| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Garden_artist |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 11:58:44 AM
I have a piece of fenced in land approx. 90'x100', plus I have room to add about another 30'x90' for an organic garden.
I want to grow and sell herbs, vegetables, cut flowers, blueberries and handmade garden art. I have B&B customers already interested in my garden products, but I was wondering do you think I have enough room to grow & sell roadside?
The closest (successful) farmers market is in Coos Bay about 1 hour from here and they open Wednesday morning till 1pm(which I plan to sell at). But we have main road property in town that I could set up a booth and sell from on weekends.
I know several of you already do this type of growing and selling, so could you give me some words of advice. I have questions, like do you deliver to B&B's or Restaurants? Do you garden in raised beds, or directly on the ground and what are the pros and cons of both. Do you use row covers? What's the best most economical supplies? How much space are you gardening and do you have help? Are there certain tools you wouldn't live without? How do you know the market price of your items?
So if you don't mind too much I would love to pick your brain...
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Sep 01 2007 : 7:11:38 PM
Tammy,
I've been selling at a local farmer's market for the past 5 years. My garden is 100x40, all designated to cut flowers. I started with a great Martha Stewart inspired garden design with geometrical raised beds and paths. The idea was great, but reality called for raised rows. I have room to expand on our property, but have not needed to yet. I almost always sell out of flowers, and if I don't, then I share. I also sell potted herbs and blueberries. I get both of those from local growers. The arrangement that I have with the blueberry farm is wonderful. We pick the berries up in the morning, and get a percent of what sells. I don't have to buy them myself.
Good luck with all of you plans! It is a "growing" process, and every year you will come up with new ideas to incorporate.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 22 2007 : 6:09:32 PM
check out this website:
http://www.seedsofchange.com/market_growers/field_report_46.asp
and here:
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/selldirect.pdf
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 22 2007 : 6:07:14 PM
check out this website:
http://www.seedsofchange.com/market_growers/field_report_46.asp
and here:
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/selldirect.pdf
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Garden_artist |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 11:29:29 AM
For those of you growing and selling at the market, how much garden space are you using and do you do everything by yourselves, oir do you have help?
Does anyone sell directly to restaurants or B&B's. I wrote to the Dept of Ag and still haven't heard anything back. I wish I knew who to contact so I could find out the laws and rules.
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
| Lovin Life |
Posted - Aug 17 2007 : 4:21:16 PM
HI Tammy,
I am a market vendor here in NH. This is my second year doing it and I really enjoy it. Some of the things I find that are useful/indispensable both in my gardening at home and at the market are; a canopy to sell under; people like to get out of the sun sometimes :) , a good spade, netting, especially for berries, seed suppliers that are somewhat local to your area and proven for good production. Word of mouth is important and will definately help you in a roadside stand situation. As far as knowing what to charge for your items, here in NH we have a weekly market bulletin that reports the "going price" for all produce. I'm sure your dept. of agriculture has a similar flyer that you can subscribe to. They also have great articles too!
Our market is tomorrow morning from 9-12. I've been getting ready all afternoon. Friday's are prep day for me!
Have fun.
Lisa
I'd rather live my life with a "full plate" than an empty one. Life is not a rehearsal... eat up! |
| Garden_artist |
Posted - Aug 17 2007 : 2:33:13 PM
Do you think the best place to find out the laws/rules would be the Oregon Dept of Ag? I sent them an e-mail today. I hope they get back to me soon. If this works out, I could even sell my eggs directly to the B&B's.
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Aug 17 2007 : 12:18:47 PM
Make sure you check your local rules about the sale of produce. Some states have pretty strict standards when you move beyond farmers market sales and start getting business accounts.
As far as delivery I would think that would probably be your best option that way you are not waiting on a pick up. You will have controll over when they get the produce and will be able to see to it that they get it at is prime. You may need to include a delivery fee but I think that would work best. Most restaurants are going to have most of their stuff delivered directly anyway.
As far as pricing that will all depend on what your overhead cost is. You will want to make up the cost of all of your supplies plus turn a little profit so that will dictate it as well. You can look at local markets and see what the price there is.
Good luck. Sounds like an awesome opportunity.
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
BLOG
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com |
| Garden_artist |
Posted - Aug 17 2007 : 10:53:27 AM
Tina thank you so much for your ideas of the hydroponics systems. I have thought about it, especially for salad mixtures. Everything stays so clean. I currently have a greenhouse for starting plants & propagation. We also have enough supplies to build another one. Our population here is so small (1100) that I don't want to go to crazy, but I want to set myself up to make a little egg money and try and get us as self sustained as possible (a little each year). I often think of Aunt Jenny's little farm!!
Hey Jenny, it's good to have time to check in as well. I've tried to catch-up on all the happenings, and there's been a lot of change and sad stories, but it's good to see everyone still together helping each other through the good times and bad.
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 8:30:25 PM
Hey Tammy!! Glad to see you post..I have missed you!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 3:47:08 PM
here is the info on the vertigro systems
http://vertigro.com/
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 3:44:09 PM
Hi Tammy,
have you considered trying hydroponic growing? In as little of space as you have..it might be more economical to go this way. More bang for your buck so to speak. We know someone in south Florida that owns a hydroponics farmette..it is less than 5 acres and she packs alot into it by using the Vertigro system.Everything grows in towers. She offers a u-pick for folks and because of the way it is grown it is handicapped accessible.She also has a small Amish built shed that looks like a shepherds wagon..in it she has a small glass front cooler and shelves and a cash register.
She also has a green house where she starts her items. She buys herbs in pots wholesale..and also a few other plants wholesale..like special roses and a few oher items to "fill in"
She sells specialty salad mixes, green beans, bell peppers, mini egg plant and other specialty things to locals, and to area chefs/resturaunts.
The name of her farm is Bits and Berries located in Summerfield,FL.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
