This episode features a takeover of our popular weekly live Q&A session on Instagram, called Ask a Flower Farmer. It was guest-hosted by Dave Dowling of Ball/ColorLink, a former flower farmer and the instructor for our online course: ⁠⁠⁠Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More⁠⁠⁠. Dave is always happy to share his knowledge with our listeners!

Topics Covered:

Getting smart deals on plants and bulbs in winter
Alstroemeria for cut flowers - what to know
Protecting plants from sudden cold and winter pests
Lilies - which types can work for you
Vase life, what lasts and what does not
Rescuing a weedy perennial bed
Peony care basics
Pruning limelight hydrangeas
Overwintering lisianthus and snapdragons
Ordering plugs and supplies
Underrated and overrated cut flowers
Quick seasonal checklist

Episode originally aired 12/17/25 on Instagram. Join Lisa and her guest hosts Wednesdays at 3:00PM Eastern time to get your cut flower growing questions answered by the experts!

Mentions
Field & Garden #361: Snapdragon Growing with Dave Dowling

Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers: ASCFG.org

Dave's Course: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the TGW Online Store for all your seeds and supplies!⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The⁠⁠⁠⁠ Field and Garden Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ is produced by Lisa Mason Ziegler, award-winning author of⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Cut Flower Handbook, Vegetables Love Flowers, and Cool Flowers⁠⁠⁠⁠, owner of⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Gardener’s Workshop,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flower Farming School Online,⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the publisher of⁠⁠⁠⁠ Farmer-Florist School Online⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ Florist School Online.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa’s Story⁠⁠⁠⁠ and connect with Lisa on social media!

#378: Dave Dowling on "Ask A Flower Farmer"