September 29, 2026 Cut Flower Program

Parking is limited at the tour site so space is limited to 40 people and is on a first come/first served basis. Someone will be at the farm to direct participants where to park. You must be pre-registered to attend. 8:00 – 8:15 Check-in 8:15 – 9:00 Managing Soil Fertility: A Primer on Plant Nutrition and Soil Management. This talk will provide some basic information about managing soil fertility and what to look for when problems may occur. Speaker: Andrew Ristvey, University of MarylandExtension Specialist, Horticulture and Nutrient Management 9:00 – 9:45 Is A Flower Cooperative the Next Step for Your Business? Jill Coutts and Lisa Dirks, founding members of the Chesapeake Flower Exchange in Howard County will discuss how and why we formed a cooperative with other local flower farmers. Steps taken will be explored and where we currently stand. We will discuss the online sales platform that we use. The Chesapeake Flower Exchange consists of 12 local flower farmers from Howard, Montgomery, Carroll, and Baltimore counties. We grow and sell local specialty cut flowers to florists in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Our studio located in Savage Mill in Maryland. 9:45 – 10:00 BREAK 10:00 – 10:45 An Introduction to Tea and Edible Chrysanthemums Talk will cover Chrysanthemum morifolium as a traditional herb, including Chinese tea and edible chrysanthemums, with a focus on Huangshan Gongju. Participants will learn about traditional uses, basic production and processing practices, and considerations for Maryland cut flower growers interested in diversifying their crops. Speaker: Xuan Wei. Extension Specialist – Urban Farm and Agribusiness Management 10:45 – 11:30 Insect Pest Management in Cut Flowers Cut flowers attract a whole range of insects, many of which are damaging to the blooms. We will cover a range of different pest types and how to treat for them in your cut flower plots. Speaker: Laura Nixon, University of Maryland Extension Specialist, IPM and Entomology 11:30 – 12:15 Common Diseases on Cut Flowers Learn how to diagnose and treat the diseases that will impact your cut flower crop health and production schedule. Speaker: Dave Clement, University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology 12:15 – 1:00 LUNCH 1:00 – 1:30 Travel to Tanglewood Farm, 315 Ashton Road, Ashton, MD 1:30 – 3:00 Tour of Tanglewood Farm Tanglewood is an historic farm located in Ashton, Maryland. Spectacular cut flowers are grown using sustainable techniques to offer you the freshest, most long lasting flowers. Flower varieties change seasonally from April through November. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Suzanne Klick at [email protected] on or before September 15, 2026.