How I Approach Crop Planning Each Winter (Before a Single Seed Is Purchased)

Crop planning can feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re paging through seed catalogs, scrolling Instagram, and imagining everything you could grow on your flower farm.

January is when I start thinking seriously about crop planning for the season ahead, but not in the way most people expect. Before I ever open a spreadsheet or count seed packets, I focus on the decision-making that will shape the rest of the growing season.

Because the truth is this: A thoughtful crop plan is built long before the first seed is purchased.

Start With What You Know

Before looking ahead, I always look back.

When it comes to crop planning for flower farmers, I start by asking a few simple questions:

• What sold easily last season?
  (For me, mixed bouquets are always the best seller, so I continue to focus on a strong mix of focal flowers, fillers, and foliage.)

• What took more time or energy than it was worth?
  (Zinnias have been a bit of a flop for me the last few years.)

• What did I enjoy growing and what didn’t I enjoy?
  (I’m really gravitating toward perennials. I don’t love the hustle of sunflowers, for example, with their constant succession planting requirements.)

Your past seasons (even if it was just one) hold more information than you realize. Crop planning isn’t about starting from scratch every year. It’s about refining what already works on your farm and in your business.

Fewer Crops, Better Results

It’s tempting to want to grow everything. New varieties, trending flowers, something different “just in case.”

But in my experience, growing fewer crops (more intentionally) almost always leads to:

• Better quality flowers

• Easier harvests

• Less overwhelm throughout the growing season

A focused crop plan makes it easier to care for what you’re growing and to market it well. This approach to winter crop planning helps prevent burnout before the season even begins.

Plan Around Your Life, Not Just Your Field

One of the biggest mistakes I see growers make is planning a season that looks great on paper but doesn’t fit real life.

When I’m planning crops, I also think about:

• How much time I realistically have
  (With three little kids, it’s not much.)

• What other commitments I’ll have during the season
  (Family vacation, VBS, story time at the library, afternoons by the pool.)

• What I need my flower business to provide
  (Things like a monthly car payment, groceries, or a little extra breathing room.)

Your crop plan should support your life, not compete with it. Planning crops in a way that aligns with your season of life is just as important as choosing the right varieties.

Let the Way You Sell Guide What You Grow

Crop planning doesn’t happen in isolation. How you plan to sell your flowers should directly influence what you grow.

Whether you’re focused on:

• Farmers markets

• Subscriptions

• Florist sales

• Farm stands

• On-farm offerings and events

Each sales channel values different things. For example, florists may have zero interest in zinnias — but will happily purchase every last stem of lisianthus or locally grown dahlias. Clarity here helps you avoid growing flowers that don’t actually support your business goals.

January Is About Direction, Not Perfection

This time of year isn’t about locking everything in perfectly. It’s about setting direction.

A solid crop plan gives you confidence and flexibility as the season unfolds. You’ll make adjustments, try new things, and learn as you go. That’s part of building a sustainable cut flower business.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll continue sharing how I approach planning for the growing season, from crop decisions to business strategy. January is the foundation; the choices you make now ripple through the rest of the year.