Not per se a market gardener, but rather a provider whose seedlings are sold for profit to aide those in need.

I do each year sow extra seeds into styrofoam cups, their names etched into the rims. These are grown and shared with my service club, a chapter of Zonta International, and they are sold for a couple of dollars each to raise funds for women's charities. It doesn't matter if I provide INDs, DETs, hybrids or heirlooms--as long as I provide a description/expectation of the mature fruit all goes well. Hybrids or heirlooms seem to go over well--folks who are already on SS seem to purchase more of the DET hybrids because they grew these with their parents and younger women buy the heirlooms because it's what Grandma grew in the old country--I try to provide a good mix of global varieties so there is something for everyone.

Sometimes I have an abundant crop of seedlings and the club can't sell them all. I take the remainders to a few local businesses and give them to the workers who are overworked immigrants--these are political or economic refugees and they are very happy to grow these tomatoes. I never ask anything in exchange for these as my father was a refugee immigrant--all I know is that if helps people feel less alone.

T

We sell at the local farmers market, first plants and then later garden produce.

Dave

I've always given my extra stuff away for free. However, being a contractor in this tough economic time I've really considered it. I'm near a busy street here in town and thought maybe I could set up a little stand. My wife laughs at the idea, but I'm not laughing.

Damon

If I had the room and enough grow lights, I would grow enough to sell. For now I'm just giving the extras away to friends.

I would like to eventually sell a bunch at our farmer's market though. Someday I'll have enough growing space to grow as many as Timmy1. lol

Wowzers. Thems a lot of maters Timmy.

I can't compete with Timmy but I'm growing about 800 to sell this year. Except for Beefsteak, the rest of the varieties are not commonly found at nurseries around here.

Mike

I'm going to try selling tomatoes (about 150 plants) for the first time this year. I'm going to do it in front of my house on Saturday (next weekend or the following). So far the interest has been overwhelming just in word of mouth. I'll report back after the sale.

Good Luck, slo_garden! I went overboard with seedlings and have many more than I need. I contemplated selling them as well, but I don't really know where to do it. (I don't think I would get much interest in front of my house.)

Let us know how it goes! :)

Where do those of you that sell your plants sell them?

I dont sell plants directly.

I sometimes sell fruit to a few people if they ask. I have sold at markets before.

I donate/give away:

-to a restaraunt that hosts an autism fundraiser for the local chapter of the Autism Society of America.

-to a church ministry for inner city youths so they can make a huge batch of salsa

-to the fire stations that service our area

-to the neighbors

I'm going to try and sell a few this year to offset my garden costs. I'm going to give some away free to friends and co-workers, and then inquire if they would be interested in buying some from me in the future for whatever they are paying at the market for their crappy tomatoes. I may also try a local swap meet.

I'm not sure if the original poster was talking about extra seedlings, or actual tomatoes. I have never sold actual tomatoes, but I do sell my seedlings. I keep my best seedlings of my 80-100 varieties for my garden, and sell the gazillions of extras. Basically I want to recoup my cost of seed, potting soil and seed flats/domes. For 3 years I have put an ad on Craigslist, because the newspaper deemed me a "business" and wanted to charge me hundreds of dollars for a small classified ad. (HAHA--talk about gardening at a loss!) Usually I tell responders I will be in front of my house on a Saturday morning, so I'm not running ragged. If I haven't sold them all by the time the seedlings get leggy, I put them out in the driveway with a "Free" sign, and they find homes in an hour.

Carla in Sac

I have a few extra - maybe a few hundred - and will STOP complaining about tending to them after timmy's photo - WOW. I also was going to have a front yard sale, maybe in April, for winter sown flowers and indoor started tomatoes and peppers. To find homes for some near leggy seedlings, I posted an ad on Craig's List and have sold 20 plants in a few days. Although I plan to increase the price for my front yard sale, I won't cry if the tomatoes go early. I also started the rarer kinds of tomatoes and peppers that can't be found at the stores. Response has been good. I also agree that driving around to deliver plants becomes cumbersome. Recouping my gardening costs is my only goal and I also donate about half of what I grow.

Lotto maters Timmy!
I don't sell, but grow from seed for myself and give to about 6 others.

I grow approximately 600 heirloom/op tomato plants along with some peppers. This has been very successful and have sold out of plants every year. Now have people coming to me wanting me to grow their family heirlooms for them which I do. Wish I had started doing this sooner but I guess every one has 20/20 hindsight.

Last year I gave away my extra tomato plants to neighbors, but I've been thinking of selling some this year as well. Am also hoping to give some plants (not just tomatoes) to less fortunate people in our area who need to supplement their food and guiding them through the growing process.

Do any of you operate as a "business" or strictly hobby? I thought of starting a little business on the side and making my pots, mulch, seeds, starting mixes, amendments etc...tax deductible. I realize that this is an "accountant" type of question...and that I would be operating at a loss for a few years...

Just wondering if it's "worth" it to make the leap into a business?

~~I'm not meaning to take over the thread...I'm so sorry if it appears as such. Just trying to join in a great (and inspiring) conversation!

I think what timmy1 is implying is Yes if you do it in volume and No if you do not do it in volume.

George

I only grow heirlooms...usually start more than I need (I plant about 90)...Used to give them away...but last year sold the extra plants...all the time, effort and care that goes into started these it made sense to sell them...people took better care of them when they paid for them!!!
As for selling the toms...mmmmm...those I will share unless I eat them all!!! martha/zucchini

I grow a couple-three thousand tomato plants each year. Then sell tomatoes all summer at market and a stand here at the greenhouse/house.

I know a guy who decided to plant a very large tomato garden and see if he could sell the tomatoes. He grew the seedlings and let the community know by word of mouth that he would be selling fresh home grown tomatoes. He typically would harvest tomatoes in the morning and then sell them all day. He took a lot of phone orders and had them ready for pickup when people got off work. Lots of people would order them by the five gallon bucket for canning or making sauce. He typically would sell over 200 lbs per day at $1.00 per lb. That business would usually last about two months until the plants quit producing.

Ted