selling plants at car boot

moneymabel

Hi all-just wondering if anyone has any experience of selling plants at a car boot (mainly veg plants-tomato/ beans etc?) is this allowed and if so how much do you charge? Thanks for any help /advice just planning in advance for next year!

cyberbob

Most Car boots allow it, But you will need to declare it to the Tax man as you will be growing plants to sell. Also they often check car boots to see who's selling etc.

moneymabel

Thats no problem as I'm already self employed,thanks for your help cyber bob

sarahevie

my mum and dad did this for about ten years. Dad gave up his job when he had a breakdown, and bought a plant nursery. (Couple of poly tunnels on a bit of land), you don't need this they started with a greenhouse.

They did 3 carboots a week. But found village fetes, one off charity fund raisers, school car boots yielded better sales. However, these weren't regular enough.

They stopped as it took a lot of hours preparing the plants for about £6000 a year after tax and expenses.

They mostly sold chillis (£5 - £10), bedding (£1 a tray), hydrangers (£2), orchids (£5), pansies (£1), oriental grasses (£5). They also bought in things like garden canes, compost, feed and weed to sell alongside.

Strapped

Around here a lot of people sell on tables outside their houses - small tomato plants only go for about 50p though. Hardly worth the pot & compost.

Hezzawithkids

As a buyer I always look for plants at car boots, great value but sometimes iffy quality. Unless you are a full-time grower (there's one at our local car boot and I am a regular customer) and/or your plants are in tip-top condition then you may not attract many buyers.

moneymabel

Thanks for your replies-I just enjoy growing things really and would be nice to make a few pennies back. Mum used to work in a garden centre and has a greenhouse full of pots so its just compost really..I have loads of seeds.Thanks again.

patman99

Keep the plants well-watered. If they are all droopy, people are less inclined to purchase them

sarahevie

There can be a lot of competition, but I wouldn't let it put you off.

My mum and dad had (a lot of regular customers) they were the main plant stall at their 'regular carboots' and were full time growers. (My mum is a florist as a day job) and they found it a good way of making money for 10 years so I'd say go for it.

Having helped out on their stalls. I would say that many buyers ask a lot of questions about how to care for certain plants, you do need to be knowledgable. Also everything has to be dead headed and watered regularly. The stall needs to be maintained. Plants displayed at their optimum. It can be hard work and better for those with a background in gardening.

moneymabel

Thanks-I dont think it would be something i'd do regularly but just a couple of times if I do end up with excess plants like i have this year! Would only sell plants i'd grown myself so I'd know a bit about them (hopefully!) Thanks for all your advice

Dizzie77

If you are selling flowering plants (rather than veg) then take along a photo/picture of what they will look like -
few people buy flowers without being able to see them....which is a bit odd, cos if they are flowering, they are
already at their best!!