263. Melissa Smith on the Delights and Demands of Growing Dahlias

What lessons can Southern gardeners learn from Melissa Smith's experience with dahlias?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Melissa Smith of Fraylick Farm who is a passionate gardener, dahlia enthusiast, and experienced flower farmer. As a Clemson certified Master Gardener and a self-taught expert in the art of cut flower cultivation, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for nurturing beauty in every bloom.  Tune in to hear how Melissa markets her flower farm and her passion for dahlias.  You’ll hear:  How Melissa got started with growing flowers 0:56 What Fraylick Farm’s marketing looks like 7:30 How does their wholesale model work 11:30 About Melissa’s criteria for covering versus not covering the flower buds 32:36 How much fertilizer farmers should use on dahlias 43:06 What Melissa’s advice is for someone looking to get started in flower farming 49:47 About Melissa’s favorite farming tool 54:01 About the Guest: Melissa Smith is a seasoned gardener and farmer, renowned for her deep love for dahlias and an impressive array of cut flowers. With a gardening journey rooted in the South, Melissa has honed her skills to navigate the challenges of Southern horticulture, turning her dreams of lush, bountiful gardens into a vibrant reality. A Clemson certified Master Gardener, she embodies a hands-on, learn-by-doing approach to flower farming, dedicating her time to thinking, planning, and growing an extensive variety of blooms.  Resources: Website - www.fraylick.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/FraylickFarmsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/flwrtherapy/   The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! MyDigitalFarmer.com was created by CSA farmer and marketing specialist Corinna Bench to help farmers learn the marketing fundamentals — so you can stop feeling uncertain, frustrated, guilty, or inadequate when it comes to selling your products. In the My Digital Farmer podcast, you'll be exposed to the fundamentals of marketing theory and practice so you can apply them to your own farm and business. She'll cover marketing funnels, copywriting, website messaging, CSA marketing, lead generation, brand building, social media, customer retention, Facebook ads, sales pages, Facebook groups, YouTube, Instagram, email marketing, and stellar customer service. She also interviews other farmers to find out what’s working (and not working) in farm marketing so you can feel more confident in your ability to convert leads, increase sales, and build a strong brand for your farm. Subscribe to her show at https://www.mydigitalfarmer.com/podcast