Hunter Flower Collective – Building Community in the Hunter Valley

Guests: Elsa from Hunter Forage & Madeline from Mount Vincent Flower FarmIn this episode, Rebecca chats with Elsa and Madeline about how a small group of passionate local growers turned into a thriving community of 30+ members known as the Hunter Flower Collective.We talk about:🌼 How the collective began — and the joy of growing from five friends to 31 members🌸 The challenges and creativity of micro-scale flower farming on residential blocks🌿 How connection, collaboration, and shared learning have become their biggest strengths💧 Dealing with floods, pests, and limited space — and finding resilience through community💐 The importance of supporting local florists and fostering strong grower–florist relationshipsThe Hunter Flower Collective is proof that big things grow from small beginnings — and that when flower farmers come together, they can change the landscape of their region.Connect with the Hunter Flower Collective:Instagram → @hunterflowercollectiveElsa → @hunter_forageMentioned in this episode:The Harvest (Hunter Valley’s local flower hub)Grow Not FlownEarthenry Flower Farm (TAS)

Guest: Caitie O’Grady – Springview Irises, Ebden VICHost: Rebecca NobleNestled in the hills of northeast Victoria overlooking Lake Hume, Springview Irises is home to hundreds of bearded iris varieties grown by Caitie O’Grady and her family.In this episode, Caitie shares her journey from planting flowers in her childhood sandpit to running a thriving iris farm known for its colour, character, and care. We talk about:🌸 The story behind Springview Irises and its stunning lakeside setting🌸 Growing bearded irises for Australia’s climate — from soil to frost🌸 Why irises are far more than just purple, yellow, and white🌸 The joy of open days and connecting with people through flowers🌸 The importance of supporting small, family-run flower farmsFollow Caitie’s journey:🔗 springviewirises.com.au📸 Instagram & Facebook: @spring_view_irises

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with Belinda from The Flowering Field, based in Burra, New South Wales. Belinda shares:How her passion for gardening during maternity leave blossomed into a flower farmThe challenges and opportunities of farming in a cool, frosty climateWhy dried flowers became a key part of her business modelThe importance of community, mentorship, and investing in the business of farmingHer biggest successes, learning curves, and advice for new growersBelinda’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and building a business with heart. Whether you’re a grower, florist, or flower enthusiast, you’ll take away plenty of inspiration.✨ Connect with The Flowering Field: @the_flowering_field ✨ Follow Dish the Dirt: @_dishthedirt_

n this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with the inspiring Kathy from Plumtree Floral Farm in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.Kathy’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. After a long career in media and even a stint as Australia’s “shopping queen,” she traded city life for gumboots and flower fields. Since moving to the subtropics, Kathy and her husband have faced drought, floods, cyclones, and endless curveballs from the weather. But through resilience, adaptability, and passion, they’ve built a flourishing flower farm that continues to grow and evolve.In our conversation, Kathy shares:🌸 The bold decision to leave Sydney and start a new life on the land🌸 How she fell in love with growing flowers (and why chrysanthemums have stolen her heart)🌸 The challenges of farming in the subtropics and learning to adapt to climate extremes🌸 Shifting from retail to wholesale and her vision for expanding the farm🌸 Why she believes it’s so important to educate consumers about imported vs. local flowersKathy’s energy and honesty make this such a special episode—you’ll walk away feeling uplifted and inspired to follow what makes your heart sing.Connect with Plumtree Floral Farm:Instagram: @plumtreefloralfarmFind out more about the Flower Summit @theflowersummit

n this episode of Dish the Dirt, I sit down with Sarah from Quail Cottage and Ash, wedding florist Film and Foliage and founder of Wildflower Academy, to talk about The Harvest—a collection point that’s transforming the way florists and growers connect in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region.We dive into how a simple idea—bringing growers together under one roof—has grown into a supportive community that’s making local flowers more accessible, profitable, and sustainable. From collaborative crop planning to navigating pricing, mentoring new growers, and strengthening relationships between florists and farmers, Sarah and Ash share the challenges, wins, and unexpected joys of starting The Harvest.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Sarah’s journey from a packet of zinnia seeds to a thriving micro flower farm.Ash’s path from weddings to coaching florists and championing local flowers.The origin story of The Harvest—how convenience sparked community.Why visual ordering platforms like Floralist are game-changing for florists.The importance of collaboration over competition in small-scale flower growing.How The Harvest is helping growers become more strategic, profitable, and connected.Environmental and creative impacts of choosing locally grown blooms.Practical advice for anyone wanting to set up a similar model in their own community.Links & Resources Mentioned:Quail Cottage (Sarah’s flower farm) @quayle.cottageFilm and Foliage (Ash’s Floristry Business) @filmandfoliageFloralist platform✨ If you’ve ever dreamed of creating stronger connections between florists and growers—or are curious about how local flower collectives work—this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, I chat with the vibrant and driven Hannah Urquhart, whose journey into the world of flowers began with a love for agriculture and a deep curiosity about how things grow. After completing her agricultural science studies, Hannah joined Bush Roses in New South Wales, where she now works full-time, surrounded by the beauty and challenges of flower farming.Hannah’s enthusiasm for Australian natives, her involvement with Wildflowers Australia, and her commitment to sharing knowledge are shaping her into a strong voice for the future of the industry. We talk about:How her upbringing and education inspired her career in flowersLife and work at Bush Roses — from early mornings to busy harvestsThe unique beauty and value of Australian native flowersHer role in Walk on the Wild Side, an event connecting growers and floristsWhy collaboration and education are essential for the industry’s futureIf you’re passionate about Australian-grown flowers, curious about how to start in the industry, or simply love hearing from people who are making a difference, you’ll find this conversation both inspiring and energising.Links & Resources:Connect with Hannah on Instagram: @agriculturalifeLearn more about Bush Roses: @bushrosesDiscover Wildflowers Australia: https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/Event: Walk on the Wild Side – https://www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au/Subscribe & Review:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Dish the Dirt and leave a review. Your support helps more people discover the incredible stories behind Australian flowers.

In this final episode of the season, host Rebecca Noble chats with Sharon from Pretty Little Flower Farm in Seville, Victoria. Sharon shares how her love of gardening, a lockdown during COVID, and a fascination with dahlias sparked a journey into flower farming — one that’s bloomed into a thriving roadside stall and a meaningful connection with her local community.Growing on just 400 square metres, Sharon proves that you don’t need acres to grow beauty — just intention, creativity, and a whole lot of heart. She opens up about the challenges of balancing work and flowers, how she designs her seasons around sustainability and sanity, and the pride of representing micro growers at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as part of Growers Avenue 2025.Plus, an important post-recording note on insurance for roadside flower stalls — a must-listen for anyone selling from home.Sharon’s journey from gardener to flower farmerStarting small: building a farm with salvaged materials and big dreamsThe magic of her roadside flower stall and why Saturdays are non-negotiableWhy she’s committed to only growing in summer – and how that helps prevent burnoutHer experience as part of Growers Avenue 2025 at MIFGSGiving back to her community and keeping flower farming sustainableAdvice for anyone starting out with limited spaceImportant insurance tips for roadside sellersSharon – Pretty Little Flower FarmLocation: Seville, VICInstagram: @pretty_little_flower_farmWe’d love to hear from you!📧 Email: [email protected] Noble – @dishthedirtTo all the growers, florists, listeners, and supporters – thank you for making this season of Dish the Dirt so special. Your passion, honesty and flowers continue to inspire. See you in soon!

In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we sit down with Elissa from @larkspur.flowers, a passionate florist and designer based in Daylessford, Victoria. With a background in permaculture and landscape design, Elissa brings a unique, deeply intentional perspective to her work with flowers — one that’s grounded in sustainability, seasonality, and storytelling.We explore Elissa’s journey into floristry, from the spark that was lit at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, to her formative time working on the flower farm at Fleurs de Lyonville, and the creation of her own floral studio, Larkspur Flowers.What we chat about:🌿 How permaculture and landscape design inform her floristry🌷 The emotional and sensory experience of flowers — and how scent guides her creative choices💐 Working with local, seasonal, and native Australian flowers🌱 Her relationship with flower farmers and the local growing community📚 The importance of education, gentle guidance, and learning from nature🌸 Trusting in the process — and what tulips taught her about patienceElissa’s story is one of slowing down, paying attention, and building a floral business with purpose.Links + Mentions:– @larkspur.flowers– @fleurs_de_lyonville– Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show🎙️ Follow @dishthedirt for more episodes celebrating Australian flower farmers and florists.💚 If you loved this conversation, please rate and review the podcast — it helps us grow and share more local stories!

🌸 Episode Summary:This episode is a special one — recorded back in 2020, it captures the early days of Florelie Seasonal Flowers, a specialty cut flower farm in Bungaree, just outside of Ballarat, Victoria.Lorelie shares how a bunch of homegrown peonies gifted on her birthday planted the seed for what has since grown into a thriving, full-time flower farm. At the time of recording, Loralee was growing on a small scale with dreams of something bigger — and as of today, Florelie spans 2.5 acres of cultivated blooms on a 20-acre property.We talk about:The power of starting small (200 pots, 300 dahlias!)Transitioning from speech pathology to flower farmingHer passion for dahlia breeding and what makes Florelie’s tuber offerings so uniqueHow she connects with florists and customers through InstagramLessons learned about soil, irrigation, pests, and pinch pointsThe importance of understanding crop viability and niche valueHer long-term dream of a peony paddock — and how she’s slowly making it happenWhether you're a gardener, a florist, or dreaming of growing your own flowers — Loralee’s story is honest, practical, and deeply inspiring.🌼 Connect with Florelie:Website: www.florelie.com.auInstagram: @florelieseasonalflowers 💐 Want to Grow Your Own?Sign up for dahlia tuber sale alerts, workshops, and seasonal tips via their website. The online shop typically opens between July–August each year.🎧 Listen Now:Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

n this episode of Dish the Dirt, we head to Coonamble, NSW, to meet Emily from Petal & Bow Flowers — a passionate grower carving out her own path in Australia’s warm, dry inland.What began as a maternity leave project has bloomed into four hectares of native paper daisies and a farm-based business focused not only on growing beautiful flowers, but also on harvesting and sharing their seeds. Emily shares her journey from backyard grower to managing a large-scale native flower operation, the clever ways she and her husband have built systems from scratch (including a DIY seed cleaner!), and how she’s now helping schools and community groups fundraise through meaningful flower-growing experiences.We also talk about:What it’s really like to farm in a hot, dry climateWhy paper daisies (Rhodanthe) are her hero cropThe importance of community, adaptability, and trial and errorHer experience joining Growers Avenue at MIFGSAnd the beautiful momentum building around Australian-grown flowers and seed sharingThis conversation is full of warmth, determination, and down-to-earth insight — a true reflection of Emily herself.🌼 Follow Emily:Instagram: @petalandbow.flowersWebsite: https://petalandbowflowers.com.au🌻 Want to support the show?Share this episode with a friend, tag us online, leave a review, or simply keep celebrating and buying local blooms.🎧 Listen on:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google | or wherever you tune in.