Topic: Charity Plant Sale Advice?

[CotswoldLass]

Hi guys,

Has anyone ever been involved in running a plant sale? Before I move, I was thinking of having one here, all money to go to a local charity.

Can put ads up round the village easily, so that's OK. But do I dig up lots of plants first? Or get a few helpers to dig up to order?

Got loads of pots but could just do bags. And how much to charge while keeping it simple.

I think it would be a nice way to leave my beloved garden and know we've done something good.

CLx

[Palustris]

Even for Charity, people can be a bit funny (peculiar, that is). I must admit that all the  plant sales I have been part of, have been away from home. I have always potted everything up and labelled them too. Though I have seen stuff in Supermarket bags selling well too.
Pricing is all!. Too cheap and people wonder what is wrong, too expensive and they walk away.
Change? Again it depends on the price you charge. Whole amount means no need for 5p or 1 p.  And the first person to buy will give you a £20 for a £1.50 plant and bang goes all your change anyway. For what it is worth I always had a float of £20 in silver and all my plants were in 7cms pots and priced £1.
Have fun!

[CotswoldLass]

Dear P,

What sort of plants did you sell for a pound? I have all sorts of perennials, many worth much more, but I just want them to go to good homes and raise some money for a good cause. Whole numbers all the way of course!!

CLx

[Palustris]

I grew and sold mostly Alpines, dwarf bulbs and Sempervivums. The bigger perennials were in bigger pots and sold for more depending on size and rarity. Decent coloured hellebores for example went for £3. But this was a few years back, I have not done a plant sale for a long time now. In fact not since my 'escort' went to University.
One other point, if you are potting up your plants, get started as soon as possible, so that they have settled down and begun to regrow before the sale. Otherwise they just look as if you have wrenched them from the ground.

[CotswoldLass]

Thanks Pal, will do the best I can.

Have roped in a few helpers, and have decided to limit sale time to a couple of hours....

Will let you know!

CLx