[Market-farming] Lowering Prices

Wiediger, Alison alison.wiediger at hart.kyschools.us
Mon Mar 2 12:34:06 EST 2009


Breck,
 
We have been selling vegetable transplants for several years now and we
think the demand continues to increase.  We market most at farmers
market although a few brave souls do drive to the farm.  We have found
that most people in the city just want a few plants, but a variety in
those few.  So, we sell tomato, pepper, eggplant, summer squash,
cucumber and herb plants in 1801s.  Last year we charged $1.50 per pot
for vegetables and $1.95 for herbs.  We sell a mix of good tasting
hybrid and heirloom tomatoes.  We usually have a nice selection when the
market opens the middle of April and caution people about frost.  The
big box stores are selling then (and before), so we lose sales if we
don't have them. To keep our selection looking good, we have a fresh set
ready every two weeks during the season we can sell plants.  After about
2 weeks, tomato plants especially, get leggy and ugly.  By having a
fresh set, we keep our booth looking really good, and keep the customers
buying.  We sell veggie plants for 6-8 weeks, and herbs even longer.  We
keep fresh basil and cilantro coming through June.  Some of our vendors
sell 6-packs.  Usually they get $2.00 per six pack, so that is $12.00
for a flat.  In that same space, we will have 18 plants that we sell for
$1.50.  Since heated greenhouse space is expensive space, we think the
1801s are a better use of that space.   We start those plants in 200
cell plug flats, then pot up to the 1801s as soon as they fill the cell
with roots.  Gives us a lot of plants in a small space on the
germination mats, and the transplanting helps develop strong
transplants.  We figure we can sell them a little small at 5-6 weeks,
and a little large at 5-7 weeks, then what's left - usually not many -
got to the compost pile and we have a fresh set to sell.
 
Bedding plants - decorative plants - are harder for us to do
competitively on our small scale, so we don't at this time, although
that is always subject to change!
 
I know this was a little long - what can I say, I like to write!
 
Alison Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm

________________________________

From: market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of breck
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:14 PM
To: 'Market Farming'
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices



Hey ya'll,

I am planning on offering bedding plants this year and wonder if any of
you might offer some advice. How do you market (farm stand, farmers
market), do you use cell packs, label, and etc. Do you wait for the last
expected frost as the date to offer or do you push for an earlier date.
How long do you typically sell seedlings (month)? Has anyone tried the
seed pkt stands available from some seed companies? Any suggestions or
comments would be appreciated. 

Farmer Breck

Breck Carden

Carden's Garden

Crestwood, KY 40014-7704

Current temp is 65 and wet.

________________________________

 

From: market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of
SaladG at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:52 PM
To: market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices

 

Have you seen the grocery stores lower any prices, I haven't.  So why in
the world would you lower your current prices.  Our prices will stay the
same as 08.  We sell bedding plants, vege plants, basil plants, fresh
produce of many different varieties , around 40 different item, fresh
lamb meat,and we weave and sell rugs and different wool and cotton
products.  I was at the grocery store today and have seen very little
changes in their prices except still going up.  A good marketer knows
that price in most markets make very little difference in the amount
your are selling. Our sales have always dictated the best quality of
product that we can produce and charge accordingly.  We are in a big
market and we can set beside dumpers and have a very good day, because
if you are selling a great product price has little effect.  The only
thing that has gone down in our area has been fuel, my seed prices have
gone up about 12% from last year, so in reality we really should be
raising prices.

 

________________________________

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