Ep 69 - Growing Seedlings and Running Plant Sales w Marla Alexander
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In this episode of Tending Seeds, host Sarah interviews her longtime friend and fellow plant enthusiast Marla Alexander about her journey from growing plants for personal use to running a large-scale, multi-grower plant sale in Denver. Marla shares her deep roots in horticulture, beginning with childhood visits to a family-owned nursery and evolving into a career in herbalism and plant cultivation. The conversation dives into the practicalities of starting plants for sale—timing, seed stratification, crop rotation, and growing in small urban spaces—while emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and working with what you have. Marla’s success stems from strategic partnerships, targeted marketing to niche audiences (like metaphysical shops), and innovative practices such as native plant education and plant bundling. She also offers candid advice for aspiring plant sellers: start small, know your audience, plan for weather, and grow what you love. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support local plant sales and community gardening initiatives, reinforcing the podcast’s core values of connection, resilience, and hands-on stewardship of the land.
Start seeds 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, and add extra time for plant sales to ensure robust, sale-ready seedlings.
Use cold moist stratification for hard-to-germinate seeds by placing them on damp paper towels in a labeled Ziploc in the fridge.
Grow with a network—coordinating with other local growers can scale your plant sale without needing more space.
Target your ideal audience: sell to communities that already value your specialty plants (e.g., medicinal or native species).
Prep plants with tags, use reusable containers, and plan for weather with a canopy or shelter.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Homesteading Progress & Spring Tea Sale
Sarah updates listeners on homesteading progress, including cherry tree planting, greenhouse development, and upcoming farmers markets. She introduces a 20% off spring tea sale for orders of four or more bags using the code TEATIME, emphasizing that tea is often enjoyed iced during hot summer months.
Meet Marla Alexander: Herbalist & Plant Sale Pioneer
Sarah introduces Marla Alexander, her longtime friend and fellow plant lover, highlighting their connection through Instagram, herbalism, and shared values around seed saving and community. Marla’s journey from childhood nursery visits to running a major plant sale is explored.
From Nursery Roots to Herbalism & Plant Sales
Marla shares her evolution from working at a family-owned nursery to discovering herbalism through feminist literature and formal education. She discusses how her passion for rare medicinal herbs led her to start selling plants, beginning with small sales and growing into a multi-grower event.
Scaling the Plant Sale: Strategy & Community
“People love plants. We definitely want to scoop them all up.”
Behind the Scenes: Seed Starting & Growing Practices
“I liken it to like a three ring circus with my crop rotation here.”
“People love plants. We definitely want to scoop them all up.”
“Don’t partner with a business that wants a high cut and doesn’t do their part to advertise.”
“I’m not growing weed. I just want to sell you some astragalists. I promise.”
Host
Guest
Marla Alexander
person
Sarah
person
Native Plants
other
Denver
place
Mike
person
Tending Seeds
media
Nordic Fox Farm
organization
Passive Solar Greenhouse
other
Ashwagandha
other
other
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