Publisher Description

From an industry leader in the farm-to-centerpiece movement comes this book on how to grow, harvest, and arrange gorgeous blooms year-round. Owner of Floret Flower Farms in Skagit Valley, Washington, Erin Benzakein combines her passion for farming local with her knack for floral design in this beautiful guide that is equal parts instruction and photographic inspiration. Readers will learn to keep a stunning flower garden so they can cut and arrange seasonal blooms for their home without ever going to the florist or supermarket. Organized by season and featuring common easy-to-grow varietals, the book also includes 12 stunning DIY arrangement projects.

Notes

The owner of Floret Flower Farms in Washington combines her passion for farming local with her knack for floral design in this guide to growing, harvesting and arranging seasonal flowers. With photos by Michele M. Waite.

Author Biography

Erin Benzakein is the founder of Floret Flower Farm. Considered one of the nation's leading 'farmer florists,' a term she has helped popularize to describe those skilled at both flower farming and floral design, she is also an accomplished author, teacher, and entrepreneur. In addition to building and managing her own company, Erin has published extensively on dozens of popular wedding websites and blogs. Known for lush, airy, romantic floral designs, Erin is consistently pushing the limits of what can be used in a bouquet. She lives, farms, and writes from her home in Washington's scenic Skagit Valley.Julie Chai is a writer and editor who has worked with Sunset Magazine and Gardenista. She writes regularly about growing edibles, small-space gardening, outdoor decorating, and low maintenance landscapes. An avid do-it-yourselfer, she loves helping new gardeners get started. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.Michele M. Waite is a photographer whose style mixes a classic, timeless look with fresh and modern whimsy. Her photography has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The New York Times, In Style magazine, and the Seattle Metropolitan. She lives in Washington with her husband and two daughters.

Review

" If you're new to the world of cut-flower growing but would love to know how to get started on your own small cut-flower patch, then this handsome volume covers it all, from site selection, weed management and propagation to selecting the best, most floriferous cultivars. Plus, it's not just about the growing. Benzakein also includes a host of useful tips on getting the longest vase life out of your homegrown cut-flowers, as well as illustrated guides to creating hand-tied bouquets, flower crowns, garlands and wreaths." * Irish Times *

Review Quote

"I''ve been an avid fan of Erin''s beautiful photos of her flower farm on Instagram for years. Now, seeing her work preserved for posterity in a book is pure magic." - Stephen Orr, editor in chief, Better Homes and Gardens "One of the leading voices in the farmer-florist movement, Erin is a tireless advocate for locally-grown flowers. Here she has put together an indispensable four-season growing guide that will inspire you to sow your own cutting garden-whether you plant one row or hundreds." - Melissa Ozawa, garden and features editor, Martha Stewart Living "I met Erin Benzakein more than ten years ago when she was a young mom growing sweet peas and dreaming of making her living from flowers. With passion, focus and seemingly limitless endurance, Erin has achieved her dream. And now she''s sharing that dream with the world - everyone from fellow flower enthusiasts to emerging farmer-florists to veteran designers yearning for a new, seasonal and sustainable model of floristry. The essentials are all here in the pages of Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden, and like everything Erin does, it is both lovely and practical. This is a comprehensive, must-have companion as you pursue your own authentic life in flowers." --Debra Prinzing, author and founder of slowflowers.com "Among a sea of new florists and floral books, Floret Flowers stands out. Erin Benzakein''s integrity, openness and passion for flowers is unmistakable. In her debut book she not only introduces us to the basics of growing our own flowers, she shares her deep love and understanding of gardening in a way that will leave even the most doubtful grower feeling inspired to get their hands in the dirt." --Grace Bonney, founder of Design Sponge and author of In the Company of Women "Erin Benzakein is my flower hero and her book is my new flower bible. Not only is she the undisputed heart and soul of the farmer-florist movement, her arrangements are some of the most exquisite I''ve ever seen. Her first book is deliciously gorgeous and incredibly comprehensive- combining practical advice alongside a huge overdose of seasonal inspiration. Her secrets for extending the vase life of each variety are mind bendingly useful for me and will be referenced time and time again. My copy will be soil covered and weather beaten before long and cherished all the more for it." --Amy Merrick, Amy Merrick Flowers Styling "Do you love flowers? You''re about to love them even more. Erin Benzakein''s gorgeous new book, Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden, is equal parts inspiration and education. The photos will send you straight to the garden, eager to dig in and get growing. And Erin''s clear, concise advice will help you do it well. She has succeeded in conveying the utter joy of growing flowers." --Lynn Byczynski, author of The Flower Farmer "The creation of this beautiful book is testament to Erin Benzakein''s commitment to and passion for the local flower movement. The layout is simultaneously appealing and practical; Floret''s signature lush photographs beautifully illustrate all stages of cut flower production and design through the seasons. Inspirational and accessible, this is a volume that should grace every flower farmer''s bookshelf." --Judy Laushman, Executive Director, Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Inc. "I''ve known of Erin''s work with cut flowers for a while now. In the market farming circle, she''s often referred to as the authority on the matter. After reading her new book (which is awesome!!), I now understand why she''s so often praised. Filled with clear growing techniques, detailed harvesting instructions and other tips of the trade, this book is a true gift to anyone wanting to generate good income from the craft of flower farming on a small-scale. There is a great deal of interest in local, seasonal flowers and this book will help support and energize the movement even more. --Jean-Martin Fortier, author of The Market Gardener "Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden is the perfect resource for the local flower movement. Erin Benzakein shows the enormous potential of in-season flowers with beautiful photography that does the blooms justice. Listing the crops by season is a brilliant way to help growers plan ahead to have a steady supply of blooms throughout the the year. And the projects are great for showing how to create exceptional bouquets and arrangements. A lively read that will energize you to get growing and arranging." --Andrew Mefferd, Editor, Growing for Market Magazine "Brimming full of flower growing advice, inspiration and stunning photography, ''Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden'' is destined to become a ''must-have'' bible for all flower growers.whether you''re an aspiring newbie or a seasoned professional. Erin''s captivating, personal writing style makes you feel that she''s sitting just across the room from you, generously sharing all her invaluable hints and tips on how to not only grow your own blooms in abundance, but also how to arrange them beautifully. This book is an absolutely un-put-downable read!" --Rona Wheeldon, Founder Editor, Flowerona With her new book, Erin Benzakein has taken the mystery out of creating and tending to a cut flower garden or farm no matter what the scale. She gives hands-on, practical advice for each planting season, but she also teaches us how to create beautiful arrangements, bouquets, and wreaths using the bounty from her farm. It''s the next best thing to going to work for Erin at Floret Farm! Margot Shaw, Founder Editor-in-Chief, Flower magazine "Has there ever been a more beautiful book about farming? Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden offers everything you need to grow your favorite flowers. Whether you''re growing in a garden patch or ramping it up to a small farm, Benzakein''s got you covered, offering all her tricks-including arrangements for each season-along the way. But it''s the gorgeous photos of farm life and flowers that elevate this book''s home from the reference shelf to the coffee table." - Johanna Silver, Garden Editor, Sunset Magazine "I''ve never seen such a complete, or more beautiful, guide to growing cut flowers. The book is vibrant, in-depth, instructive, and above all shows anyone how to turn their home and garden into a floral wonderland every season of the year. There are even step-by-step floral design lessons. It''s a must have for every gardener and flower lover." - Thad Orr, Garden Design Magazine "Erin Benzakein is my flower hero and her book is my new flower bible. Not only is she the undisputed heart and soul of the farmer-florist movement, her arrangements are some of the most exquisite I''ve ever seen. Her first book is deliciously gorgeous and incredibly comprehensive- combining practical advice alongside a huge overdose of seasonal inspiration. Her secrets for extending the vase life of each variety are mind bendingly useful for me and will be referenced time and time again. My copy will be soil covered and weather beaten before long and cherished all the more for it." --Amy Merrick, Amy Merrick Flowers Styling "Do you love flowers? You''re about to love them even more. Erin Benzakein''s gorgeous new book, Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden, is equal parts inspiration and education. The photos will send you straight to the garden, eager to dig in and get growing. And Erin''s clear, concise advice will help you do it well. She has succeeded in conveying the utter joy of growing flowers." --Lynn Byczynski, author of The Flower Farmer "The creation of this beautiful book is testament to Erin Benzakein''s commitment to and passion for the local flower movement. The layout is simultaneously appealing and practical; Floret''s signature lush photographs beautifully illustrate all stages of cut flower production and design through the seasons. Inspirational and accessible, this is a volume that should grace every flower farmer''s bookshelf." --Judy Laushman, Executive Director, Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Inc. "I''ve known of Erin''s work with cut flowers for a while now. In the market farming circle, she''s often referred to as the authority on the matter. After reading her new book (which is awesome!!), I now understand why she''s so often praised. Filled with clear growing techniques, detailed harvesting instructions and other tips of the trade, this book is a true gift to anyone wanting to generate good income from the craft of flower farming on a small-scale. There is a great deal of interest in local, seasonal flowers and this book will help support and energize the movement even more. --Jean-Martin Fortier, author of The Market Gardener "Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden is the perfect resource for the local flower movement. Erin Benzakein shows the enormous potential of in-season flowers with beautiful photography that does the blooms justice. Listing the crops by season is a brilliant way to help growers plan ahead to have a steady supply of blooms throughout the the year. And the projects are great for showing how to create exceptional bouquets and arrangements. A lively read that will energize you to get growing and arranging." --Andrew Mefferd, Editor, Growing for Market Magazine "Brimming full of flower growing advice, inspiration and stunning photography, ''Floret Farm''s Cut Flower Garden'' is destined to become a ''must-have'' bible for all flower growers.whether you''re an aspiring newbie or a seasoned professional. Erin''s captivating, personal writing style makes you feel that she''s sitting just across the room from you, generously sharing all her invaluable hints and tips on how to not only grow your own blooms in abundance, but also how to arrange them beautifully. This book is an absolutely un-put-

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