How small growers are thriving during this crisis with online plant sales.
The beauty of growing small plants at home is that those plants are small enough that they can be easily boxed up and shipped to eager buyers who find you online.
In this video I take you on a tour of the Buy/Sell Area of the members area. Come along with me . . .
There are many Benefits to Our Members Area. One of those benefits is having the ability to not only buy small plants are ridiculously low prices, but you can also sell plants to other members.
Me? I’ve never sold any plants in our members area. But boy oh boy do I ever buy them! Just a few days ago I bought a bunch of Hydrangeas and some Mockorange for one dollar each. One dollar! They were only rooted cuttings, basically a stick with some roots, but I’m used to buying rooted cuttings.
Four things about that.
- I put about 8 of each in bed. In the fall I will get hundreds of cuttings from those plants. In other words, I will never have to buy those plants again. Now that I have my own supply of them I can root and sell all I want.
- The rest I will put in pots and sell them this season for $6.97 each. I bought them for a buck and I’ll sell them for almost $7.00 each. I’ll have about 25 cents in the pot and maybe another 50 cents in soil and fertilizer.
- But . . . and this is a big but, those plants that I will sell this season will not only pay for the entire box of plants that I bought, but I’ll make a nice little profit on that investment.
- I now have an unlimited supply of Silver Dollar Hyrdrangea for cuttings, and unlimted supply of Tardiva Hydrangea for cuttings, and unlimited supply of Mockorange for cuttings and unlimited supply of Pink Diamond Hydrangeas.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on some Pink Diamond Hydrangea for about three years now. Now I’m set for life!
I also purchased 200 Eastern Redbud trees and 200 White Dogwood trees. Those were $1.50 each.
As a seller those numbers don’t seem very high but they add up quickly. And other plants that these same growers sell for anywhere from $2.00, $2.50, $3.50 or much more.
We’ve got sellers in The Members Area that sell tens of thousands of dollars worth of plants per year in our members area.
On paper that number looks like this; $10,000.
We got one member in Pennsylvania that used to hold retail sales at his small nursery and sell thousands and thousands of dollars worth of plants in a weekend. A few years ago he decided; “No more retail sales!” Now all he does is box up small plants and ship them all over the country! He’s one of our most popular sellers, people love his plants and he sells a lot of them.
My point?
- The Corona Virus is having little effect on our small plant businesses.
- Growing and Selling small plants from home is fun and extremely profitable.
- Much of what we do is recession proof. No matter what the economy does our members still sell a great deal of plants.
- Our Members Area is worth every penny that we charge for it, but I want you to see that for yourself. We allow you to test drive The Members Area for a mere $7.00 for a full 30 days. If it’s not for you simply let us know and you won’t pay another dime.
Hi Mike! Your looking great! Hope you and your family are all well and doing great as well. I have a Japanese Red Maple tree that I’ve had for several years now. Planted on the North side of my house. It was just a tree I bought at Aldi’s one year to see if I could make it grow. It’s done really well the the 1st few years, but this year I noticed no leaves coming out this spring and then lately it has the leaves coming on from the bottom of the trunk up, but still no leaves on all the branches. Have I lost this tree and or is there anything I should do at this time?
Sabine,
It sounds like it’s a gonner, the new growth might be coming from below the graft union. If those leaves are attractive you can remove the dead part and just let the tree re-grow. This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Just scratch the bark of your plants with your finger nail. If the tissue below the bark is green and firm your plants are fine. If the tissue is brown and mushy that part of the plant is dead.
Waiting for the next availability to join. I have recently decided to start a backyard nursery. I’ve always worked from home so I could focus on being “mom” first and foremost. My side-gig for extra cash had always been family entertainment for events. Now, with my son who has autism, and no additional help around to see to his needs outside of school hours, I’m shifting my focus and going back to my domestic roots, no pun intended. I have 2 flat acres, large concrete slabs where buildings once stood before I bought this place and a large 6 bay shop. I’m on a decently busy road, less than 2 miles from the busiest place of employment (a factory) just outside of town. As a single mom, finances are tough, and this recent covid issue sealed the deal for me. I had several events cancel and I lost a lot of money. Now, I’m convinced that any business that caters to sustainability and yet creates the opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment for individuals is a wise choice. Counting down to 5/10!
Dana,
Email Duston and tell him I asked that you can join now. http://backyardgrowers.com/join [email protected] or [email protected]
Mike are you open for business now? Wanted to stop by and take a look?
Yes and no. Right now I’m usually around in the afternoon for a few hours. Kinda waiting for plants to wake up and look good. But you are welcome to stop by and look around. I don’t want to post my phone number here but I will put it on the gate soon.
Mike, I’ve been absent for a while and my fruit trees are starting to bud out. No leaves yet. Can they still be pruned today 3-30-20 Michigan. Also what kind of plastic do you have on the ground in walkways and under your potted plants
Thanks
Brian M.
Brian,
Yes, your fruit trees should be fine if you prune them now. We use a nursery ground cover cloth under the plants. It’s pretty heavy duty and I think places like home depot carry it in 6′ wide rolls. ???? I like to buy 12′ wide rolls and have fewer seams, but those cannot ship ups and have to come by truck.
Good to see you, Mike! You’re lookin’ great! A bit of continuity is just what we growers needed! Stay well and I’m off to start repotting some boxwoods! Yup, still dealing with those dang boxwoods! 😉
Thanks Susan! Hope to see you this summer!
Enjoyed watching this. Can you suggest a shrub that is round, full, and does not grow tall that I can plant in front of my house.? A lot of sun exposure. Thanks.
Theresa,
Evergreens are slower growing and easier to maintain. Maybe Ilex Crenata Japanese holly or if you want flowers tango or Java Red Weigela.
How do I get on this selling list? I’d like some of these plants and I’d like to sell some of my plants?????
Gail, you have to be a member to buy or sell, http://backyardgrowers.com/join