Selling produce at the garden gate.

rathfuadagh · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 32 Location: tulsk

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience of selling their extra produce at the garden gate.(plants,fruit, vegetables,seeds, preserves,baked goods and eggs)
I have not yet got any extra produce but It would be nice to get some seed/plant money this way in the future.
I would like to reduce, re-use and recycle so any tips on packaging presentation, homemade signs and pricing would be helpfull.
Is this a popular way to sell?

inishindie · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject: fun

Hi
I sold plants form the house a few years ago and also excess veggies. I enjoyed the craic for the first few years but eventually it got a bit much. I had people coming around to the house at 6:30 in the morning and also up until midnight. I also got a bit of a rush when I was getting the kids evening meal together....

I had closed signs up but when you are working from home there's no such thing as being closed. I also had to get accident liability insurance as people came down the drive too which took away and profits.....

I bet you wish I never started talking now.....

The biggest problem I had was people not valuing your stock, the long hours spent potting up, weeding and investing in growing quality produce. A lot of customers would try and get things for next to nothing as they thought it was just a hobby......I eventually gave it up when I found myself hurling vebals to a woman who walked around the display for an hour before telling me I was too expensive (she thought 50cent for a two year old escallonia plant in a 3 litre pot was too expensive....the pot cost more than that...)...She gave as good as she got I might add and it did my nerves no good at all.

I don't want to put you off as this type of selling does appeal and work for a lot of people...Set your prices and your boundaries and get a BIG closed sign.....

Cheers

rathfuadagh · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 32 Location: tulsk

Thanks inishindie that was very helpfull .

michael brenock · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject:

try the local farmers market, existing stall holders often look for specialised line of produce.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)