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Top 10 Questions About Growing Garlic For Profit

Many people have questions before they start their own garlic-growing business. Here are 10 FAQs about a garlic-growing business. Think about the questions and answers, and soon you could be on your way to success with your own garlic business:

1. Is garlic really a profitable plant?

It sure is. According to the Fresh Garlic Association, garlic is the second most-used spice in the entire world. Last year alone, Americans consumed over 300 million tons of garlic. That's right, 300 million tons. With prices as high as $7 a pound for gourmet garlic, why not get your share?

2. How do you become a successful grower?

In addition to growing healthy plants you simply need to grow what people want. Toyota needs to make a car people want to drive. Apple needs to make a computer that people like to use. It's the same for your garlic business. Talk to businesses and consumers and find out exactly what varieties of garlic they're looking for. Grow those. It's as simple as that. Hint: Elephant garlic and hard neck garlic are best sellers in most areas.

3. What Ph balance does your soil need to be?

Your garlic needs to grow in healthy soil. Be sure to take care of any weed, pest and other disease problems. In particular, your soil's pH balance should be between 6.2 and 6.8. Have it tested, or test it yourself with a simple tester, and make sure your soil is not too acidic or alkaline.

4. Where can you sell your garlic?

There are many places. The best for small growers include: farmers' markets, roadside stands, mail-order sales, produce brokers, supermarkets, organic food distributors, food co-ops, making value-added products and more.

5. Should you grow in raised beds?

Growing your garlic in raised beds is recommended. A raised bed that is six inches tall and 30 inches wide should do the trick. Raised beds are a better way to grow garlic, because they provide good drainage and allow for closer plant spacing, which can double yield per square foot.

6. How close together can you plant garlic?

In general, you want to plant your garlic as close together as possible. When starting out, that means planting them about four to six inches apart. As you get more experience using raised beds, you might be able to plant them as close together as three inches apart.

7. There are two types of garlic. Which should you grow?

There are two main types of garlic: soft neck and hard neck. Soft neck is what is usually in grocery stores. Hard neck is the type you should be growing. It produces more flavors than soft neck and can grow in colder climates. It also can make you a bigger profit. Elephant garlic is another best-seller.

8. What gardening tools should you have?

These are some of the recommended garden tools that will make growing garlic much easier: a digging fork, hoe, and a lightweight tiller, such as a Mantis.

9. How much does gourmet garlic routinely sell for?

Gourmet garlic, such as elephant garlic or gourmet hard neck varieties, will generally make you more money. Currently, elephant garlic often sells for $7 a pound.

10. What are some good watering tips?

Your garlic will need a lot of water as it grows. Give it the water it needs, but don't over-water your garlic either. In particular, your garlic will need a lot of water between May and July. When it's about two or three weeks away from harvest time, then you should cut way back on watering.

These are the top 10 FAQs about a garlic-growing business. Hopefully the answers will help you to make the profits you've always wanted. To learn more about growing garlic for sale, read Golden Harvest, available at: rel=nofollow http://extraincomebulletin.com.

Craig Wallin is the author of twelve best-selling books about home-based businesses you can start for just a few hundred dollars, and the editor of EXTRA INCOME BULLETIN, an online resource about honest businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more, visit: http://extraincomebulletin.com

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Building Residual Income One Step At A Time

When it comes to building residual income, one step at a time is the best process to follow. You want to make sure that you follow the path that you have chosen and keep to each step. Making money online with residual income is like planting a garden. This is one of the best ways to describe it to those that have not already seen what great affects it can do.

Plant the Seeds to Residual Income

The first step is to get the soil ready and plant the seeds. Now what you do when it comes to planting the seeds of this way of making money online will vary greatly depending on what residual income opportunity that you have chosen. Creating a blog will mean posting on a regular basis good information to help your readers. Niche sites will need pages of content. Affiliate marketing can take on many forms. There are many other opportunities out there and each one will have its own seed that needs to be planted.

Tend to the Plants

As the seeds begin to grow and sprout, you will need to feed and care for them. If you were working in your garden, you would give them water, sun, and plant food to help them along their way. There are ways to tend to your residual income seeds that you have planted. You will want to create backlinks to help you along the road to making money online. You will want to create a presence on the Internet that pertains to what you are doing and how you are going to build passive income. These are just two basic ways to start tending to your garden.

Patience is Key

Just like plants do not bloom and produce food over night, the seeds of your residual income opportunity will not start yielding results right away. You will have to wait for the time to pass and the seeds to mature to see the future that each seed that you have planted has in store for it. Do not give up on the work that you have done. Doing so will just guarantee that there will not be a harvest.

Bring In the Harvest

The money will start to trickle in slowly with your residual income opportunity. This is also the way that gardening works. Soon you will see record earnings day after day that will get you to your goals when it comes to residual income. Not every seed that you have planted will produce food, just like when you are gardening. However, the harvest that you will recieve when it comes to making money online will more then make up for it.

Are you ready to get started in this path to get your [http://www.singlemomfreelancewriting.com/]residual income opportunity under way? You can start making money from home with following the simple strategy that is gardening or building your residual income. All you have to do is to remember to have patience and stay your course to make sure that you see success.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-Residual-Income-One-Step-At-A-Time&id=5542614] Building Residual Income One Step At A Time

Packing Plants for Shipping

Packing plants for shipping
Growing plants in pots is the easiest way to have plants for shipping. If plants are dug from the ground for shipping, they must have all native soil removed from the roots. The tops then have to be cut back to match the amount of root present. If growing plants in pots with artificial media, this doesn't need to be done. Remove the plant from the pot... to use the pot over and to decrease the weight for shipping, knock as much soil off the root ball that will come loose easily. Then, wrap the root ball in wet paper towel, then saran wrap, and then roll the whole thing up in newspaper. If it seems like the plant is still too heavy, break up the root ball a little and shake as much soil from the roots as will come off. If it still is very heavy, swish the root ball around in a bucket of water to remove more soil. Be sure to cut the plant back by about half. Do not remove soil or cut back tomatoes or African violets. They are usually light enough to ship as they are. The African violets need special packing and that will be addressed in another article or e-book.

Shipping
Choose only those plants that are in tip top condition to ship. Spending up to 3 days in a box is very hard on them and you need good sturdy plants to handle the trip. Plants must get to their destination as quickly as possible. I suggest using the US postal service priority mail. Most times, the plants arrive in 2 days, 3 at the most. Shipping on Sat. insures the plants arrive on Monday even coast to coast. Mail moves 24/7/365 and there isn't any business mail on the weekends so everything moves through the system quicker. I don't like the plants to be in transit any more than 3 days so the customer does not have to struggle to save it. Offer a live delivery guarantee and offer to replace or refund if the plants arrive dead. Pictures must accompany their claim. Of the thousands of plants I have shipped over the years, I have not had to replace very many. Include some type of directions on how to help the plant recover from the shipping. The following is directions on how to take care of the plant when it arrives. You may use these directions or can come up with something of your own using the same info.

Plants that spend up to 3 days in a dark box need a little TLC when they arrive. Take them out of the box, remove any damaged leaves or stems. If they are very dry, soak them for a couple of hours in warm water. If in need of water, just pot up and water. Pot up in any good soil media or plant outside if danger of frost is past. Because their foliage has become tender in the dark box, keep the plants in bright light but not direct sun for the first day or so. If outside, shade in some way. The second or third day, let them have a few hours of morning sun. The next day after that, a few more hours, and by the 4th day, let them have as much sun as they are supposed to like. Keep well watered during establishment. If they should wilt during the day, and not recover at night, cut the plants back further. If the plants grow in rosettes, remove some of the outer leaves.

The cost of shipping is paid in advance by the customer at the time of purchase. The difficult part is trying to figure out how much something weighs. Shipping cost is calculated by weight and the distance it will travel. rel=nofollow [http://postcalc.usps.gov/]Postage Price Calculator is on the website of the US Postal Service. Plug in the depart zip code and arrival zip code and the weight and see the options. Choose the priority mail shipping. Do not be tempted to use the flat rate boxes. They just aren't the correct size to allow good, sturdy packing of the boxes. In regard to boxes, one can scavenge boxes from stores but the easiest is to order priority mail boxes. Post offices do not offer the best sizes in their lobbies and it's best to order the correct sizes on line at rel=nofollow [http://www.usps.com/]USPS Online Store. You will need to create an account but don't worry, priority mail shipping boxes are free. The best sizes for plant shipping are the number 4's which are 7x7x6, number 7's which are 12x12x8. Another one that is handy for taller plants is the shoe box. It measures 14x7x5.

When packing the boxes, keep in mind the following. The plants need cushioning from bumps and drops and insulation from cold and heat. A good material to use is paper shred for packing material. Wadded up newspaper can be used, packing peanuts, etc. Put a layer on the bottom, lay in a layer of plants, then arrange more on top of them. Then pack firmly, but not too tight and not too loose, more shred on the sides and top. Make sure there is at least an inch of shred between the plants and the side of the box. The test to see if they are packed well is to close the top and shake the box. You should not hear anything moving. Put in the directions and a gift. I like to give seeds as a gift or sometimes if I have a lot of the same plants, I include an extra plant. This makes customers very happy and it costs you practically nothing. Happy customers are returning customers. Happy customers recommend you to others. Tape up the box. If it is very hot or going to a very hot place, drill a dozen or so holes in the box for ventilation. Do not do this in cooler weather.

There are a couple of ways to address the box. I prefer using on line postage payment which allows you to pay for the postage and get a shipping label printed. If you have a website, the site usually has a way of doing this. If not and the payment was through paypal, you can pay and print through your account. If not, you have to print the address and take the package to the post office to be weighed and pay for the postage. I bought a little postal scale from the post office and it is probably on line in their shopping area as well. It was about $35. This allows me to weigh the boxes to get the correct shipping. Always round up no matter if the weight is only a.1 over. For example, if the package weighs 1.1lbs, it must be calculated as 2 lbs.

Get delivery confirmation at the time the postage is paid for either online or at the post office. It is generally free online. Send the tracking number to the customer. This allows them to check on the status of the package as well as the seller to know when it arrived.

This concludes the series of articles written for selling and shipping plants online. [http://www.maniplantsandmalas.com]Mani Plants and Malas is a website which sells perennial plants, seeds, medicinal herb plants, African violets, carnivorous plants, malas which are Buddhist prayer beads, and information in the form of ebooks and e-articles. Ebooks and articles will be on an array of subjects including gardening, pest management, organic growing and non plant topics as well. [http://allthingsplant.blogspot.com/]All Things Plant Blog is the author's blog. Articles, links, growing tips, all things plants.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Packing-Plants-for-Shipping&id=5428906] Packing Plants for Shipping

Shipping Plants After Selling Plants

How to figure what to charge for shipping.

It is tempting to add a handling charge, but I don't suggest it. From a buyer's point of view, it adds cost and between the shipping and handling charge, it may very well make the item no longer desirable. Shipping is so darn expensive, it's better to leave the customer with more money to buy plants and seeds. The customer also won't feel gouged by the high cost of shipping AND handling and are more likely to become repeat customers.

Plants must ship by a service that has delivery time of no more than 3 days. Any longer in a box, and it's more difficult to bring them back to excellent health. I have had good results with USPS Priority Mail. They also offer free priority mail shipping boxes and supplies which may be ordered online. Usually, there are priority mail boxes in the lobby of post offices but they are flat rate boxes. They are not as suitable for shipping plants because of the size and dimensions. It is best to order boxes online from their website. The best sizes are the number 4, 7 and shoebox. They allow plenty of room for plant(s) and packing material to keep the plant insulated from heat,cold and excessive rough handling.

Figuring out how much things might weigh takes some practice and just trying it and seeing what the actual weight is. One plant may fit nicely in the number 4 box and weigh less than a pound. Several tall plants may be able to go in a shoebox and that might weigh over a pound. A number 7 box filled with plants may weigh up to 3 lbs. or more. If in doubt, you can always go to the next higher rate and if the actual shipping is significantly less than that either refund the difference or toss in extra plants. Refunding over payment of shipping first shocks customers and then it encourages loyalty. You can also give a store credit for over payment. Once you have the weight of the box, it's plugged into the shipping section of the eBay listing, Bonanzle, or website and when the customer checks out, shipping cost is calculated from the zip codes.

The address labels can be paid for and printed online through the USPS, PayPal, eBay, and through some website set ups. Or, it can be hand written and taken to the post office to be weighed. If done online, an added advantage is that pick up from the post office can be arranged or it's a simple matter of walking into the post office and handing the items over.

NOTE: no matter what way you make out the address labels, make sure you get delivery confirmation, either at the time it is weighed at the post office or online. It is free for packages online through the post office or PayPal. Send the confirmation number to the person and they can track it. It also gives the seller great peace of mind because they have proof they sent the package and there is proof of whether or not it was delivered. The buyer appreciates it as well.

Shipping plants internationally.

First, a PayPal account is absolutely necessary for doing international business. This allows the buyer to pay in his/her currency and the seller gets paid in their currency. Some credit card companies will do international transactions, but PayPal does them all. This is done without any effort on the part of either the buyer or seller. Fees for PayPal transactions are paid by the seller, which is a small percentage of the total transaction. It is a safe method of paying and accepting money because the seller never sees the buyers account information and the seller has the money deposited into their account.

Plants can be shipped internationally but it is risky. Time required in transit and getting through inspection in customs may cause the plants to die. In addition, they need to be phyto-certified which means they were inspected and found free from pests and disease. A paper is issued which must be on the box during shipment. If a box does not have this, the plants are confiscated and destroyed. Getting this certificate costs money and there is no guarantee the plants get to their destination in a timely fashion. Dogs, particularly beagles are used in many countries, and now states, to find plant material so unmarked boxes may not get through either. I own a beagle. They are noses with feet. They live to sniff and she constantly amazes us with her olfactory acuteness.

Seeds are much easier to ship and get into countries. Every country has its own standards but Australia has the strictest. I make it the responsibility of the customer to find out if certain species are allowed and I will not change the names of the seeds so they can get them. I also make it known that I am not responsible for replacement if the seeds are confiscated. All that is required on your end is to fill out a customs form at the post office. It's a small bit of in triplicate papers with a declaration of what is inside and its value. It is not complicated and costs nothing and it must be on the package. I have shipped seeds all around the world and charge $3.00 US for an unlimited amount of seeds.

NOTE: If you have carnivorous plants, it is not legal to ship them or their seeds out of the country unless you have all the proper documentation to show they were not taken from the wild. All of the carnivorous plants are considered endangered and their movement is strictly scrutinized.

U.S. Shipping Restrictions.

There are a few states that have very strict standards for allowing plant material in. California, Arizona, and Hawaii all have strict regulations and rightly so. California and Arizona grow most of the nation's food and seed crops. They do not want pests brought in that may ruin an industry or cause a food shortage. Hawaii is a state which has issues of alien species disrupting the ecosystems. California and Arizona require phyto-certification, which is paperwork and inspections, to certify the material is free from pests. Beagles are employed to sniff out packages containing plant material which is not properly documented. Those packages are confiscated and destroyed. [http://www.maniplantsandmalas.com]Mani Plants and Malas is a website which sells perennial plants, seeds, medicinal herb plants, African violets, carnivorous plants, malas which are Buddhist prayer beads, and information in the form of ebooks and e-articles. Ebooks and articles will be on an array of subjects including gardening, pest management, organic growing and non plant topics as well. The latest e-book is [http://www.maniplantsandmalas.com/servlet/the-e-dsh-books-and-e-dsh-articles/...]Starting A Plant and Seed Business.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Shipping-Plants-After-Selling-Plants&id=5417692] Shipping Plants After Selling Plants

Selling Plants on Line, The Basics

Here in NY state, there are two essential bits of paperwork you need in order to do business. One is the certificate of authority which allows you to collect sales tax and the other is a nursery license issued by Agriculture and Markets. Selling without this license opens you to fines. In other states, check with state agencies to see what you need to do to be in business. The license is $100 for 2 years. An inspector comes and inspects your plants to make sure you are not trying to sell diseased or infested plants. They also check to make sure what the source of your plant material is so they can monitor whether or not you are bringing possible pests into the state. When selling seeds, there are certain things that must be on the label. The inspector will tell you what is needed.

Once the legalities are done, you can begin to sell. Local venues are ok, but I found them not to be very satisfactory. I live in a village and zoning prohibits a business in residential areas. I get around this by not selling from the property. I sell strictly on line. You can also do community events that allow you to sell for a "table" fee but I will be honest. It is a pain to do it this way. You have to lug all of the plants to the event along with enough water to keep them hydrated while they are there. Then, you hope you've sold enough to make the table fee, and then you drag them back home. It is much easier to sell on line using one or more of several venues.

There are several online venues and I suggest you use as many of them as possible. Online auctions such as eBay can be quite profitable. A site called Bonanza, although new to the market place, is showing promise in attracting customers. On Bonanza, it is free to list as many items as you wish. Customers can buy the item out right or make offers for your consideration. Bonanza takes a small fee when an item is sold. Your own website is also a possibility. If you are computer savvy and can build your own, that's great. I'm barely literate when it comes to computers and so chose a ProStore, a company of eBay, which provides a template to set up the site. I am not totally happy with the way the service is provided and may be changing to one of the free sites. With some template sites, you are charged a fee to have the site. There are also free website templates like eCrater which you only pay when you want an upgrade to get more features. Ebay selling involves fees to list, fees taken when the item sells, and store fees if you have an eBay store. Prices for the products have to be high enough to cover the fees and still leave some left over to make you money. There are protections on Ebay for buyers and sellers and once you've earned a reputation as a decent seller to deal with, more customers are attracted.

No matter what way you sell online, if you haven't all ready created a Paypal account, I highly suggest you do so. I like the convenience of it as well as the protection. Customers can pay with their accounts, their credit card or checking account, even without a Paypal account. It is essentially guaranteed money. You don't ship until the payment clears. They also charge a small fee per transaction but it is more than worth it. It is absolutely essential to have Paypal if plan to sell internationally. If you sell to someone in Europe, they pay with Euros and you get paid in dollars. Selling to the world increases customer base...by a lot. I've shipped seeds all over the world and sometimes, international sales outpace domestic ones. It definitely is a good idea to sell internationally. I will go into this aspect in depth in another article.

Whichever venue(s) you choose, spend some time investigating how other sellers set up their listings and what price they are asking for their plants and seeds. Then decide what you will ask for your products. What do you put in the listings? Information such as life cycle (annual, biennial, perennial), latin name, which USDA zones will it do well in (can be found on the web), a description of the plant and flowers, how tall will it grow, light, water, and soil requirements, and it's uses. Be careful not to diagnose or prescribe because many states will prosecute if they think you are practicing medicine or pharmacy without a license. Wording such as: "I've seen references", "traditionally used", or "personal experience" with the herb is ok. If the plant is poisonous or harmful in some way, that should be stated. I have a disclaimer, in all my listings, which clearly states use of the plant is the responsibility of the buyer.

One thing that is absolutely necessary when listing plants and seeds is pictures. Good pictures sell the plant for you. If it flowers, catch it in bloom. If it is just ornamental, catch it when it is at its best. Tomato pictures should include the whole tomato and one sliced open. There are sites on the web to obtain pictures but you shouldn't take someone's photos without their permission and particularly if they are copyrighted. All the selling sites I have mentioned have some way of uploading pictures. You can take regular photographs and scan them in or the easiest way is to have a digital camera. The photos can be manipulated in any way you wish, made larger, smaller, text included, etc, and they are easily uploaded to the sites. [http://www.maniplantsandmalas.com]Mani Plants and Malas. is a website which sells perennial plants, seeds, medicinal herb plants, African violets, carnivorous plants, malas which are Buddhist prayer beads, and information in the form of ebooks and e-articles. Ebooks and articles will be on an array of subjects including gardening, pest management, organic growing and non plant topics as well. [http://allthingsplant.blogspot.com/]All Things Plant Blog.

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How To Grow Flower Bulbs For Profit

The average bulb grower in Holland sells almost $200,000 worth of bulbs every year, most to cut flower growers who use the bulbs for growing flowers, then toss them out and buy new ones the next year. The Dutch bulb growers have found flower bulbs are one of the most profitable plants.

Flower bulbs are one of the best crops for the specialty flower grower who is growing for profit. Besides being easy to grow, most bulbs multiply rapidly with proper care. "Bulb" is a general term used to describe both true bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, and other underground food storehouses called corms (crocus), rhizomes (iris) and tubers.

For the commercial grower, bulbs that are forced to flower out of season are especially profitable. Forcing simulates natural conditions to cause bulbs to bloom months before the normal cycle. The secret of forcing is to plant early enough to allow the bulb time to develop a sturdy root system. Popular flowers for forcing include: Daffodils for Christmas, Tulips for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, Hyacinth for Valentine's Day, and Dutch crocus for January.

CANNA. These popular large perennials, with their lush tropical foliage and gladiolus-like flowers make borders and planting beds come alive with their vivid colors. Cannas also bloom all through the summer until the first frost. Cannas prefer a fertile, well-drain loam. If your soil is poor, it can be improved by adding compost, dry cow manure and bone meal. Plant about 2 inches deep in a sunny location with a spacing of 12 to 24 inches between plants. Harvest after the first frost, when the leaves die back. The Canna spreads by underground runners called rhizomes. Lift and divide the rhizomes, discarding old growth. Store over the winter in peat moss or sand.

CROCUS. The crocus is the best known springtime flowering bulb. Hardy in almost all areas, most boom in early spring, but some species will bloom in the fall. The hybrids, also called Dutch crocus, are the most vigorous and popular for forcing into early bloom in pots. The non-hybrids bloom earlier and have unusual coloration. Crocus prefer sun or light shade, and a light porous soil. Set the corms 2 to 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. The crocus tend to multiply almost as fast as rabbits, but a commercial grower can accelerate the process even more by root division or by inducing lateral buds. Any good book on plant propagation can show you the specific method. My favorite propagation book is: Secrets of Plant Propagation by Lewis Hill.

DAFFODILS. This hardy perennial originated in Europe and has become one of the most popular bulbs, partly because of their virtual immunity to diseases and pests. Even gophers hate daffodil bulbs! Daffodils are excellent for naturalizing, with vigorous growth, long life and an abundance of flowers. All daffodils are members of the genus Narcissus, and are usually grouped into 12 divisions according to their shape. Daffodils are easy to grow. They prefer a well drained soil and full sun or a semi shade. Bulbs should be planted early in the fall, space about 8 inches apart, and 4 to 6 inches deep. They should be most in areas with severe winters. Bulbs naturally divide in half each year, so to help the process along, you simply remove one half and plant it elsewhere.

GLADIOLUS. A popular cut flower, glads have an extremely wide color range and bloom from spring to fall, depending on the time of planting. The newer varieties of garden gladiolus have spikes and will stand upright without staking. Glads prefer a rich sandy soil, full sun and frequent watering. Glads develop up to 50 "cormels", which are miniature corms produced between the new corm and the disintegrating old corm. Collect the cormels when the corm is lifted from the ground before winter. Store them below 40� in a dry frost free area with good circulation. Soak any cormels that have become dry in tap water for a day or two before planting. Cormels will normally take two years to mature. Planting the first bulbs in early spring and then every week will provide blooms through out the summer. Plant the corms about four times deeper than their height.

IRIS. a large and diverse group of about 200 species, varying in form, color, growing requirements and methods of propagation. The best known groups are the crested, the beardless, and the bearded, all three spreading by rhizomes-underground runners. One variety, the roof Iris, was traditionally planted in the thatched roofs of Japanese homes. Iris must have a rich, well-drained soil, as it will not tolerate wet feet. Planting depth is critical. The rhizomes should be barely covered with soil. Rhizomes should be planted between July and October, and space about 12 to 18 inches apart. The best time to divide rhizomes is just after flowering.

LILIES. One of the most varied garden plants, the lilies are sometimes called "the glories of the garden." Their large clusters of brightly colored regal flowers bloom from July through September with a lovely fragrance. About 60 years ago, breeders developed many new hybrids which were healthier, hardier and easier to grow. as a result it is now possible to grow healthy bulbs in large commercial quantities with a minimum of problems. Lilies are generally easy to grow. They prefer a deep well-drained soil with ample moisture throughout the year. Planting in filtered sunlight brings out the colors and makes the blossoms last longer. Plant the bulbs 4 to 8 inches deep, and 12 inches apart.

HYACINTH. This lovely flower originated in the Mediterranean area, and is known for its lovely perfume. The Hyacinth is popular for forcing in the winter months. It must have a well drained soil or the bulb will rot out. In northern climates, bulbs should be planted in September or October. In milder climates, plant in October through December. Set the bulbs as deep as their diameter, and 6 to 12 inches apart.

TULIP. The tulip was once a holy flower in Turkey and Iran, where it originated. The name comes from the Turkish word for turban. A few centuries later, during the great Dutch tulip mania, bulb prices spiraled up and up until a single bulb was worth its weight in gold! Fortunately for us, prices are more realistic now, and everyone can enjoy the Tulip rainbow of colors. Tulips always do best in a rich loam that is perfectly drained. They prefer full sun, but will settle for less. Planting new bulbs 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart will ensure both an ample supply of new bullets and excellent flowering quality for selling cut flowers. Shallow planting leads to undersized bulbs and flowers the next year. To produce large bulbs for sale in quantities, you should lift, divide, and store your bulbs each June. Use a garden fork and TLC to avoid injuring the bulbs.

MARKETING FLOWER BULBS. Most small scale growers have found that quality bulbs at a fair price sell out quickly. Try small newspaper ads and postcard ads on local bulletin boards. Be sure to mention your address and prices. You can sell your cut flowers to local florists and individuals. Your local Saturday market is another great sales outlet.

Grade your bulbs by size, and package in clear plastic ventilated bags, as pre-packaged bulbs will sell faster. Label each bag with price, color and variety.
Sell 12 large were 18 medium for the same price.
Have an instruction sheet for each customer on how to grow great flowers. A satisfied customer will come back next year... And the next.
Offer packages of bulbs that grow and bloom in sequence all spring and summer.
Give your customers an extra bulb with each dozen. Nothing pleases a customer more than getting something for nothing!
Sell forced- bulb plants early in the spring through local florists, grocery stores and garden centers.
Sell your smaller bulbs by the pound to local gardeners who enjoy growing their own bulbs.
If you decide to specialize in unique varieties, consider mail-order. Try a small classified ad in a national or regional gardening magazine.

To learn more about the business of flower growing, read: Growing Flowers For Profit, available at: rel=nofollow http://extraincomebulletin.com

Craig Wallin is the author of twelve best-selling books about home-based businesses you can start for just a few hundred dollars, and the editor of EXTRA INCOME BULLETIN, an online resource about honest businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more, visit: http://extraincomebulletin.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Grow-Flower-Bulbs-For-Profit&id=5112954] How To Grow Flower Bulbs For Profit

No Such Thing As True "Autopilot Riches"?

One of the biggest misconceptions in internet marketing involves the primary research you must do in order to succeed in any niche. Usually, all we hear about is keywords, keywords, keywords. Well, keywords are important - and we will get to that - but the first thing you must do is make a strong, personal connection with every individual in your target market.

Sometimes, if you're really new, there is a sharp learning curve as you learn to operate the other necessary programs, methods or systems you need for your business. But it's well worth the effort to go that step further to creating passive income from as many sources as possible, because once you've set up your passive income plants, with just a little watering now and then, you really can make steady autopilot profit.

How many sites you set up: To put it into perspective, if you plant one tomato plant, that little plant might give off a bumper crop of tomatoes to eat at home - but 50 plants would give you enough to sell at a roadside stand. So it is with passive income: The more ventures you have working for you, the more income keeps flooding in.

Which particular passive income method you choose: Some are better than others at producing a high sales or profit yield - but no matter what method you decide on, there are actions you can take to dramatically increase the amount of income your chosen method is capable of generating for you. (And it's important to suit the method and the media to the campaign.)

Here's an idea for you... once you've built up your list with your holy-Wow passive income product, you can concentrate on becoming a super affiliate yourself.

You'll quickly see why that first super affiliate you approached is interested in higher-ticket items, when considering JV's - but you'll also see that, first and foremost, she was concerned with what would please and excite her list.

Being a super affiliate is like any other job: You need to "practice" and stick with it until what is at first a struggle becomes an easy, familiar routine. (And - like any other 9-5 job you've worked at - it will become easy and familiar, if you just stick with it, and don't give up.)

On your way to being a super affiliate, you really can be making significant sums of income - perhaps even duplicating your monthly salary in a week - or a day - once your affiliate ball is rolling smoothly.

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How to Make Money Growing Ground Covers

Many people love to garden for fun. But what you probably didn't know was that you can make good money growing plants for profit, especially in the large variety of niche markets available. One of those, growing ground covers, can bring you the type of profits you've always dreamed about.

Ground covers are just that, basically any plant that covers the ground. The start-up costs are reasonable, and you stand to make one of the highest per-square-foot incomes for a backyard nursery. So what do ground covers do? They help control the threat of erosion and weeds, and they reduce the amount of water needed to keep the land healthy.

There are currently hundreds of plants that can be used as ground covers. Don't worry, you don't have to grow all of them to succeed as a plant grower. Instead, focus on a few. The "Big Four" include: English Ivy, Pachysandra, Vinca and Winter Creeper. If you're starting out and are unsure just what to grow, consider visiting your local retail nursery and see what they're stocking. Ask around. What are people looking for? What grows well in your area? Are there any specialty plants that seem like the perfect fit for you? It might take some experimentation, but you'll find what works best soon enough.

Here are some highly-recommended ground covers that you might want to try:

Astilbe - a perennial that provides delicate flowers in the spring.

Erica (Heath) - a low-growing plant that requires hardly any maintenance.

Hedera (Ivy) - a hardy Evergreen plant that spreads rapidly. "Thorndale" and "Baltic are two of the most popular English Ivy varieties.

Iberis (Candytuft) - a very popular ground cover for rock gardeners.

Chamaemelum Nobile (Chamomile) - an evergreen ground cover that is widely used in Europe. The flowers make for a soothing tea.

After your plants are ready to be sold, now what? Let's get selling! The most profitable way is to sell directly to the public. Retail sales get you paid now, instead of waiting months, which can be the case with wholesaling. You can also have a "wholesale day," where you sell your groundcovers at a discounted price. Having a big sale could bring some big crowds. Make sure you have plant labels and that all your plants are labeled with the correct type and price. You need to be ready for those big crowds, so make things easier on yourself by having all your plants labeled and grouped.

Looking for another profitable way to sell your plants? Try mail-order sales. Since ground covers are a niche market, many people are looking for a wider selection than what is available at their local garden center. That's why they turn to mail-order to find what they want. Put together a web site, flyer or free catalog, and try to get it in as many potential customers' hands as possible. Soon you could be sending your plants through the mail and getting big profits in return.

You can be making money with ground covers in no time. Grow what people want, and then be sure to let everyone know what you have for sale. You could be the grower everyone calls on. So get growing!

To learn more, read How to Start a Profitable Backyard Plant Nursery, available at: rel=nofollow http://extraincomebulletin.com Craig Wallin is the author of twelve best-selling books about home-based businesses you can start for just a few hundred dollars, and the editor of EXTRA INCOME BULLETIN, an online resource about honest businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more, visit: http://extraincomebulletin.com

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Seven Ways to Profit Growing Landscaping Plants

Growing plants for profit is a great way to turn your love of gardening into extra cash or a profitable career. Your backyard nursery can become the one-stop profit center that you've always dreamed of. Here are seven ways you can profit from growing landscaping plants:

1. Ground covers

Ground covers do just that - they're flowers or plants that densely cover an area of ground. Ground covers help reduce erosion, control weeds and reduce the need for watering. Plus, they're easy to grow and are big sellers. Some popular types include Hedera (ivy) and Hypericum (St John's Wort).

2. Shrubs and trees

Growing shrubs and trees can bring you some high profits. Try Azaleas, flowering shrubs, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, firs and more. Find out what your local retail nursery is stocking, and those just might be the shrubs and trees you want to grow yourself. Or better yet, offer shrubs and trees, such as exotic or unusual varieties, that these retail nurseries don't offer. If you're the only place in town to get a certain type of shrub or tree, then you could see a lot of business coming your way.

3. Table-top Christmas trees

More and more people are living in apartments and condos and don't have room for a full-sized Christmas tree. That's why you could make some nice money growing table-top Christmas trees. Two varieties, in particular, are widely used: Elwood cedar and Italian stone pine.

4. Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses are called "ornamental" because of their special color or form. Landscapers love them because of how versatile they are. They can be used as specimen plants, near ponds or streams and several other ways. For a first-time grower, they're ideal, because few insects and diseases bother them, and you can start selling crops in just one season.

5. Bonsai

Bonsai is the popular Japanese method, which involves stunting trees and shrubs without altering the natural appearance. You can find bonsai plants in three types: starter plants, trained plants and specimen plants. Prices vary based on size, what type of bonsai and the overall appearance.

6. Hpertufa

Hypertufa is an artificial stone that's quite simple to make. Mix three parts Portland cement, four parts peat and five parts perlite. Put the finished mix in a container along with a plant, and you're on your way to a big seller. It's a great way to sell a $3 plant for $20.

7. Trellised plants

You can add value to a plant by training it on a simple trellis, as opposed to a stake. How does making double the original amount sound? You can make a trellis by taking cedar fencing boards, ripping them into narrow strips and using an electric stapler or brad nailer. This is a good idea to do for bigger pot sizes, as a trellis can provide stability.

These are seven ways to profit from growing landscaping plants. Try some. See what works for you. Soon those big profits will be coming your way.

To learn more, read How to Start a Profitable Backyard Plant Nursery, available at: rel=nofollow http://extraincomebulletin.com

Craig Wallin is the author of twelve best-selling books about home-based businesses you can start for just a few hundred dollars, and the editor of EXTRA INCOME BULLETIN, an online resource about honest businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more, visit: http://extraincomebulletin.com

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Zija Drink Uncovered - Lead Generation System is the Secret Sauce

Zija develops natural products using the newly discovered wonder plant Moringa. Their mission is to help people lead healthier more productive lives with Zija and Zija drink, developed as a unique blend of the miracle plant Moringa. This proprietary blend contains a complete plant protein, antioxidants, essential omega oils, and numerous vitamins and minerals.

Humanitarian organizations around the world are advocating the use of Moringa in poverty stricken regions in an effort to fight malnutrition. A fast-growing, drought resistant plant, Moringa is packed with vitamins and nutrients making it the perfect plant for underdeveloped drought stricken countries.

Scientists, biochemists, and health care professionals have been actively documenting an amazing range of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients found in the Moringa plant. It is rumored to be effective in creating rapid improvements in skin, digestion, eyesight, mental clarity and overall well being. It has also been reported to reduce symptoms associated with fatigue, arthritic conditions, and aging. This certainly appears to be a wonder plant for the ages.

After learning of the amazing effects of Moringa "the most nutrient-rich plant ever discovered" the founders of the company marveled at the plant and created Zija and amazingly nutritious dietary supplement. Zija's original is the smart drink filled with antioxidants and vital proteins. It is the first and only company to package Moringa's unique benefits into a drink that is refreshing and perfect for everyday use. They also offer a ready mix drink, a unique energy drink packed with nutrients. The plant is so amazing Zija has even developed an entire line of revolutionary skin care products.

Zija has gone one step farther in its business model, staying true to its vision of helping people live healthier more productive lives, by offering a business opportunity to its customers. It gives them the opportunity to become distributors and the ability to make money marketing a product they already love.

With that said it there anything Zija can't do? Who wouldn't want to make money marketing something they love and use to the people they care about most. At first glance, it appears to be a great idea and a way to make a lot of money. Truthfully, it is. However, building a network marketing organization has a lot more to it than just pestering your best friend and Uncle Phil. The warm market is not dead, contrary to popular belief. It is a vital factor for achieving early results in any network marketing or direct selling endeavor.

Here is where it all falls apart. What happens when a Zija distributor runs out of people to talk to? First, the warm market will be kind, but most will not be interested. Maybe a few will and that would be like freebies. So, what next? Cold calling, buying bunk leads, flyers, rejection, security being called? Plain and simple, this is where most who get this far fail or grind on for years eking out a meager or nonexistent profit out of the business. Yet, every quarter they see the newest super star making the big money. What is the difference?

To make money in this industry, regardless of the product, one must be a recruiting machine. The superstars are no different than anyone else. They just have lead generation systems in place that give them a constant supply of people to talk to that are eager to join their business. If a distributor can do that, they are set.

Thousands of marketers from companies around the world have discovered the power of the internet and the ability to reach millions of people at the push of a button. Zija distributors do not have to struggle. All they need to do is to learn a few skills, that their upline is just not equipped to teach them, which could explode their business.

Success in Zija and marketing Zija drink is possible if a new distributor is willing to invest the time, effort, and yes money into educating themselves and learning new skills. The company has a lucrative compensation plan in place for those that have a reliable lead generation system and are capable of sponsoring numerous distributors. However, to make the money a distributor must be a recruiting machine.

Recruiting machines have coaches and learn from those that have already been there and done that and have a steady supply of eager prospects. The key to success in Zija is exactly what the pro's have, a reliable lead generation system, a professional coach, and an inextinguishable drive to succeed. Now go turn network marketing upside down.

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