The Dried Flower Problem

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I have multiple rooms of dried flowers. Which would be exciting, except for the fact that I need those rooms to grow all the new seedlings for the new farm year. Come join Ian and Serina as they clean up the dried flowers, and give you a quick tour of the seedling rooms.
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[@YouCantEatTheGrass]

Download Match Masters here: matchmaste.rs/hCkF/YouCantEatTheGrass to get a $10 Pinata pack for free!

[@JeremiahCommons]

Sorry to bother you with a question for another video. What type of potting soil are you using for your soil blocks? I couldn't find the answer in the video or in the description. I just see big blue/white bags. Thank you! I'll be actively awaiting your reply.

[@YouCantEatTheGrass]

​@JeremiahCommons we just buy the bales they carry at our local farm store - it's usually promix

[@Dwynfal]

Since you're already at craft fairs with your Xmas ornaments, you should consider also offering some of your "broken down" flowers loose in bags for crafters. That would open up sale possibilities for larger flowers that don't fit in your ornaments.

[@sarahmunoz14]

Floral-fetti for parties and weddings would be great too.

[@kele1264]

What a great idea!

[@fromdentisttofarmer5508]

The petals of the dryer flowed can be a great resource for people who use it to make soap or art or coloring you can sell boxes of different colors petals.

[@lindachorkey1316]

Instead of narrowing on florist with dried flowers , try reaching out to soap and candle makers even resin makers. Bigger market share for sure.

[@sofiajene40]

You need to be more generous in making the dry flower bunch to make it look bigger and better 🎉

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

Agreed! Make bigger dried flower bouquets and set your prices a bit higher!

[@zerowastehomestead2518]

yes i came here to give my unpopular opinion LOL They are still way to small and overvalued so many of them just look crumpled :(

[@n.v.z.1950]

Agreed, I’ve made 50-60 stems bleu/pink statice bouquet for corner, it’s look gorgeous, but if I would use 20 stems?! ….nobody would want it.

[@anniinglucksdorf960]

Well she addressed this before: you need to calculate right. She can not offer them for a cheap price because that would mean she does not do a good job making profitable business choices. You can calculate the cost you have, producing these and if you can not sell them at a good profit you better not sell at all because you ruin the profitable price point for everybody. She has to find people or a product that make sure she gets the appropriate price for the flowers not offer more at the same price point.

[@pdfaulkner1517]

Composting vs selling for lesser price... get something for your work or fill the compost pile? Which is of more value?

[@denni6396]

The bunches look quite small especially as they are dried. You might sell more with some larger bunches. I have dried flowers in my house and they are all very large bunches. They look a bit sad when they don't look full.

[@violetterobinson6542]

It’s so calming watching you make these with the sound of the dried leaves and petals

[@allisonbenfield6104]

Just an idea if you get an overabundance of dried marigolds, or marigolds in general, they could be sold to natural dyers, the stems make green and the flowers yellow. I'm sure a few other flowers you have could be resold for dying, just to make up the cost a bit.

[@quirkycottageshenanigans9003]

Yes, I've used dried flowers, leaves, pods to extract dye from, also avocado pits & their skins are marketable for fabric dyers. Red Hopi Amaranth, Hopi Sunflowers, rudbeckia, acorns fir tannin- lots of plant material is sold on Etsy for fabric dying.

[@lauragalenkamp454]

Putting together some of the suggestions people have made, you should consider using your regular market to offer a variety of dried flower products alongside your bouquets. Bags of confetti, bags of petals to use for dying, dried flower bunches of all the same flower, larger/fuller mixed bouquets, even the ornaments…they don’t have to be just for Christmas. They might not sell immediately, but eventually you’ll get to be known as the place to go for anyone wanting dried flower products. You could put all of these in the roadside stand as well.

[@lillyslavender3181]

I absolutely love your optimism and positivity. It’s so refreshing!! I don’t want to sound redundant, as I’ve scanned some of the comments but definitely agree that there is a market for dried flowers. From soaps, candles, bath bombs, potpourri, jewelry (resin), wreaths, spring hats, ornaments (as you mentioned and so much more. I myself was looking for some to do a DIY with an Iron Orchid Design mould. People even buy them for weddings depending on their theme. The possibilities are nearly limitless. There are other KZbinrs who have their own branded candle, soap…etc companies that you can reach out to too. Best wishes to you always!! 😊

[@pamschaw3842]

The one time I purchased a dried flower bouquet, it was huge. It was packed with beautiful flowers and I couldn't resist it! I barely noticed the price because I was too busy drooling over the bouquet. :D

[@jobo8819]

Can you sell the dried flowers to Handcraft wholesalers??? Or pkg the petals up into packs as botannicals etc. I often buy the packs from websites or local handcraft stores to use them in lots of home made projects. Potpourri, soap top decorations, so many things I use them for in my business. Love your channel. You guys rock.

[@ivettesantana4319]

yup i think this is the way she should go and right now back them and market them and get em out before they become yet another stressor.

[@kele1264]

Great idea!

[@lookouthill11]

Wedding confetti!!! Thats been my solution to my excess.

[@Bleepbloopitty]

I think for dried flowers, bunches of the same kind just without the brown wrap would do well. Then again, I don't know what your local market prefers. All the best to you guys. Rooting for you, always. 🙆🏻‍♀️♥️

[@karalee6522]

I was thinking the same, these would seem amazingly in my area.

[@Taliesin1997]

Just my opinion that the dried bouquets need to have 3 or 4 times the amount of stems in them to give a WOW impact and make them more attractive. Since you have so much material to work with it would be a way to use it and not have to discard it.

[@Anniedeadbush]

My whole fall wedding was dried flowers! It was gorgeous and now I have them forever! You can totally sell them!

[@barbarafegley5566]

You should compost most of the dried flowers and start fresh this year. Stuff thats already 2 seasons old is too far gone and fragile.

[@pdfaulkner1517]

Agreed. Each year's dried flowers should replace the previous year's... out with the old and in with the new. Compost what's going out to feed the future flowers.

[@melsolomon8256]

When I was a kid my dad(grower) and aunt (florest). Marketed to local business and doctor offices. Every couple weeks they delivered a new dried flower arrangements. They would remove old arrangements and bring in a new look. The stuff that still looked good was reused.

[@magdalenaxo1]

Anything you don’t want I will take. 😄 I sell wreaths at my flower farm and never have enough dry flowers! 😊

[@emilasmith4279]

Yay!!! So proud of you for tackling the dried flowers. Seems like they were always taking over your work space! Definitely need to explore more avenues to sell them. Broken down bags for potpourri makers. Same color/same flower bunches for crafters. Fantastic that you broke down the bulb flowers! Now how many do you want for your shows? How many do you need to make per month, per week, per day to reach those goals? Making a few each day seems so less overwhelming than the night before the show all nighters to get them done. Wouldn’t it be great to have them all made up ahead of time? Maybe set up a small card table in the dry flower room so some of the supplies are always out. Pop in daily and make up a few! Big hugs!!! So glad to see your year starting out better!!! Keep going!!! Bouquet season is just around the corner. Make a totally clean and clear workspace to facilitate an awesome year! ❤❤❤❤ big hugs, Em. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@GwynneDear]

Wreaths use lots of dried flowers, and personally I’d be more inclined to buy a wreath that a dried flower bouquet.

[@katarinarichterova2376]

I would love a pre-spring wreath for our front door made out of dried flowers eith wispy textured grasses sticking out.

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

Great idea!

[@betsymaltby6788]

Happy to see you tackling this. Lots of great comments. Maybe try some monochromatic arrangements - you have the inventory - and IMHO it's easier to decorate or enhance a space with a one color scheme for accent than have an explosion of color in a single arrangement. I would also ditch the paper wrapping, let the flowers speak for themselves. Lastly, as you seem to have a lot of inventory, go for fuller bouquets; reduce your inventory now and stop carrying over old stock...even dried flowers have an "expiration" date. I enjoy following your journey. Best of luck in 2023!

[@dibamoca9885]

Just fyi - taking time off is not being lazy. It’s necessary 👍🏽

[@ayelet517]

Hi, So happy to get a new video. I haven’t read all the comments but… Here are 2 unasked for 🤪suggestions: 1. Label the Boxes to make it as easy as possible to see what you have. Color code or number (stickers, markers ) them and list of what is in what. Create labels or print papers you can tape on each with your logo, and info That way if you get a big order you have your boxes labeled and ready to go. From experience, I know it is so important to make the boxes easy to identify. The more labels the better. Every side of the box! Amd top and bottom! 2. I think the ornaments would make fun rear view mirror ornaments. String them across the front or back of the tent and tourists can take them with them even when they can’t buy fresh flowers.

[@ayelet517]

Forgot to mention- tourists might like the heart shaped ornaments as well.

[@helenachase5627]

Perhaps a cut-off point for the dried flowers. Or just eliminating saving some varieties. Everlasting a and statice are so beautiful

[@kdonaldson7308]

You could put them up as a super sale to get people interested in them and clear the back log. Or You could spray paint some of the dried flowers to have accent silver/gold. Or even create potpourri with just the heads adding essential oil.

[@asteria4279]

Getting rid of things you don't actually need and making space feels so great!

[@jucjuc314]

Statice-Confetti 😍 All I could think of is making confetti of the dried statice flowers, maybe they need to be even smaller, but as fragile as they are, that should not be a problem 😊 Maybe that's an idea out there already, if not, now it is! 😄

[@meganpatten724]

Craspedia (drumstick flower) is one of my FAVORTIES for dried flowers! Little balls of sunshine :)

[@asteria4279]

I love the "fresh to dry" bouquets you sell, but as a dried product to sell, bouquets you make from dried pieces definitely look better than the fresh bouquets you have left over. Love the DRAMA dried bouquets😊

[@thepurplebead]

I may have mentioned this already, but for conserving your most valuable resource, time, it might be worth looking into Christmas balls that open in half instead of just the time hole at the top. You’d be able to use some larger flowers in them and once you work out how to stack up the flowers on one side, it will make the process of filling balls quicker. And if you have ones that get faded out, opening them back up to refill would be easy as well. I’m sure you also end up with ones that you have to throw away once they get faded.

[@daryavalkavets2009]

I think you should offer a mail in order options for your dried flowers. I bet there are a lot people who would love to order a box of flowers from you

[@BramptonGardener]

So two thoughts I had watching this. First, I'm not a fan of the dried leaves on the stems. I always remove mine when making anything with dried flowers. To me it brings the dead plant vibe and detracts from the blooms. Second it would be cool if you could add a small charm of some kind with your logo into the ornaments. And you could put the year on them, so people will want to collect a new one each year.

[@emptychallice]

I’m impressed by your business sense. You really think out all the angles and do your research.

[@lisal9488]

I really like the ornaments, but for me personally I just see the bouquets as dust collectors you can't properly clean. I know it feels like you are throwing away money, but if you were never going to sell half of it, then half of it was realistically worth $0 and the stress of it cluttering up your work space. At least some of it can do some good as compost. All natural things are meant to become compost at some point ❤

[@dustyflats3832]

Agree on dust collectors. I don’t think they are good Feng Shui. I would concentrate on fresh.

[@berean7767]

I've had one on my kitchen island all winter and though I agree they'd eventually collect dust, so far mine looks amazing so still much longer lasting then a fresh arrangement. I love the constant reminder all through the winter of the summer beauty of my garden

[@karalee6522]

@@berean7767 I've had an arrangement I made on my coffee table since November. It still looks great.

[@Teachingandmore]

Your dried flower bouquets are so pretty! These dried flowers are very expensive in Asia if you buy them online for crafts, decorations for debut, and weddings.

[@silycat3]

I save dried flowers for my classroom, we make some amazing crafts for family day or Mother’s day with them, donate extras to local schools teachers will know what to do 😂

[@silencedflower8441]

I recommend getting another tractor trailer container. You could line both side walls with labeled boxes of stored dried flowers. Will free up an interior (heated?) room that you could use for workspace and seed starting. 👌🏻

[@MyFocusVaries]

The thing is that they build new inventory each year, so I'd think they need to clear out old inventory rather than store it.

[@silencedflower8441]

@@MyFocusVaries But there’s still many products they could make with the old flowers., like wreaths. Large dried flower wreaths can sell for 400$ or more depending how large.

[@LoraFlowers1475]

You both have way more patience than I. It would all go 😂

[@rattriffic]

Totally agree for you to pre-process the flowers that would really be a time-saver for the ornaments. You might look into the ornaments that open and snap shut I would allow you to use more types of flowers

[@rebeccasys]

You'd be surprised how many people do Easter trees, just a suggestion to make some more dried flower ornaments and put those in the stand as well (and that's a project you can bring inside and work on while watching tv with the kids :) )

[@BramptonGardener]

That's what I was thinking. Sell the ornaments for Easter.

[@MakeItSo_ST]

Someone may have mentioned this already… but I wonder if selling dried wreaths instead of / in addition to dried bouquets would work well for you. Wishing you much success!

[@barbaramccann7944]

Looking forward to the sales update, as well as the final compost pile.

[@barbaramccann7944]

Your goals in the final video comments show you have a forward thinking plan. 😊

[@thenodiggardener]

I think it's been great having done it as you have. You've built stock, learned a lot, and now get to focus on being intentional. Having the market for the smaller bits in your Christmas decorations is great too. I liked the idea that another subscriber suggested of loose flower bags. I'd take that a step further for Christmas with a few dried orange slices, like a potpourri.

[@maura423]

Another ornament style for the craft fairs: mini grapevine wreaths. You have great reasons for not making traditional wreaths, but I'm talking about 4" grapevine wreaths assembled with hot glue. Keep the number of flowers down with an airy style that lets the grapevine show. Add some ribbon, or raffia, or jute. Once you've got a recipe, they take like 5 mins to assemble. Biodegradable hot glue is a thing now, so the whole thing is compostable.

[@kele1264]

I was feeling bad about your overload of dried flowers, but look through the comments! Some really great ideas! After all the work you did to grow those flowers and try to sell them, you're right, they still have value. With your ideas and all the advice in the comments, I think you'll do great with them.

[@pdfaulkner1517]

Have you thought about selling the dried flowers online? Just a thought? Might be too much trouble as far as packing and shipping goes. Good luck, sweet people!

[@jenniferfahnestock450]

Flower Math, Metrics, and decision analysis. sooooo gooooood. Dried Flowers: I was waiting for this video to see how you were going to handle the decadent abundance :) Great Job!

[@CaribouOrange]

The dark, almost black bouquets are to die for. Wish there was a way to ship them to me🖤🌹

[@rhianwatkins6582]

The flowers tied at the base with sting look more like vase fillers (which feels really popular these days) looks really appealing, as opposed to a dried bouquet in brown paper

[@Fatimasroots]

Bigger bunches!!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Maybe you can build a storage shed for just the dried flowers? ❄️💚🙃

[@tanarehbein7768]

I just remind myself that compost is never a waste.

[@lavaidamonique1631]

Maybe try some of the grass in a bunch together and the Amaranth in a bunch together. I love that sculptured look in my home. It works well in contemporary settings.

[@BramptonGardener]

The amaranth would have looked better with no leaves.

[@christinedesnoyer1378]

In the video you said it yourself. If dried is part of of your sales 🤔 Have a Spring Sale with them!!! Wreaths, crafts, potpourri, so many things people could use them for. Advertise for your sale to florists, crafters and regular customers around your area. Invite them to your farm so you don't have to travel pack them up.

[@sjwestmo]

I bought an entire basket of dried flowers. It would be an investment to purchase baskets, but I absolutely loved it and kept it for years.

[@christellewintersdorff6196]

You could put a mix of flower heads and grass into glass jars with corks, and sell as a decoration. You could even have little brown bags with "replacement" flowers if people want to change the colors. That would solve the dust issue for customers... and it's not restricted to Christmas time.

[@carolcartes8240]

Please be careful with all the dried flowers inside the home, they are a fire hazard! But they are beautiful too! Having an abundance is a blessing!

[@tanyakilbane7636]

May I suggest a flower crown workshop for all these flowers. Maybe not these, but in the future. Also, crowns can be sold and shipped to your fans, where a bouquet is crushable. I like how your flowers look in your background . A wall of color for your blog is always nice to see. I may grow enough to make my wall like Lisa z.

[@tanyakilbane7636]

Also, dump the flowers in your front yard next to your retail shed. It is neat to see dried flowers in the snow, and perhaps these flowers will spread statice & amaranth weeds everywhere ! The spill over flower garden is cute to see!

[@olliem5617]

The ornaments would look awesome made into wreaths. Less delicate than traditional dried flower wreaths and appropriate for the holiday market.

[@terryhenderson424]

For marking and labeling cardboard boxes, plastic tubs, and even tool boxes we like to lay down some1.5" or 2" wide, plastic, yellow, library tape (basically elbow duct tape but it sold a little cheaper here for at least a while) then use purple sharpie on it; brown, black, and blue work too. You can lean off the tape or lay another layer down to write on. For a while, we used yellow, regular silver, and blue tape with each color represe ting a different type/ category of item. For 3xamole, you could use one color for dried flower bouquets, and other for loose dried flowers, and a third for things not related to dried flowers

[@carlac.6086]

I think you need through everything away every year and start fresh with new flowers. 🎉😮. You will always have new flowers and you can dry them every year.

[@cindystuder9090]

Have you thought about using some dried flowers to make paperweights with resin? I'm going to try experimenting with some of mine this year. It looks neat, but might be a disaster if I do it. Lol. Keep up the good work you guys. You have a wonderful farm, family and channel. ❤️

[@millylopez6913]

I own rabbits and give them dried rose petals. Maybe reach out to small pet company or rabbits groups. You have to research what rabbits can eat. Best of luck!! Im learning to dry my store bought flowers

[@2TrauCon]

I really really love dry flowers but you need to make your dry flower bouquet bigger and more colorful.

[@jenblindert9093]

I was excited to see a video released today, just for my birthday 😜🎉🍀 I also see we have matching cowlicks 🤣🤣🤣 Love your videos!

[@purerocklandscaping]

Dried/dead flowers are bad feng shui lol. Learned that in anthropology college course

[@dianem3024]

Make dried flower confetti for weddings!

[@severine7753]

You could take the petals and do confetti bags for wedding or events

[@cristincarlisle7675]

I would definitely sell them online as individual flower type bunches or bags of petals for soap makers and crafters!!!

[@curtisme7707]

Serena you're amazing. I saw whatever the bright vibrant purple is tied in bunches for a wreath with the gold and some white. What about an all grumpy balls tied as a wreath? Serena you got this.😂

[@meghanblackson1054]

those bouquets would look awesome if they were hung up on a ceiling in a way that completely covered it. maybe in a fancy boutique or flower shop. i imagine a chandelier hanging down below them too. lol

[@zmend]

Have you considered making potpourri next time you have an abundance of dried flowers?

[@micheledeluca2246]

That’s what I was thinking. Either that or a bonfire! 😅

[@erika_katrien]

Serena, I love your energy, your personality! You guys are amazing 😄

[@aysegayret1188]

Use flower petal for wedding confety.

[@yvettequiroz4706]

I think you can wrap those in plastic and sell the dried flowers to Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or any Craft supply stores. Whatever you do not need for Christmas ornaments try to make some money off of it. You will replenish some of the dried flowers this season. Super happy for you because your money-making potential is awesome.

[@King_of_carrot_flowers]

Missed opportunity for a mock episode of 'Hoarders' 😆

[@kathyaakananabluebird]

Market dried flower bits to soap makers!

[@karenschwartz5209]

Wow, learned a bunch!!😊

[@hopeliveshere1121]

I am in Maryland. I had my ranunculus growing so well and I transferred them outside. As soon I did that, the weather got very windy and cold. It destroyed my hoop house. I am going to plant more and hope the best. I a so jealous of you

[@bradtisch7803]

Have you thought about putting the dried flowers in wreaths and other crafts? I bet you can make a killing with dried flower wreaths during the holidays.

[@Doktracy]

Donate to a women’s shelter or rehab center for use in crafts.

[@cavycozies]

You could sell the petals as biodegradable wedding confetti. Every time I hear you say ‘amaranth’ I think of budgie seed! Is the variety you grow edible?

[@bethsands7665]

You both have Super-hero seedling growing abilities ! Wow, you and your son also have mad-gaming skills, cool .

[@lindathompson8100]

Clean up, you go girl. Looking so much more organized.

[@hopeliveshere1121]

Why not donate the unsold fresh bouquet to hospitals and nursing homes so you can keep your dry flower stock low. You should also double , triple or even quadruple the number of flowers you use in a bouquet. You need a big wow factor to convince new customers

[@julievanerem9578]

Bundle them up for crafters, $1 a bundle and clean them out

[@mmcreads]

The buckets are so smart. I’ve been storing in small gift box type containers but I think it makes more sense to have buckets for next year 🤔

[@MeganSherow]

[@victorybeginsinthegarden]

[@ButterflyBox89]

They’d make great Christmas decorations - in side baubles or dried flower garlands for surfaces or trees. What about confetti for some of the excess larkspur?

[@ravinamkaur5331]

Could you hold a dried flower craft/bouquet class or dried flower bouquet bar (make your own)?

[@pattigibson4396]

time to make dried flower wreaths and sell some of the flowers to resin artists

[@chrisdavies6473]

Re dried flowers, could you sell single variety bunches to retail craft shops or maybe some Easter Wreaths?

[@Amanda-cn3pk]

You should make wreaths with your dried flowers for market ❤

[@richbishop7896]

I saw suncatchers made with epoxy and dried flowers. They were beautiful. Just a thought.

[@ninirossau2304]

I like the idea of preparing for christmas. it is a season that creeps up on you.

[@KKayfhill]

As a crafter, I would buy some of the "seconds" in a bulk rate by weight. Have you thought of selling those on Market Place?

[@PamsMountainGarden]

Honestly, I would compost a lot of it.

[@carols1030]

Fire a few boxes of dried bouquets, etc you dont need off to the auction and see what happens rather than trashing.

[@silencedflower8441]

🫶🏻💐 Love ya’s! 💗 Keep sowing and growing.