Among flower growers, the most important purchases made are bulk flower seeds. Yes, you'll probably also need to buy good soil, lights, pots and a host of other equipment, but when you get right down to it, the heart of your business is seed. You'll quickly find that quality is of the utmost consideration when determining the pricing and costs of flower growers, whether you buy flower seed packets or seeds in bulk from flower seed suppliers.

Flower growers may break down the types of seeds they may purchase into three broad categories. Many businesses may currently purchase from only one category, but do consider branching out in order to broaden your business. These categories are:

1. Annuals and perennials from wholesale flower seed companies,

2. Bulk products from a wild flower seed company,

3. And flowering herbs from a wholesale flower seed supplier.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out annuals and perennials from a flower seed company

Annuals and perennials will probably make up the bulk of your seed purchases, and they vary wildly in price, depending upon type. In general, however, common flower seeds run between $2 to $28 per pound (sometimes sold as 1,000 seeds). Seeds that are more difficult to obtain may run as high as 100 for $20 to $35.

I recommend: Oregon Wholesale Seed offers a fine variety of annuals and perennials in 5- to 50-lb. bags. Mountain Valley Seeds sells annuals, perennials and many other types of seeds at excellent wholesale prices.

Buy wild flower seed wholesale

Wild flowers are generally on the less expensive side of things, making them a promising path toward higher profits. Depending upon seed type, wild flowers usually sell for between $2 and $20 per pound, or $2 to $5 a packet.

I recommend: Holland Wildflower Farm sells quality wild flowers in packets, ounces and pounds. Beauty Beyond Belief Wildflower Seeds offers wild flower seeds at bulk, wholesale prices; individual seeds and mixes are both available. Click on the "View our Catalog" button to see what's available.

Research flowering herbs from a flower seed supplier

Flowering herbs are often overlooked by both flower growers and their customers. Why not introduce your customers to flowering herbs, for sturdy plants that are less commonly seen? Herbs often run in the same price range as wild flowers: about $2 to $30 a pound. More rare herbs (like False Indigo) can cost as much as $80 to $90 a pound wholesale.

I recommend: Agrich provides quality herbs at wholesale prices, in quantities as low as 100 and as high as 10,000 seeds. Also, check out neseed.com for retail packets or bulk quantities from 1/4 ounce to 1 pound.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider selling flower seed packets, as well as flowers themselves. Many wholesalers offer seeds in packets, but you can also buy attractive seed envelopes online. Or simply use small manila envelopes to offer seeds to your customers.

Whether you’re growing flowers to sell at your local market or you wish to stock your nursery shelves with the flower seed packets home gardeners are looking for, you must locate the flower seed companies that can meet your needs.

Flower growers must decide which market they wish to target in order to choose the best seed purveyors. These markets demand flowers and seeds all year:

1. Farmer's markets provide entry-level flower growers with a place to sell fresh bouquets.

2. Retail florists demand flowers just changing from bud to bloom.

3. Nurseries provide customers with plants and seeds adapted to local climates.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Market trendy flower seeds this growing season

Although gardeners seek some of the same old-fashioned favorites each year, flower growers hybridize new varieties with improved disease resistance and more astonishing colors to improve on last year's offerings. Garden magazines feature these varieties, and gardeners want these seeds and live plants.

I recommend: Membership in the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers can keep you abreast of flower trends. The International Cut Flower Growers Association conducts annual meetings to facilitate flower marketing.

Find specialty flower seed companies

Advanced gardeners look for something to distinguish their gardens from their peers. You can attract these customers by offering rare or unusual flowers and seed packets.

I recommend: GardenMakers offers rare and unusual flower seeds, including woodland plants and tropical species. Select Seeds provides rare heirloom flower seeds.

Buy wildflower seed guaranteed to be weed free

Reputable wildflower seed companies must provide weed free seeds for customers attempting to establish a naturalized meadow. The best wildflower seeds give a breakdown of the percentage of each species on the packet.

I recommend: Beauty Beyond Belief sells retail and wholesale specialty wildflower blends. Outsidepride offers weed free wildflower seeds customized to your growing region.

Purchase bulk flower seeds if you're a commercial flower grower

You don't need an attractive flower seed packet if your end product is live fresh or cut flowers. You can buy bulk flower seeds by the ounce or the pound, and shipping is sometimes free.

I recommend: Flower Art & Soul offers annuals, perennials and wildflowers by the pound. Cheapseeds offers free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee on their bulk flower seed orders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy flower seed to cover this year's growing season. A flower seed supplier will mark his seed packets with the year he harvested and packaged the seeds, and this helps to ensure high germination rates for the customer. If you're a flower grower with leftover seeds at the end of the season, you can try your luck with germination the following season. However, if you're selling flower seed packets to the public, you should place expired seeds on clearance in the fall or use them as product giveaways.

As a flower grower and flower seed company employer, you want to properly train your employees and customers on cultivating the right flower seeds and plants. Anyone with an interest in growing flowers can learn through hands-on instruction, workshops or manuals and publications that concentrate on the business of growing flowers. When looking into flower growers education and training, consider some of the key aspects involved, such as flower types or varietals, where to go for quality flower seed packets and planting equipment, the best times to plant flower seeds and bulbs and soil location for adequate flower production.

A college degree in horticulture isn’t necessary for learning to plant flower seeds, but it may help for training purposes. Students enrolled in these programs usually gain hands-on experience through field studies, research and laboratory work. Such programs also provide plant-related scientific and technical information for you to share with other flower growers. Some ways to get tips on planting flower seeds and growing flowers include:

1. Researching online tutorials, such as from flower seed suppliers.

2. Signing up for college courses to acquire a general knowledge of horticulture.

3. Checking flower growers association websites for information on flower growers training and education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get tips from flower seed suppliers or other online tutorials related to flower production

Some companies such as flower seed suppliers or wholesale flower farms offer instructions and tips on how to choose and plant seeds or bulbs.

I recommend: Burpee provides information on seed starting as well as a resource section on gardening. Flower Growers Direct also offers guides on flower anatomy and tips on planting and care.

Look to horticulture classes at local colleges or universities

Consider certificate or degree programs in horticulture to enhance the training experience.

I recommend: Schools such as the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture offer programs in floral growth and design, greenhouse management and pest control. The University of Connecticut is another example of a school that offers cooperative extension courses and information related to plant science, soil testing and landscape architecture.

Flower growers associations usually provide resources for education and training

Search for floral or gardening-related organizations that offer conferences, workshops and guides.

I recommend: Discover flower growing techniques, new research and even marketing strategies for wholesale flower farms at the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers seminars and trade shows. Find educational programs that focus on planting and harvesting through the International Cut Flower Growers Association. Most states also have flower growers associations. Check out educational resources and events sponsored by groups such as the Massachusetts Flower Growers' Association and the California Cut Flower Commission.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Flower growers education and training can also cover topics such as the benefits of plants, water conservation and industry sales trends.