Flower Farmer - Lynn Byczynski

Acre-for-acre, flowers are the most profitable--as well as the most beautiful--crop on the farm. In The Flower Farmer expert flower grower Lynn Byczynski provides a complete introduction to raising a cornucopia of cut flowers for home use and for sale to retail customers, florists, and other markets. n n The book offers detailed, manageable plans for flower growing on a scale ranging from a backyard border to a half-acre commercial garden. It will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, including: n n Home gardeners who want growing tips from professionals, so that they can enjoy an abundance of flowers year-round in fresh and dried bouquets n n n Passionate gardeners and small-scale growers who want to raise and sell cut flowers in season for additional income n n n Small commercial farmers who want to increase farm revenue or even make a living from selling field-grown, specialty cut flowers. n n n n The Flower Farmer provides a clear, realistic look at both the benefits and the challenges of growing flowers organically for local markets. Chapters include information on: n n n The best varieties of cut flowers--an A-Z list of more than one hundred recommended annuals and perennials, spotlighting the cultivars that are grown by professional flower farmers n n n How to cut, store, and preserve flowers for long-lasting beauty n n n How to dry flowers for crafting or for a dried-flower business n n n Flower-arranging basics from a designer's perspective n n n Extending the season with woody shrubs and trees n n n Marketing options for commercial growers, including sales at farmer's markets, supermarkets, florists, and wholesalers. n n Sprinkled throughout are profiles of successful flower farm