Necia - how often do you have to place an order? Is there a minimum order size?

Thanks for the additional info. I've never been a member of a gardening co-op before, and am interested, but would like to make sure this is right for both parties before joining. :)

Holleygarden,

Hi there! The rules state that as a new member, you must participate in at least one co-op the first month you join. That wouldn't be hard right now as there are so many different co-ops open. Sometimes there are minimums.

The lily co-op just closed and there were no minimums. The owner of the co-op, Pam (woodthrush on GardenWeb), lets us know how many of the plants will fit into a flat rate box, the plant price, any surcharges the broker might have (that would usually be freight costs to Pam) and if there is a minimum purchase. On the lilies, 75 bulbs fit into a regular sized flat rate box. I ordered as many as I could to try to take advantage of the postage fee. I left a little room as the Atlas glove co-op may end around the same time and Pam can just add them to my lily box, saving me postage.

Sometimes different co-ops will be arriving to Pam's house at the same time and she can combine shipping. She lets us know upfront if that is the case.

Also, occasionally there is a minimum of plants set. For instance, on the perennial geranium co-op, there is a minimum of 10 that must be ordered. 25 will fit into one box, and it can't be combined with another order. So, if I were going to order geraniums, I would order at least 10 and try to get as close to 25 as I could afford in order to make the most of the postage (about $12.00 per box).

Let me know if you have any further questions; I hope I haven't confused you!

:)Happy Gardening!
Necia

Thanks! I may give it a try. I've been buttering up DH in anticipation of telling him. :)

I was a member on there and I got too many dead or dying plants and I would get my plants at the wrong time of the year for here. (The co-op is geared toward people living in the north.) I recently purchased Cajun Hibiscus in 4" pots for $4 each in a co-op at TheGardenGeeks. Right now they are hosting co-ops for seeds and lilies and are gearing up for quite a few other things, as well.

dstartz,

While I have never received a dead plant, I do have to watch the time of year that we are ordering. Last year, I put in an order for perennials and by the time the supplier had shipped them to the co-op host and then they were sent to me, it was just too dang hot here! I don't hold it against the co-op in any way. It was poor planning on my part. I ordered a huge order of crocus and daffodils and they did great! I have no concerns for the 60 lily bulbs that I just ordered, either.

Thanks for the link the TheGardenGeeks! I will check it out!

Happy Gardening,
Necia

I have good results so far from the co-op, the plants and bulbs are nice quality. I wouldn't mind having one for the southern gardeners though.

Mamajack @ cubits has a wonderful co-op open no mandatory purchases.. I have received plants and they were very nice and packed properly.. They always have something going on with all varieties of plants..

Kylie