When I first got into gardening, I got very fixated on the food I could grow for myself, but what I’m realizing is growing flowers can be as appealing as growing food — and flowers, being the pollinator magnets they are, are crucial to a healthy garden and a healthy mind. I’ve been so curious about cut flower gardening and connected with this episode's guest on Clubhouse, and started picking her brain about what cut flowers I should try as an ultra beginner. Brooklyn's passion for plants, her sensitivity, and her knowledge are things I've been wanting to share with this community! We also share heartwarming stories about our mothers and some of the gardening practices they do. I hope this episode brings you joy, just like flowers do!Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Founding Plant Friend discounts running through July 1st! Then prices go up!Become a Founding Plant Friend!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:02:23] Maria’s garden update[00:05:40] Who is Brooklyn and how she became a flower farmer[00:08:31] Why everyone should have flowers in their garden[00:09:15] Brooklyn shares the personal connection she feels when growing[00:12:08] Things to consider before growing flowers in your garden[00:14:06] The best flowers to grow for beginners: sunflowers, zinnias, strawflowers, and more[00:17:05] A quick recap on annuals vs perennials[00:18:32] The best perennial flowers to grow for blooms year after year[00:21:22] How to plan your flower garden so you have blooms all year long[00:25:48] Brooklyn’s favorite ‘cut and come again’ flowers[00:27:16] How to make the best soil mix for your flowers[00:29:30] When to use fertilizers on your flowers[00:31:04] Where to get the best potting mix compost and Bio-tone for your garden[00:32:41] Where to order your garlic for this season[00:35:03] Why you want to fertilize your flowers (and some signs that they need it!)[00:36:12] Determining how much light your flowers need[00:37:30] Maria shares her experience with her first garden and reading seed packets[00:41:17] How to transplant your flowers and harden them off[00:44:27] How to pinch flowers, what is it for, and when should you do it[00:48:04] What should you do with your flower’s first bud?[00:48:25] What is deadheading and how to do it properly[00:51:03] Brooklyn’s growing tips for peonies[00:52:43] How to grow flowers from corms and bulbs[00:57:33] Brooklyn’s top five favorite flowers (and greens) to grow[00:59:34] A little heartwarming story about Mama Failla and her garden gifts[01:03:22] Maria shares her newfound interest and joy in flower gardeningThank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma OrganicEspoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.Territorial Seed CompanyTerritorial Seed Co provides high-quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.Follow Brooklyn:Instagram: @brooklynsherriPetal and Herb FarmClubhouseFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, project