Farm Diversification

A good understanding of your market is essential for success.  As with any new business a detailed market assessment should be carried out before embarking on a new enterprise.  Flower production in Scotland is likely to meet only small, niche market demand.

The market can be split between boxed bunches for trade to florists and arrangers, boxed sleeved single species bunch for retail sales or as mixed sleeves or arrangements for retail/interior design use.

• Wholesale markets are well served by Dutch imports and competition is fierce, thus limiting opportunities.
• Direct farm sales to florists and arrangers offer considerable local scope with specialist crops.  Farmers’ Markets may also present a marketing opportunity.
• Direct farm sales and flower-arranging workshops could add significant retail value.
• Small-scale producers can add value by arranging and selling dried flower arrangements to shops, interior designers or direct to the final customer.

Soil type determines whether crops can be drilled or not. Heavier soils may be more suited to perennial crops.  Soil quality and preparation are essential factors.

Dried flowers generally prefer low nutrient soils and grow successfully at pH 6.5-7.

Weed control is expensive and lacks the wide choice of herbicides that would be available for other crops.A well-planned clean-up programme is essential before the cropping year.

Polytunnels or glasshouses should be considered for many situations to protect crops from adverse weather and to prolong the season.

Polytunnels are likely to cost in excess of £15/m2.  Cost of glasshouses will depend on specifications.

For dried flower production, drying rooms can be very basic. It is essential to have a dry shed for storage. Depending on design and scale, costs can be £3,000 to £15,000. There are possibilities to hire some of the equipment and reduce costs further.

A precision seed drill is a likely addition at upwards of £3000.

The crop range and different outlets create a wide level of production costs between varieties and prices obtained. Good marketing and labour efficiency are the key areas for success.

• Seed: £50-£1,500/ha Picking: 1,300-2,000 hrs/ha
• Drying/Packing/Storing: £8,000-£15,000/ha
• Costs associated with polytunnels/glasshouses
• Transport costs

Returns will vary considerably depending on how the flowers are to be marketed and how much value can be added prior to sale.  Yields of cut flowers will depend on how they are grown, planting density and cultivar grown. 

The following figures are based on glasshouse production and should be treated as a guide only.

Picking, packing and, if carried out, drying, are very labour intensive. Efficient materials handling is essential. Picking times can last only several days for most species.
The picking season will depend on the type of flowers grown and whether polytunnels or glasshouses are used. 

The single most decisive constraint is the varieties grown and the specifications that they are grown to.

Evening courses in marketing are available through local Further Education colleges.  More in-depth marketing training is available through Business Gateway and other providers.

Signposting to technical advice and training may be available through the Royal Horticultural Society.

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects.  Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008.

For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.