Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Walker. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Because she longed for color, Stephanie began growing flowers in her yard and gardens as a personal challenge to see what she could get to grow in the deserts of Queen Creek, Arizona. She knew she wanted more than lantana, Texas sage and hibiscus.
As a Certified Master Gardener, Stephanie soon found that by adjusting growing seasons and pushing the envelope, she could have a rainbow of color and a smorgasbord of blooms right out her back door. She was ecstatic as she cut blooms to bring inside to arrange and enjoy. As her blooms became abundant, she began creating and taking bouquets to friends and posting the arrangements on social media.
One day, a friend told her she should sell her flowers and bouquets – a thought Stephanie had never considered since these were, after all, just her backyard flowers.
She let that thought percolate until finally one day she cut an armload of blooms and nervously {and completely awkwardly} walked into a local florist shop and walked out five minutes later with $94 in her pocket.
Today, Stephanie grows on a tiny plot of 600 sq ft in her backyard for her CSA flower subscriptions and special order bouquets and is preparing an additional ¼ acre of her property to dedicate fully to farming and workshops.
So many good things ahead!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has definitely been a learning curve as I have ventured into farming. For the past year, I have been failing at planting and developing my large field. I have planted 3 times and each time rabbits have eaten all my flowers. I’m currently installing a rabbit proof fence to hopefully keep out all the critters and put an end to the frustration of rabbits eating my crop. I’m still trying to nail down seed starting planting times on some varieties.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Certified Master Gardener, flower farmer and florist and educator. I love to teach workshops and consult with people about their gardens. I currently grow flowers on a small 600sq ft field. I sell flowers to the public and to florists.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m not a huge risk-taker. I like to stay within my comfort zone, especially where time commitment and risk of failure is involved. It was daunting to step outside my box and put forth the work it takes to farm flowers. It is a lot of work! It is hard, and it is mostly uncharted territory here in the valley.
I came up with so many reasons why I couldn’t be a flower farmer. As I have committed to making my business successful, I have found that I have everything in me that I need to succeed. There is always something new to learn and I love learning from others.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephanie@thepottersbench.com
- Website: www.thepottersbench.com
- Instagram: @the_potters_bench
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/108664530932206/
Image Credits
Nichole Webb Photography
