Did you know that cut flowers are one of the most profitable crops to grow? If someone had told me that years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them. Selling cut flowers at the market is not for the fainthearted, but those with a passion for flower farming—and perseverance—can become very successful, as I’ve learned from experience.
Success begins by offering potential customers a mixture of blooms presented either as single stems, wrapped bouquets or arrangements in jars. Choose one approach or all three, but whatever you do, don’t scrimp on quality, performance or attention to detail.
To create interest and attract customers, stage your booth or stall with seasonal tablecloths, baskets and banners. I like to use peck baskets, galvanized buckets and wood pieces to elevate jar bouquets so each one is clearly visible. If you’re using black floral buckets, tuck them together inside a large washtub to create a charming focal point. For wrapped bouquets, drape them over the sides of old baskets with shallow, water-filled containers in place to keep the flowers hydrated. Appealing displays will catch eyes, draw customers and increase sales—and give you an opportunity to share your story and cultivate friendships and returning customers.
You’ll encounter competition when selling at large markets, but don’t be intimidated by what you see in booths and stands set up by other flower growers. You don’t have to grow what they’re growing or do what they’re doing. Be true to yourself—be authentic! Originality will set you apart from the others and lead to a more profitable season.
There are no rules that you even have to attend large markets to be successful. You can create one of your own by setting up at a local boutique, bookstore or bakery. Offer the owner a percentage of your sales or a flat fee to rent space outside their entrance or just inside their front door. I discourage setting up in the back of a shop or store. You want to keep things up front to ensure sales. It’s good advertising, too, and likely to generate future custom orders for events like weddings and anniversaries.
In the photo above, you can see me outside a local bookstore, peddling single-stem flowers, wrapped bouquets and jar arrangements. The store owner already had a table and chair available, so it was very convenient for me to set up. I spread out a tablecloth and staged items so folks could take a quick glance and see everything I was selling. My presence in front of the bookstore benefited both small businesses. It brought customers into the bookstore, generated sales for both of us and stimulated conversation!
So, if you’ve been on the fence about whether to take your farm-grown flowers to market, I highly encourage you to give it a go. As a flower farmer, you spend most of your week growing and harvesting plants. Going to market offers a welcome change of pace, giving you the chance to talk with people and share what you love so much—flowers!
Happy gardening, friends!
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden