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April 14th 2025

My Journey with Flowers

Written by
Floret

20 years ago, when I started Floret, it was just a tiny seed of an idea, and the flower industry looked nothing like it does today. At the time, the term farmer-florist didn’t exist yet. You were either a floral designer or a flower farmer, but you couldn’t be both—the two worlds were kept entirely separate. Most flower arrangements were filled with imported blooms that were completely out of season and looked nothing like the ones growing in my garden or on other local farms.

Determined to bridge the two worlds, I spent years educating myself and trying to convince the key players in the industry that by working together and being more in sync with nature, we could change things for the better. Despite numerous setbacks, many dead ends, and more obstacles than I can count, this story actually has a happy ending, and today I’m excited to share that with you.

The floral industry is undergoing a huge transformation, and the farmer-florist community is steadily changing the way the world thinks about flowers and the people who grow them. It has been such an incredible honor to be part of this passionate and dedicated community. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

If you’re interested in seasonal floral design, you can learn more about our Flower Arranging Workshop here and sign up for the waitlist below.


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44 Comments

  1. Cheryl Whitfield on

    That is such a beautiful video. I love your passion for Flowers, growing selling, arranging and sharing

    Thank you for being so giving and being so transparent about what you do! This is such a blessing.

    I started to order some Dalia seeds last year, but a person that I know sells cut flowers, said she was going to give me some seeds. so I canceled my order.
    Well, she never gave them to me, now I don’t have any Dalia seeds. I don’t have any tubers. Actually I never had tubers before, so if there was some way that you all can let me purchase some Dalia seeds or tubers, I would greatly appreciate it.
    I live in Nashville, Tennessee, and haven’t really been able to really grow flowers too well. I can grow lots of vegetables, but flowers are still a struggle for me. But I would like to try again with Dahlia’s.

    Thank you continue to share your love with all of us. ❤️
    Cheryl Whitfield

    Reply
  2. Lara on

    I loved watching this journey unfold during those years – and still today. Small seeds planted grew into a movement. Love you dearly. Grace and I treasure watching these videos. Our breath was taken away by the beauty many times while enjoying this one!

    Reply
  3. Don Etheredge on

    Erin,
    Glad u keep showing up ,keep saying yes,look how far u have come.We all are the winners too Thanks to your dream and vision ..I wish u and the team much continued success, You r truly a Pioneer.
    Your posts r without a doubt my favorite to get and enjoy..Thanks a MILLION!!!

    Reply
  4. Sherri on

    Your gifts to all of us speak volumes. Thank you for continuing to share your journey and that of others you have inspired. I get so much pleasure and insight from your videos and the celebration you bring to us through the floral world!

    Reply
  5. Diane McElwain on

    I have tears in my eyes! I’d love to visit your farm sometime and just walk around and smell the lovely flowers. ❤️

    Reply
  6. Perla on

    Erin, Thank you for that beautiful video. I recently lost my friend who was an amazing gardener. Her garden was always abundant and full of flowers. She would often give me cuttings and encouraged me to grow. I have experimented with Dahlias and growing from seed. After her death, I lost my way and have been very sad for months with no real desire to garden, and half my garden has gone to weeds. The worse the garden got, the more upset I would get. Today, after watching this video, that little spark for gardening that was still there beneath the surface suddenly burst through. I know now how much joy flowers bring and how happy my friend would be to see me grow my garden. So thank you for making this video and restoring my hope and joy. You are such an inspiration not only to people who want to be flower farmers but also to those who just love flowers and want to give it a go, not as a business but just as something to enjoy. A way to cheer friends up when they are feeling down. A bouquet of flowers will always bring love and joy to a person, I think. Again, thank you.

    Reply
  7. Rachel M on

    Erin, between your site and Danielle at Northlawn Flower Farm, I have learned so much. I have always enjoyed landscaping, but I had never grown cut flowers until 2025. I have only “farmed” my backyard for a year, but I made so many arrangements that I feel brave enough to step up my game this seed-starting season. I am just a suburban stay-at-home mom with a yard, learning that anyone can do this – maybe not with the intent to sell, but to grow something beautiful! Hard work is good for the soul and honoring to the Lord, and His glory and majesty is magnified in flowers. I mostly came on here to tell you that my husband is a cinematographer by trade, and I used to do a lot of copywriting and directing before I had 5 children. It is rare that I get to do it now, but you should know the level of production in your images and in your films do NOT go unnoticed. This artwork is ALSO so beautiful to me!

    Reply
  8. Janine Van Marrewijk on

    Erin, I have been following your journey since the beginning sitting at my commuter watching your world and the changes unfold. I have loved your passion and your dedication to helping others see the beauty and continue their own journeys within the flower growing area. From seed collecting to now showing us how to best do the flower arranging. Cant wait for it all to happen. Best of luck with your new spring season ahead. We are heading into our wintertime here in the NZ, and Autumm really is one of my favorite times of the year in the garden.
    Janine Van M

    Reply
  9. Anne Schwankhart on

    I agree, thank you for all that you do! For your dedication, tenacity, stamina… for pursuing your dream with such passion and making it possible for so many of us to be inspired and follow in your footsteps!

    Reply
  10. Sofia on

    I am new to Floret and Erin. But last Summer my husband and I followed the instructions on rose cuttings and all 24 are putting on leaf buds! They spent all Winter outside in zone 6.
    I adore you Erin for being real and down to earth and giving actual advice that WORKS not just tidbits to entice. That is so admirable! Thank you!!!
    And I made your potting soil recipe and it’s so lovely! Finally no more desperate searches for a good soil! God bless you even more than you already are!

    Reply
  11. Mj on

    Sharing and cultivating the beauty of nature is an admirable and soul saving talent. Cheers and thanks.✌🏽

    Reply
  12. Susan Painter on

    Erin, you are an inspiration to me in so many realms. Your belief in yourself and in what you’re doing translates to every kind of endeavor. I’m not a flower farmer–I buy a few flowers every week at my local farmers’ market for my home and I love being able to support local flower farmers. I’m continually amazed by what you and your team do– the scale of your ambitions and accomplishments– and it’s such a pleasure to follow your adventures. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Mylène on

    These videos of yours always bring me to tears. And they remind me, when the ground is still deeply covered in snow, of my purpose and love of flowers and sharing beauty. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. This was timely for me. xo

    Reply
  14. Pauline on

    Thank you for all you do.

    Reply
  15. Lisa Chabot on

    Oooooooo. How inspiring. Thank you for sharing your talent. Just wonderful.

    Reply
  16. sarah ulis on

    So beautiful. I’m extremely impressed with what you have achieved. You work so hard and are so talented. It’s wonderful that now there are so many flower farmers .
    I have always picked flowers from my garden and love doing it so much . Well done !!! 🥰

    Reply
  17. Debbie on

    What a beautiful amazing story! I cried too!

    Reply
  18. Lindsay on

    Beautiful and inspiring as always! My dahlia tubers are hibernating in my garage, all snug and packed away carefully. And all because of you, Erin :)

    Reply
  19. Dana Mitchell on

    This is so fun to watch. Like many others have said before – you all inspired me to create my first garden. Now I’ve had a couple years in of growing, making bouquets for my kitchen, and saving seeds – Zinnias, Dahlia’s and other flowers.

    Reply
  20. Jewels L on

    As always, you are an inspiration to us all!

    Reply
  21. Donna P. on

    You are truly the most amazing person! I love your passion.

    Reply
  22. Dawnee Atargatis on

    Tears of gratitude!
    I love flower arranging, & have for decades.
    You are inspiring beyond compare, Erin.
    I love you, Miraculous Magickal Marvelous Magnificent Great Creatress that you are!
    Every blessing of Divine Love Light🌷

    Reply
  23. Jane on

    Thanks, Erin!!
    Totally inspirational and beautiful!

    Reply
  24. Kelly Beamish on

    Thank you so much, for showing us your journey Erin. It has such an impact on my expectations of myself, my compassion towards my soul and it is so inspirational! I love seeing the journey flowers and nature can take us on and can be in our lives. This is so important! Thank you :)

    Reply
  25. Mj on

    You are such an inspiration, Erin! Thank you !

    Reply
  26. Kristin Johnsen on

    I wish I was younger and had more time to find a plot and start a garden! You are just so inspiring and such a champion for everyone in this and other small businesses! I love seeing all the arrangements – and think that my mom, a former Skagit County resident and a lover of flower arranging from her garden, would just love this! Her 70’s era bouquets often included berries and seed pods – before it was cool! thanks as always for sharing your stories.

    Reply
  27. Adele Haney LeChien on

    What an absolute blessing to wake up to this video today Erin! Such a wonderful and inspiring story you share with us. I can appreciate all the hard work and thought you have put into this adventure. Thank you for sharing your story. The videos make me feel like I’m there on the farm. Warms my heart. Makes me want to move to that Skagit Valley and at the same time I could be closer to both my boys. A win win. :)

    Reply
  28. Tiffany Brown on

    Erin – you are doing such amazing, purposeful work that is so inspiring to so many of us. I love how you have added these short videos as a medium to reach your audience because it is such a visual and relevant way to tell your heartfelt stories. You continue to give me hope and inspiration to keep growing my flowers and sharing them with my local community. Thank you for making such an impact on the flower community and by providing such support. Keep paving the way!

    Reply
  29. Lydia Bart on

    I love the story of your farm, it definitely encourages me to keep trying even after my many abysmal fails.

    Reply
  30. Kaethe on

    How lovely—love-filled—and inspiring. Really. A beautiful story without an end!

    Reply
  31. Dee Ann on

    My heart fills with joy watching these flower videos! I am continually amazed that all those flowers grow right here is Skagit Valley! Thank you, Erin and Team!

    Reply
  32. Ida May Nerdrum on

    I remember when I was a young girl growing up in Libby Montana would hear of “johnny apple seed” took his seeds and planted them all over USA. Don’t know if is real😂 but makes a good story!
    But for you “Erin the flower seed/farmer LADY” comes to my mind and I thank you for this!❤️you are amazing!!!

    Reply
  33. Kate on

    I love these videos! Your work is so inspiring and obviously brings you (and all of us!) a lot of joy. Keep spreading that positive energy!

    Reply
  34. Joan Hale on

    Watching your video this morning was such a positive way to start my day! Your enthusiasm has inspired me and I can’t wait for the sun to come up so I can get out and into my garden . Thank you so much for what you do Erin. ❤️

    Reply
  35. Renee Smith on

    I, like Stephanie above, am moved to tears of joy everytime I watch one of your videos. I’m so glad you are here to show us, what we didn’t even know, we had deep deep feelings about. 🥰 I can’t wait to sign up for the class

    Reply
  36. Evalin Stearns on

    I so agree with Nena! Thank you for starting my day with beauty.

    Reply
  37. Lynsey Fleck on

    Thank you for this video, and for sharing your inspiring journey. It is wonderful to see the way small steps lead to big changes.

    Reply
  38. Erin K on

    I am just starting out as a flower farmer and this was so inspiring to me! Thank you for being the pioneer in this movement.

    Reply
  39. Stephanie Ignazio on

    Every one of your videos always moves me and I find tears flowing down my face. Happy, joyful, inspired tears. Thank you.

    Reply
  40. Nena C Williams on

    That was such an inspiring video, thank you for creating it! Even when life keeps getting tougher and tougher on a daily basis, I can always return to flowers and their beauty, which is soothing and peaceful and uplifting to me. Thank you, Erin, once again.

    Reply

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