Discover the fundamentals of growing high-quality cut flowers in this hands-on workshop with flower farmer Elle Huftill-Balzer of Sweet Mabel’s Farm.

Designed for beginning flower farmers, market gardeners, and backyard growers, this class combines classroom instruction with guided field demonstrations to explore the complete lifecycle of cut flower production.

Participants will learn how to select and grow flowers for continuous seasonal harvests using techniques tailored to the Sacramento Valley’s unique climate, where flowers can be grown nearly year-round. While out in the field, participants will practice evaluating crop health, identifying harvest-ready blooms, learning proper harvesting techniques, and observing production practices such as plant spacing, support systems, and succession planting.

The workshop concludes with post-harvest handling and vase life strategies that help growers deliver longer-lasting, higher-quality flowers from field to customer.