Favorite Cut Flower Farming Tools & Supplies

well loved tools that I’ve collected over the years

Seed starting:

Heat Mats: 

• Not necessary when temps are above 70 degrees or if you’re starting inside, but if you start your seeds in the garage or a potting shed like I do, these will help your seeds germinate more quickly and dependably. Many seeds usually like to germinate around 68-72ish degrees, and these mats keep them right in that perfect zone. 

• Link: https://amzn.to/4oPjiqy

Overhead lights: 

• I’ve been using these for 4+ years in my potting shed to start any seeds that need some winter protection. They aren’t the strongest lumens but i have limited amps in my shed so they’re the ones guaranteed not to flip the power switch haha. 

• Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-3-ft-Light-LED-Linear-Shop-Light/5000858983?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-elc-_-ggl-_-LIA_ELC_143_Light-Bulbs-And-Commercial-Lighting-_-5000858983-_-local-_-0-_-0&gclid=CjwKCAiA5sieBhBnEiwAR9oh2rHb60PImGWf1stdWiukopF2dLHXf9tHkjlpPt4ygTVAP1EGvheWzhoCp6MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Burpee Seed Trays: 

• I really like these for when I just want to start a little bit of something or if I’m running out of shelf space and want to start 2 varieties. The bottoms are silicone, so it makes popping baby seedlings out super easy! They last about 2 seasons with heavy use, which isn’t bad compared to other plastic trays.

• Link: https://amzn.to/3WQPC0B

Deep Root Seed Trays: 

• Description: I invested in these deep root trays for starting sweet peas. They’re so sturdy and going on my third year with them. 

• Link: https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/collections/trays-flats/products/sureroots-deep-cell-plug-trays?variant=42701224313031

Heavy Duty Trays: 

• These are my favorite all purpose trays if you’re going to be starting a lot of seeds and want your trays to last year over year. 

• Link: https://neversinktools.com/collections/nursery-trays/products/winstrip-trays?variant=39381685993590

Vermiculite: 

• I sprinkle a light layer of vermiculite over all of my trays when I start seeds. It helps with water retention and for some reason I think it helps keep the soil from getting moldy.

• Link: https://amzn.to/4hJZrac

Sunshine #4 soil:

• I love this mix because it’s light, retains water well, and has mycorrizhae mixed in to help seedling roots start forming their little microbiomes for a healthy start. I get mine from Lowe’s but check around locally for best pricing as it tends to vary!

• Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sunshine-3-Cu-Ft-Sunshine-Mix-4-with-Myco/5005472633?store=795&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-PMAX_LWN_000_Priority_Item-_-5005472633-_-local-_-0-_-0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=21800857852&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8R9Ee9yVUgtyrGGx0YJreZk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmYzIBhC6ARIsAHA3IkRnYCiM8IjhKo9Oty-I23sfGmDRbcm0pLMiLAIdjHNR2z9qqeojxJwaAj2dEALw_wcB

Plant Markers: use popsicle sticks, painters tape on your trays, or buy some! A lot of times the dollar store will have a bajillion things you could use as a plant tag.

Kitchen Butter Knife: Grab from your kitchen! The perfect size to pop seedlings out of their trays and (if your soil is soft enough) dig them right into the ground. 

Hori Hori Knife: 

• My most prized planting tool!! Perfect for transplanting chunkier seedlings/plugs and my go-to for planting ranunculus/bulbs.

• https://amzn.to/3WwopA3

Permanent Marker:

• Sharpie works fine, but tends to get bleached by the sun by the end of the season. For labels for things like perennials I use this super heavy duty cattle pen. It NEVER fades guys.

• https://amzn.to/3Lr6DvA

Snips & Shears:

Felco Lightweight Snips:

• Light in hand, blunt tip keeps plants from being accidentally stabbed during hasty harvesting and other miscellaneous risks inherent with sharp pointy objects 

• https://amzn.to/4qLcw7a

Joyce Chen Scissors:

• Description: My go-tos for cutting ribbon and paper goods.

• Link: https://amzn.to/494ZEm2

Leize Snips:

• My favorite for design work and on-site. Sharp enough/light enough to get the job done well, cheap enough that I don’t cry when I inevitably lose them on site. Great for lending out to freelancers/gifting to workshop attendees.

• Link: https://amzn.to/4oYbhQs

Corona Shears:

1. Best for cutting foliage/woody stems

2. https://amzn.to/3JmDp0t

Felco F2 Shears:

1. The more expensive version of the Coronas. Great for gifting or if you don’t happen to lose your shears every season like me. 

2. https://amzn.to/4onlfKZ

Other Tools:

Bottom trays (no holes): Finally got tired of the cheap plastic ones breaking and got these babies. I bottom water my seedlings until they’ve got a leaf set, then overhead water on the gentle setting.

Greenhouse netting cover : Really helps keep the squirrels/birds away when hardening off seedlings outside. Also provides a little bit of sun and weather protection!

Fertilizer - I mix this into my beds when I add compost in the fall or when I’m flipping for a new crop.

Favorite Hoe (Sneeboer Royal Dutch Garden Hoe): I’ve broken 3 hoes over the years and finally invested in this one. Such high quality and SHARP!

Favorite Hand Weeder (Sneeboer Hand Weeder): Like the long handled hoe, but for teenier spaces. I use this to do quick hand weeding in the beds without needing to remove plant supports.

Farmer Florist Tool Belt: I put this on my wish list for a few years and finally gifted to myself for Mother’s Day last year :)