Flower seed crops are highly profitable for small farms. However, this is only possible if you grow varieties that are in high demand, have low production costs, and price them correctly.
If you thought a bucket of foxglove stems commanded a high price, wait until you see how many seed packets you can sell from a single stem (although it’s best practice to harvest from many plants).
Seed Sales Diversify Your Winter Revenue Streams
In the off-season, as other flower farmers shift to evergreen wreaths and dried florals, launch a seed sale for an income boost. By selling different products, you can promote each other’s offerings. Additionally, cleaning, packaging and filling orders offers meaningful work to farm employees seeking full-time, year-round employment. Compared to fresh-cut flowers, seeds are shelf-stable, cheaper to ship, and can expand your customer base beyond county limits.
Stand Out Among Flower Farmers
Let me guess. There are multiple flower farms in your area. But how many flower seed farmers are there? Not many? None? Your seed-saving projects differentiate you from the rest. Seed sales are an effective way to stay top of mind with your customers who aren’t purchasing fresh flowers over the winter. Design seed envelopes that communicate your farms values. Once you’re comfortable with seed saving basics, you can breed your own exclusive on-farm seed mix.
Factors That Influence Seed Crop Profitability
Production costs, seed yield, and pricing influence the profitability of each flower seed crop. Unfortunately, the first year you grow a crop, you don’t have this data to make decisions. Seeking advice from an experienced seed grower on seed crop selection is crucial.
They’ll point out that no one is after bright yellow, single-flowered zinnias right now, that nasturtium seeds are very slow to harvest and not in high demand, that calendula seed sometimes goes dormant for a year after you harvest, that statice seed might not mature in your short season, etc.
Pay attention to trending varieties in the floral industry. Which varieties sell out quickly during online seed sales? Find out why? If it’s tough to produce, make sure to price it accordingly if you plan to grow it out for sale. If it’s because no one in your country has grown out the seeds yet, then jump on that opportunity!
Record Your Production and Packaging Costs Per Seed Crop
Each year, record production costs (fixed and variable) that go into each seed crop, from planting to seed packaging. Don’t forget to account for the time it takes to clean and to package seeds. It’s much faster to scoop strawflower seeds into a packet than it is to count out 12 sweet pea seed repetitively into a packet. Increase your seed packet prices to account for these slow processes.
How Much Money Can a Seed Farm Make?
There is no right or wrong answer here. There are too many factors. But, in case this helps, I’ve generated under 10k in revenue on a ¼-acre seed farm. I’ve also generated over 40k revenue on that same farm, with better variety selections, leaner production practices and higher packet prices.
For context, I work alone, with three toddlers in tow. I take the summers (Late June to Late August) off to play with the kids, except for occasional weeding and rogueing. I farm full-time, but never a 40-hour work week. I don’t set an alarm in the mornings. My homeschooled children enjoy slow, big family breakfasts with us. Beyond income, the farm has gifted me the most significant compensation of all. Time together. There is value beyond the monetary incentive of seed sales.
If you have specific questions about the financial side of seed farming or anything else, we delve into pricing strategies and seed envelope branding in my book, "True-to-Type: Saving and Selling Flower Seeds for Profit and Joy."
See you in the field.
Erika.
