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  • From: growbd AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices
  • Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:47:29 -0500



Hi All.

I've been thinking about doing 6-packs but because most home growers don't need 6 of each thing I'm considering growing in 6-packs but allowing them to mix and match.  So they get an empty pack and choose 3 different tomato varieties, 2 peppers and an eggplant.  This would be at markets, so I would be there to ASSIST with the transfer from growing pack to sale pack :)

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Deb


-----Original Message-----
From: Wiediger, Alison <alison.wiediger AT hart.kyschools.us>
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 12:34 pm
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices

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 0Afound 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 transplanting20helps 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, KY2040014-7704
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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