Best Flower Farming Books for Beginning Farmers 

Over the years I have collected a beautiful collection of flower farming books that I treasure. I’ve learned so many tips and I re-read most of them each winter and learn something new each time. Flipping through the pages brings me joy and excites me for the season to come. I’ve broken up the list into two categories. The first list is compiled of the books that I relied on heavily when I first started flower farming. I believe they are the most essential to help get your feet of the ground and cover a wide variety of topics. The second list are the books that I didn’t find necessary but suggest you look into if you are eager for more learning!

These books are full of beautiful blooms and plenty of expert guidance. They are packed full of encouragement for anyone interested in starting their own farm or small cut flower garden.

These books can get pricey, I encourage you to request them from your local library first and see if they are a good fit for you before you buy them. Once you know they are a good fit for you, then order them and mark up the pages!

My top favorite flower farming books for the new flower farmer.

Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein

If you know flower farming, you probably know Erin Benzakein from Floret Flower Farm in Skagit Valley. I had the opportunity to visit her farm at the beginning of my flower farming journey and she is the real deal. This book is categorized into seasons. In each seasonal category, she breaks down her favorite varieties with step-by-step instructions. Each flower variety is then broken down into specific flower information.  She gives very practical advice that is helpful to the beginning cut flower farmer or the home grower.   You will love flipping through the pages and admiring this beautiful guide with full-color photography of floral arrangements. This makes a great coffee table book due to the beautiful pictures and easy-to-read content. You can’t go wrong, If I had to pick one book from this list, this is it.

Cool Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler

In this book, Lisa Mason Ziegler takes a deep dive clarifying the difference between annuals, hardy annuals, perennials, and biennials.  It wasn’t until I read this book that I truly understood the difference between these different plant categories. Ziegler discusses what “cool flowers” can be fall planted according to the zone you’re planting in. I have taken her advice and now plant several cut flowers in the fall with great success. If you’re interested in expanding your growing season and getting a jump on your spring crops, this is a must-read. Check out Lisa’s website for a boatload of growing information. One of my favorite things about her farm is she grows in a suburban area which may be inspiring to those of you growing in a small space.

The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers by Lynn Byczynski

This was the first book on flower farming I purchased and to this day is the most referenced book I own. It is written from years of experience and full of extensive advice from a veteran flower farmer. It is not overwhelming, but full of helpful information that you will continue to read season after season.  When I read it, I feel like a mentor is talking to me, it is not bogged down with hard to understand information. I love that it is a comprehensive guide to all the aspects of a  flower farmer’s year, not just the growing and cutting flowers part. It covers site preparation, variety selection, growing flowers, post-harvest handling, floral design, and so much more. Every time I read it, I learn something new about managing a profitable cut flower business. 

Flowers for Sale: Growing and Marketing Cut Flowers : Backyard to Small Acreage (A Bootstrap Guide) for Sale: Growing and Marketing Cut Flowers by Lee Sturdivant

This book is essential if you are interested in selling cut flowers at the farmer’s market or grocery store. This book focuses on selling cut flowers but still covers some basics of growing harvesting, and post-harvest care. It discusses specific dollar amounts and gets into the nitty-gritty of the cost of goods (flowers) sold and profit planning. At the end of the book, there is a Cut Flower Catalog where the author presents her favorite and most profitable cut flowers she grows. 

Compact Farms: 15 Proven Plans for Market Farms on 5 Acres or Less By Josh Volk

This is a great book for inspiring home gardeners to expand their vision of what’s possible on their land. It shows 15 different layouts of small farms and the bounty that is pouring from them. It takes a look at vegetable and flower farmers and goes into detail about the layout and organization of their businesses. I love the relatable stories each of the farmers share. Each farmer discusses their efficient farm systems, bookkeeping practices, and areas they want to improve. Each farmer discusses their income streams and own experiences selling at the farmers market, roadside stands and CSAs. This is not a flower farming specific book, but the information is most definately applicable.

The 50 Mile Bouquet: Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers by Debra Prinzing

This beautiful book takes an intimate look into a handful of small, organic flower farms across the country. There is not a ton of specific growing information but I included it in this list because it shows what’s possible if you’re committed to sustainable flower farming practices.

Specialty Cut Flowers: The Production of Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Woody Plants for Fresh and Dried Cut Flowers ( Second Edition) by Allan Armitage and Judy Laushman

I put this one last because this is the last book I added to my collection. It is geared toward the professional flower farmer and is by far the most scientific book in this list and my house! It lists different flower varieties and talks about the history and popularity of each cultivar. Then each cultivar is broken down including: propagation, growing, seeding, environmental factors, field performance, greenhouse performance, stage of harvest, postharvest, cultivars, pest and diseases, grower comments, and extra reading resources. It is LOADED with information. I didn’t start referencing this book till I had been flower farming for many years and it still overwhelms me! But as I get more specific in my crops and growing I find myself referencing it more often. 

Bonus List of Books if you are hungry for more reading!

Here are some extra books I think you will enjoy if you’re looking to expand your knowledge!

• Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman
• Garden Alchemy by Stephanie Rose
• Vegetables Love Flowers: Companion Planting for Beauty and Bounty by Lisa Mason Ziegler
• Floret Farm’s A Year in Flowers by Erin Benzakein
• The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook & Business Advice for Organic Farmers with Richard Wiswall
• Grow Your Own Cut Flowers by Sarah Raven
• Floret Farm’s Discovering Dahlias: A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms
• The Flower Workshop: Lessons in Arranging Blooms, Branches, Fruits, and Foraged Materials by Ariella ChezarFloret Farm's Discovering Dahlias: A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms

Now, get busy reading and start planning your cutting garden!  I’m a firm believer that the best way to learn is to just do it! Each year you grow you will find failures and successes in your own garden, take note and move forward next season. Flower farming is a great way to keep you humble because it takes an immense amount of work and you will always be learning. 

Let me know if I’m missing any of your favorite books!

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