Guests: Elsa from Hunter Forage & Madeline from Mount Vincent Flower Farm
In 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 relationships
The 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 → @hunterflowercollective
Elsa → @hunter_forage
Mentioned in this episode:
The Harvest (Hunter Valley’s local flower hub)
Grow Not Flown
Earthenry Flower Farm (TAS)
Guest: Caitie O’Grady – Springview Irises, Ebden VIC
Host: Rebecca Noble
Nestled 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 farms
Follow 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:
Belinda’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 flowers
Kathy’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: @plumtreefloralfarm
Find 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.cottage
Film and Foliage (Ash’s Floristry Business) @filmandfoliage
Floralist 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 flowers
Life and work at Bush Roses — from early mornings to busy harvests
The unique beauty and value of Australian native flowers
Her role in Walk on the Wild Side, an event connecting growers and florists
Why collaboration and education are essential for the industry’s future
If 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: @agriculturalife
Learn more about Bush Roses: @bushroses
Discover 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 farmer
Starting small: building a farm with salvaged materials and big dreams
The magic of her roadside flower stall and why Saturdays are non-negotiable
Why she’s committed to only growing in summer – and how that helps prevent burnout
Her experience as part of Growers Avenue 2025 at MIFGS
Giving back to her community and keeping flower farming sustainable
Advice for anyone starting out with limited space
Important insurance tips for roadside sellers
Sharon – Pretty Little Flower Farm
Location: Seville, VIC
Instagram: @pretty_little_flower_farm
We’d love to hear from you!
📧 Email: dishthedirtpodcast@gmail.com
Rebecca Noble – @dishthedirt
To 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 patience
Elissa’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 farming
Her passion for dahlia breeding and what makes Florelie’s tuber offerings so unique
How she connects with florists and customers through Instagram
Lessons learned about soil, irrigation, pests, and pinch points
The importance of understanding crop viability and niche value
Her long-term dream of a peony paddock — and how she’s slowly making it happen
Whether 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.au
Instagram: @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 climate
Why paper daisies (Rhodanthe) are her hero crop
The importance of community, adaptability, and trial and error
Her experience joining Growers Avenue at MIFGS
And the beautiful momentum building around Australian-grown flowers and seed sharing
This conversation is full of warmth, determination, and down-to-earth insight — a true reflection of Emily herself.
🌼 Follow Emily:
Instagram: @petalandbow.flowers
Website: 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.
Guest: Sophie, founder of With Love Sophie and Honey Bunch Farm
Location: Yark, VIC — a picturesque valley near Mansfield with a short and unpredictable growing season, but loads of heart.
What We Cover:
Educating clients about seasonality and transparency around imported blooms
🌸 Links & Mentions
🌸 Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt and honest episode of Dish the Dirt, we catch up with Janae and Chris from Fleurs de Lyonville—a flower farming couple based just outside of Melbourne. Recorded live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as part of our Growers Avenue series, this conversation offers a grounded look into what it really takes to grow a sustainable flower farm and business as a family.
From managing over 50 different flower varieties, running farm tours, hosting workshops, and launching a thriving pottery side business, to surviving tough seasons (including sheep-related seedling sabotage!), Janae and Chris share it all with humour and vulnerability. Whether you’re just starting out, in the thick of it, or wondering how to take the next step—this episode is full of relatable moments, practical insights, and encouragement.
And personally, this episode means a lot. From my first bucket of dahlias, to the very first season of Dish the Dirt, to Growers Avenue—Janae and Chris have always said yes, and I’m deeply grateful for their continued support and belief in this community.
🌿 In This Episode, We Cover:
Running a flower farm as a couple and raising a family
Building multiple income streams (retail, wholesale, events, pottery, tours)
Structuring a diverse growing season for mixed bouquets
How COVID reshaped their business—and what’s stuck
Pottery + petals: merging creative passions
What to know before hosting tours on your property
Why microflower farms matter more than ever
🌻 Connect with Flore de Lienville:
📸 Instagram: @fleurs_de_Lyonville
🌐 Website: www.fleursdelyonville.com.au
💬 Loved this episode?
Please share it, tag us on socials, and leave a review so more growers and dreamers can find these stories. Your support helps this podcast grow—just like flowers, from the soil up. 🌱
🌸 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we're thrilled to welcome back Mardi from Quite Contrary Flower Farm in Gippsland, Victoria. From lawyer to full-time flower farmer, Mardi’s journey is anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring.
We dive into what’s changed since she last joined us: refining her business model, narrowing in on specialty crops like dahlias, David Austin roses, and bearded irises, and what it really means to grow your way. Mardi speaks candidly about burnout, quality control, the pitfalls of trend-chasing, and the realities of running a flower farm that’s both sustainable and soulful.
Whether you’re a seasoned grower, a budding florist, or someone who just loves local flowers, this episode is packed with wisdom, humour, and deeply honest insights from someone living and breathing the field every day.
🌿 What We Cover:
How Mardi went from corporate lawyer to full-time flower farmer
The evolution of her crop focus and what she’s learned along the way
Why she doubled down on dahlias, David Austins, and bearded irises
Selling at the farm gate vs. wholesale vs. retail
The business realities of flower farming (yes, spreadsheets matter!)
What makes local flowers so f*#%ing great
Lessons from the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Advice for anyone thinking about diving into flower farming
🌸 Guest:
Mardi – @qcflowerfarm
Founder of Quite Contrary Flower Farm, Gippsland VIC
Specialising in specialty cut flowers grown with heart and intention.
🌼 Links & Resources:
American Specialty Cut Flower Growers Association (for those nerdy vase-life studies!)
💬 Let’s Keep Digging:
Loved this chat? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a story from the soil up.
🌱 Guest: Jodie (aka The Solo Gardener), 5 Acre Farm, Taradale VIC
📍 Recorded at: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – Growers Avenue
In this episode, we meet Jodie, a self-described Solo Gardener and the driving force behind 5 Acre Farm in Taradale, Victoria. Jodie shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to cultivating a biodiverse dream on Dja Dja Wurrung country—navigating the realities of farming, floristry, creativity, and courage, all as a one-woman powerhouse.
We talk about her bold career shift, her passion for biodiversity, and the creation of the BioBed installation at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show—a floral bed frame bursting with life and layered meaning.
Jodie reflects on her biggest challenges, her love of learning through doing, and the importance of building community—especially for women stepping into land-based lives on their own terms. She also shares her plans for the future, from composting with locals to flower-growing workshops, art exhibitions, and more.
Making the leap from corporate to creative rural life
The meaning and message behind the BioBed
What it really takes to run a farm solo
Thoughts on biodiversity, community composting, and resilient soil
Finding purpose and joy through small, meaningful actions
Jodie’s advice for anyone dreaming of starting something new
“If you’ve got a dream—just go and do it. Step into the fear and start. You don’t have to know everything. You’ll learn as you go.”
YIMBI Composting Group
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!
🌿 Guest: Joanne, Flower & Seed Farmer | Albury-Wodonga, VIC https://backyardgardenenthusiast.com.au/
📅 Recorded: Live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – Growers Avenue
🎧 Podcast: Dish the Dirt
📍 Location: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
In this special episode recorded live from the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, host Rebecca Noble sits down with Joanne, a passionate Australian native flower and seed farmer from Albury-Wodonga.
Joanne shares her story of transforming a backyard block into a thriving native garden and seed farm. She discusses her love for species like billy buttons, blue devils, and native tobacco—and how saving seeds evolved from hobby to purpose-driven business. Together, they chat about biodiversity, seed resilience, and the joy of watching native grasses sway while red-browed finches drop in for a feed.
This episode is filled with gentle laughter, grassroots wisdom, and a constant background hiss (that’s the bustling atmosphere of the Flower Show!)—a perfect backdrop for celebrating the resilience and creativity of Australian growers.
Why native plants belong in every garden—formal or cottage
How Joanne discovered the magic of billy buttons and blue devils
Seed collecting as an act of care and curiosity
The role of native grasses in biodiversity and birdlife
Challenges and joys of being a solo seed farmer
The thrill of seeing her seeds in the hands of everyday gardeners.
Native tobacco, blue banded bees, Xanthorrhoea (grass trees)
Pollinator Corridors and native planting projects in Melbourne
“I really am more of an advocate than a salesperson... 60% of biodiversity is in the ground layers—and we need to look closer, not just up at the trees.”
Available wherever you get your podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or via dishthedirtpodcast.com.au
🎧 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share!
To the Growers Avenue team at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for supporting this live recording. And of course, to all the passionate growers who make our landscapes so rich in story.
In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we speak with Olivia from Pemberley of Malmsbury about her third year participating in the Main Central floral installation at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. After winning a Gold Medal and People’s Choice Award in 2023, and a Bronze Award last year, Olivia returns with even more passion—this time celebrating community, collaboration, and local blooms.
We dive into how Olivia and her fellow micro flower farmers from the Macedon Ranges joined forces to create large-scale installations that not only wowed judges and audiences, but also highlighted the power of working together. These growers donate their flowers to community events like the Kyneton Agricultural Show, creating beauty and impact beyond the industry.
💐 Featured Farms
Support the growers behind the magic:
Lombardy Farm – lombardy.farm
Pemberley of Malmsbury – pemberleyofmalmsbury.com.au
Bunch Flower Farm – @bunch_farm on Instagram
Fat Magpie Farm – fatmagpiefarm.com.au
✨ If this episode inspired you, please rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps us grow and share even more stories from flower farmers across Australia.
We can’t wait to see what Olivia and the team dream up next year—and we hope it encourages more farmers and florists to team up at MIFGS. Wouldn’t that be magical?
Host: Bec Noble | Episode Recorded Live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2025
In this special episode, we meet Anna and Ray from 302 Flower Farm, a passionate husband-and-wife team growing seasonal blooms on their breathtaking property in Victoria’s Western District. From Proteas to Dahlias, tank water challenges to sunset views over the back paddock, Anna and Ray share their love for land, flowers, community, and the generations that have helped shape their farm.
🌼 Hear how they turned a shared love of gardening into a thriving family-run business.
🌿 Learn about their roadside stall, subscription model, and how teaching & mental health backgrounds influence their on-farm workshops.
💐 Discover the beauty of resilience, wild wombats, flower-loving grandchildren—and why connection to country and creativity are at the heart of what they do.
🌸 Plus: insights into their upcoming Mother's Day Workshop, their experience at Growers Avenue at MIFGS, and what’s next for this inspiring duo.
✨ Follow 302 Flower Farm: @302flowers
🎟 Book their workshops & events: https://www.302flowers.com
🌻 Support local flower farmers. Share the beauty. Keep being blooming fabulous.
Recorded live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, this quick chat features world-renowned floral artist Sue McLeary (aka Passionflower Sue).
I was lucky enough to grab a few moments with Sue to talk about her artistry, the beauty of floral wearables, and her love of locally grown flowers.
It’s short, sweet, and full of floral inspiration. Enjoy! 🌸
🔗 Learn more about Sue: passionflowersue.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @_dishthedirt_
Let’s Stay Connected:
📸 Instagram: @_dishthedirt_
🌐 Website: www.dishthedirt.com
💌 Email: dishthedirtpodcast@gmail.com
If you loved this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with a flower-loving friend—it truly helps us grow!
VOTE! Dish the dirt Listeners Choice Awards https://www.australianpodcastawards.com/voting
Botany is a sustainable online florist based in Melbourne. We take the traditional florist business model and give it a green overhaul, by offering products that have been created from farm to door without any single-use plastics or unnecessary packaging. We create all of our beautiful arrangements using only locally grown and seasonal flowers, and arrange them into glass vases that ensure your flowers arrive fresher and ready to enjoy! If you are as serious about sustainability as we are you will love sending flowers with Botany.
Craig Scott
East Coast Wildflowers
My father and I started farming together in 1984, our family has been involved in the cut flower and
foliage industry either as growers or florist for a number of generations. I live on the NSW Central
Coast Australia. Our main farm is at Mangrove Mountain and we wholesale our flowers and foliage
at Sydney Flower Markets where we have market stands and warehouse facilities.
On our farm we specialise in growing Australian flora, in the field as well as in greenhouses. The
main species that we grow are Anigozanthos, Eucalyptus for foliage and flower, Actinotus (Flannel
Flower), Grevillea, Telopea, Rhodanthe, Bracteantha (everlasting Daisies) Ptilotus (Mulla Mulla)
and a wide range of other interesting Australian wildflowers, we aim for year round production.
East Coast Wildflowers is one of Australia’s leading wholesalers specialising in Australian
Wildflowers and South African Proteaceae, we source cultivated flowers and foliage from most
states in Australia.
