I know a number of associations have a plant sale to raise money for the allotment and/or charity. I assume if it is just once a year, you don't have any problems with the local garden centre objecting to trade being taken away?
Is it only open to plot holders or the general public?
Any advice gratefully received.
Bluecar
Our association has 2 poly-tunnels (with 12 6'x8' plots rented ) so we are able (with help from members with heated greenhouses ) to offer young plants , mainly veg for sale to members , no doubt some get passed on , it is very economic for plot holders , like 50p for a tray of 10 plants , also they can keep them in the tunnel till they are ready to plant ( within reason) its handy for some who just wanting small quantities, we have a annual open day and sell to public then, as yet no complaints, its a good fund raiser, but needs a good manager.
Last year we took part in two "events". The first was a "Fun Day" organised by the newly-formed local Chamber of Commerce. As we only had very short notice, we didn't have time to organise a plant sale, but just produced a display with flyers. But a few weeks later we had a plant sale at the local Primary School's summer fair, which proved a nice little earner.
So this year we hope to run a proper plant stand at the Fun Day. Our local nursery has recently changed hands, so I popped in to ask whether they were taking part, and whether they minded us selling stuff. He was delighted, and didn't regard it as competition at all, as we would probably be selling different things, and even if we weren't it would attract more punters.
I can't give much advice on the actual running of a plant sale - ours was a very ad hoc event - but if you're worried about the local garden centre, go and have a chat. They might even be happy to give your plot-holders a discount, or help in some other way.
We already have a good relationship with our nursery, as one of the partners is a tree surgeon, and he delivers regular loads of chipped bark to the site.
For any garden centre or nursery to object once or twice a year plant sale would be 'short sighted'..after all majority of allotment members would probably be their customers for various things ::)
But being 'neighbourly' I would go and have chat too...that's if they are located close by..
Who knows, sometimes they are happy off load not so good plants for good courses..those that with little TLC would be perfectly good to sell off again ;)
We don't have our own sales..but on our town market place holds plant sale day. There various nurseries, gardening clubs, individuals, allotment croups and regular market sellers etc. fill their stalls with all manner of things...such a fun ;D
we've been having plant sales to the public for the last 4 years, this years will be the first may bank holiday, sat, sun, mon, we're trying to decide if we should take advantage of the friday bank hol for the wedding.
We don't have many nurseries near, a couple of garden centres but, lots of our customers are elderly, no cars and disabled, again, no cars. :)
We have a plant sale which is open to the public every May (May 14th this year)
All the plants are donated by plot holders, we don't have a communal greenhouse or polytunnel.
The first year we did it we just sold plants, but then the next year we decided to add a Cream Tea. This was very successful so we did the same again the following year.
This year we are adding a White Elephant which is being run by ower Shirl and Tone (Shirlton)
We keep the money from the Plant Sale for our association funds. This is the only fundraising we do for ourselves.
The Cream Tea is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, and the White Elephant is for our Felix Fund. (for our site cats)
We don't have any problems with local Garden Centres, in fact they usually donate prizes for our Open Day.
Go to any car boot sale in the spring or summer and you will find several people selling plants. If a site wishes to have plant sales from time to time it is nothing to do with any garden centre. Just make sure the taxman doesn`t find out. ;D ;D
We have a plot designated as a nursery. It is open every weekend as per the shop and open to public and plotholders. We sell flowers, shrubs and other plants as well as all sorts of veg plants that we start off in the polytunnel.
I may have run a plant sale now and then....
but I can handle it .... right?
;D
Thank you for your very positive comments. It seems there shouldn't be a problem with local garden centres but it is best to have a chat with them first.
Bluecar