In the Market for a New Backuup Drive
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
7 years ago
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zep516
7 years agoRelated Discussions
help and advice for a new market grower
Comments (62)Ok, I wanta make clear, as I have stated on here before, this is going to be my first year selling at market. I have sold to individuals in the past, and have basically "hung around" farmers market's for some time. I have a close friend who is a market gardener for almost all his income and I do a lot of work for the biggest destination type farm around here. I have also been self employed for 20 years. I am not rich, but I have managed to stay off food stamps. I wanta say I see some of the worst business people in gardeners that I have ever seen, and I am not a business man, but I do know my weaknesses. Please, nobody take these statements personal, for I do not mean to offend, they are only observations. 1) Never lie to a customer. It WILL bite ya in your booty 2) Always listen to your customers,(even when it hurts). What doesn't make sense or work for you now, may at least explain something later 3) Always know what ya sell. I plan on specializing in heirloom tomatoes, and I will know what they are, how they taste and maybe even a little bit of history. If I can not be at the market, there will be a cheat sheet for whoever is there. 4) Market yourself, and your product. Even here, where there is not enough farmers to supply veggies to every one who wants them, there is always somewhere else for the customer to go. 5) If you are gonna charge a higher price then the stores, make sure you provide a higher quality product. I don't grow sweet corn, because I can not grow it better then the stores for close to the same price. 6) To the original poster- you might try baby steps instead of one big bite. If I was you, I would sew my hillside to a cover crop like white clover in the spring, and then plant pumpkins and maybe winter squash in late spring or early summer. I would also concentrate on succession planting, and making sure you have veggies when your customers want them. It's much better to do a few things well in this business, then to do a bunch terrible. Also, I get the impression that gardening is somewhat new to ya. There is nothing wrong with that, but take notes, read and learn. Gardening is the most simple yet complex hobby/business you can pursue. Make sure you don't make decisions today, that will handicap you tomorrow. Just my opinion, and a few observations. I am being a huge hypocrite giving advice to most of you, but maybe for the new guy it might help. It is only coming from a business point of view....See MoreNew year and considering a new market
Comments (14)I am worried that if I go to the larger market that I will lose my niche as a small organic grower and not be able to compete with the other small growers. Ever wonder why every city has "dealer's row" ... a couple of miles of car dealers, side by side? It helps comparison shopping and increases sales for all of them. Same with the larger market - you will be one of many organic growers, but will have far larger numbers of people looking for what you are selling. it's a 'watering hole" and you benefit from the others. Keep your competitive edge by working on being the FIRST with something popular, or by offering less common items. One area to explore would be things used by "ethnic" chefs ... check out the international student population and cater to their recipes and let it be know that you will do it. ASK them what they can't find - locate their Facebook page and ask what things they want to cook with they can't find grown locally. Often it's not something exotic and hard to grow, it's just not being grown....See Moregetting our place ready for the market
Comments (38)well, sort of good news--the folks across the garden sold their apt, identical nearly to ours, for the price we want in 3 days!! they had a broker, which means it will be slower for us--if it only takes 3 days, it seems the apt. will sell itself mostly, and why pay $27,000 to the broker? That's a lot of money! And since we're trading up, we'd have to roll that into the new mortgage, which means we'd be paying interest on it. I think I'll try to take a day off this week, now that the deadlines have calmed down, and get more done before the ad goes in for Sat & Sun in the NYTimes. SadieSadie, what nice words and thoughts! Brenda, I *know* you were a wreck--but you came out the other side. That's why you're an inspiration. We had a bday party today for DS (turning 8); getting ready was so easy, and cleaning the rooms was really fast, now that all the junk is out of the way. The place nearly feels ready. Tomorrow I have to: -take down the shoe&backpack shelves for deep storage -reinstall the transom -sand down the threshold of the linen closet, so the door will shut -reinstall the shower-curtain rod & shower curtain in the big bathroom -clean off the brand-spankin'-new tub surround in the big bath And if I can splurge in terms of time, I'll put in the shower dispenser there!...See MoreEthan Allen relocation sale in S. Jersey & marketing changes
Comments (4)jerseygirl - you're right, the Marlton location is much better. I was surprised when Pottery Barn vacated. I wonder if their sales declined when Restoration Hardware moved out. It's funny that Pottery Barn is back in the Cherry Hill Mall, they had one there when I first moved to Moorestown. dedtired - there's still another one there. I bought a white queen size - the pattern is Dominique. They also had an ivory queen with two shams in a different pattern (Timeless) I linked it below. The sale started last week and I don't remember seeing a notice in the paper. I'm not a regular shopper there but I have bought some items for our vacation house a few years ago. When I mentioned that to the designer she said that several of her customers said the same thing. They were supposed to send out postcards to all the regulars but many didn't receive them. However I did see an ad in the paper today - I don't remember if it was the Inquirer or the Burlington county Times. If you do happen to visit don't forget to check out the new Habitat for Humanity Restore that just opened across the street. Now that I have the measurements I need I'll stop back this week and check out the lamps and the prints. I wish I could use some upholstered pieces because there were several chairs with really pretty prints that were quite attractive. Here is a link that might be useful: Timeless quilt This post was edited by maire_cate on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 0:00...See MoreUser
7 years agoWalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
7 years agozep516
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoElmer J Fudd
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoAnglophilia
7 years agoElmer J Fudd
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agosteve_o
7 years ago
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