Selling plants

My son is 16 and just about to start his a levels we can't seem to find him a job, so I suggested that he took cuttings and raised plants and I would sell them for him. I belong to the Country Markets and also there is a place not far from here that will sell 'your wares' for a percentage.

Last summer I got him doing lots of cuttings around the garden and also we were lucky enough to get some plug plants reduced from the local garden centre. I asked on freecycle for plastic pots and was lucky enough to be given some fantastic patio planters as well. So he planted them up with the plugs and a few other things that I had and made himself some money. (So hence my post about the fuschias)

so I wonder if anyone has any brilliant ideas of things he could do over the winter ready for the spring? or anything else that we could be doing.

 

I don't know about this winter, but next spring, growing plants from seed to sell on is a way to go. Bedding plants and tomatoes are always good sellers as plants too.

If either of you are 'arty', you could make holly wreaths for Christmas and various other dry arrangements using pine cones and dried flowers.

 

Thank you for your reply

Not sure he would be clever enough for wreaths, although I will have a think to see if there is something he could do in that line.

I have bought some seeds ready for next in the sale, I don't have a greenhouse just a conservatory and a cold frame, so we can never do that many. But we did manage the plug plants and a few extras this year.

 

You can sow Foxglove now ready for next year.

It always amazes me to see them for sale in B&Q for nearly £3 each when some would say they are just a weed.

If sown now, there is a good chance they'll flower next spring. Whereas if you wait til spring, it will be 2013 before you get flowers off them.

If you sow them now though, they will need to be in a light but cool spot. A cold frame would do the job.

 

As well as raising plants, why not a bit of general garden tidying / leaf sweeping / fence painting, hand weeding patios etc.,for neighbours. I imagine that most folk would be happy to pay a few pounds to save themselves time (and backache!!), and would no doubt be impressed by the lads initiative and enterprise.

 

I wondered if I could do some seeds now but wasn't sure if they would like it in pots over the winter. I presume I could put them in a seed tray and pot on in spring?

 

he is shy - but I do think this is the way to go, he does a weekly paper round and he could a do a leaflet drop with it - he did that for more pots and we got loads

 

I think he'll do just fine - sounds like he's got a bit of initiative, is prepared to work hard, and he's got supportive parents! Good luck for everything.

If you've got a curly willow, you could cut branches ready for Xmas, and spray them silver/gold or glue on glitter, and sell them in bunches.

 

Cuttings could be an idea,

Rosemary, Sage, Box etc.

 

No willow - that would have been a great idea, don't think I know anyone with any either. We have hazel that I intend to cut back this year, but that is just straight.

He has done cutting so far he has:

rosemary, lavenders (3 different ones), penstemons (2 types) a couple of hebes, a couple of spireas, hydrangas from Mums garden, and loads of geraniums divided from one in the garden. can't think what else

Last year I wasn't sure if I would be able to sell them - but just added it up and I got him over £200 but I took a bit off for expenditure, and I pay commission to the Country Markets and the other place, so he still got quite a bit for a few afternoons work, plus daily watering.

so now just trying to figure out what to do with bulbs.

 

Grow some chillies, sell them potted up and reasonably sized, they make a great indoor plant to sell (with novelty value) and will grow any time from seed on a window ledge. PM me, send me an SAE and I'll send you some seeds.

 

so can you do them over the winter? I never knew that

 

I've grown chillies at any time

 

Why not try ebay? If you list the items under £1 you don't pay fees for listing them.. could sell them bare root?

 

I've sold quite a few plants on Ebay this year and its been quite good to be honest; its not going to make us a fortune but it has kept the gardening pot topped up.

As Kyle says list anything for 99p starting price and there's no fees or you can't wait for the free listing weekends which have been quite regular this year and then you can list bigger plants or rarer plants at a higher starting price for free :thumb:

Postage wise, I've post lots of plants in 3" pots this year and once all packaged up the postage comes in at £1.96 for first class, so it's nothing too high that might put off a buyer