seling ornamental gourds to fund yearly garden expenses

My small ornamental gourd patch is starting to die back as the nights are getting cooler. and i can see all the little gems that have grown there. I grow  mini gourds and pumpkins to sell to the Flower Shop for fall arrangements and decorating. People go crazy for all the little baby pumpkins and warty bright colored gourds.

I have a very small CASH CROP and usually get between 125-200 to sell. I usually make about $75 by the end of the season...that is not much but it covers all my seeds and a new tool or something for the garden....so that ensures that the food from garden really is free.

I have also grown ornamental corn witch is very easy to do...but my space is currently too small as the ornamental corn crosses the sweet corn and that tastes like a cross between leather and starchy potatoes ;0(    any way the corn is also an easy sell people will by a dozen just because it is so pretty

any body have suggestions of other easy resale crops??

Thelma,

I've thought about planting some of the bigger gourds, and turning them into dippers and bird houses and other crafty items to sell.

I will probably use your ornamental gourd idea too, although being in SC, I don't think I will steal very many of your customers.

Thanks,
Shawn

The biggest competition is the grocery stores. BUT They sell the minis for qiite a high price so it is easy to out price them.

I sell my gourds for more of a wholesale price.

The best thing is that they grow so easy and in a permaculture garden they fit in nicely

You might be interested in this site:

http://www.americangourdsociety.org/

great link....some very beautiful and surprising art!