where to buy 100+ plants

Tue May 24, 2011 11:20 pm

Hello all,

I was wondering where a good place to purchase veggie plants in bulk. I haven't had much luck finding anything at local nurseries since most of the plants start at @ $3.00 per plant. I have found some as low as $1.87.

I did find a company online called Evans Plant Co. but I am very hesitant to order from there since they have allot of bad review and a bad rating from the bbb.

So, where would you go to buy 100 green pepper plants or 100 tomato plants?

Wed May 25, 2011 12:32 am

I would call a local nursery, ask to speak to the owner or manager, tell him or her that I wanted to buy some plants by the flat, and ask them about their prices. Except for times when I was looking for specific, not-so-common species or varieties, I could often negotiate a quite reasonable price. By going directly to the nursery, you're cutting out the middleman.

You will find such nurseries located out in rural areas, and it would be a good idea to call ahead, rather than just showing up. While such nurseries will have staff on duty, caring for the plants, they may not be prepared to deal with walk-in customers. When you have them on the phone, you may also want to ascertain that they will even sell to retail customers, or if they only sell to wholesale customers. Ask if they have a minimum purchase size, as well, or you may find that they expect you to buy thousands of plants.

Essentially, doing this, you're going straight to the "manufacturer". For some products, you would be expected to deal through a broker, but I don't think that's true for plants. I've bought from the iris farm up north of where I live, and from the herb farm south of the city I'm in. They are both large operations, but they were very pleasant and willing to sell to me, even though I was just a private individual.

You might be able to strike a good deal with a garden store, if you can talk to the actual owner. They really want to get rid of the plants, after all. It isn't like they can just store them in the warehouse until next summer.

Wed May 25, 2011 12:41 am

I'll follow up on that idea tomorrow morning. Its a good Idea, hopefully I can find a nursery that will work.

Wed May 25, 2011 1:08 am

I second the local nurserys. We have one by me that sells a 6 pack of seedlings for $2. can't go wrong! and they're huge and healthy.

Wed May 25, 2011 1:14 am

Every store with a shingle seems to be selling tomato and pepper plants, as are garden centers and bib box stores. The going price seems to be somewhere between $1.25-2.50 for 4-6 plants. Please say you are not looking for 10" plants in 6" pots - if so you may get ripe produce a week earlier but you are going to pay way more.

Mike

Wed May 25, 2011 1:22 pm

I agree with going to a private place and talking to a supervisor or manager. You are definitely going to want to have an interaction with someone to strike up a deal if you are going to be buying that many.

Also, you will find that if you invest some money into grow lights and flats, it will more than pay itself off in the long-run.

Wed May 25, 2011 5:10 pm

Also, you will find that if you invest some money into grow lights and flats, it will more than pay itself off in the long-run.

I was waiting for a reply like this. :wink:

If you stop and think about it, $2.00 per plant is rather cheap. IMO.

You could build yourself a greenhouse. Buy all the pots, flats, soils, ferts and seed. Plant them with bottom heat. So now your electric bill goes up. Watering and daily care. So here maybe your water bill goes up or electricity again. :wink:

If you look at facilities and overhead, $2.00 looks pretty darn good.

You could also look at it this way. For $2.00, what production value will you get. Organic tomatoes here sell @ $4.00 per pound.

For a $200. investment, you may have a $1200. gross. about 3lbs per plant. Low average.

Your mileage may vary
Eric

Wed May 25, 2011 5:21 pm

I'll go along with the above! Look into your own seed starting for next year. This season, go to a private garden center. The Box stores plants are 'merchandized', that being, brought in and displayed by the growers.

The private garden center orders plants from varying places. The manager there can order in x # flats for you on the next shipment, and it is up to you to negotiate a price, without being ugly of course! Having worked in the private garden center for a few years have seen this.

Then when the shipment comes in, go and pick up your order. It is annoying and can be detrimental to plants to let several flats set. They get pushed aside, may or may not be watered, perhaps all shade or all sun, whatever space available.

Wed May 25, 2011 7:00 pm

Has to be a greenhouse near you somewhere... Flats (48 plants generally) are about $15 + tax here... Big box stores with those stupid Bonnie Plants are a major rip-off....

Wed May 25, 2011 7:49 pm

We have 2 local flea markets in upstate South Carolina that sell very good plants for very cheap prices. You could definitely check that route :()

Most often they are overstock from local nurseries looking to unload plants to sellers for cheap cheap prices! Very good variety selections, and great quality plants.

Fri May 27, 2011 2:14 am

thank you for all the suggestions, they were all helpful.

I found a flower and vegetable vendor set up in the parking lot of a farm supply store. I ended up getting 100 green pepper, 50 tomato, and 50 zucchini all for $48. each plant ended up being 25 cents. All the plants are very healthy looking.

Fri May 27, 2011 2:29 am

Good job!

Fri May 27, 2011 3:27 pm

and this why I keep wondering why I am wasting time at the Farmers Market.

Eric

Fri May 27, 2011 3:36 pm

50 zucchini :shock:

That will keep you busy picking them!

Fri May 27, 2011 6:06 pm

tomf wrote:50 zucchini
That will keep you busy picking them!

I have a 100 of the blasted things in the ground.. Half yellow / half green... Should make for a busy summer...

I need to find an economical way to support 200 tomato plants now...

Fri May 27, 2011 6:15 pm

DoubleDogFarm wrote:and this why I keep wondering why I am wasting time at the Farmers Market.

Eric

No Eric you aren't wasting your time. :lol:

I know the farmer's market I go to is strongly supported in my community!! :wink:

Sat May 28, 2011 12:44 am

Eric, I mean no offense to you, trust me! Perhaps I never mentioned farmers market for starts as all we have here are a few of this and that. Starts that is, at varying booths. No one has quantity/flats.

Plenty of markets in the metro and surrounding areas. In fact, I think it was mentioned a person could peddle at markets 7 days /week. This being smaller, grow-your-stuff, not brought in. For Sunday, the Jewish Community Center has one. Other days by varying communities, neighborhoods and whatever, and of course Saturday a plethera.

Just picked and bundled cut herbs for tomorrows AM market at Cooper-Young neighborhood, all of 3 miles away. Then I do Wed afternoon, flex schedule at the Botanic Garden market, further out, well, 4 miles!

Have fun! It's all good!
Susan