How to Price and Market Your Greenhouse Plants

The price you charge for your plants will depend on whether you sell finished or unfinished stock, and whether your greenhouse enterprise is a full-time business or just a profitable sideline or self-supporting hobby. “Finished stock” means plants that have reached a size or state plants, such as African violets, begonias, and gloxinias when they are in bloom-and-bud or in full bloom or foliage plants potted and of large enough size to be attractive.

“Unfinished stock” refers to young, undeveloped plants. This can mean seedlings like annuals sold from flats or pots; started or dormant begonia, gloxinia, and other tubers or bulbs in pots; cuttings, either rooted or un-rooted; and small foliage or other fibrous-rooted plants. Since it requires time and expense to bring a plant to maturity, finished stock should sell at a considerably higher price than unfinished plants in the seedling or dormant stage.

Price your plants realistically. Before setting a price, total your upkeep, such as the original cost of seed, cuttings, plants, tubers, or bulbs; your pots and potting material; and an approximately proportional share of heat, light, and water, fertilizer, insecticides, and greenhouse deterioration.

Take into consideration, too, the customers you will serve. If you are offering a general, popular selection of plants and you aim to capture the trade of the home town folks, you may have to meet local competitive prices. Also, because your venture is new (as is your reputation), your merchandise will have to be as good as and preferably better than plant items available elsewhere in town. What’s more, you’ll have to maintain high standards to keep your customers coming back for more.

Markets for Your Plants

Dime, chain, variety, grocery, drug, and department stores and even pet stores and cafes – all these can become your customers. These outlets usually have to purchase the plant material they sell and generally have the plants shipped in from out-of-town wholesale growers. Look over the plants and seeds at these retail counters. If you feel you could make money by being a wholesaler and selling a store similar plant items at about the same to 1/2 the price that you see they are charging the public, seek out the manager and have a talk with him.

Once you have established yourself, the buyer is likely to go on from his first cautious dealings to purchasing some of the unusual (and more profitable) plants you grow – cacti, new philodendrons, pilea, peperomias, and such flowering gesneriads as columnea, kohleria, and species gloxinias. You may find yourself growing specialties just for one outlet, which will want even more than you can grow (a pleasant and profitable experience).

When you arrange sales to a large chain store, you may be asked to ship sample plants direct to their central buying station. If you get the O.K. there, you will be placed on the preferred list, and from then on you should be able to count on this store as a regular outlet.

Roadside Markets

In a roadside market you have another really excellent prospect. Here is sold everything from dairy products to plants and vegetables. Usually on the outskirts of a city, the roadside stands attract the Sunday drivers, people returning from vacations, and those who feel they obtain fresher produce in such places.

Make your contact with your potential customers by carrying with you a box or two of the type of plants you sell. These people have to buy from someone; and if your plants are well grown, nicely potted, and priced so that the market can resell them at profit – why, you’re elected.

If local zoning rules allow you to have a stand on your property, and you are near enough to a highway, you may be able to dispose of your plants yourself. Friends of ours have a very attractive redwood roadside stand where plants and garden supplies are sold exclusively. Their greenhouse, 20 by 18 feet, is attached to the stand, and on the land adjacent they grow roses, shrubs, and some perennials to sell.

Now sit back and enjoy the profits you make from the plants you have grown in your greenhouse.

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Wine Country Trips: Tips For Choosing A Destination

Have you heard of wine country before? If you have, you may want to plan a trip to wine country. Even if you have never heard of wine country before, there is a good chance that you will want to visit it after you take the time to familiarize yourself with wine country.

Speaking of wine country, there are many individuals who wonder exactly where it is. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. Wine country is a phrase that is commonly used to describe areas that have a large number of wineries and vineyards, as well as areas that are well known for their production and distribution of fine wines. Although you will find some variances, the phrase “wine country,” is commonly used to describe California.

As stated above, wine country is commonly used to describe California. For that reason, when you research wine country online, like when looking for guided wine tours or information on local wineries, you will likely be presented with information for those located in Northern California, the Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley to be exact. With that said, it is also important to remember that others areas of the United States are also commonly known as and referred to as wine country. For example, Washington, New York, Texas, and Virginia all have areas that are known as wine country, most often by locals.

Since you do have a number of options to choose from, when looking to take a wine country trip, there are a number of important factors that you will first want to take into consideration. One of those factors is distance. The farther you have to travel to visit a wine country, the more you will likely spend in travel costs. If you are on a budget or if you have a limited timeframe, you may be better off visiting a wine country area that is local. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania, you may be better off traveling to the Finger Lakes Region of New York, and so forth. With that in mind, it is important to remember that California wine country is more than worth the extra travel costs.

Speaking of travel costs, it is important to price compare. In fact, you may want to compare your options and their prices before you officially make a decision. In keeping with the example sited above of living in Pennsylvania, you may assume that it is too expensive to travel to California. Yes, it may be, but did you know that you can find great travel deals online? In fact, many hotels and resorts in the area offer moneysaving vacation packages. For that reason, you may want to refrain from making assumptions, in terms of cost, until you do the proper amount of research first.

Your intended dates of travel, as well as the weather should also be taken into consideration, when looking to choose a wine country area to visit. For all year round visiting, California wine country comes highly rated and recommended, as the weather is always typically sunny and pleasant. As for other wine country areas, such as those located in New York, Washington, and Virginia, the weather may limit the number of wine themed activities you are able to participate in. With that said, many wineries still have a number of activities for you to choose from, including wine tasting, in the middle of winter.

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Does anyone know if it’s possible to climb the redwood trees in California? Is there a company or a non-profit organization that does it? Are there hikes up on the canopy?

Thanks 🙂

Guide To Dog Friendly Hotels For The Pampered Pooch

In France, small dogs have always been pampered and accepted virtually anywhere their owner goes. That can now be extended to cities worldwide and is especially true of Hotels at the top-end of the market.

There are two main reasons for this. Increasing numbers of clients wish to have their dog with them to maximize the pleasure of the vacation. This is a huge market – around 62 million people in America own dogs and 29 million of them take their dogs with them when then go travelling. The other factor is that many owners feel guilty at putting their dog into kennels. This all reflects the way dogs are now seen much more as part of the family, rather than a mere pet.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

A survey on behalf of a Hotel chain came up with some surprising findings. 76% of respondents claimed that they would show more loyalty to a hotel chain that was prepared to accommodate their dogs – even if they weren’t bringing their dog on vacation! 16% admitted that they had, at one time or another smuggled their dog into a hotel that wouldn’t accept pets!

WHAT CAN MY DOG EXPECT FROM A HOTEL?

Most dog-friendly hotels offer basics such as food and water. Others add nice touches like a gift on arrival and custom-made ID tags. The more expensive the hotel, the more luxuries your dog can expect to indulge in. You will be provided with toys, leashes and collars, poop scoops and even videos for your dog to watch.

Dogs can now get organic roasted chicken and Aberdeen Angus steaks from room service. Some hotels offer dog meals that have been developed with the help of a veterinarian – especially to help your dog deal with the stress of travelling! The hotel concierge will organize dog walkers and a pet sitter, if you’re planning to spend some time away from your dog. One of the most amazing things offered in a Pampered Pooch Package is the use of a ‘dog translator’ so that guests can communicate better with their canines!

DOGS LOVE TO GROOM!

If you go for a relaxing pedicure, you dog can lie next to you and have one too. In-hotel grooming parlors are increasingly popular. Why not treat your pampered pooch to some highlights, lowlights or French braiding? Teeth cleaning and massage is also on offer.

THE TOP TEN DOG-FRIENDLY CITIES IN THE USA AND CANADA ARE:

1. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

2. San Francisco, California

3. Chicago, Illinois

4. Boston, Massachusetts

5. Austin, Texas

6. Seattle, Washington

7. New York City

8. Long Beach, Los Angeles

9. St Louis, Missouri

10. Northern Virginia Area of Washington DC

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

Here’s a quick run-down on what your dog could get at a stay in a high-end hotel in The Big Apple:

* Personalized ID tag plated in 22 carat gold

* Spritz treatments for the dog’s coat in a choice of aromatherapy fragrances

* Luxury dog pillow in the shape of a bone

* Home-baked dog biscuits and treats

* 300 thread count sheets on a special dog mattress

* Room service for dogs offering appetizers, entrees and deserts

The hotels can’t control the weather but they can make life more bearable for your dog with the loan of a trench coat (rainproof, naturally!), a leather jacket or if it turns chilly – a cashmere sweater. It’s a dog’s life!

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I Just Want To Relax This Spring Break!

Sunning on the beach or poolside and watching the sunlight play across the water is as active as some Spring Breakers want to get.

Others just want to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of waves lapping the beach. And there are those who want to choose which nightclubs or beach parties they’d like to attend, not necessarily be surrounded by it 24/7.

Spring Break is first and foremost equated with single college students ready to party, yet they aren’t the only ones who go on road trips during Spring break. Students in a relationship may opt for a romantic getaway for two. Families also plan vacations during this time as a reward for their college student. Add to this list, teachers and families of K-12 grades use their road trip planners to create a fun family getaway during this time.

THE FOLLOWING SAFETY TIPS PROVIDE SOUND ADVICE FOR ANY ROAD TRIP PLANNER.
* Make sure all buckles in the backseat work.
* Take turns driving and switch drivers every two hours.
* Passengers riding shotgun have the extra responsibility of keeping the driver alert (yes, even if the others in the back seat get to snooze!).
* Check that everyone has their driver’s license and that the vehicle registration is in the glove compartment before departure.
* Ideally, someone in your group should belong to AAA or another Roadside Assistance membership. It’ll save everyone time and money if car trouble develops during the trip.

FIRST, WE HIT THE BEACHES
* SOUTH BEACH, FLORIDA – Overall, Florida is hands down, the favored Spring Break destination for road trip planners and this long section of Miami Beach is one of the reasons why. One can walk on the beach literally for miles!
* KEY WEST, FLORIDA – Probably a bit too pricey for most college budgets, but oh, those beaches are pretty!
* SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – The water won’t be as warm as in Florida but rumor has it the sun shines there all the time (and it’s true… 75% of the time :o)

THEN THERE’S THOSE ROMANTIC HIDEAWAYS
* SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS – This island is in the Gulf of Mexico and just north of the northeastern border of Mexico. It’s been a popular Spring break destination for college students and other tourists. Resorts and condominiums are strewn along the lovely coastline.
* KONA, BIG ISLAND, HAWAII – While Honolulu is good for families and Waikiki in particular, is great for night clubs, the Big Island has a more relaxed atmosphere where most of your activities will take place during the day followed by a lovely sunset dinner. Of course, Waikiki will have tons more bars, but you’ll still find them scattered throughout town here.
* SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – Dry sun and an abundance of spas make this a great destination for a road trip planning couple. You’ll find an eclectic mix here, as evidenced by Old Town, which is flanked on the north end by the West’s premier fashion shopping mall, Scottsdale Fashion Square , at the corner of Scottsdale and Camelback Roads. This mall offers wonderful shopping experiences, with more than 15 restaurants and anchor stores Neiman Marcus. More than 500 specialty stores are also a part of this desert shopping oasis.
* FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – Once upon a time, more than 350,000 college students descended on Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break, but the city changed its party laws in the mid-80s and enforced the minimum drinking age so now only about 20,000 come, making this a good place for couples who want nice beaches and great views.

HERE COME THE FAMILY HOT SPOTS
* ORLANDO, FLORIDA – One of the favorites among road trip planners because of the multitude of activities available there. We recommend getting the Go Orlando Card which gives you unlimited admission to over 50 central Florida attractions, including the Kennedy Space Center, Splash Island Water Park, Daytona USA and more!
* HONOLULU, HAWAII – Because of the sheer number of hotels in the Honolulu area, budget-minded families can pick up a good deal here. The beach at Waikiki is a great spot for the whole family because there’s a near-shore break for the kids, while more experienced swimmers surf the waves further out.
* DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – Once also a major Party Town, Daytona followed Fort Lauderdale’s example and now it’s known as a beautiful place for couples and families.

OF COURSE, WE CAN’T FORGET THE FAVORITE PARTY TOWNS – Just book your hotel a few miles away from the heavy traffic areas and choose to relax one day, party the next.
CANCUN, MEXICO – Known as the Riviera Maya, an excellent place for fun in the sun and under the night sky.
OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA – Montego Bay is actually the most popular destination in Jamaica, but Ocho Rios is a close second. Located on the Northern Coast, it’s a great area for scuba diving and other water sports.

So go ahead, whether you’re a student, teacher, a couple or a parent, you deserve this break. Who says road trip planners can’t have their Spring Break cake and eat it too?

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