New Business

[Botticelliwoman]

Thanks Jane,
That's all very helpful. I was umming and ahhing about plastic labels too and the jury's still out. This year I did some painted stones with the plant name and a pic of the flower so that plastic doesn't neeed to be used as plant markers in the garden but what goes in the pots is another matter.
I'm sorry we don't have any butterbur but as we're only just starting out and there's seeds to order for jan/feb, I'll keep an eye out.
We've signed up with LBS horticultural supplies (though we haven't bought anything from them yet) but I'd be interested to find out who else is out there. We're also badgering the local council to make the green waste that's collected and composted, easier to get our hands on...no joy yet!
I'll also keep a look out for the green festivals - never thought about that - thanks!
Aitch

[Janec]

Dear Aitch,
Thanks for letting me know about LBS it's always useful to know about other suppliers. I would however have a look at the following company Horticultural Supplies - Amenity and Grower Supplies - Nationwide Delivery for compost etc. and Home (H Smith Plastics) for your pots.
Don't worry about the butterbur, I was being a bit cheeky and I'm too far away to collect anyway.
Another thought, it might be worth looking into craft fairs for selling. I've done several of these with my herbs and it works well.
Hope this helps
Jane

[Botticelliwoman]

I finally got around to looking at the websites you recommended, Jane. Thanks very much, they're certainly about the cheapest I've seen!
A friend of ours who just lost her husband and was at a loose end, has jumped on board to deliver pickles,chutneys and jams...never saw anybody so excited at the prospect of getting a new jam pan! The plan is that we'll grow as much of the veg for her chutneys as we can....looking forward to being an offical 'taster'

[Janec]

You're very welcome.
The chutneys sound yummy. The home made jam and chutney stalls always seem to do well at our market and it will help to extend your selling season.
If you need more tasters please let me know

[jaelen]

The only advice I can offer re. plants on eBay is as a buyer, not a seller... and I have to say, I've been pleased with the ones I have received. I get my aquarium plants that way, and also some comfrey plugs earlier this year. Out of the five comfrey plants, only one died and that was down to the slugs getting it before it was able to establish itself.

One eBay seller I bought seeds from puts an A5 sized printout of planting and care instructions, (it had a colour image of each plant at the top of the page) in with each packet of seeds- maybe this could be a alternative to plastic labels?

[Botticelliwoman]

Hi jaelen,

The print out is a great idea. We had thought that while our range is limited we could have a leaflet showing all the plants with instructions and aftercare (like Thompson and Morgan do when they send plants through the post) but had pretty much dismissed that due to the cost of home printing. You have though made me think that it will be worthwhile, when we get the website sorted to have links to the plants we sell so people can print out their own information sheets....not that we're tight or anything

[wanlock dod]

On the issue of obtaining composted green waste, there is a composting standard (BS PAS 100 I think), and a few years ago compost of this standard could be usedd in Scotland (but not in England) and no longer considered to be a waste, but the view was not shared South of the border (once something has been called a waste all kinds of complicated nonsense comes into play). If they are not producing compost to this standard you would essentially be using a waste material, and may need a waste management licence to use it, and the products you sell might get associated with this waste tag.

[Botticelliwoman]

Hi wanlock,
The green waste from our council collections go to two sites in the borough, both of whom produce fertilizers and composts from it, which they then sell on, mostly to the agricultural industry in bulk.
When they first started up, local residents were encouraged to turn up with their cars and suitable bags, which they could fill up at a fraction of the cost of buying it commercially. One guy filled the boot of his car with the stuff for a fiver!
Not to get on my high-horse or anything but the government is supposed to be hitting targets on reducing peat-based composts (us gardeners are the highest consumers ) I would have thought that allowing easy access to green waste compost for joe public would have been a no brainer and I suspect that we're entitled to though not actively encouraged.

Aitch

[burhinus]

Try talking to your local wildlife trusts they often have spring and autumn plant sales you might be able to tag onto. Also consider giving presentations for a fee to gardening clubs and birdwatching clubs during the winter months. You are advertising yourself, spreading the word and you can take some plants along as well to sell at the end.

Good luck with it all.

[Botticelliwoman]

thanks burhinus, great ideas.....and roll on spring!!!!!!