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- From: Melanie <melaniev@optonline.net>
- To: gardenwriters-on-gardening <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil
- Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:38:53 -0400
For many years I gave away trunk loads of
perennials from my garden. Last year I finally potted them up and had a one day
plant sale here. 50% of the proceeds from the daylilies and 100 % of the
proceeds from all other perennials was donated to the local high school marching
band. The Band made $1600 and I made about $500.
This year there will be less daylilies for sale as
I have to leave my clumps undisturbed until after next years convention of the
American Hemerocallis Society (to be held here on Long Island). I can easily pot
up 300 to 400 perennials without making a dent in the garden and am in the
process of doing so. 100% of all profits will go to the band since I found out
$2,000 is barely enough to buy one horn.
Potting soil has turned out to be the biggest
headache right after separating those darned pots. To save money, I mix my own
potting soil. To be honest, I actually prefer my own mix when compared to those
soil-less mixtures.
Not being very scientific, I mix together one
40 lb bag of top soil, one 40 lb bag of compost, 1 bucket full of peat moss
(maybe 1.5 cubic ft?) and a half bucket of perlite. This gets stirred together
in my trusty/rusty old wheel barrow while I chant "double double toil and
trouble" and before you know it I have a very magical mixture.
This morning I'm off to Home Depot to get 5 more
bags of compost, 5 top soil, 2 peat moss and 2 perlite. With the cost of
gas I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better next year to have a 6 yard truck load
of compost delivered to the house.
During the actual sale I answer all kinds of
questions plus spot dig some specialty perennials. The teens and parents from
the marching band pull wagons of plants up the driveway for customers, color
guard waves flags on the front lawn (helps to stop traffic) and take care of the
money. None of the parents know much about gardening but most recognize the
standard fare of Hosta, Black Eyed Susans and Purple Cone Flowers (which all
sell out first).
I would appreciate any tips and suggestions from
all of you, many of you sell plants or have worked at nurseries. You can e-mail
me at melaniev@optonline.net
Plants for sale this year are: Monarda, Stachys
"Helen von Stein", Euphorbia polychroma, Oenothera, Bronze Fennel, Corydalis,
various Nepeta, various Astilbe, Colombine, Campanula percisifolia, Hosta,
Rudbeckia laciniata, Rudbeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia "Herbstsonne", Alchemilla
mollis, Geranium c. "Karmina", Digitalis, Geranium sanguinium, Salvia
verticilata "White Rain", Echinacea, Liriope, Sedum aizoon "Lemon Snowflakes",
Sedum "Matrona", Sedum t. Ruprectii, Lychnis coronaria, Polygonatum humile,
Hellebore foetidus, common daisies (no idea of the botanical name), Coreopsis
"Zagreb" and of course hybrid daylilies.
Plants are $4 per pot (size 300) and $6 for larger
pots (monster sized Digitalis)
One concern is plants with patents. For instance I
have Lysimachia punctata "Alexander" growing like a weed and won't be able to
sell it. I'm thinking I will offer it for free as a bonus.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Melanie Vassallo
Old Country Gardens
|
-
[gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil,
Melanie, 04/28/2005
-
Re: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil,
Sandie Parrott, 04/28/2005
-
Re: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil,
Melanie, 04/28/2005
- [gwl-g] OT- Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Found, Daryl, 04/28/2005
-
Re: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil,
Melanie, 04/28/2005
- Re: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil, bbmackey, 04/28/2005
-
Re: [gwl-g] Selling plants and Potting Soil,
Sandie Parrott, 04/28/2005
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