Weeks ago my husband thought I was crazy, no, he thought I was C-R-A-Z-Y for picking dandelions that had gone to seed. But I showed him! I have been on a mission for the last two years of my gardening seasons. I have been saving my seeds... and saving more seeds from my homestead garden then I ever thought I would or could. Why you may ask? It started as a determination of not having to buy more seeds in the years to come, but it turned into a little business for me.
From wild lettuce and feverfew to calendula and purple marigolds, I have been "squirreling away" seeds like there's no tomorrow. And speaking of no tomorrow, with this pandemic and seeds being scarce in many US states, my little collection of seeds has been paying off for the last six months. My sales have quadrupled since March. At the end of May, I listed the dandelion seeds for sale on my Etsy (and eBay) store, and yesterday I had my first sale of them. Not only did the purchaser buy one order (which includes 25 dandelion seeds), she bought two orders for 50 total seeds. And today I am shipping them out... to Guam! I am assuming dandelions aren't prevalent there?
So how did I come about saving dandelion seeds after they have gone to seed? Honestly... I can't say. It just seemed like an idea I wanted to pursue.
I have been selling my organic (non-GMO) seeds online for not quite a year yet, and sales have been incredible. Everyday I am counting out seeds and sending out little envelopes of Komatsuna spinach, Barbarella Italian Eggplant, mustard greens and more. I haven't raised my prices on the packets of seeds since the pandemic began either. I see some sellers (mainly on eBay) who have astronomical prices for less seeds than me. I consider this a price gouging mentality (supply and demand perhaps) seems to have produced greed among some sellers. I don't agree with it at all!
As a frugal person, I am always looking for good deals and sales, so this is what drives me to not raise my prices, as I want others to get good deals as well. I will keep my prices what they a are set at right now for the remainder of 2020, and will re-evaluate the price in 2021. Mr Golden D mentioned to me to raise some of the prices of my "best sellers" and I told him no.
I added up my sales beginning on February 1 of this year to yesterday (June 25) and between eBay, Etsy and two Market Place like forums, I have not only sold thousands and thousands of seeds, but I have profited over $900 (in just under five months). Granted I offer free shipping/postage within the US (international buyers would have to pay the shipping costs), so I do have to buy postage stamps... but still... that money I made has come in handy for buying the grandkids' birthday gifts. The extra money has allowed me to buy an extra gift item... or two, for each of them so far this year. I was also able to take some of the money and pay off the remainder of the medical bill from Mr Golden D's heart attack in April 2019. That large debt was weighing heavily on my mind.
I'm not sure how my seed sales would have been if not for the pandemic, but I can say... thank you CoVid-19... I think you helped boost my sales. Never thought I'd hear ANYONE say that!
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Saving and selling seeds is wonderful. Curious about dandelions on Guam - my niece has just returned from there and my guess is it's gonna need almost a green house. LOL. Wondering about the effects on local ecology??
I thought of that too. I mean, are there dandelions on the island? If yes, then this person wanted to add to their haul... if no, then what does that mean for the cycle of ecology? Will they become invasive there? Not sure...
Good for you! For holding your prices, having your business take off, and being able to pay off debt.
I have had the same experience with my eggs, selling like hotcakes, but the price will remain the same.
Wow, what a business you have stumbled into, success!
People outside densely populated areas are now looking to be more and more self-sufficient, so you're in the right business at the right time.
Amazing!!
I never thought anyone would buy dandelion seeds!! They are ten a penny here in Ireland and considered weeds.