Ep.7: Connecting with Nature and Giving Back with Flower Farmer Misha Gillingham

In this episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we are joined by Misha Gillingham of Farmluxe. Misha shares her journey to becoming a flower farmer and the profound impact of blooms on ones overall well-being.Misha discusses her first introduction to gardening when she bought a farm in Washington seven years ago. She was inspired by the existing garden on the property and the joy of harvesting fresh food with her family. This experience sparked her passion for gardening and led her to expand her garden into a full-blown flower farm.Misha emphasizes the importance of starting with a practice garden and taking the time to learn and experiment before diving into larger-scale farming. She encourages listeners to be patient and not rush the process, as gardening is a continuous learning experience.The conversation also touches on the challenges Misha faced when transitioning to her new farm, Sky Dance on San Juan Island. The property presents unique obstacles such as a north-facing slope and rocky soil. However, Misha's determination and creativity has allowed her to overcome these challenges and create a beautiful garden.Misha shares her passion for connecting with local farmers and giving back to the community. She discusses her experience donating surplus food and flowers to the food bank and other organizations. Misha also reveals her future plans to establish a community garden on her farm, providing a space for people to learn and grow their own food.This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for both seasoned gardeners and those curious about the connection between flowers, gardening, and well-being. Misha's wisdom and passion for nature and giving back shine through, making this a truly uplifting and informative conversation.In this episode: 00:01:59 - Introduction to Misha of Farmluxe 00:06:36 - Misha's first farm 00:19:44 - Challenges and requirements in finding a new farm 00:23:01 - Challenges of building a garden on a slope with 00:25:06 - Design elements & tips for incorporating arches & trellises 00:29:41 - Misha's five-year plan for her new flower farm 00:37:46 - Misha's garden club and online courses 00:40:58 - Gardening & flower farming tips for beginners 00:44:02 - Importance of supporting local and organic farming 00:55:09 - Final words and encouragement to start gardening and flower farmingShow Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/01/30/episode-7-misha-gillingham-farmluxe/Learn more: Check out Farmluxe Online: https://farmluxe.com/ Join: Club Farmluxe Follow On Social: https://www.instagram.com/farmluxe/ Buy Misha's Book: Blooms & Dreams***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? New episodes every Tuesday to keep your garden blooming!JOIN THE BACKYARD BOUQUET COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowergardeningInstagram | Pinterest | Website