Flowers are at the heart of so many meaningful moments—especially since Mother’s Day week just happened. This episode honors the hardworking farmers, florists, designers, and behind-the-scenes teams who make it all possible. Returning guest Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm joins Scott for a rich conversation about long-term farm planning, infrastructure investment, and the evolving role of a flower grower. As a founding member of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, Diane also shares the story behind Floral Standards—a new, farmer-developed book designed to help growers sell more confidently with clear guidelines for stem counts, harvest stages, and post-harvest care. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about local flowers, building a business, or creating a lasting impact in the floral industry.

Learn more about today’s episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Visit Diane’s page for easy access to all of her links and social pages.

Now is a great time to join the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers! Connect with growers, take advantage of educational opportunities, access the vast library of past articles and conferences, and so much more. Visit ASCFG.org to learn more about all the benefits that comes with membership.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast. You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss a minute.

We’re chatting with Nicole Pitt, the passionate owner of Flower Hill Farm, and a popular YouTube creator, as she shares her journey in the world of flower farming.

Nicole’s story is all about planting roots, both literally and figuratively, as she returned to her childhood home in 2018 and transformed it into a thriving farm full of flowers.

Some of the topics we discussed:

Perennials as a Foundation: 
Nicole emphasizes that perennials, though slower to establish, are long-term investments that form the backbone of the farm.

Animal Control Is Essential:
 Research the best animal control methods for your area. Nicole used fencing, poles, and covers, but every farm's needs are different.

Retail Space for Community Connection: 
Creating a retail space helped Nicole connect with her community while keeping her private/family space separate.

Revitalizing a Nursery:
 Nicole brought new life to the nursery — not just as a business, but as a way to give back to her community and offer another revenue stream for the town.

Be the Face of Your Business:
 Show up as yourself. Vulnerability makes you relatable and helps build trust with your audience or customers.

Take Lots of Photos:
 Document your journey from different angles — both for storytelling and content creation.

Stay True to Yourself:
 Even if your close circle doesn’t fully understand your path, it doesn’t mean they don’t support you. Trust your vision and keep going.

Learn more about today’s episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Take a minute and explore all the offerings at The Gardener's Workshop. They offer a wide range of products for farmers and gardeners. Plus wonderful courses to help you fine tune your skills in growing.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!

If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss a minute.

This week's episode highlights the importance of continual growth and learning in the floral industry. Our guest, Pili, exemplifies this by consistently investing in her skills through workshops and collaborations with leading designers. She emphasizes the need for exploring new trends and refining techniques to perfect one’s craft.

A key theme in the conversation is Pili's ability to identify issues and opportunities, then rallying the community to fill those gaps. We dive into the flower market in Mexico City, where Pili shares fascinating insights, including the fact that the only outside flowers allowed in the country come from Holland. She stresses the importance of strong relationships with vendors and local farmers, emphasizing that business success is built on trust and partnerships.

For those working with florals in Mexico City and its surrounding areas, Pili offers her expertise and is available as a resource to assist with sourcing, cargo, logistics, and both flowers and supplies.

A deeply personal aspect of Pili’s journey involves her experience with cancer, which led her to start Flower House Mexico—a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer charities. The unique workshop model at Flower House Mexico offers participants the chance to learn directly from floral designers in an intimate, hands-on setting over three days, diving deep into the creative and design process.

Lastly, Pili reminds listeners of the importance of self-care—listening to your body, resting when needed, and pursuing ideas that resonate deeply with you.

Takeaway: Keep investing in your growth, nurture relationships, and follow your passion—just like Pili does.

Thanks to Accent Decor for being a sponsor again this year. Visit AccentDecor.com and be inspired.

Learn more about today’s episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.

Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.

You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss a minute.