engagements, farm equipment challenges for women, ordering processes, and soil steaming services. They wrap up with listener questions, a "Dumb Shit We See on the Internet"…
E305 · 21 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
EP 305: 10 Things That Make Our Lives Easier
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lyndsay and Shannon dive into the real-life highs, lows, and lessons of running a flower farm. They answer listener questions about weed management, flower bed placement, seasonal color palettes, and how they approach fertilizing different crops. They also talk about the challenge of hosting agritourism events when the weather refuses to cooperate—and why sometimes you just have to keep going and hope for the best. The conversation also gets into the business side of farming, including how Lynds works to generate income throughout all 12 months of the…
E304 · 19 Aug 2026 · 38 min
EP 304: Uncut Week 34 Sucker Punchin Sunnies + Rapid Fire Q&A + New Shirt Idea
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers, Lynds and Shannon answer listener questions about growing flowers, running a flower farm, and making money throughout the year. They talk about embracing weeds and finding a realistic “weed tolerance,” along with their favorite spring and summer color palettes for bouquets. They also dive into ways flower farmers can create income beyond the growing season, including subscriptions, workshops, dried flowers, holiday sales, and forcing bulbs. The conversation gets plenty of laughs with some of the “dumb shit” they’ve found on the internet, including a…
E303 · 14 Aug 2026 · 49 min
EP 303: 8 Ways to Turn Comparison Into Fuel
In this episode, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenge of comparison traps in flower farming. Drawing from six years of building six-figure businesses, they offer practical advice on transforming jealousy into motivation. Key topics include using self-reflection to identify what truly triggers envy, focusing on controllable factors, viewing others' success as proof of what's possible, investing in education and mentorship, and building supportive communities. Their core message: comparison is natural, but how you respond to it determines your growth. If you want to dive in deeper with us…
E302 · 12 Aug 2026 · 41 min
EP 302: Uncut Week 33 Trespassers + Dahlia Update + Bug Suckin'
In this episode of Dirt on Flowers , Lyndsay and Shannon talk about the challenges of a rainy summer on the flower farm. They share updates on dahlias, zinnias, and other crops that are struggling with the weather. They also discuss getting ready for Summerfest and the unpredictable nature of flower availability. The conversation turns to farm visitors, photography rentals, and the importance of setting boundaries. They share a sweet reminder about noticing the good things happening around you, even during a stressful season. They also discuss how farmers can use positive customer feedback…
E301 · 7 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
EP 301: Dirtbag Coffee Chat with Vanessa at Tarrnation Flower Farm
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , Lyndsay host an interview with Vanessa Tarr of Tarrnation Flower Farm in northern New Hampshire's White Mountains. Vanessa shares her journey from working at flower shops and Floret Farm to transforming her family's property into a thriving cold-climate flower farm. She discusses scaling back weddings to focus on farmers markets, retail, and workshops, hiring key team member Jen, and expanding production through a rented greenhouse. Vanessa also reflects on avoiding burnout, building sustainability into farm life, and growing a unique business in a…
E300 · 5 Aug 2026 · 39 min
EP 300: Uncut Week 32 Golden Hour You Pick + The Case of the Mondays
In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon , the two flower farmers discuss unpredictable weather impacting their dahlias and peonies, and share insights from Shannon's recent girls night event featuring piercings, a perfume bar, hair tinsel, and custom photo magnets. They explore ideas for future events, including tiny floral tattoos and food trucks. Farm challenges like rebar-wrapped tiller equipment and relentless weeds also come up. They answer a listener question about employee flower perks and debunk the trending "boiling water" dahlia cutting method, wrapping up with…
E299 · 31 Jul 2026 · 44 min
EP 299: Inside DirtCon 2027
In this episode, Lyndsay and Shannon announce Dirt Con 2027, a two-day virtual conference for flower farmers taking place January 9th and 10th. Themed "Grow with Confidence, Farm Like a Boss," the event features expert speakers covering crop production, soil health, pest management, season extension, and business scaling. Designed for farmers at every stage, the conference includes live Q&A sessions and lifetime content access. Early bird tickets open October 2nd, with a waitlist available at dirtonflowers.com/dirtcon2027 . If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our…
E298 · 29 Jul 2026 · 45 min
EP 29: Uncut Week 31 Tornados, Weekend Getaways & Inappropriate Bumper Stickers
In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon , Shannon recaps a relaxing trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio, where she skipped hiking in favor of poolside lounging and late-night conversations. The hosts also discuss recent tornado damage near their farms and the community's heartwarming response. They cover flower care challenges from excess rain, creative florist hacks like transforming carnations into lisianthus lookalikes, and Shannon's successful giveaway marketing strategies. The episode wraps up with updates on DirtCon 2027, their Insiders community, and a lighthearted debunking of…
E297 · 24 Jul 2026 · 58 min
EP 297: How Two Sisters Built a Family Flower Farm
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , hosts Lyndsay and Shannon chat with Hannah and Hailey, the Ohio Flower Girls, about building their flower farm business as sisters. The duo shares how they started with sunflowers on a family-owned farm property called Pickwick, eventually expanding into a thriving you-pick flower field, wedding flowers, and workshops. They discuss managing seasonal operations, streamlining bouquet production, and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. The episode also covers their marketing strategies, pricing for you-pick experiences, and their plans to grow…
E296 · 22 Jul 2026 · 36 min
EP 296: Uncut Week 30 Bloomfest Recap, Ghost Stories & Zinnia Alternatives
In this episode of The Uncut with Shannon and Lynds they are recovering from a whirlwind weekend of Bloomfest, workshops, and meeting so many incredible members of the Dirt on Flowers community. They share the highs (and a few headaches) of hosting events, answer your flower farming questions, and introduce a new segment featuring the best—and most unnecessary—things they find online. Be in the know for DirtCon 2027 If you want to dive in deeper with us each month, join our membership group - The Dirt on Flowers Insiders! So if you love the podcast and want to dig deeper with us, head over…
E295 · 17 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
EP 295: Peonies with Julie Pal - So much more than plant and forget it
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Julie Pal of Julie Pal Peonies, a Kansas-based peony farmer. Julie shares her experience managing a 12-acre farm 2.5 hours from home, discussing the challenges of peony farming, including weather unpredictability, proper planting depth, irrigation, and disease management. She covers harvesting best practices, dry versus water storage techniques, and the essential role of a reliable cooler. Julie also reflects on market trends, favorite varieties, and the rewarding but demanding nature of peony farming, emphasizing…
E294 · 15 Jul 2026 · 41 min
EP 294: Uncut Week 29 T Swift Trends, Japanese Beetle fear mongering, and F²
This week, Shannon and Lynds catch up on the realities of midsummer flower farming—from moving high tunnels and surviving event season to managing dahlia losses after heavy rain. The conversation dives into practical growing decisions, including why they pinch dahlias, whether overwintering really makes sense in hotter climates, and how commercial growers think differently about crop loss.The hosts also tackle a surprisingly relatable business challenge: enforcing photography policies at U-pick farms. They discuss setting healthy customer boundaries, responding to online criticism…
E293 · 10 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
EP 293: How Photography Can Transform Your Flower Farming Business
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , hosts Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Maggie from Petal Back Farm in Wisconsin. Maggie shares her journey from corporate life to flower farming, driven by a passion for photography and growing. She discusses how Petal Back Farm evolved to include weddings, retail sales, and nationwide tuber and seed sales. The conversation focuses on photography as a powerful branding tool, with Maggie offering practical tips on lighting, composition, and editing. She encourages farmers to embrace imperfection, develop a consistent visual style, and use authentic…
E292 · 8 Jul 2026 · 40 min
EP 292: Uncut Week 28 4th of July Rundown, Zinnia Distrust and Dumb Shit on the Internet
In this episode of The Uncut with Lyndsay and Shannon , the duo recaps their post-vacation "hell week," 4th of July celebrations, and the challenges of fireworks near high tunnels. They discuss slow market sales during a heatwave, the pros and cons of wholesale flower arrangements, and debunk "get rich quick" flower farming myths. Shannon shares a new wholesale trial with a grocery store, while Lyndsay reflects on business diversification and retirement planning. They also answer a listener question about plant watering needs and tease an upcoming episode featuring photography tips for…
E291 · 3 Jul 2026 · 40 min
EP 291: Celebrating 250 Years of American Agriculture
In this episode of The Dirt on Flowers , Lyndsay and Shannon celebrate America's 250th birthday by reflecting on 250 years of American agriculture. They discuss how farming has evolved from a way of life for most Americans to a highly specialized, mechanized industry. The hosts highlight the growing disconnect between consumers and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of educating customers about seasonality, labor, and the true value of locally grown flowers. They challenge fellow farmers to use marketing as a tool for storytelling and consumer education to keep local agriculture…

About The Dirt on Flowers

Learn from our mistakes as we talk business, marketing, and growing techniques to help you create the farm of your dreams. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get the dirt on flowers!

The Dirt on Flowers is a English business podcast from Shannon Allen and Lyndsay Biehl. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Shannon Allen and Lyndsay Biehl
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1625592313

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