Gardeners around the world enjoy the convenience of growing plants in containers. Not only is it economical, but it allows them to grow a thriving garden in limited space. Many don’t realize, however, that container gardening can also be profitable. Below are several tips on turning your produce into cold hard cash.
Choose plants that will thrive in a container.
Many containers, such as large buckets or earthenware pots, can only hold a limited amount of soil. For best results, only grow plants that can thrive in shallow soil. Some popular choices include: tomatoes, beans, or peppers.
Choose sought-after plants.
In order to make a profit, you must first discover what produce is popular in your community. First, look for local trends. Try to discover what produce is selling best, as well as any information on available supplies. Your goal is to find plants that are available in limited qualities, as well as being popular locally. Taking part in gardening clubs, frequenting farmer’s markets, or reading local newspapers can be great ways to gauge interest in different species.
Select plants with high yields.
Of course, the more units your plants produce, the more you can sell. Before starting your garden, estimate the yearly yields for all of your prospective plants. Factor in the average selling price per unit, as well as the possibility of a failed crop. In this way, you can better estimate which plants will create the best profit margins. Also, remember to take maintenance and any initial start-up costs (containers, seeds, soil, fertilizer, etc.) into consideration when calculating costs.
Advertise.
It doesn’t matter how great your produce is if you can’t convince the public to buy. Sadly, many small-scale farmers overlook advertising, although it is often the difference between a profit and financial loss.
First, create an advertising strategy. Look at successful businesses in your local area that sell a similar product. If their advertising strategy works for them, it could work for you. Of course, some advertisements may be out of your financial reach. Luckily, successful advertising can be as inexpensive as posting a free online add or decorating a cardboard sign.
Below are some common ways small businesses advertise:
– Signs
– Billboards
– Radio Ads
– Fliers
– Newspapers
– Business Cards
– Sales and Specials
Sell your plants.
Now that you’ve grown and advertised your plants, you need to figure out how to get them to the consumer. First, get familiar with local and federal laws that may apply to your business. You have spent months cultivating and advertising your garden, the last thing you want is to get hung up on a legal technicality. Next, decide on the perfect way to sell your produce.. Popular options include: online markets, U-Pick, farmer’s markets, and roadside stands. Always consider any potential venues in terms of cost and efficiency.
Keep a record of the yields and profits for each of your crops.
The key to running a successful and profitable container garden enterprise is viewing it as any other small business. By keeping track of yields and profits, you will be better able to adjust your strategies to maximize profit. Also, make special note of any unforeseen expenses, such as crop damage or transportation costs.
Whether live in a small city apartment, or a multi-acre estate, growing a container garden can be both rewarding and profitable.
Source: Lance has maintained a garden with his parents for over a decade.
