market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Market Farming
List archive
- From: "Wiediger, Alison" <alison.wiediger AT hart.kyschools.us>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices
- Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:34:06 -0600
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 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 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. Get a
jump start on your taxes. Find
a tax professional in your neighborhood
today. |
-
Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices,
Wiediger, Alison, 03/02/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices,
growbd, 03/02/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices, shopkins, 03/03/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices, breck, 03/02/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Lowering Prices,
growbd, 03/02/2009
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