Cool-Season Cut Flowers Workshop at Crabtree Farms — Plant in Fall for Early Spring Blooms

At Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga • 1000 E 30th Street Chattanooga, TN 37407, the Cool-Season Cut Flowers workshop transforms late-summer energy into a plan for an early-spring explosion of blooms. Led by Lia Rhodey of Raccoon Mountain Blooms, this two-hour, hands-on class teaches gardeners, flower farmers, and curious locals how to plant cool-season annuals and perennials in fall so they overwinter and provide vibrant cut flowers months earlier than spring-sown beds. The setting matters: Crabtree Farms sits on the edge of Lookout Valley with clear views toward the ridges and Lookout Lake, and the workshop uses real in-ground beds to demonstrate bed prep, soil amendment, and direct sow techniques—no greenhouse required. Lia emphasizes regenerative soil practices and varieties that thrive in Chattanooga’s zone, including heirloom and native species she cultivates for CSA subscriptions, weddings, and a farmstand. Participants leave knowing varietal selection, seed depth, spacing, and simple season-extension strategies such as mulching, row cover, and timing that minimize winter loss. Key features of the experience include hands-on seed sowing in prepared beds, a primer on soil structure and compost teas, and practical troubleshooting for slugs, cold snaps, and late frosts. The class highlights the local flora options best for cut flowers and describes the durable stems, bloom windows, and vase life to expect. You’ll get close to distinctive natural elements: clay-loam soils shaped by riverine terraces, native pollinator habitat at the farm’s edges, and mountain-aspect microclimates that influence germination and bloom schedules. Crabtree Farms plays a unique role in Chattanooga’s outdoor recreation and urban-ag scene by offering community agriculture education amid accessible green space in the city. This workshop is a standout because it pairs practical horticulture with a flower farmer’s eye—Lia Rhodey’s practical tactics come from running Raccoon Mountain Blooms and selling through local outlets including the Lookout Lake farmstand. Bring sturdy shoes, a notebook, and a willingness to get hands dirty; the class is set up for real-world learning, not just demonstration. The farm’s mandatory client waiver notes Crabtree Farms and Liz Simmons by name; organizers keep groups small—up to 20 people—so you’ll get direct guidance. Registrations are limited to up to 20 people; refunds can be requested up to 7 days before the start of a workshop with a cancellation fee of 10% of the ticket amount. Participants must be at least 16 years old; questions can be directed to Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected]. Come prepared to learn, sow, and leave with a clear plan for spring bouquets and harvest.