Getting Started: The Basics of Starting a Cut Flower Business

I’m not big on resolutions, but the New Year always makes me excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead in the coming months. Not long ago I was spending the first weeks of the new year dreaming about starting a business that would allow me, as a new mom, the flexibility to be home with my daughter while continuing to contribute to our family’s income. 

Seven years later, those dreams have become a reality. From a small patch of flowers in our backyard to a full-fledged flower field, Hidden Springs has evolved into the vision I had just a few years ago: a small business that makes a significant contribution to our family while giving me the ability to stay home and raise our (three!) children. 

As we begin the new year, I thought it timely to create a series of posts on starting a cut flower business pulled from my own experience. From the logistics of starting a small business to time management for busy moms, marketing tips, and sales strategies, we’ll dig into all of it. If you’re dreaming about starting a cut flower business this year, this series is for you! 

In this post we’re starting with the basics…

Getting Started: The Basics of a Cut Flower Business

Planning the Business. Before sowing a single seed, it’s important to identify your target market and customer. Even if your business evolves later on (and it probably will), you’ll want to pinpoint what you’re planning to sell and to who. This will inform the types of flowers you’ll grow and the quantity. Selling in bulk to a local florist is totally different than making mixed bouquets for market, so start with determining your niche. 

As you envision a plan for your cut flower business, create goals for your first year. I encourage you to set a target income. Make sure to account for startup costs, supplies, and seeds. 

You’ll also want to be realistic about your time commitment. If you’re a busy mom and/or have a job currently, you’ll need to be intentional about carving out time to start and grow a business. Take a look at your calendar and make note of prior commitments, then begin to block out time to focus on business-related tasks. 

Once your plans begin to take shape, research local requirements for running a business from home. In my case, I obtained a permit from our township to sell flowers from our shop and self-serve stand, registered with the state to collect sales tax, and created an LLC for the business. This might be overkill for your case, but do make sure to cover your bases ahead of time! 

I also recommend separating your business finances from personal on day one. Open a business bank account and credit card, and keep your finances organized so you’re prepared for next tax season. Think about how you’re going to collect payments from your customers. There are so many payment options available to small businesses! 

Planning the Garden. It might not be time to break ground just yet, but you can map out your garden and growing plans while there is snow on the ground. Research your growing zone and create a list of flowers you’ll grow this year. I recommend starting with cut-and-come-again flowers like dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos that will keep your garden in bloom for the season. Make sure to select tall varieties that are bred specifically for cut flowers as opposed to compact landscaping plants. Growing unique blooms that add texture and dimension will make your bouquets stand out from the rest. Not sure where to start? Check out this post for a few of my tried-and-true summer bouquet recipes!

Determine whether you’ll create raised beds or a fresh growing space in your backyard and begin to map out what you’ll plant and where. Starting small is the key to avoiding burnout; even a 10x10-foot plot can yield a season full of flowers. Maximize your space through intentional planting and sowing multiple successions, flipping the beds as soon as one crop begins to fade. 

If you’re itching to get digging, make sure you have the proper tools and supplies on hand. I’ve compiled many posts on my favorite gardening supplies and you can find many of them rounded up on my Amazon storefront. 

Not sure when to actually break ground and plant the first seeds? This is where it’s important to know your growing zone and the ideal conditions for the flowers you’re planting. Most summer annuals, including zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, and cosmos, should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for now. I recommend starting most of your seeds indoors before transplanting into the ground a few weeks later. This gives you a jump start on the growing season and is a bit more reliable than tossing seeds right into the ground. Most seeds should be started 4-6 weeks before planting. Check out this post for all things seed starting!

Now that we’ve covered the basics, we can move on to sales strategies and marketing tips. Be sure to check back for the next post in this series! 

In the meantime, you might want to check out these resources: 

• Free Guide: Starting a Cut Flower Business 
• Planting Tools & Supplies 
• My Favorite Harvest Supplies 
• In the Weeds: My Flower Farm Coaching Program (opening soon!)

Photography by Tom Rafalovich for Duluth Trading Company. 

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