Find our cut flower gardening classes here: rootdesignco.thinkific.com/

Back in Kansas, there was a family who grew veggies and all the customers would see was a small shelter, a scale, the produce, a sign listing prices and a money box. Rarely, if ever, did we actually see the vendor. One time a lady was there, barefoot and dusty, and she seemed to be the proprietor. A lovely lady. She might have been a flower spirit or angel, but you know. It was a great place and I would stop several times a week for fresh produce.

@rootdesigncompany

3 ай бұрын

This made me chuckle. We used to stop by a small Amish produce stand where it seemed the owner produced more than humanly possible (including children 🤭). But we never saw him, just his children or sister. We started calling him the Phantom, but one day we did actually meet him. Also barefoot and dusty, I believe.

I'm never surprised to hear that farmers markets don't work for flower growers, the customer has a mindset of getting inexpensive, fresh produce, usually brings a limited amount of cash and isn't in the shopping for a high priced bouquet but I also think most flower growers undercharge severely for their flowers and wish they charged what they need to rather than what they think the customer wants to pay. I enjoy your candor very much!

@onetwocue

3 жыл бұрын

Very true. I just made a comment about that. Like who are your customers? Where do you live?

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

I think it’s a pretty specific niche market (metro areas) that will be willing to pay for a $15-$25 market bouquet. And totally agree. Flower farmers often sell themselves short, but it’s often that or make nothing at all.

@tinaholbrook9719

3 жыл бұрын

Sullivan Owen I so agree with you that most farmers market vendors underprice! I see them selling beautiful bouquets for $8. It drives me crazy! I will be selling bouquets this year and I'm going to charge $15 for mine. I can't see charging less. It is insane how much time and effort goes into growing these beautiful flowers. We farmers need to be paid for at least some of the time we put into our business. I know we can't expect to be paid for every hour because that price would be through the roof. But no one wants to work for free, and neither do farmers. I'm nervous that people aren't going to buy our bouquets because there are cheaper ones a couple rows over, but I'm just going to stick to my price because I can't sell myself short. We'll see how it goes.

@onetwocue

3 жыл бұрын

@@tinaholbrook9719 the whole origin of a farmers market is to share your bountiful harvest and hopefully whatever they have, you don't have and you can get it at a good price because your prices are good. No one really went to a farmers market to hit it "big" unless you want to get into the retail industry. Isn't that the heart of the farmer's market industry?

@tinaholbrook9719

3 жыл бұрын

@@onetwocue just now seeing this comment. I wanted to say that I respectfully disagree with you. The whole point of farmers markets is not to share our bountiful harvest. Those of us who have committed to selling at a farmers market have put endless thought, effort and money into our business. We plan relentlessly (months or years in advance) and work sun up to sun down many days in order to bring our products to the market. We start hundreds of seeds, prepare the ground, plant the hundreds of plants, weed continuously, harvest continuously, prep for market every week (sometimes twice a week), drive there, set up, talk with every customer and share our passion as we sell, take down our set up and drive home. We don't end up at the market with our produce or flowers because we had extra and wanted to share. We run a fully functioning business. It costs money not just to grow the food or flowers, but also to set up at market. It shouldn't be expected that farmers market items are cheap. We should get paid for what we do, just like any other profession gets paid for what they do. It is true that there are other avenues to make money for farmers, but farmers markets are the main source of income for many of us. I say all of this only with the intent that you would hopefully see your local farmers in a new light. If you walked a day in our shoes, you would understand. Your local farmers work extremely hard, and they should be compensated for their work.

You can also get a license from your county as a street vendor and not pay for market entree, explore funeral homes, senior centers, nursing facility, assisted living, hotels- the are and less opportunities to sell, The number one skills for any business is to sell

Gosh so many great ideas … suffered a brain injury a couple years ago and flowers are my therapy. Have been wondering how to make a side hustle and this was super helpful. Thank you

Lol “just going to keep snowballing from there lol” 😅 i havent even started growing or selling but i feel like the snowball will keep me occupied enough to finally stay in one niche

You guys are just the best. I sure wish I had a sister to share this farming adventure with!

Oh my goodness! I just found and subscribed to you channel! I have been following many flower farm channels for a couple of years and you bouquets are the most beautiful I've seen by far. As lovely as high end professional florist.

You 2 are hilarious and the bouquets you showed were stunning!

This was so helpful, thank you ladies!! ❤️

You are both delightful! I’ll keep watching and sharing. So glad I stumbled on to you today!

You two are adorable! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. :)

I just discovered your channel. And I am so thankful I did! I am year 2 flower farming/gardening and your advice and tips have been so helpful/encouraging.

Ya’ll make me laugh so much and give great information at the same time. I wish you all the best b

Yes, bouquets and roadafolioa too...loved watching you work to soothing music!!

Just found your chanel watching from Ireland.Lots and lots of rain so lots of slugs. Video so lovely. I'm going to enjoy watching back videos.

Thanks for this. Good ideas all layed out in one video and i appreciate your comments regarding some of them.

Great video ladies. Absolutely gorgeous arrangements!

Thank you for your honesty and for sharing your experience. I am currently considering starting a flower farm and really appreciated your video.

Another excellent video! Thank you!

sweet, thank you!! My ideas for my first year this year are the last 4 you mentioned

Very good ideas. Thanks for sharing!

I just love 💗 you two! You remind me of me and my sister!! Giggling all the way!

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. (I subscribed.)

This video was helpful. I'm also in Ohio and doing my first cut flower garden (personal for now). I thought about a stand at the end of my U shaped driveway since I live on a SR, if I decided to sell. I would attend a sip and snip; that sounds like so much fun.

Hello, ladies! I'm so happy I came across your channel. You are the only flower farm I've come across that grows roses. Could you list the David Austin varieties you grow? I'm looking.forward to seeing.your new videos this season. Also, if you can, list the peony varieties you grow. Thank you!

I wish I lived close to your flowers. Your bouquets are so beautiful. I think anyone who gets a bouquet like some in this video, can't help but feel awe and joy!

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

You’re so kind.

Thank you for this valuable information

Thank you for sharing 😊

Great tips! Thanks for sharing :)

Your bouquets are very beautiful 💐

I like that last idea! In our area i bet that would work well

It took me almost half a season to get people on to my bouquets but now I have a customer base. I do sell wholesale cut flowers to the local florists though. I find that more reliable and easier to build rapport.

Thanks for sharing

Great tips! I invested a lot in a cut flower garden this year I am just worried because I live in a very smalltown and I don't know a lot of people around here because a moved from a couple towns over! I'm going to be able to sell from home because I was injured in a car wreck (which is my main reason for this side hustle- h/c I can no longer work in the career I was in) & don't see myself being able to carry loads of flowers and vegetables to and from a market or anywhere else...

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

Start getting the word out now, and post lots of pictures. And remember to enjoy the ride, if possible. :) We believe in you!!

@ElderandOakFarm

3 жыл бұрын

@@rootdesigncompany Ty!

Good job, i like your video

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Are the sells taxable? Do you need a license to sell flowers via a flower stand?

Great video, when you were talking about the pop-up shop how did you decide where to go? And as for the grocery store who did you contact? The Manager?

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

We just had our pop up shops here and people came here to pick up. But you can totally do them anywhere. Yes, for grocery store bouquets we contacted the manager. (We knew him personally, but even if we hadn’t, that’s where I’d start).

Sell to dentist office nice bouquets so people will be more relaxed and diverse scarcity to a beautiful flowers

What filler flowers do you use for your floral arrangements...

Ladies any tips on how to initiate the CSA process?

How do you deliver flower with no bugs on them?

😁👍

THANK YOU.... what size brown paper do you use for your bouquets, or wraps?

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

We use the large size craft paper sleeve. Only had to order 1,000 so we are using them up, but next time I think I would get the medium or small size.

I wish you would make captions available.

How do you decide how much to ask for a flower?

It's your market. Where are you living? Are you living in area where people are ok with spending $5 at the farmers market? Are people used to farmers market style or are they looking roses and carnations? I feel like if you're in area where people are educated makes a big difference. Alot of farmers market in poor areas offer "produce tokens" that can only be used for produce, meat and eggs which are all local. And I think that's an amazing thing. Being from Seattle, there's a lot of money to be made because the majority of people can spend that extra $5-$10 on a bouquet. Anything more expensive, people are going to shy away.

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

We are in rural Ohio, but I wouldn’t describe our area as poor or uneducated, exactly. 😉 It has to do with priorities and the fact that a lot of people grow their own zinnias. ☺️ And they would be ok with spending $5, but not the $15 or $25 most flower farmers need to turn a profit.

@onetwocue

3 жыл бұрын

@@rootdesigncompany in Seattle pikes place market 5 bucks gets you a lot! Just youtube pikes place Farmer market flowers.

@rootdesigncompany

3 жыл бұрын

@@onetwocue Rosita has been there and has stories! That place is incredible. Definitely on my bucket list. 😉

Don't only take florist style bouquets, take buckets of flower varieties and allow customers to choose what they want. Make up bouguets if that's what customers want. Some people only buy several stems and from this others admire and networking g begins. Some bouquets from growers I've seen look horrible, they are bunched and wrapped so tight. 😬

I sell to a flower truck😊

I dont.sell mine I sneak up to homes.and.drop them.off Especially if.i hear.about.sadness.or.trouble Only one.person.figured.it out.because.of.those.ring. doorbell..lol

Are y'all Mennonites? Another lady on KZread makes wonderful crafts at home, she's from Ohio, and she wears the black hair covering too.