Garden Tiling/ Seeds...

[atasteofnature]

I am going to throw out the whole garden tilling for my customers (new/old) with how the economy is. A lot of people don't have tillers and want to grow a garden this year. I just didn't know where to maybe get a wholesale price on seeds for the gardens to sell to the customers. Anyone have experience in this area? Thank you all for your time to look at this thread. God Bless everyone and keep your heads high for this upcoming year it will definetly be a learning one as they all usually are.

[White Gardens]

Check out any mail order companies, one packet of seeds go a long way, and you might get way to much seed trying to by in bulk.

Even with the mail-order, you sometimes get deals when you spend X amount of money.

Even then I feel that most of the common garden plants and herbs you can find already started in the nurseries. Tomatoes, Peppers, herbs, cucumbers, etc., do better when started from seed indoors in mid-late February. I don't mind letting someone else deal with starting them as it can become consuming really quickly. Besides, you can get a 10-20 percent landscapers discount at most local nursuries.

Every now and then I'll order a unique variety and start them myself.

Corn, radishes, carrots, lettuce, and a few others are the only things I start from seed directly in the garden though.

[StBalor]

Yeah, it may not be with buying seeds. Just let them go get their own seeds. This way they can pick out their own varieties. Just stick to the tilling.

[grassman177]

i agree, push the tilling but unless you are gong to have a greenhouse bus and start them and then sell them, let them get thier own seeds or plants. they are cheap enough and at least i know i am very picky about variety. i start all my own seeds for my garden.

[Exact Rototilling]

i agree, push the tilling but unless you are gong to have a greenhouse bus and start them and then sell them, let them get thier own seeds or plants. they are cheap enough and at least i know i am very picky about variety. i start all my own seeds for my garden.


+1

I thought about a greenhouse business myself but I'm not set up for hauling and set up as a solo etc.

I started out with just tilling two seasons ago. Good source of extra cash flow in the spring. Not really a flyer based service since fewer people are wanting tilling than mowing etc. Be prepared to have more drive time. My experience not so much in the Fall.

How do you plan on charging?

I did notice a dramatic drop last year from the prior year. 50% - 60% less tilling. Bad economy, heavy winter not really sure?

I put licensed and insured on my ads last Spring maybe they thought that means expensive?

[atasteofnature]

Thank you for all the info. and that is a good question? I am not forsure how I am going to charge. Any suggestion on that? My time and gas to fill tiller. Start at $35 for a small garden?

[Exact Rototilling]

Thank you for all the info. and that is a good question? I am not forsure how I am going to charge. Any suggestion on that? My time and gas to fill tiller. Start at $35 for a small garden?
My first year I charged a $49 minimum for up to 1 hour. Last year I pulled it back to $39 for a small tiny garden half hour or so if I didn't go to far out of my way. Thinking of going with $59 for up to 1:15 min max. Sometimes I'd charge $68 for an hour if I had to drive further. I really try to stick with $1 a minute but that's not always possible. I expect people to be tighter with cash this year.....so I will play it by ear.

My marketing this year is going to flexible. Really depend how busy I am.

I really enjoy tilling compared to mowing unless there is a bunch of rocks. People just love the looks of fresh tilled earth. :clapping: I usually do a victory final pass with minimal foot prints and the customers really love that smooth fluffy look. :cool2:

[Exact Rototilling]

atasteofnature,

2nd thought....might ask your customers if they would be interested in non GMO heirloom seeds the way veggies used to be when our grandparents were kids. Seeds free of terminator genes designed to line the pockets of big Agra biz. I see an up sell here .... depending on demographics etc. ... might ask....they could say no.

You can always stock pile the seeds if your customer don't buy them and store then in the freezer indefinitely. They will be worth more than gold I fear sooner than later.

[atasteofnature]

Thank you exact rototilling for everything. This is very helpful as I get ready to head out on to the scene to promote my tiling.

[White Gardens]

atasteofnature,

2nd thought....might ask your customers if they would be interested in non GMO heirloom seeds the way veggies used to be when our grandparents were kids. Seeds free of terminator genes designed to line the pockets of big Agra biz. I see an up sell here .... depending on demographics etc. ... might ask....they could say no.

You can always stock pile the seeds if your customer don't buy them and store then in the freezer indefinitely. They will be worth more than gold I fear sooner than later.


I love heirloom tomatoes. Best tasting tomato ever.

It's amazing the price difference at the local farmers market between standard tomatoes and heirlooms.

You can definitively up sell on the unique varieties of vegetables.

I've got a couple of pages I can pull out and scan out of some of my MG manuals if anyone needs the info on seed handling and storage.

[atasteofnature]

White Gardens when you have time that would be nice. I want to learn more about gardening in general so whatever info. I can get would be great. Thank you all once again for the help. White Gardens if you want to email me that stuff my email is: a_taste_of_nature@yahoo.com

[White Gardens]

White Gardens when you have time that would be nice. I want to learn more about gardening in general so whatever info. I can get would be great. Thank you all once again for the help. White Gardens if you want to email me that stuff my email is: a_taste_of_nature@yahoo.com



I'll get on that when I can. It's hard to find time when my 16 month old son doesn't want to "help" me with the scanner. :laugh:

I'll try to do it this afternoon when he takes a nap.

[atasteofnature]

i have a 9 yr old, 5 yr old, and a 2 YR OLD!!! I completely understand. :) Congratulations on your new son!

[pink gardener]

I just came across a cool site that's talking about how to start a Victory Garden.
Might be a great way to promote your garden tilling and tie it in to a hot trend now.
Here's the site; the guy has a lot of good info on this site. May help you with some ideas. http://comparetillers.org/victory-garden.asp

[atasteofnature]

Thank you! I will take a look at it. Have a blessed day.