The Garden Path Seed to Vase Course

It's time for you

Join our Garden Path: Seed to Vase course

Field Gate Flowers have been flower farmers for over ten years. We are passionate about helping people to have their own cutting patches and hope you will join us on your journey.

JOIN TODAY!

You need a gift for a friend, a splash of colour and sunshine for your home, a pick-me-up for someone special, or a little addition to your dinner table. Of course, flowers are just the thing!

So, you dash to the local supermarket only to find:

An astounding lack of sweet peas, larkspur, cornflowers and British natural blooms
Hum-drum arrangements, boring bouquets, and strange colour combinations
You can’t smell the flowers over the scent of the bakery
None of the fragrance you remember flowers having when you were a child

You could go to the florist instead, but that’s so expensive and you know the blooms have travelled miles!

The only other resort is garage flowers. Let’s not even go there.

Even worse you realise:

The flowers you bought still have no fragrance ~ even in your favourite vase at home
These flowers were treated with awful chemicals that aren’t healthy to inhale
These blooms are imported (which is not eco-friendly nor sustainable)

The Secret Life of Imported Flowers

90% of flowers in Britain are imported! You may think your flowers were grown in Holland. Actually, the journey is much longer!

Most imported varieties are grown in Ethiopia and Kenya, some from Columbia. These scentless hybrid blooms are treated with pesticides, dipped in preservatives, then flown to Holland for cold storage. Finally, the flowers are shipped to Britain.

Join my new course The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase

to enjoy:

Starter packs of classic English flower seeds
Advice on what to buy (and what you can skip) to maximise your investment
Learning (over 7 months) everything you need to do for growing your own beautiful, fragrant blooms, including how to:
- preparing and designing your patch
- grow in a greenhouse, polytunnel, cold frame, or windowsill
- check the pH of the soil and work with the soil you have
- transplant seedlings into the ground as well as direct seed planting
- cutting and conditioning the flowers
- arrange the flowers (we really do take you from seed to vase!)
Plain-language explanations to take you to the next level of your cut flower journey
Access to our masterclasses on peonies, roses, sweetpeas and more
An expert team of horticulturalists and florists to follow step-by-step (we do, you do)
Newfound confidence in your floral abilities
Choices on how to access the information to best suit the way you learn
Loads of online support
A lively, engaged, and exclusive community of other budding cut flower growers (even after the course)
Skills you can enjoy for the rest of your life!

Yes! I’m ready to Join!

I'm sure you have questions...

It sounds wonderful, Roz, but is this programme really for me?

Absolutely! You’ll be learning everything you need to grow, cut, and arrange stunning bouquets to delight your friends and family.

You will find tremendous value in this seed to vase course if:

You’re a complete beginner

Or

You discovered a love of gardening during lockdown

Or

You’re an experienced vegetable gardener who hasn’t tried flowers

Or

You know something about flowers, but not really a cutting patch

Or

You have been growing blooms and want to learn more.
Do I really have enough land for this?

Yes. All you need is 6 square metres for your cutting patch. You will also need a coldframe, greenhouse, polytunnel or just a large windowsill.
I already have a good understanding of growing flowers, so what will I learn?

I see you, advanced student and I acknowledge your expertise. Of course, you could skip parts you feel you really know. But. You may want to have a look. There is always something to learn in cut flower growing.

This is a rare opportunity to learn from our team of resident experts, headed up by Roz Chandler of Field Gate Flowers. Roz has been flower farming for nearly 10 years, handled over 500 weddings, 1000s of bouquets and yes, too many funerals. She is joined by a team of specialists in their fields including a Chelsea GOld Medallist - check them out below

You might be surprised at the new tips and tricks you’ll pick up from these pros! Regardless of your experience level, you’ll love how quickly you learn.
I work and need to fit work ,childcare and life in? Can I manage this.

Of course. Our course is designed so that you can consume content in lots of channels at lots of different times. We have podcasts, recorded lives and a facebook group – all can be consumed to suit you. You will not have a problem fitting it in. Roz loves listening to podcasts when dog walking, in the car or in the bath.

Students on our 2021 course, which took place during covid, actually found that their learning became a form of self care. One student, an NHS Operations Manager, completed and actioned all the course material every week as a break from work. We have designed it to be as easy to consume as possible as we know that everyone is so busy.

Yes! I’m joining you on The Garden Path!

Some words from our 2021 students

"I've learnt everything I could possibly need in the growing of Annuals, perennials and biannuals, from how to sow seeds all the way through to cutting the flowers for use in bouquets and arrangements. Ive gained knowledge, patience and friendships!" (DO)

"I now have the ability to grow from seed to vase with confidence and know what I am doing!" (JF)

"I learned how to grow flowers from scratch, slowly and with guidance along the way building up to a whole growing season. I loved the sessions and the sense of community." (RC)

"I have successfully grown my own flowers - I have learned so many new skills I have taken the plunge and started selling my blooms! What an achievement!" (KV)

"2000+ plants grown, 75+ bunches, vases or bouquets given away and I have made lots of people smile!" (AH)

Yes! I want to be part of this!

I’ve told you enough to pique your interest and you’re still reading. Why?

Well, you’re the type to dig a little deeper (gardening puns at no extra charge).

You want details, of course

What’s the timeline for The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase ?
- We’ll start together on the 1st April.
- Join up sooner so we can get your seeds in the post (students outside the UK, please see the question below).
- You’ll get access to the exclusive Facebook community as soon as you join! It's the perfect place to:
  - Ask your questions
  - Make connections with other cut flower growers
  - Find resources and recommendations for tools and suppliers
  - Get excited for our course to start
- The course wraps up on 31st October.
- You’ll keep access to the Facebook community after the course ends.
- Best of all, the skills you grow here will last a lifetime!
What are the units and the order in which we’ll learn them?

We will cover the following in detail;

1. Setting up your space - designing and preparing your patch; weeding and clearing, compost, looking at your soil, the aspect of the site.

2. Growing from seed - how to get the best from your greenhouse, cold frame, or polytunnel.

3. How to grow annuals, biennials, short-lived and long-lived perennials

4. Bulb masterclass

5. Foliage masterclass

6. All about irrigation - how to water efficiently

7. Looking after your blooms - support, dead-heading, disbudding, and “pinching out”

8. How to deal with and prevent pests and diseases.

9. Perennials masterclass, focus on roses, dahlias and peonies.

10. Increasing your plant stock; propagating new plants from cuttings and by division

11. Cutting and conditioning blooms

12. Making gift bouquets and vase arrangements

I am based outside the UK, can I still join The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase ?

We love to welcome students from all over the world - it is fascinating to see how your cutting patch develops slightly differently from those in the UK. Our live sessions are generally scheduled at 8pm GMT/12noon PST/9pm CET.

We would only mention that some of the techniques and varieties we suggest might not be suitable if your climate is very different to ours here in the UK. Sadly, due to bio-restrictions, we are not able to send the seed packs outside England, Scotland and Wales, but you will still receive the wonderful e-book that accompanies them. Finally, due to restrictions on our payment software, we are only able to take payments in GBP. The full fee of £397 is approximately $530 USD or €470 EUR at the time of writing. Please check with your bank to confirm the current exchange rate they are using and whether they will apply any fees to your transaction.
Are you offering any bonuses or VIP options for this cohort of The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase ?

Why yes we are! If you want some extras on top of the course itself, we are offering two VIP tiers for this year's course.

VIP Option

With this tier, you get full access to the course (with the seedbox if you are based in England, Wales or Scotland)

WITH

an exclusive 'Day on the Farm' with Roz to tour the Flower Farm in full bloom, have some training and make a bouquet to take home. Lunch will be provided. There will be dates reserved exclusively for Seed to Vase members to make sure that the day is as useful as possible based on our curriculum.

PLUS

- exclusive Seed to Vase Mug

- copy of Roz's book - Seed to Vase

The investment for the VIP option is £547 or £75 x 8 monthly payments

Signature Option

With this ultra VIP tier, you get full access to the course (with the seedbox if you are based in England, Wales or Scotland)

WITH

all the exclusive bonuses for the VIP tier - the day on the farm, exclusive mug and copy of Roz's book

PLUS

three hours of exclusive, private 121 zoom calls with Roz to be taken by end October 2022, to use as you wish. Discuss planting plans, patch prep, have your questions answered, or pick her brain about anything and everything relating to your cutting patch.

The investment for the Signature option is £997 or £138 x 8 monthly payments.

What did last year's students think of the Seed to Vase course?

95% were very satisfied or satisfied

&

91% would recommend the course to a friend

Meet Roz, the founder of Field Gate Flowers...

Investment

The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase is a long season of learning and growing together. The value you’ll get is tremendous!

Starter Seed Pack ~ valued at £20.00

Private Facebook Community ~ valued a £500.00

Savings on learning propagation ~ for roses alone, you could save £100's
Savings on purchase of floral arrangements ~ valued at over £250 yearly
8 months of content including at least 20 podcasts and videos ~ valued at £1300
Tutorials weekly ~ valued at £75 per session
- You’ll have over 28 sessions ~ Total value of £2100.00!
Enjoying eco-friendly, sustainable flowers ~ value of £Priceless
- Ditch the nasty chemicals and pesticides
- Lower your carbon footprint
- The ultimate in sourcing locally
Confidence and pride in your ability to grow, cut, and arrange beautiful bouquets ~ value of £Priceless
Skills you can enjoy for life ~ value of £Priceless

Total value = (well over) £4250.00 (far more if you take up our VIP or Signature Options)

You’ll get all this for your investment of £397

Prefer to pay monthly? Join for £55 pcm.

Investment for our VIP option is £547 or £75pcm

Investment for our Signature option is £997 or £138pcm

(discounts when paid in full up front)

Be quick! Doors close on 31 March

Yes! I’m ready to join!

Hear what clients have to say about Field Gate Flowers...

I can’t wait to see you inside the course! When October ends, you’ll still be enjoying the fruits (or flowers, rather) of your labour for years to come. Let’s stroll The Garden Path together!

Meet your guides along The Garden Path: a collective journey from seed to vase

Introducing The Seed to Vase Team

Lucy - our Floristry Expert

Level 4 Qualified Florist

Decades of experience

Passionate about British blooms

Alison- our Horticulture Expert

RHS Horticulture Qualified

Self confessed plant nerd!

Sarah - our Horticulture Expert

Dedicated plantswoman with special interest in rare plants

Chelsea Gold Medal Winner for Alstoemeria AND Peony!

Maxine & Anthea

Your operations and admin angels who will help with any tech or course materials queries

Introducing the Seed to Vase Team

Lucy - our Floristry Expert

Level 4 Qualified Florist

Decades of experience

Passionate about British blooms

Alison- our Horticulture Expert

RHS Horticulture Qualified

Self confessed plant nerd with years of horticultural experience

Sarah - our Horticulture Expert

Dedicated plantswoman with special interest in rare plants

Chelsea Gold Medal Winner for Alstroemeria AND Peony!

Maxine & Anthea

Your operations and admin angels who will help with any tech or course materials queries

And the person behind it all, Roz Chandler

Roz Chandler together with her team in Lathbury, Milton Keynes (the home of roundabouts and concrete cows) is passionate about growing, harvesting, and arranging seasonally grown British blooms. Field Gate Flowers established for nearly ten years is a thriving flower farm.

As a child Roz loved nothing more than messing around outdoors. Her favourite memories were on a school French exchange on a farm in France. This was a long way from the New Town of Hemel Hempstead that Roz grew up in.

The outdoors featured highly in Roz’s early years, and then she went to Plymouth Polytechnic (those A levels were never going to get her into medical school) to study Environmental Science. Her thesis was on the carcinogenic effects of nitrates from fertilisers in water. A lot of dark winter evenings were spent collecting samples in the River Lea. (felt very radical back then).

Nearly 10 years ago, Roz purchased a rather sad looking barn with five acres of land and so the dream began. Roz was a novice and certainly had not come from a background of horticulture.

Roz is passionate about reducing the number of imported flowers coming into the UK. The Dutch government heavily invested in the 1970s and Holland became the hub of European flowers – flowers coming in from Africa and further afield to adorn our supermarket shelves.

When not in the fields, Roz loves having adventures. A keen cyclist, she always takes on at least one charity ride a year in far-flung places, the most recent (pre-pandemic!) have been India, Madagascar, Morocco (those Atlas Mountains) and Vietnam.

On her bucket list is the dream to cycle all the Greek islands over 6 months with just a bike and a friend for charity. What could possibly go wrong?

Roz has two daughters, a husband, 7 pigs, two goats, 5 chickens, a dog and a recently added kitten. What next?

Roz’s dream is to encourage more people to grow, harvest and arrange seasonal flowers.

She truly hopes you will join her on this journey.