Suggested price to charge for seedlings in 4 inch pots

[ginger2778]

Hi to all, my first post in this forum, I think.
I have joined a garden club that does wonderful things all in our home community, with all funds we raise. So this year our club will be selling seedlings in 4 inch pots that are about 8 weeks from seed starting date. I am donating seeds and fertilizer for the 700 plants, our costs for the pro mix BX and the pots needed, and printing supplies will total about $200. About 300 of the pots were donated too.
Here's my thoughts, The big box stores here charge $3.50 and up for tomato plants, I will have lots more variety, mine will be organically grown, and hundreds of people show up for the annual plant sale since there are all types of plants to buy. It's a 2 day event. If we sell them for $ 2.50 each, our club will net over $1500.00.
So am I selling them for enough?
Our proceeds go to community gardens, high school club projects, etc.
Your thoughts are most welcome about this.

Marsha

[Redbaron]

Do it both ways. 4 dollars for 1, and 2 dollars a piece for a whole flat.

[habitat_gardener]

In my area, the master gardeners group has a popular plant sale where the plants were $3 (last time I checked), but you could get similar varieties at independent nurseries for $1.50 to $2.50 (on sale) or $2-4 (regular price). So the prices are comparable or a little high, plus you had to wade through the crowds, struggle to find parking, and for me it's a 15-20 mile drive. I think they price them as high as the market will bear. If they were lower, they might run out sooner. If they were higher, fewer people might come. It's a huge all-day event with garden talks and booths of dozens of other garden-related nonprofits, some of which also sell a few plants. They even had a booth with used garden tools, supplies, and books, and another with last year's seeds, cheap. When I used to go, the tomato plants would sell out by noon, and there was a constant stream of people going in and people trudging back to the parking lots, laden with plants.

So the price depends on how big a crowd you can get to come and what kind of event it is. Plant sale only? Talks? Advice on growing and choosing varieties? Demos? Other stuff going on? Activities for kids? Reasons to stick around after they buy the plants? (and if so, a place where they can leave their plants, like a coat-check?)

Since it's 2 days, you can drop the price the second day, depending on how sales go on the first day. You probably don't want to price them too low the first day, because you want to have some left over.

If you can get some interviews in local papers, you can talk about the special varieties you'll be selling that aren't available anywhere else in the area.

[Father'sDaughter]

And remember to emphasize the "charitable support" angle in all your publicity, interviews, etc. Often times people will gladly pay a bit more for something if they know their money is going to good, worthwhile causes. I know I'd gladly pay an extra $1 for a plant if I knew the money was going to help programs in my community versus going into some corporate executive's pocket.

[Granite26]

With a good variety and unique plants (not just common ones available at the big box stores) I would go $3 each 10/$25

[nancyruhl]

I am involved with a sale for the Detroit Public Schools vocational agriscience program. This sale has existed for different purposes for 20 years but the biggest draw has been the 80+ tomato varieties we sell. We sell in 4 inch deep pots that we start 8 weeks before the sale. Price has been $2.50. We have a faithful following and sold about 2000 plants at that price this year. Once people grow a few of those tasty tomatoes they can't find elsewhere, they come back year after year. I also sell these plants at work, and bring them in for the folks who wouldn't otherwise come to the sale. There I said $3.00 as I thought that was what the plants were going to be sold at. I think I probably sold 400 of them there for that price.

I also sell at a Farmers Market in the area where my cottage is. I do this the raise funds for the gardens at my church. There is sell in 16 ou Styrofoam cups where I can just write the name directly on the cup. I haven't been there consistently enough to build up a clientele. I sold about 150 plants at $3.00 and 2 for $5.00 this year. I think you are in the ballpark.

[matereater]

I've done $3 a piece or 2 for $5, most opted for the 2 for $5.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by habitat_gardener

In my area, the master gardeners group has a popular plant sale where the plants were $3 (last time I checked), but you could get similar varieties at independent nurseries for $1.50 to $2.50 (on sale) or $2-4 (regular price). So the prices are comparable or a little high, plus you had to wade through the crowds, struggle to find parking, and for me it's a 15-20 mile drive. I think they price them as high as the market will bear. If they were lower, they might run out sooner. If they were higher, fewer people might come. It's a huge all-day event with garden talks and booths of dozens of other garden-related nonprofits, some of which also sell a few plants. They even had a booth with used garden tools, supplies, and books, and another with last year's seeds, cheap. When I used to go, the tomato plants would sell out by noon, and there was a constant stream of people going in and people trudging back to the parking lots, laden with plants.

So the price depends on how big a crowd you can get to come and what kind of event it is. Plant sale only? Talks? Advice on growing and choosing varieties? Demos? Other stuff going on? Activities for kids? Reasons to stick around after they buy the plants? (and if so, a place where they can leave their plants, like a coat-check?)

Since it's 2 days, you can drop the price the second day, depending on how sales go on the first day. You probably don't want to price them too low the first day, because you want to have some left over.

If you can get some interviews in local papers, you can talk about the special varieties you'll be selling that aren't available anywhere else in the area.

Good things to think about here, thank you. This event is a plant sale only but very well known and has many plant vendors, but not any that grow unusual tomato types. I haven't gone before so I don't know if there is a kid friendly area but there are booths with educational and exhibit type only. It's a big well advertised event. I like the idea of keeping the prices higher until afternoon on Sunday.
Good post, thank you for your thoughts.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

And remember to emphasize the "charitable support" angle in all your publicity, interviews, etc. Often times people will gladly pay a bit more for something if they know their money is going to good, worthwhile causes. I know I'd gladly pay an extra $1 for a plant if I knew the money was going to help programs in my community versus going into some corporate executive's pocket.

I agree and will definitely take your advice. Probably a big sign at the booth entrance about all proceeds going to charity.
Great suggestion, thank you.
Marsha

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by Granite26

With a good variety and unique plants (not just common ones available at the big box stores) I would go $3 each 10/$25

That is
very good practical advice. At $3 each I won't have nearly as much small change to deal with. I love the idea of the bulk purchase if they want a price break too.
I think I am going to tell the main runners of the event to emphasize these hard to get or unusual plants, but I am going to word it better.

Scott- this is a variation of what you said, thank you for posting your knowledge too.

Thanks to all of you who have given me your great and useful ideas so far. Really helps.

Marsha

[bejustice]

We used to do 4"pots. We made the price drop when 4 were purchased. We realized people needed something to cary them in. There happened to be a Chick-fil-a near by our market, so I asked If we could buy some of their drink trays. We never spoke to corporate, just owners and management. It worked great! Sold them like mad, sold a 4 pack to the mayor, a great day. Drink trays will help you move them, especially if there is a handle and they are sturdy.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by bejustice

We used to do 4"pots. We made the price drop when 4 were purchased. We realized people needed something to cary them in. There happened to be a Chick-fil-a near by our market, so I asked If we could buy some of their drink trays. We never spoke to corporate, just owners and management. It worked great! Sold them like mad, sold a 4 pack to the mayor, a great day. Drink trays will help you move them, especially if there is a handle and they are sturdy.

What a great idea! Thanks!
Ok to ask what your prices were for original and price break for 4?

Marsha

[Cole_Robbie]

I only charge $1.50 and give a four for $5 price break. My farmer's market is in a fairly poor area of the country with low prices for everything. Even though my prices are low, I typically come home with over $200 in sales for each Saturday morning of the planting season. I'm confident that I make more money off tomato plant sales than any other vendor at my market. People love to hear the story behind each variety of heirloom. "Every plant has a story" is what I tell people.

[Keger]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I only charge $1.50 and give a four for $5 price break. My farmer's market is in a fairly poor area of the country with low prices for everything. Even though my prices are low, I typically come home with over $200 in sales for each Saturday morning of the planting season. I'm confident that I make more money off tomato plant sales than any other vendor at my market. People love to hear the story behind each variety of heirloom. "Every plant has a story" is what I tell people.

Interesting you mention that.

I start Creoles, Floridade, and Porters down here the first of the year and sell them with the story about how they were developed for hot, humid climates...

People seem to really like this as they cant get these at the regular spots.

I look forward to plant selling time of year as much as veggie selling time.

[barbamWY]

I am just wondering what you all are going to price at this year? This is our 10th year selling and I think we started at $1.50 and were $2.00 for years and then went up to $2.25 2 years ago. Our cashiers would like everything at $3.00. So what is your opinion of selling 4 and 6 packs, 4 inch veggies and 2-3" pots herbs, all at $3.00?
Barb