by Greg Spinks

Created on: February 28, 2009

A roadside vegetable stand can be an added source of income for many vegetable gardeners. The home based business, like any others, requires some foresight and planning for s success operation, although it is possible to begin with an overflow of abundant vegetables.

The roadside stand is a gamble like many other garden activities. The best laid plans can shatter with early and late frosts, a sudden hail storm in mid-July, an unforeseen explosion of garden pests, or sullen plants that refuse to produce. The roadside stand is a poker game on the future and the weather.

Like many other businesses, it pays to think outside the "box" or to re-think traditional concepts. For example, traditional wisdom claims the success is based in large measure, on location. While there are elements of truth in choosing the most traveled site to begin, it is not an absolute.

Customers will travel miles out their way to get quality produce; to pick or buy the best blueberries, tomatoes, garlic, pumpkins, ornamental corn and gourds, or some other niche produce. Convenience is only part of the story; quality, freshly picked produce is equally, if not more, essential to success.

For many rural families and individuals, time is important, so the roadside stand is usually located right where the produce is grown. Appropriate roadside signs are important, as well as, a well kept, covered stand. Customer safety becomes an issue and the stand should be located in an area where it is safe and easy for customers to enter and exit.

A gardener's time and resources may also mean the stand can not be staffed full time and the "honor system" has to be used. In general this works very well, although there are isolated cases of stealing. But that is, sad to say, part of the gamble.

The risks can be minimized by securing the money box or can properly which should be clearly marked for the customer, along with advertised prices for the produce. On the upside, many customers will leave a tip in the money can, usually their extra change.

Hours of operation should be clearly marked at the stand. Most customers will shop from a Thursday through a Sunday. One idea to meet the needs of the customers who shop on other days, is to make it known that on other days of the week, produce will be sold by appointment.

Email presents a unique approach with many possibilities. Leave your email as an option to contact instead of a phone number. And leave cards for customers to fill out their email addresses and place in

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