Meet Lisa
What began as a small cut-flower farm producing for local markets has grown into so much more. Lisa has become a leader in the cut-flower growing industry, author, accomplished speaker, teacher, and the owner of The Gardener’s Workshop.
It all began in 1998 because Lisa wanted to work in her garden as her career. At first, she sold her cut flowers to local florists and Colonial Williamsburg. The business soon grew to include florist throughout the Hampton Roads region, supermarkets, farmers markets, a members-only on-farm market, and a bouquet drop-off subscription service.
During this time Lisa began giving programs to garden clubs, master gardeners, commercial growers, and other groups. What became apparent is that people were eager for her simplified organic gardening methods and her greatest gift is sharing them.
The next natural step came when Lisa self-published The Easy Cut-Flower Garden in 2011 (currently out-of-print) a 100-page guide on how-to grow and harvest a small home cutting garden. Her program travels began to spread from Texas to Oregon to New York City and she went on to become published with Cool Flowers in 2014 (St. Lynn’s Press) and Vegetables Love Flowers (Cool Springs Press 2018.)
In 2018 Lisa began creating online courses to share her programs and teachings. This style of teaching with it’s convenience, cost effectiveness, and lifetime unlimited access has proven to be another wonderful teaching tool. In 2019, embracing this technology even further and building an amazing in-house support administration team has allowed Lisa to produce online courses for others.
Lisa’s farm, known as The Gardener’s Workshop is still a small market flower farm (100% outdoor field grown), and an online garden shop. The online store sells the same seeds, tools, supplies, and seed starting equipment that Lisa uses as well as signed copies of her books. Lisa’s simple, instructive, and delightful gardening messages are reaching far beyond any expectation she ever had.
Lisa has been a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers since 2001 and served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director from 2016 to 2020. She is also a member of the Garden Communicators International.
Lisa Mason Ziegler’s Books and Online Courses:
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- Flower Farming School Online, course
- Seed Starting Made Easy, online workshop
- The Easy Cut Flower Garden, online workshop
- Cool Flowers, Beyond the Book for Flower Farming, online workshop
- Cool Flowers, book
- Vegetables Love Flowers, book
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Allison Finch
Hi Lisa,
I just finished reading and rereading your book Cool Flowers. I loved it! Thank You! I am going to try it this year. I am a bit confused on “planting dates”. Is this when I should be starting seeds or transplanting into the garden? Here is what I came up with but please correct me if I am wrong.
I am in northern California Zone 9. First Frost 11/20, Last Frost 3/20
For Fall planting
Start seeds Aug week 3 (6-8 weeks before transplant date)
Transplant Oct week 1 (6-8 weeks before first frost)
For Spring planting (Hardy Annuals only)
Start seeds Dec week 4 (6-8 weeks before transplant date)
Transplant Feb week 1 (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Thank You!
Allison Finch
JoAnn Dunham
Hi Lisa,
I have enjoyed your book cool flowers and following you on Facebook as well. I have been a high school horticulture teacher and adult night class teacher for several years. I am looking to transition to online teaching. I have enjoyed your presentations and your teaching style. There is always something new to learn and horticulture and flower and vegetable gardening. I’m hoping to take your online class! Thank you
Lisa
Thanks JoAnn!
Pat
Have any advice for Ft Lauderdale gardeners? I moved from NN, VA in 2008 and miss flower gardening possibilities in that region. The soil has to be totally changed here and plants have to deal with drought Oct – May, rain every day and extreme UV rays the rest of the year. Wish you were here to help me with my garden. I’ve turned to orchids, bromeliads and all things tropical. BTW-I first met you when you worked at the vet’s office and small world my daughter just did your sister-in-law’s hair in Plantation, FL yesterday.
Lisa
Hi Pat! My Ft. Lauderdale cousin just called to say your daughter is cutting her hair– such a small world!
Visiting a local nursery to see what thrives in your area is the best way to figure it all out.
Lisa
BetteLou
We have heard Lisa’s presentation, twice, here in northeast NC. She came to a small, start up market in Elizabeth City and then another time to the Master Gardeners. She was a great speaker and so knowledgeable. ?
Nici Richter
I am SO inspired! Thank you for sharing. I would love to establish a small Permaculture training centre in South Africa and invite people from all over the world to come and participate and have a fantastic holiday in South Africa at the same time. ?
Karla
Your video about how you started is wonderful! Especially meaningful to me was your message that organic gardening is so simple that people miss it! But beyond gardening it struck a cord with me & my business…. good food & a healthy life style are so simple that people miss them, too! Thanks for confirming my thoughts !!!! Sometimes I think I’m the only one!!!!
Lisa
You are not alone Karla!
Vikki Barnette
Great story Lisa. Enjoyed the video and so happy you have a new baby, sweet Beri.
Vikki in VA
W. Byron Schmidt
You are a true inspiration!! I was born and raised on a farm in minnesota and received my High school education at a university of minnesota Highschool but after 4 years in the Marine Corps I ended up with a career in the Airlines. I will be a Farmer forever!!
Alma
She is a true inspiration to the gardening world??