How To Start Greenhouse Business – Planning is always important when starting a new business, and anyone considering a microgreens business is encouraged to heed that sage advice. Proper planning makes it much easier to determine the types and quantities of microgreens to grow and how to market them.
Like any business, selling microgreens doesn’t just happen. If you are new to growing microgreens, it is vital to determine if local restaurants, co-ops, grocery stores, and farmers market customers are interested in purchasing microgreens.
How To Start Greenhouse Business
Growers of microgreens have found that local restaurants are prime candidates for their produce. Many types of microgreens are used for side dishes, salads and creating unique dishes. Presentation is a major concern for chefs everywhere, and microgreens offer a great way to increase the appeal of menu items.
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Food cooperatives are always looking for fresh, quality products to offer their members. Locally produced microgreens tend to be quickly picked up by health-conscious shoppers who value using the best produce available. If the microgreens are organic, even better!
Even local grocery stores prefer to source products locally when possible. This means that anyone who can consistently produce quality products will often have a ready customer waiting for them. If you are not sure about the interest of the local market, simply ask the production manager about the potential of selling your microgreens directly in the store.
Finally, stop by your local market to determine how busy your local market is and how many others are currently selling microgreens. Even if there are a few people selling them, if you have a large, robust marketplace, there can be many buyers to go around.
A successful microgreen business owner should carefully monitor all income and expenses. The only way to develop a truly profitable business is to understand basic accounting concepts and record every expense. I really like the “profit first” accounting method popularized by the book of the same name:
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Before diving deep into sales and financial management, most people who grow microgreens for sale start small to learn the growing process and determine if growing microgreens is really something they would like to do. It’s also easier to start working part-time and hold down other jobs until it’s clear that the job will generate the income needed to support your lifestyle.
While it’s possible to track income and expenses using simple ledgers, it’s generally easier to use some type of computerized bookkeeping system like Quickbooks or Wave. Modern digital bookkeeping makes it possible to generate business reports, track expenses and income, prepare taxes, and evaluate various metrics to determine what types of changes will ensure higher revenues in the future.
Like any type of cultivation, the microgreens business requires a certain amount of adequate space. While you won’t need a lot of land or large machinery, the basics will be needed.
Every microgreens grower must provide light, water and a temperature-controlled environment to grow quality produce. Depending on local weather conditions, a simple greenhouse can provide adequate space and light for most of the year, but most microgreen growers will choose to build an indoor grow room to give you more control over growing conditions. Some type of irrigation system will be required to allow the growth cycles to occur, and we recommend installing a water pipe connected to a hose inside your grow room.
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Since microgreens tend to be sensitive to temperature, a heat source may also be necessary in the cold winter months to create room in the mid-70s to grow some heat-loving crops like sunflowers and basil. For this we recommend a basic space heater made of thermal pads like this one which is big enough for 4 1020 trays:
In the summer, it is important to keep the temperature in the grow room below 80 F and to keep the humidity low, ideally in the 40-50% range. Reducing humidity will help prevent mold and other diseases. For this we recommend a high-quality dehumidifier such as this one:
We’ve already talked about researching some of the best local buyers, but there’s another way to increase your chances of success with your microgreens business. It is to adapt the crops to the demands of the local market rather than trying to grow the variety of superior microgreens that people usually seek.
Local chefs may request exotic varieties such as Dark Opal Basil or Bulls Blood Beets or Red Garnet Amaranth to add a splash of color to plates. The best way to determine what needs exist is to do a little research. Go out and talk to the chefs, ask them what they are looking for and how you can help them.
Young Smiling Man Picking Pepper In The Basket In The Greenhouse And Smiling For Vegetables He Planted As Small Business Start Up Stock Photo
Visit local restaurants to find out which types of microgreens are already readily available in the area and which are difficult to find. The trick here is to focus on those that other providers don’t currently offer. Because the growing cycles of microgreens are so short, it’s generally not complicated to start seeds that will quickly produce a more profitable crop. But keep in mind that some of these exotic varieties can also be much more demanding to grow. If you’re going to go this route, plan on lots of experimentation and crop failure along the way. Also be prepared to charge high prices for these premium varieties.
If you want to speed up your learning curve, you can sign up for our online course called Microgreens Business, which includes cheat sheets for all varieties of microgreens, including challenging exotic crops. You can learn more about the program by signing up for the webinar.
Remember that needs and tastes are constantly changing. This means that microgreens that are in demand during the spring months may not be popular during the warmer days of summer. While most prefer to grow the same microgreens, generating top profits will require following current trends and providing products that customers in the area need.
Every customer wants to feel that the products they buy are of top quality and that the supplier takes care of their needs. That’s why any successful microgreen grower will closely monitor the quality of their crops and make sure orders are delivered when the customer needs them.
Things To Consider When Building Your Own Greenhouse
Restaurants, for example, may offer weekly specials that call for more basil or mustard, or use only a few greens on weekends. They want microgreens to be delivered when needed so they are always fresh and attractive. This can be challenging to adjust to order changes and additions on the fly, but as you expand to a larger operation, you’ll be able to grow a little extra and have a buffer for last-minute accommodations.
Price is important to the customers of your microgreens, but quality products will always have an advantage over items that have been picked and stored for days. When they last longer and therefore have less waste, customers can actually save money in the end buying your more expensive product. This is one of the reasons why local grocers, restaurants and food co-ops will buy from local producers when possible. But they will quickly move away from microgreen producers who do not deliver high quality products.
Careful planning is just as important on a daily basis as it is when starting a new microgreens business. Although there is some leeway in the plant-to-table schedule, the best microgreens growers will always ensure that most of their produce is harvested as close as possible to the day it is intended to be consumed by the end customer.
If you’re looking for more ways to provide exceptional service and value to your customers, check out this article:
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Every new venture requires a certain knowledge base in order to be successful. Microgreen cultivation is no exception. That’s why potential growers are encouraged to take the time to research the business before jumping in. While there are great opportunities for microgreen farmers, it’s easy to fail when careful planning takes a back seat to enthusiasm.
A wealth of information is available on the internet for beginners in microgreens. Much of this information has value, but not all of it will suit the needs of every individual looking for a future as a microgreens grower.
Choose your location, equipment and starting crops carefully. Slow down by trimming one trim and then adding the next – one layer at a time. And again, it always pays to research the local market to get a feel for the community’s needs. While a few mistakes generally won’t ruin a microgreen business, it can take a little longer to realize profitability.
One solid option is to attend a comprehensive paid training that specializes in starting a microgreens business. Learning from someone who has been through the entire process and has all the systems and documents in place will be a huge time and money saver and stress reducing decision.
Urban Farmer Olivia Hubert, Co Owner Of Brother Nature Produce, Waters Salad Greens Growing In A Greenhouse On Her One Acre Urban Farm In Detroit, Michigan, March 18, 2012. Strapped With A Reputation For
Getting expert advice makes it a lot easier to avoid costly mistakes while also generating ideas for transitioning from a small, start-up to the number one microgreens provider in your area. If you are really looking for a fun and profitable way to generate income, now is the time to explore how a microgreen business can achieve these goals.
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