Planning for an Early Cut Flower Season, Season Extension and Climate Change

Join Regional Small Farms as we dive into cut flowers with Stacy Marshall of Petal & Pitchfork Farm in Poulsbo, WA. Combining an interactive presentation with a walk-through of the annual and perennial fields and tunnels, we will talk through tunnel growing, planning in late summer and early fall for a robust spring cut flower season and the benefits of plugs and perennials. A thread throughout this session will be the issue of climate change and how growers can best mitigate issues of unseasonably cool and wet temperatures, field flooding and unpredictability in germination and maturation times.

This event is geared towards commercial cut flower growers who have at least 2-3 years of experience planning, growing, harvesting and selling. This foundation will make the concepts and discussions more accessible for individuals and the group.

Discussion will be focused on:

• Use of high and modified low tunnels for season extension and cool springs
• Cold hardy annuals and perennials for a robust spring season
• Perennials for cutting and climate resiliency
• Germination vs. plugs
• Working with climate change variables

Registration Details

Date: May 20th, 2024 @ 1pm – 4pm (in-person event!)

Location: Address will be provided to registered attendees

Audience: Commercial cut flower growers with 2 – 3 years of experience growing, harvesting and selling.

Registration link:

Please only register for the farm walk if you plan to attend as there is limited space for this event. If you register and are unable to come, we kindly ask that you inform us at least 48 hours before the event so that we may open up registration to other interested farmers.

If you go to register and there are no spaces available, please email jess.sappington@wsu.edu to be put on our cancellation list.

Petal & Pitchfork Farm Bio:

Stacy has been passionate about native plants and plant cultivation for nearly three decades. She was a hobby grower at her home gardens throughout Kitsap County since 2000 before becoming a commercial cut flower grower in 2017 after she and her family moved to fifteen historic agricultural acres outside of Poulsbo and she became a graduate of the Floret Cut Flower Grower course. She currently grows on 3/4 of an acre which includes several fields and high tunnels and sells her flowers at retail through wedding and special order design work as well as at wholesale to local designers. Her family farm, Petal & Pitchfork, is managed and worked by herself, her husband and their fifteen-year-old son.

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Jess Sappington (345 6th St. Suite 550, Bremerton WA / jess.sappington@wsu.edu / 360- 228-7308 at least two weeks prior to the event.