Professional or hobby

[Kathypat]

Who out there is growing to earn money and who is just having fun? Not that growing for money is not fun - I can't think of a better way to make a little cash.

I am just curious how many others are starting plant businesses. What are you growing and what is selling in your area?

Ornamental grass is picking up here in Tennessee, small shubbery and landscape plants (people building on smaller lots as land gets expensive) perennial flowers are still good and I did better with herbs than I expected this past spring.

KP

[Kathy in GA]

Hi Kathy,

Around here, people are into the landscape plants. They are getting away from the flower beds. It's really a changing market. It used to be flowers, flowers, everywhere. Even in the commercial landscapes were mostly flowers,but they too are changing into the shrubbery.

Which is okay if you ask me, cause I can make more money that way! Yes, i'm into the money market! Now that I have found a way through Mikes site, and Ann B.'s site! I'm well on my way!

I have dreams, and wanted to share them with all, cause truth is I wanna know what all of your dreams are.
Kathy P. We must sorta think the same way, cause, I didn't even know this post was here, see the other post about the grow lights.

Anyway, I think the market is getting away from the flowers because of the Summer heat. Makes sense to me, but then I've never stopped to ask anybody why they didn't have flowers in their planting beds.

all the new houses, are being built with convenances that say, they must have yard landscaped by...and a date given in the contract. So I think most of these new house owners are opting to have the landscape charged to their final mortgage. Still no flowers though!

But boy does that give me ideas about my ornamentals! MONEY, Money, Money, Honey!

Well, off to dreams!
Kathy in Ga.

[Ann B.]

Hi,

I am growing primarily for my landscape at this time, although, I have acquired some plants that may one day make great stock plants.

I have collections of passiflora, antique roses, hibrid teas, rex begonia, sedum, day lilies, dwarf crepe myrtle, buddleia, mandevilla (pink), numerous varieties of tropical hibiscus, amaryllis, day lilies, daffodils, paperwhites, dahlias, sedum, sempervivium and many, many others.

Some are still quite small, some are still in pots and some are quite established.

We have a vegetable garden in which we have grown okra, squash, cucumber (Hunter's favorite), watermellon, cantelope (Hubby's favorite), bell peppers, green onions, etc.

We have two huge pecan trees, and lots of little ones, several pear trees, a golden scuppernong vine that produces like crazy, figs, a small persimmon tree that hasn't produced yet, and a dwarf plum tree that hasn't produced.

And I love house plants, but unfortunately, so do the kittens, so they are outside and will overwinter in a back room.

I love learning how to propagate new things and growing new things from seed.

I love sharing plants with people that I have started from cuttings, and only wish it didn't cost so much to mail them. And there is nothing more fun than seeing someone else learn to do what I enjoy so much.

Now, you know why I wish I had 50 acres...

[Judi K.]

Hi,

I am a novice of three years who up until now have propagated for my landscape and to share so many successes with others. I have found, though, that my green thumb could truly bring in extra income.

I don't know what i'm doing yet and anticipate this coming season to be my jump start in the buisness. I feel somewhat intimidated and without direction.

I guess scattered is the word. I have good luck with just about anything i try to propagate. My next step is to conquer seeds.

I wonder if I should invest in Mike's book. Sounds like you guys have a lot of confidence in his ideas.

Any words of advice is appreciated. I like hearing you guys talk about the market. It does seem as thought things are heading in the direction of grasses and shrubs and other ornamentals.

Judi

[Kathy in GA]

Judi,

When You get Mikes e-book tell him we sent you over from landspro!
and that we are more than pleased with his merchandise!

I have the old book and report, and this is really great stuff! But from what I hear, the new ebook is even 10 times better, I gotta think how could that be? Cause it was already simple, and informative. I'll have to get a book myself!

Well worth it!
Kathy in Ga.:)

[Judi K.]

Thanks for the reply Kathy. I'll see if I can get the 40.00 bucks together for the book. It sounded good, but you know how the internet is. hard to trust anything you read.

And my $s are precious to me.....$40 worth of plant material sounds like fun too!!!

[Log Cabin Pat]

Hi
I guess It is my turn
I started out with the small green house that I've always wanted. It was just for fun. I found out I could sell the many extra plants I had at the flea Market. Every year I grow more and more. Last year I grew several thousand tomatoes in 4'' pots , 2500 perennials in 4'' pots, a couple hundred different water plants for ponds, I also found out people would pay the extra $ for plants in 6'' so more is in the works for this year. And now the Semps. I figure I have 5 or 6 hundred different ones all colors of the rainbow. The two greenhouses are full so have to find things that will over winter outside. I go to 3 different flea markets in the summer plus about 4 little shows, one is plants only. It is an every day job with no slow time. I do everything myself with no help. I keep wondering if is still fun but every time I see a new plant , or see a cutting root or a seed germinate I remember why I keep doing it. I love it. Several of my customers don't have a clue on planting things I love to teach, and at the flea market I am one on one. It makes me feel good when they come back and tell me the plants lived for the first time ever.

Pat

:D

[vicki]

Hi All,
I also was gardening just to have a beautiful yard. Till I discovered Mike and freeplants.com. The best way to learn is from someone who has already done it and Mike seems like he learned his lessons well. He also doesn't pretend to know it all.
If he don't know he'll tell ya.
I too thought of going to the flea markets. My father used to buy wholesale new merchandise and sell at the flea markets. ( His second profession, worked 23 yrs. for a autoparts manufacture.) Always made good money doing it. All those people in one place, to do one thing, find deals, and spend money!!!
Hosta are really big sellers here, I hope to have about 300 or so to sell. Along with the flowering bushes, forsythia, wiglea, golden privet, spirea, red-twig dogwood, french lilac, common lilac, and white & purple butterfly bush. I do have quite a few perennials but most are quite small yet. I plan on growing perennials from seed for next year also.

Happy Growing,
Vicki in West Michigan

[Kathypat]

Sounds like most of us are in the same boat. I have another question. What are your locations like. In other words are you located where people drive by or do you have to advertise? I live way in the country. It is great 'cause I have lots of land but I have to rely on advertising and word of mouth.
I only do one show -- spend many years doing craft shows and flea markets with another product and I'm burned out on loading a trailer and heading out. I want them to come to me!
Interested in how you guys are getting customers.

[Ann B.]

Yes,

I have Mike's ebook, and if you are considering a home nursery, I would highly recommend it. Be sure that you understand that you will need to get a license to sell plants which usually requires at least an annual inspection of your nursery operation.

Also, make sure you do not have subdivision or local restrictions that will prevent you from proceeding. Unfortunately, my subdivision has some restrictions.

And, yes, please let Mike know that you found his book through information on my site.

Have FUN!