Business Info

11 years ago

I was laid off from my job recently and at 58 years old getting I was laid off from my job recently and at 58 years old getting another decent one that pays anything over minimum wage will not be easy.
I have always had a nack for growing plants, I have sold some of what I grew just to keep the cost down on what I have always called my hobby, now what I would like to do is try and do it for profit by selling plants and garden crafts. I would love to get some feedback on this from some of you that have done this. I need info on things like what are some best sellers, most profitable, any web sites that you feel I could get valuable info from, places & ways to sell like markets, florist, or consignments. How many different items & how many of each item should start with. Thank You in advance for your help.

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

11 years ago

What are you thinking of growing? We need to have some sort of idea of the direction you'd like to go in before anyone can offer useful advice. Be specific.

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Comments (6)

zzackey
11 years ago
It all depends on where you live. Different plants sell well in each area. If you can have yard sales you'd get 100% profit. Alot of people in my area buy plants on the virtual yard sale site.
angfull thanked zzackey
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angfull
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the info & sorry about not getting back to you sooner. I think what I'm gonna do is sell wholesale to landscapers & florist & also sell retail at some markets. This is not written in stone & I'm sure I'll change it around a few times before I find my place. I live in Panama City Fl. I'm looking for the top selling shrubs & bedding plants around here.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
Are you prepared to grow many thousands of plants required to sell to the wholesale market? I had a small....11 acres....container nursery and plants would leave the property by the trailer load at a time.

I suggest that you do a market study. Make personal visits to the businesses you would hope to be your future customers and ask them. The owner or manager may be more than willing to share information with you, including how much they presently pay for their plants.

I must warn you, though. Having "a knack" is almost meaningless when it comes to owning and operating a successful nursery, in production of thousands and thousands of plants.
angfull
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thanks for the info & yes I should have given ya'll more to go on. When I said wholesale to florist & landscapers I should have told you that there would only be 2 landscapers to start with and add more as I go. I already know these 2 landscapers & they have given me a lot of info about what landscapers want & the florist I am still getting info about them but I wouldn't think they would be that difficult (right?) There is only 2 nursery's in my town & not very good ones. (Not counting Lowes, Home Depo, & Walmart) The town I live in has a population of about 40,000 people.
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JSL Landscape Design
11 years ago
You will not have enough material to supply landscapers. One job could wipe out your entire inventory if you grow only what they agree to buy from you. Home Depot is buying all their plants from a local or regional wholesale grower. Visit that nursery to find out what they are growing (of course whatever Lowes, HD and Walmart are selling, they are growing). Find a niche product like succulent baskets, hanging baskets, orchids or something that is not profitable for them and figure out how it could be for you since you dont have the same overhead.

Do you have the land to grow not only sellable plant material, but the space for grow out of not yet ready to sell plants?