Do you want to start a flower & herb farm from scratch and make money? Or you need a sample herb farm business plan template? If YES, then i advice you read on. If you are a flower lover looking for ways to start a business of selling flowers or herbs, you have come to the right place. Flowers are good for aesthetic purposes and herbs are used most times in the production of herbal drugs. There is an available market for anybody who wants to venture into this line of business because there is always demand for flowers and herbs, thus making it a viable business to engage in. This business is also known as flower farming business.
In a nut shell, this article will cover areas like factors to consider when starting out a flower or herbs growing business, factors to consider when choosing the type of flower to cultivate and finally, who to sale to. At the end of this article, you should have an idea of all it takes to start a flower farming business and how to go about it.
3 Factors to Consider Before Starting a Flower / Herbs Selling Business
1. Capital
This is one of the most important factors to put into consideration before starting out this business. Though this business is not very capital intensive, but enough capital is required to get started. You need money to buy the equipments needed for the planting; you need money to buy healthy seedlings and many other things.
2. Viable market
In as much as I have mentioned that this business is a very viable business, but you have to carry out a targeted research in your location to make sure that there is high demand for the flowers and herbs you are about to start.
3. Land space
You should also consider the land space that you will need to cultivate the flowers and herbs. The land space will not be much, unless you are planning on starting on a large scale. A land space to contain 50 beds is enough for starters.
The next step after this is to discuss factors to bear in mind when choosing the kind of flowers to grow;
3 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Type of Flower to Grow
You are starting a flower and herbs growing business does not mean that you should just pick out some random flowers and herbs plant them and start looking for buyers, going this way will make the business very difficult for you. There are some factors to consider when choosing herbs to grow.
a. Popularity of the flowers in your locality
The flower or herbs should be such that it is popular in your locality; it may be difficult to introduce people to start using a new flower or herbs they are not used to; not that it is impossible to introduce and sell new breeds of flowers, am just saying that it is kind of difficult to break even as you start.
b. Climatic condition in your location
Each floral groups and herbs have a unique climatic condition that helps them grow well. The flower you chose to grow must be able to survive the climatic condition of the environment where the farm will be located at.
c. Time of the year
This is another factor to consider when making a choice of flower and herbs to sell. Some perfect well at a particular time of the year than other times. So you should consider the time of the year when making a choice of flowers to grow.
Now that you know the factors to consider when starting your business, and also factors for choosing flowers and herbs to grow, it is time to do the cultivation. The process of cultivate will involve both clearing and preparation of the land, planting of the seeds in nurseries and transplanting it to the farm after a certain period.
Target Customers For Flowers and Herbs
Weeding, adding of manure and fertilizers should done as the plant grows and before you know it, it is time for harvesting and selling of the flowers and herbs to the end users. Some of the people you can sell your product to include;
I. Florists (both retailers and wholesalers)
You can contact florists around your area just before the time for cutting the flowers or herbs to notify them of the produce you have for sell and if possible, get samples from different varieties of flowers and herbs you have in stock to show them. You can also supply to wholesalers who will buy in bulk and sell in smaller quantity to retail florist shop owners.
II. Supermarkets
Most supermarkets these days have a section for flowers, herb and related products. You can supply to these supermarkets with a deal that they pay you after they sell the flowers and herbs or they can even buy it from you out rightly.
III. Sales on the farm site
If your flower or herb farm is located in a busy area, some clients can opt to visit your farm and buy from you. Some people love to buy the herbs or flowers while it is still in the nursery and grow it themselves.
IV. Supply to Root Doctors
These are doctors that specialize in experimenting with herbs or produce herbal drugs with herbs. You can visit any of their centers near you with samples of your produce and show them what you have to offer. You may be lucky to land a bigger deal to supply them a large quantity of the herbs at an agreed time.
V. You can also open a floral shop yourself where you will sell your flowers and herbs.
This does not mean that anybody who does not have an interest in flower and its cultivation cannot engage in this business; all it will take is extra dedication from you to get all the information on how to cultivate the particular flower or herbs you want, and capital to get started.
So far, I have been able to discuss all you need to start up a business of growing and selling herbs and flowers on any scale you like; and also talked about where you can supply your end produce to make fast money.