What Would you Stock in a Shop?

[PulpFaction]

My friend that runs a pet shop in the town we live in has offered to let me take over the garden supply part of things so now I have the monumental task of figuring out what to stock.

I don't have a lot of cash to start out with, so I want to get just the basics. I've decided to go with Johnny's Selected Seeds as my seed provider since they have reasonable prices, grow their seeds in a similar climate, have a good retailer's program and can get the stuff here within a week of ordering for a reasonable shipping rate.

I also have leads on seedlings and plants here.

What I really need help on planning is all the other stuff. Tools, the basic potting soils and composts and mulches, fertilizers, pots, flats, etc.

All of this will have to fit in the yard or in a little 8x16 shed which I am renting from her for a steal at $100 per month.

I'm looking at the catalog of garden supplies and I feel OVERWHELMED.

[Ed Norman]

We have a problem with the soil here that hinders fruit trees. The fix is simple with the right fertilizer. I haven't found a shop within 100 miles that has the fertilizer.

Some strange bugs attacked some plants in our greenhouse. County agent gave the name of the pesticide to stop them, said it is common in greenhouses here. But the pesticide sure isn't common here.

If you have some typical widespread problems there, stock the cure.

[Stephen in SOKY]

Bean innoculant. Seriously, go to Lowe's and see what you CAN'T get for your own garden. Off hand folks have trouble finding Dipel, cell insert trays (not kits), quality streile starting medium, if you could sell red, black & green plastic mulch by the foot/yard, floating row cover by the yard or roll, corn gluten meal for organics, treflan and Poast Plus for the rest of us. If you could sell seed by the pound rather than the little packet that would be very appealing: check out pricing at: http://www.jordanseeds.com/

[ksfarmer]

Girdwood, Ak,,, I think I spent about 4 hrs last summer near you when the seward highway turned into a parking lot. LOL. Son in Eagle River complains about lack of topsoil to grow things in. Maybe a good thing to stock would be amendments for building soil in raised beds, and kits to make raised beds.

[MN Gardener]

I would talk to your local extension agency and ask them what people are looking for. I bet they would have all kinds of ideas for you.

[seagullplayer]

Don't know if there is a local garden club, but if so, ask some of them what they have had trouble finding in the past...

Personally I have had trouble finding a hoe I liked, ended up buying an old one from a yard sale.

Keep in mind folks can buy cheap junk anywhere even cheaper than you can sell it, so carry the "good" stuff some folks will settle for nothing less.

[chickenista]

http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Nitrile-.../dp/B00153NDAA

These gloves were actually designed for precision assemblers. Gardeners discovered them and adopted them in a heartbeat. They're pretty easy to find at local garden centers (many of which also carry a heavier cold-weather version), but several on-line retailers stock them.


These are a MUST!!
I love my gloves. They feel so good on your hands. It is almost like they massage.
Your hands do not get hot or sweaty in them and they are tough enough for roses, blackberries or nettles.
These are the best gloves I ahve ever used.

[Marcia in MT]

There have been lots of good suggestions! I woud suggest that whatever tools you decide to stock, get the upper midlevel quality ones -- not cheapo and certainly not the most expensive. Just quality tools that will work right and last. And tools to sharpen tools -- files, etc.

[Ladyhen]

Fish emulsion!