Dish the Dirt

• 🎙️ Saying Yes to the Farm Life – Janae & Chris of Fleurs de Lyonville

  🌸 Episode Summary:In this heartfelt and honest episode of Dish the Dirt, we catch up with Janae and Chris from Fleurs de Lyonville—a flower farming couple based just outside of Melbourne. Recorded live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as part of our Growers Avenue series, this conversation offers a grounded look into what it really takes to grow a sustainable flower farm and business as a family.From managing over 50 different flower varieties, running farm tours, hosting workshops, and launching a thriving pottery side business, to surviving tough seasons (including sheep-related seedling sabotage!), Janae and Chris share it all with humour and vulnerability. Whether you’re just starting out, in the thick of it, or wondering how to take the next step—this episode is full of relatable moments, practical insights, and encouragement.And personally, this episode means a lot. From my first bucket of dahlias, to the very first season of Dish the Dirt, to Growers Avenue—Janae and Chris have always said yes, and I’m deeply grateful for their continued support and belief in this community.🌿 In This Episode, We Cover:Running a flower farm as a couple and raising a familyBuilding multiple income streams (retail, wholesale, events, pottery, tours)Structuring a diverse growing season for mixed bouquetsHow COVID reshaped their business—and what’s stuckPottery + petals: merging creative passionsWhat to know before hosting tours on your propertyWhy microflower farms matter more than ever🌻 Connect with Flore de Lienville:📸 Instagram: @fleurs_de_Lyonville🌐 Website: www.fleursdelyonville.com.au💬 Loved this episode?Please share it, tag us on socials, and leave a review so more growers and dreamers can find these stories. Your support helps this podcast grow—just like flowers, from the soil up. 🌱

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• Growing Your Own Way — with Mardi from Quite Contrary Flower Farm

  🌸 Episode Summary:In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we're thrilled to welcome back Mardi from Quite Contrary Flower Farm in Gippsland, Victoria. From lawyer to full-time flower farmer, Mardi’s journey is anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring.We dive into what’s changed since she last joined us: refining her business model, narrowing in on specialty crops like dahlias, David Austin roses, and bearded irises, and what it really means to grow your way. Mardi speaks candidly about burnout, quality control, the pitfalls of trend-chasing, and the realities of running a flower farm that’s both sustainable and soulful.Whether you’re a seasoned grower, a budding florist, or someone who just loves local flowers, this episode is packed with wisdom, humour, and deeply honest insights from someone living and breathing the field every day.🌿 What We Cover:How Mardi went from corporate lawyer to full-time flower farmerThe evolution of her crop focus and what she’s learned along the wayWhy she doubled down on dahlias, David Austins, and bearded irisesSelling at the farm gate vs. wholesale vs. retailThe business realities of flower farming (yes, spreadsheets matter!)What makes local flowers so f*#%ing greatLessons from the Melbourne International Flower & Garden ShowAdvice for anyone thinking about diving into flower farming🌸 Guest:Mardi – @qcflowerfarmFounder of Quite Contrary Flower Farm, Gippsland VICSpecialising in specialty cut flowers grown with heart and intention.🌼 Links & Resources:Quite Contrary Flower Farm on InstagramAmerican Specialty Cut Flower Growers Association (for those nerdy vase-life studies!)💬 Let’s Keep Digging:Loved this chat? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a story from the soil up.

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• 🎙 The Solo Gardener: Growing Biodiversity & Bold Dreams with Jodie from 5 Acre Farm

  🌱 Guest: Jodie (aka The Solo Gardener), 5 Acre Farm, Taradale VIC📍 Recorded at: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – Growers AvenueIn this episode, we meet Jodie, a self-described Solo Gardener and the driving force behind 5 Acre Farm in Taradale, Victoria. Jodie shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to cultivating a biodiverse dream on Dja Dja Wurrung country—navigating the realities of farming, floristry, creativity, and courage, all as a one-woman powerhouse.We talk about her bold career shift, her passion for biodiversity, and the creation of the BioBed installation at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show—a floral bed frame bursting with life and layered meaning.Jodie reflects on her biggest challenges, her love of learning through doing, and the importance of building community—especially for women stepping into land-based lives on their own terms. She also shares her plans for the future, from composting with locals to flower-growing workshops, art exhibitions, and more.Making the leap from corporate to creative rural lifeThe meaning and message behind the BioBedWhat it really takes to run a farm soloThoughts on biodiversity, community composting, and resilient soilFinding purpose and joy through small, meaningful actionsJodie’s advice for anyone dreaming of starting something new“If you’ve got a dream—just go and do it. Step into the fear and start. You don’t have to know everything. You’ll learn as you go.”5 Acre FarmGrowers Avenue at MIFGS YIMBI Composting GroupAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

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• 🎙 Seeds, Stories & Soil: A Native Garden Journey with Joanne from the Garden Enthuasist

  🌿 Guest: Joanne, Flower & Seed Farmer | Albury-Wodonga, VIC https://backyardgardenenthusiast.com.au/📅 Recorded: Live at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – Growers Avenue🎧 Podcast: Dish the Dirt📍 Location: Melbourne International Flower & Garden ShowIn this special episode recorded live from the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, host Rebecca Noble sits down with Joanne, a passionate Australian native flower and seed farmer from Albury-Wodonga.Joanne shares her story of transforming a backyard block into a thriving native garden and seed farm. She discusses her love for species like billy buttons, blue devils, and native tobacco—and how saving seeds evolved from hobby to purpose-driven business. Together, they chat about biodiversity, seed resilience, and the joy of watching native grasses sway while red-browed finches drop in for a feed.This episode is filled with gentle laughter, grassroots wisdom, and a constant background hiss (that’s the bustling atmosphere of the Flower Show!)—a perfect backdrop for celebrating the resilience and creativity of Australian growers.Why native plants belong in every garden—formal or cottageHow Joanne discovered the magic of billy buttons and blue devilsSeed collecting as an act of care and curiosityThe role of native grasses in biodiversity and birdlifeChallenges and joys of being a solo seed farmerThe thrill of seeing her seeds in the hands of everyday gardeners.Native tobacco, blue banded bees, Xanthorrhoea (grass trees)Pollinator Corridors and native planting projects in Melbourne“I really am more of an advocate than a salesperson... 60% of biodiversity is in the ground layers—and we need to look closer, not just up at the trees.”Available wherever you get your podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or via dishthedirtpodcast.com.au🎧 Don’t forget to rate, review, and share!To the Growers Avenue team at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for supporting this live recording. And of course, to all the passionate growers who make our landscapes so rich in story.

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• 🎙️ Dish the Dirt – Episode: Macedon Ranges Growers x MIFGS 2025

  In this episode of Dish the Dirt, we speak with Olivia from Pemberley of Malmsbury about her third year participating in the Main Central floral installation at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. After winning a Gold Medal and People’s Choice Award in 2023, and a Bronze Award last year, Olivia returns with even more passion—this time celebrating community, collaboration, and local blooms.We dive into how Olivia and her fellow micro flower farmers from the Macedon Ranges joined forces to create large-scale installations that not only wowed judges and audiences, but also highlighted the power of working together. These growers donate their flowers to community events like the Kyneton Agricultural Show, creating beauty and impact beyond the industry.💐 Featured FarmsSupport the growers behind the magic:Lombardy Farm – lombardy.farmPemberley of Malmsbury – pemberleyofmalmsbury.com.auBunch Flower Farm – @bunch_farm on InstagramFat Magpie Farm – fatmagpiefarm.com.au✨ If this episode inspired you, please rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps us grow and share even more stories from flower farmers across Australia.We can’t wait to see what Olivia and the team dream up next year—and we hope it encourages more farmers and florists to team up at MIFGS. Wouldn’t that be magical?

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