How does a cut flower farm make its money?

Before you read a cut flower farm’s books, understand how the farm sells. Most do not rely on one customer type. They blend several channels, each with its own pace, and the blend is what a buyer is really taking over. This page describes the common channels and the records that show them. It does not say what any farm earns.

Florists, wholesale and markets

Florist and wholesale accounts tend to repeat through the season and may be set by standing order. Farmers markets add retail sales that depend on weather, foot traffic and a stall’s reputation. Ask which accounts are written down and which rest on a handshake. Sales records by customer, and market tallies by week, show how steady each source has been.

Subscriptions, weddings and u-pick

Bouquet subscriptions bring payment before the flowers are cut, which affects cash flow. Weddings and events are booked months ahead, often with deposits, so ask how the farm tracks bookings it has already accepted. U-pick days draw visitors rather than orders. Each channel needs different labour, and a buyer should know who does that work today.

Seasons, weather and cash flow

Flowers are cut in a growing window, while some costs run all year. Seed, bulbs, plants, cooler power and insurance may fall due long before the money arrives. A bad stretch of weather can thin a whole crop. Ask for several years of monthly records, and ask how the owner has kept cash through the quiet months.

Shop and farm are different businesses. For a retail comparison, see how to tell if a flower shop for sale is profitable.