I’m a fan of Floret, the flower farm run by Erin Benzakein in Washington’s fertile Skagit Valley. There, on her 2-acre farm, she grows cut flowers such as sweet peas, zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, cosmos, lilacs, poppies and hellebores.
What I admire about her even more than the beauty she nurtures on her flower farm, and the way her community benefits from that beauty, is her genuine love for flowers and her generosity in encouraging others to do what she does, whether for personal pleasure or as a professional.
Right now, Floret is offering two online workshops that Marin flower lovers might enjoy.
The first is a three-part video series about saving zinnias, dahlias and celosia seeds correctly to make sure they stay true to their original variety; how to know when seeds are ready to harvest and how to pick them; and how to store them. This mini-course is free. Go to workshop.floretflowers.com/2025-seed-saving-mini-course-opt-in.
The second workshop is about nurturing the next generation of flower farmers who want to learn how to get their foot in the door. It’s all about learning how to grow flowers on a small scale and sell them locally.
According to Floret’s website, “Floret’s training has helped growers from more than 50 countries build thriving flower-based businesses and gardens (typically on a quarter-acre of land) and fueled a global seasonal flower movement.”
This workshop is for beginners and intermediate flower growers and gardeners wanting to grow flowers on a small plot but in a bigger way; established growers wanting to improve efficiency, elevate marketing or expand into new outlets; florists wishing to grow their own seasonal blooms; gardeners wanting to build a seasonal business, side gig or new career centered on homegrown flowers; teachers and garden coordinators for local schools, community gardens and institutions; and anyone looking to bring more joy and beauty into their life through flowers.
There are six modules that help students understand the key steps in creating a flower farm, how to design a small productive farm, strategies for efficient farming, how to start growing flowers, how to handle sales and marketing, and how to harvest and care for cut flowers.
The course costs $1,997, or $379 plus tax per month for six months, and includes 150 video tutorials along with a course book and worksheets. Once registered, students can study at their own pace and participate year after year.
It’s only offered once a year. Registration is from Oct. 20 through 24 and class will begin in early January. You can add your name to the online waitlist and receive a notification when the workshop registration is open. Go to floretflowers.com/workshops/online-workshop.
Scholarships are available. Apply at floretflowers.com/workshops/scholarships.
Show off
If you have a beautiful or interesting Marin garden or a newly designed Marin home, I’d love to know about it.
Please send an email describing either one (or both), what you love most about it and a photograph or two. I will post the very best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published, and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.
Don’t-miss events
• Learn how you can help make Novato a certified community wildlife habitat at a special free presentation by the Novato Garden Club at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Margaret Todd Senior Center at 1560 Hill Road in Novato. Go to novatogardenclub.org.
• Learn to make a gorgeous, sustainable, seasonal wreath using dried flowers and foraged materials with Jill Sowards. In “Saving the Seasons: Drying Flowers for Bouquets and Wreaths,” students will make their own crescent-shaped wreath of dried flowers. The class costs $145, and tools and materials will be provided. Register at maringarden.org.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.
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