Is there a market for selling Heirloom seedlings at farmers markets?

mazzy 6/14/2014, 2:13 pm

It's a bit late for this season but do they sell 6 packs of seedlings at farmers markets? I thought it might be a good thing to sell at the farmers markets next year. Especially tomato seedlings which are unique heirlooms Like Baker Creek Black Krim, etc.

Mazzy

giant_trainer 6/14/2014, 2:31 pm

I have seen a lady selling organic seed at one of our FM. She buys in bulk I believe.

**sanderson** 6/14/2014, 2:53 pm

Keeper buys some plants at one of the Fresno Farmer Markets. So I would say yes. Now, the cost of renting the space needs to be checked.

keepercjr 6/14/2014, 7:26 pm

There are 2 people who sell seedlings at one of our farmers markets. The guy I talk to said he is doing good with it and it is worth his time and money. He has a wide variety of plants though, not just tomato. flowers, herbs, lettuce, tomato, squash, peppers, etc. He has a small CSA and a greenhouse to start everything in.

mazzy 6/14/2014, 11:28 pm

What is a CSA?

Mazzy

**sanderson** 6/15/2014, 12:43 am

mazzy wrote:What is a CSA?

Mazzy

+1

**sanderson** 6/15/2014, 12:51 am

Have you thought of adding a few unusual looking varieties, even if they are not Heirlooms? I'm thinking of Jimmy Nardino , ghost, scorpion, etc. peppers, Rattlesnake, Dragon Tongue Chinese Red noodle , etc. beans, mini- varieties of cantaloupe, pumpkin, Hubbard, etc. squashes. Things that you know will grow in your Zone. Every dollar brought in helps.

Marc Iverson 6/15/2014, 2:29 am

CSA = Community Supported Agriculture. People will buy "shares" in a farm or ranch's production, or even in, say, a single piglet that will be raised to maturity and then slaughtered. In return for putting up the money that supports the farm etc., every so often, supporters will get to pick up a box or bag of the assorted produce.

**Kelejan** 6/15/2014, 2:49 am

Marc Iverson wrote:CSA = Community Supported Agriculture. People will buy "shares" in a farm or ranch's production, or even in, say, a single piglet that will be raised to maturity and then slaughtered. In return for putting up the money that supports the farm etc., every so often, supporters will get to pick up a box or bag of the assorted produce.

This allows the producers to have a regular income and plan what they need to produce. It means the buyers getting veggies and fruits etc. in season and at their best. The buyers take a chance whether there is a glut or shortage.

mazzy 6/15/2014, 10:04 am

Wow...whole new world opens up. I never new about CSA.

I think I'll go to a couple local farmer's markets and see what is offered and what kind of prices they get. A big factor may be space rental. I've looked into renting space at art and craft fairs to sell my woodworking http://www.woodworkwonders.com but the rental prices are ridiculous.

Thanks for the info,
Mazzy

mazzy 6/15/2014, 10:13 am

Sanderson...If I did this it wouldn't be until next season. So lots of time to research plants people would like.

Mazzy

keepercjr 6/15/2014, 12:28 pm

Mazzy your woodwork is AMAZING!

mazzy 6/15/2014, 12:42 pm

Thank you...still have all 10 fingers too :>)

Mazzy

**sanderson** 6/15/2014, 3:03 pm

I think the Clovis FM is/was $300/booth for the summer.

mazzy 6/15/2014, 3:10 pm

That's a fair price

mazzy 6/16/2014, 9:36 am

I'm in my research mode now. Does anyone know a good supplier of inexpensive greenhouses?

Mazzy

**camprn** 6/16/2014, 11:32 am

mazzy wrote:inexpensive greenhouses

Mazzy

This is clearly an oxymoron. Wink

mazzy 6/16/2014, 11:47 am

I was afraid of that

**camprn** 6/16/2014, 12:04 pm

mazzy wrote:I was afraid of that

Now don't despair. If you are not afraid of being resourceful and making some stuff yourself there are alternatives.

Use the search feature for greenhouse, a few good threads will pop up.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4431-greenhouse-dreams

**sanderson** 6/16/2014, 2:54 pm

This is a good time to shop for a green house since this is the off season. I made a small one with PVC and 4 mil plastic. If I had the room I would have bought this one:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t17840-greenhouse-at-lowes-179?highlight=Lowes

**walshevak** 6/16/2014, 3:55 pm

check out tractor supply. The greenhouses are on sale right now.

Kay

GWN 6/17/2014, 10:37 am

Hi there
I started selling tomato heirloom plants this year at the farmers market. I actually have a greenhouse, but actually used my hoop house (a 200 dollar structure made with cattle panels)to get them big. I sold the initially for 10 dollars for each plant in gallon pots, then as the weeks went on I sold them for 8 and then 5
We also sell my CDs at the market and plan to be selling the actual tomatoes once they are ready
WE LOVED the market, learned a little something new each week

We pay a drop in fee of 15 dollars at one market and 10 at another we will be frequenting in July. We are in the midst of retiring this year and it will be fun to supplement and i JUST LOVE GROWING TOMATOES anyways

mazzy 6/17/2014, 11:37 am

Gwn,

Sounds like a fun way to make a little extra income. I don't have the yard space to set up a full blown green house so I am thinking about making a 4' x 8' cart with wheels. It would have two levels each with grow lights. So I would end up having 64 square feet of room to grow seedlings. Our average frost season is Dec 20 through Feb 10 so have quite a long growing season. I'd keep the cart in the garage and probably have heat pads under the plants. When the time is right I'll wheel the cart out into the environment to gradually harden off the plants.

Then once I have some seedlings to sell I'll take them to the farmer's market and probably sell some of my woodworking things too.

Thanks for the input :>)

Mazzy

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