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Flower Farmer Travel Essentials
25
items The gear I actually pack for flower farms, botanical gardens, conferences, and speaking trips. Practical, comfortable, and field-tested through countless miles in the garden and on the road.
Sections
6
Comfort for Long Days
Tech I Never Travel Without
Weather-Ready Layers
For Garden Visits
What I Wear
Luggage and Organization
Comfort for Long Days
My most-reached-for travel layer. It’s waterproof, lightweight enough to pack, and looks just as appropriate at a botanical garden as it does at dinner after a day of exploring.
Weather Proof Rain Trench Coat - Quince
Maybe it’s the former ballet dancer in me, but these Universal Standard bodysuits have become a year-round wardrobe staple. My friend Abigail introduced me to them years ago, and I reach for them constantly. They’re comfortable for long travel days, ...
Bodysuits - Unitards - Bodyshorts - Universal Standard
These have become my go-to travel shoes. I’ve worn them for countless miles through several countries from botanical gardens, cobblestone streets, and airports to city walks—and they’ve never let me down. They’re so comfortable that after watching me...
Women's Be Bright Sneaker - Dr. Scholl's Shoes
These are the shoes and boots I reach for anytime the terrain is anything but pavement. They’ve been with me through Costa Rica, St. Lucia, Banff, Ireland, and more U.S. national parks than I can count. Comfortable enough for long days on the trail, ...
Hiking Boots & Shoes - Columbia Sportswear
I’ve carried an Iron Flask water bottle for years, and it’s one of the few travel essentials I never leave home without. It keeps my water cold all day, holds up to constant use, and comes with interchangeable lids that make it just as practical on a...
Iron Flask 40 oz Aurora Stainless Steel Water Bottle - Walmart.com
Tech I Never Travel Without
From navigating unfamiliar cities to photographing gardens and staying connected while I'm away, technology makes modern travel a lot easier. These are the devices and accessories I rely on to keep everything charged, organized, and ready for whereve...
Between navigation, taking hundreds of garden photos, and recording video, my phone works hard when I travel. A reliable power bank means I never have to worry about my battery dying halfway through the day.
Power Bank - Amazon.com
Hotel rooms never seem to have enough outlets. A multi-port charger lets me charge my phone, tablet, headphones, and power bank overnight without playing outlet Tetris (I actually love Tetris).
Multi Usb Charger - Amazon.com
It seems like every hotel outlet is just a little too far from the bed. An extra-long charging cable is one of those small upgrades that makes traveling so much easier.
Flexible Charging Cable - Amazon.com
After an airline misplaced my luggage overseas, AirTags became permanent members of my packing list. They don't prevent lost bags, but they do give me peace of mind and sometimes more information than the airline has.
AirTag - Apple
Weather-Ready Layers
I've learned that you don't need to pack for every possible forecast, you just need a few versatile layers. These are the pieces I rely on to stay comfortable through everything from chilly mornings and surprise rain showers to long days outdoors in ...
If I could only pack one outer layer, this would be it. A waterproof trench is polished enough for speaking engagements and dinners, but practical enough for rainy garden tours and flower farms. Mine has kept me dry through long days outdoors without...
Weather Proof Rain Trench Coat - Quince
A lightweight sweater is always tucked into my bag, even in summer. Garden mornings can be surprisingly cool, museums and conference centers are often over-air-conditioned, and having one extra layer means I'm comfortable without overpacking.
Women's Sweaters, Cardigans And Rollneck Styles | J.Crew
A beautiful silk scarf is one of the most versatile things I pack. My current favorite is by Nigerian American artist and textile designer Shadé Akanbi of alldaedae, a Black woman-owned brand whose work is inspired by global pattern and color. It add...
•shop• — shadé akanbi
For Garden Visits
No matter where I'm traveling, I always seem to find myself in a botanical garden, on a flower farm, or wandering a local nursery. These are the few things I always bring along to make those visits a little more comfortable and to help me remember wh...
Every trip leaves me with new ideas, and this is where I capture them. I use it to jot down plant combinations, flower varieties, garden design details, and the little observations that inspire future projects back home.
Notebooks – BV by Bruno Visconti
I'm picky about pens, and these are my favorite. They write smoothly, don't smear easily, and make taking pages of notes during garden tours or conferences a pleasure instead of a chore.
Gel Pens - Sharpie
Long days of gardening, traveling, and frequent hand washing can be rough on your skin. This rich hand cream has been a favorite for years because it keeps my hands moisturized without feeling greasy.
The Body Shop Shea Hand Cream
These are the sunglasses I reach for most often. They're lightweight, comfortable enough to wear all day, and stay put whether I'm walking through a botanical garden, hiking a trail, or spending hours outdoors photographing flowers.
goodr sunglasses
These are the floral snips I trust every day at home, so they often come along when I'm traveling to flower farms, teaching workshops, or visiting growers. They're incredibly sharp, comfortable to use, and the kind of tool you appreciate every time y...
CHIKAMASA B-500SF Snips
What I Wear
Over the years, I've settled into a travel wardrobe that feels completely like me. I pack light, favor natural fibers, and choose pieces that can handle long walks, changing weather, and the occasional speaking engagement, all while still feeling put...
A colorful maxi dress is my travel uniform. One piece, no outfit planning, comfortable enough for miles of walking, and easy to dress up with a scarf or jewelry for dinner after a day of exploring.
Maeve Mona Linen Maxi Shirtdress
These are what I wear when comfort wins, or when I know I'll be climbing over rocks, kneeling in a garden, or spending the day on a flower farm. They're durable, surprisingly flattering, and have enough pockets for all the little things I inevitably ...
Women's Heirloom Gardening Bib Overalls
When hikers aren't necessary, I'm probably wearing Birkenstocks. They're comfortable enough for long days on my feet, easy to slip on and off, and have been a staple in my wardrobe for years.
Arizona Sandal (Women) - Nordstrom
**Anthropologie Floral Earrings** I have a bit of a weakness for Anthropologie's floral earrings. They add personality to even the simplest outfit, and I almost always pack a pair when I travel. In fact, I loved one pair so much that I wore them on m...
Floral Drop Earrings
There are a few things that make me feel like myself no matter where I am, and a simple stack of gold bangles is one of them. I wear them almost every day at home, so they naturally find their way into my suitcase, too. They're subtle, comfortable, a...
4mm Chunky Gold Cuff
Luggage and Organization
This is my personal-item bag on almost every trip. It folds flat when I don’t need it, but it’s roomy enough to use as a carry-on, market tote, or everyday bag once I arrive. It has survived countless flights and somehow always manages to fit one mor...
Large Le Pliage Tote (Women) - Nordstrom
This is my choice for casual days when I’m going to be outdoors for hours. It’s lightweight, durable, and the kind of bag you don’t have to think about while you’re busy wandering trails, flower farms, or botanical gardens.
KAVU Rope Bagé Purse for Women | Backcountry.com
This stays inside my carry-on so I have everything I need during a flight without digging through my bag. It’s compact but surprisingly spacious, with enough room for skincare, lip balm, hand cream, medications, chargers, and the little essentials th...
EACHY Large Waterproof PU Leather Makeup Bag