In this episode, I’m diving into how to grow poppies properly — from sowing method to variety choice — and explaining why poppies are one of the easiest flowers to grow when you stop fighting their nature.

If you’ve ever had poppies stall, sulk, or fail after transplanting, this episode explains exactly why. Most poppies hate root disturbance, thrive in cool conditions, and grow best when direct sown outdoors — no greenhouse required.

I also break down the different types of poppies, which ones are best for the garden, which work for cut flowers, and which are grown mainly for their decorative seed pods.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• When to sow poppies for the best results in the UK
• Why poppies are ideal for autumn, winter, and early spring sowing
• The four main types of poppies, and how to grow each one:
• Which poppies are best for Garden displays, Cut flowers and Decorative seed pods for arrangements
• Why most poppies should never be sown in trays
• The one exception where trays make sense (Icelandic poppies)
• How to sow poppies by broadcast sowing or in rows for flower farming
• Ideal temperatures for poppy germination and early growth
• Why poppies struggle in warm conditions and on heated propagators
• How flower farmers use poppy seed pods as a long-lasting, high-value crop

Links & resources mentioned in this episode

👉 Grow-Along Series

👉 Sweet Pea Grow-Along

👉 Sweet Pea Podcast Episode (Episode 7)
👉 Poppy sowing video

👉 Icelandic Poppy Grow-Along

Poppies don’t need protection, heat, or complicated systems — they need good timing, cool conditions, and minimal interference.

Choose the right type of poppy for what you want to grow, sow them where they want to be, and let them do their thing.

Happy sowing. Happy growing. 🌱

Most beginner flower farmers aren’t undercharging a little — they’re undercharging a lot, and usually without even realising it. In this episode, I break down exactly why pricing “by gut feel” is the fastest way to burn yourself out… and how to switch to real, sustainable, confidence-building pricing instead. If the numbers feel scary, don’t worry — I used to be hopeless at maths. But once you understand the formula and the four cost categories, everything clicks into place.

Here’s what we dig into:

The Real Reason Beginners Undercharge

Most growers price emotionally (“£10 feels fair”) instead of mathematically. This creates a business that looks busy but earns nothing — and leaves you quietly resenting the work.

The Four Costs Every Bouquet Must Cover

I walk you through the full breakdown so you finally know your true cost per stem:

1. COGS — seeds, compost, trays, elastic bands, sleeves… EVERYTHING that touches the product.
2. Growing Overheads — polytunnels, irrigation, grow lights, repairs, insurance.
3. Labour — weeding, watering, harvesting, conditioning, delivery, bouquet-making.
4. Margin — not greed… survival. This is what pays for tax, quiet months, growth, and your future.

As promised in the episode, here’s the exact margin formula:

Margin % = (Selling Price − Cost Price) ÷ Selling Price × 100

This formula helps you instantly see whether your price is sustainable — and why lowering a bouquet from £20 to £12 destroys your margin.

Why ‘Budget Customers’ Are Not Your Customers

I share two real conversations with callers who wanted £20 bouquets INCLUDING delivery (yep…). And why saying no is not only allowed — it’s essential.

The Trap Most Flower Farmers Fall Into

Farmer A charges £12 “to be fair.”
Farmer B charges £22 based on real maths.
Same flowers. Completely different future.

The Confidence That Comes From Knowing Your Numbers

Pricing properly gives you clarity, control, and the ability to grow your business without resentment or burnout.

The Flower Business Bootcamp

If you're dreaming of starting a flower business — or you’ve already begun but don’t have a plan, a pricing system, or a forecast — you’ll love the Flower Business Bootcamp.

Inside, we’ll cover:

• How to pick your niche and ideal customer
• How to work out exactly what to charge
• How to build a realistic business plan
• How to forecast your first year using simple, repeatable maths

Join the Bootcamp here: BUSINESS BOOTCAMP | Hampshire Seed Company

Hey flower friends — in today’s episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new mini series all about making money in your flower business… and more importantly, how to stop quietly losing it.

This episode is your friendly nudge (or loving shove!) to finally look at your numbers in a way that feels simple, empowering, and totally doable — even if maths has never been your thing.

I’m breaking down the exact break-even formula I used at a recent Christmas market — the one that told me by lunchtime on Day 1 that we wouldn’t make our money back. Not because I’m negative… but because once you know your numbers, you can make smart decisions, pivot faster, and protect your business from quietly sinking in the background.

If you’ve ever avoided your costs, guessed your margins, or hoped the sales would “work themselves out,” this episode will change the way you plan every market, every event, and every season in your flower business.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why your school maths trauma has nothing to do with running a profitable business
• The simple “back-of-a-fag-packet” formula to work out your TRUE break-even — for any event
• The difference between markup and margin (and why it matters)
• How to know, in real time, whether a market is heading toward profit or loss
• The silent danger of only counting your stand fee as a cost
• Why understanding your numbers gives you clarity, control, and confidence
• The first steps to forecasting your business properly (yes, even if spreadsheets make you sweat)
• A sneak peek at the new Flower Business Bootcamp for beginners ready to turn their idea into a real, profitable business

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Break-Even Formula Blog Post
• Join the Flower Business Bootcamp Waitlist
• Follow along on Instagram: @thehampshireseedcompany

If you’re dreaming of starting a flower business — or already growing and selling without a plan — make sure you’re signed up for the Flower Business Bootcamp. It’s beginner-friendly, jargon-free, and gives you the exact steps you need to build a profitable flower business from day one.