How Georgie Newbery Grew A Flower Farm From A Humble Wheelbarrow
Contributions From GEORGIE NEWBERY
After establishing Common Farm Flowers with her husband in 2010, Georgie Newbery has become one of the UK’s most reputable flower farmers. Georgie runs workshops when she isn’t busy arranging floral bouquets and also regularly shares tutorials on YouTube. She is also the Author of several books, including The Flower Farmer’s Year and Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers.
In the picturesque landscapes of Somerset, Georgie Newbery has carved a niche for herself as a Flower Farmer, Florist and Author.
Together with her husband, Fabrizio Boccha, she founded Common Farm Flowers in 2010.
What began as a humble wheelbarrow filled with sweetpeas has, over the past decade, blossomed into a thriving floral business. Today, Common Farm Flowers offers a range of services, from delivering exquisite bouquets and subscriptions to conducting workshops.
Dive into this article to explore Georgie Newbery’s first memories of gardening for her mother, how she nurtured her career in horticulture and what a usual day looks like for her.
How Did You First Get Into Gardening?
“I was taught to weed by my mother, who gave me 10p for every yard I completed,” shares Georgie.
“Now, I can spot a groundsel seedling from fifty feet away!”
What Led You To A Career In Horticulture?
“A neighbour sent me a bouquet of flowers in the post. At the time, I was looking for a new direction.
“I had two very small children and needed a job I could do in twenty-minute increments between feeding, wiping, putting down to sleep and getting up to play with the kids.
“The bouquet arrived from my neighbour and I had a lightbulb moment. I thought, I can do this, I can grow bouquets for sale. And so I did.
“Nearly fourteen years later, we’re still doing it.”
What Does A Typical Working Day Look Like For You?
“I fall out of bed about 6am and start with a coffee and a list,” she explains.
“I answer a few emails, reply to a bit of social media interaction and I’m at my desk or outside by 8am. Monday is admin day, Tuesdays I often teach, on Wednesday I harvest flowers, and on Thursday and Friday I arrange them.
“I often teach workshops online from 5pm and sometimes all day here at the studio. My year is fairly minutely organised to include everything from school concerts, family birthdays, sowing, planting, harvesting and the Chelsea Flower Show, so no two days are the same, but the year repeats itself.
“I do most of my gardening at the weekends when the phone is less likely to ring and I can put off emails until Monday.”
In One Word, What Is The Biggest Lesson Horticulture Has Taught You?
“Patience.”
What’s Next For You?
“Hopefully more writing and more YouTube,” shares Georgie.
“If I could make enough through writing and YouTube then I would be free to experiment more, be less concerned with harvest numbers and more with finding out how things work, how to do them better and how to share that information with other growers.
“My dream is that we all save the world one flower at a time. I don’t want to be the best flower farmer, I want to be one who inspires a world of flower growers.”
