When did you set up your business and why?
I began growing flowers a number of years ago out of curiosity, as I was already growing vegetables.
I sowed a mixed packet of seeds in one raised bed and was fascinated by each flower as they budded up and bloomed.
The following year, I began to research and intentionally grow more flowers.
I had an existing small business designing and making children's clothes under the name Lollipops and Daydreams, but the more flowers I grew, the more I felt a calling to be outside in nature.
In 2020, I decided to go with my heart and the flowers took over and became the main focus.
Can you explain your process?
I start my planning in the early winter months, deciding what to grow for the next year. I grow perennials, biennials, annuals and bulbs to try to have a fresh seasonal supply of flowers for about eight months of the year and then the other months I work with dried flowers and seed sales.
I grow a mix of show stoppers like peonies, ranunculus and roses and with these, there's a wide range of other flowers from narcissus to sunflowers.
Scent is a huge thing for flower growers, because imported blooms often don't have scent and it is such an emotive thing.
Nature and seasonality is my main inspiration, as they have ultimate control over what you create.
What is your best seller?
It's hard to pinpoint one best seller, because I sell the flowers through a number of channels: direct bouquets, wholesale to other florists and then for events such as weddings where I am the floral designer.
Maria Ryan really enjoys creating floral arrangements.
Dried flowers are popular online, as they are used for both interiors as well as gifting.
I run workshops too, which has been great, because there's nothing better than chatting flowers with like-minded people! There's a seasonal cut flower workshop where we talk through setting up your own cut flower garden, followed by cutting and creating with flowers.
There's also a cut flower farmer workshop for anyone wanting to look into growing more as a profession.
What is it about your business that brings you joy?
Delivering bouquets is always a joy to see the expressions on people's faces and I think also it's seeing the lovely intentions and notes that are behind those flowers from those doing the gifting.
Creating arrangements with flowers is like the icing on the cake after all the less glamorous work of growing them!
Also, the feeling that growing flowers is helping nature and vice versa is really special.
Maria Ryan grows a range of show stoppers at Bell Meadow flower farm.
We've gone from having land that had the odd solitary cabbage butterfly to a pollinator and bird paradise. The transformation in pollinator populations once you grow flowers is incredible and learning from them is like learning about life and its cycles.
What are your hopes for 2023?
My hopes for 2023 are to grow more flowers and share the knowledge with others.
I am doing a seed-saving course with Irish Seed Savers, where we learn a lot more about saving seed and plant breeding.
It's always inspirational learning from others and I think you never stop learning in agriculture and horticulture.
I also hope the Irish flower movement continues to thrive and expand and we see more of a sense of seasonality in the floral industry.
What advice would you give to another start-up business?
I would say just go for it! If you have a full-time job, you could always start something in your spare time - it doesn't have to be going all in at once.
I'd advise contacting your local LEO for advice or to try a few business courses, especially if you are planning to become self-employed for the first time.
Tell people about what you doing! You can't sell products if people don't know you have products to sell.
Focus locally, as well as on social media. Sometimes it can be very hard to put yourself and your products out there, but you'll find it pays off in time.
Visit https://www.bellmeadowireland.com for more.
Read more
Meet The Maker: Sarah Niland of Rudaí Olla
Meet The Maker: textile artist Trish Middleton
When did you set up your business and why?
I began growing flowers a number of years ago out of curiosity, as I was already growing vegetables.
I sowed a mixed packet of seeds in one raised bed and was fascinated by each flower as they budded up and bloomed.
The following year, I began to research and intentionally grow more flowers.
I had an existing small business designing and making children's clothes under the name Lollipops and Daydreams, but the more flowers I grew, the more I felt a calling to be outside in nature.
In 2020, I decided to go with my heart and the flowers took over and became the main focus.
Can you explain your process?
I start my planning in the early winter months, deciding what to grow for the next year. I grow perennials, biennials, annuals and bulbs to try to have a fresh seasonal supply of flowers for about eight months of the year and then the other months I work with dried flowers and seed sales.
I grow a mix of show stoppers like peonies, ranunculus and roses and with these, there's a wide range of other flowers from narcissus to sunflowers.
Scent is a huge thing for flower growers, because imported blooms often don't have scent and it is such an emotive thing.
Nature and seasonality is my main inspiration, as they have ultimate control over what you create.
What is your best seller?
It's hard to pinpoint one best seller, because I sell the flowers through a number of channels: direct bouquets, wholesale to other florists and then for events such as weddings where I am the floral designer.
Maria Ryan really enjoys creating floral arrangements.
Dried flowers are popular online, as they are used for both interiors as well as gifting.
I run workshops too, which has been great, because there's nothing better than chatting flowers with like-minded people! There's a seasonal cut flower workshop where we talk through setting up your own cut flower garden, followed by cutting and creating with flowers.
There's also a cut flower farmer workshop for anyone wanting to look into growing more as a profession.
What is it about your business that brings you joy?
Delivering bouquets is always a joy to see the expressions on people's faces and I think also it's seeing the lovely intentions and notes that are behind those flowers from those doing the gifting.
Creating arrangements with flowers is like the icing on the cake after all the less glamorous work of growing them!
Also, the feeling that growing flowers is helping nature and vice versa is really special.
Maria Ryan grows a range of show stoppers at Bell Meadow flower farm.
We've gone from having land that had the odd solitary cabbage butterfly to a pollinator and bird paradise. The transformation in pollinator populations once you grow flowers is incredible and learning from them is like learning about life and its cycles.
What are your hopes for 2023?
My hopes for 2023 are to grow more flowers and share the knowledge with others.
I am doing a seed-saving course with Irish Seed Savers, where we learn a lot more about saving seed and plant breeding.
It's always inspirational learning from others and I think you never stop learning in agriculture and horticulture.
I also hope the Irish flower movement continues to thrive and expand and we see more of a sense of seasonality in the floral industry.
What advice would you give to another start-up business?
I would say just go for it! If you have a full-time job, you could always start something in your spare time - it doesn't have to be going all in at once.
I'd advise contacting your local LEO for advice or to try a few business courses, especially if you are planning to become self-employed for the first time.
Tell people about what you doing! You can't sell products if people don't know you have products to sell.
Focus locally, as well as on social media. Sometimes it can be very hard to put yourself and your products out there, but you'll find it pays off in time.
Visit https://www.bellmeadowireland.com for more.
Read more
Meet The Maker: Sarah Niland of Rudaí Olla
Meet The Maker: textile artist Trish Middleton
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