While summer may seem early to think about wreaths and gift boxes, now is exactly the right time to start planning for the fall and holiday market season. If you're growing herbs, flowers, or produce, your future inventory is already in the field—it just needs a little foresight and preparation to become a value-added product that sells.
Whether you sell online, at pop-up markets, or through local fairs and gift shows, fall and winter markets offer a seasonal opportunity to turn the fruits of your farm into meaningful, profitable gifts.
Dried Flowers: Rustic and Ready to Sell
If you’re already growing cut flowers, drying a portion of your harvest is one of the easiest ways to create holiday-ready products. Flowers like gomphrena, strawflower, yarrow, statice, and lavender retain color and texture when properly dried.
Use them to make:
These make beautiful, shippable items that require no refrigeration and hold value well into winter.
Herbal Tea Blends
Herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, mint, calendula, tulsi, and lavender can be harvested in summer, dried, and blended into custom teas. Teas are lightweight, shelf-stable, and easy to brand beautifully with good labeling and simple packaging.
Packaged in small tins, kraft bags, or glass jars with a handwritten or printed tag, these are great stocking stuffers or bundled gift sets. Include ingredient lists, steeping instructions, and proper food labeling to ensure they’re compliant and clear for customers.
Dehydrated Goods: Vegetables, Fruits & More
If you’re already preserving food for home use, consider setting aside a batch for market prep. Dehydrated items like tomatoes, peppers, garlic, zucchini, apples, or herbs can be packaged for gifting. Snack mixes, soup kits, and dried veggie toppings are all marketable ideas.
For those raising meat and working in or with an inspected kitchen, dehydrated jerky or snack sticks also offer excellent holiday sale potential.
Just be sure to follow local food safety and labeling regulations—especially for shelf-stable, higher-risk products. If you’re unsure, reach out to your extension office or a trusted food business resource.
Potpourri & Botanical Blends
Dried flowers, herbs, citrus peels, and even spice accents can be blended into fragrant sachets or loose potpourri mixes. Package in small jars, muslin bags, or compostable pouches. Consider themes like:
Potpourri can be a good use of floral or herb extras that aren’t quite food grade but still visually and aromatically appealing. Boosting their scent-power with high quality essential oils can also help.
Garden-Inspired Gifts & Terrariums
If you enjoy making things with your hands, consider assembling a small line of botanical gifts: succulent pots, mini terrariums, bulb kits, or even “grow your own herb garden” boxes with seeds and instructions.
These can be sold locally or offered through online pre-orders in November and December. Beyond local markets consider online Marketplaces like Etsy.
A Note on Labels & Compliance
No matter how small your business, your products must be properly labeled. Each state has its own rules, but some require:
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Your name and address
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Ingredients list in descending order by weight
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Net weight or volume
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Allergen warnings, if applicable
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A statement if made in an unlicensed home kitchen (for cottage food items)
Good labels aren’t just about compliance—they’re part of your story. Clean, attractive packaging and well-written descriptions help customers trust your product and connect with your farm. If you aren't tech-savvy try online services like VistaPrint, Canva, or search custom labels on Etsy.
Business Planning Makes All the Difference
One of the biggest challenges new producers face is pricing and inventory planning. That’s why we’re offering a Business Planning Course at our upcoming July conference (July 11–12 in Indiana). This session will help you:
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Price your products profitably
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Estimate how much inventory you need
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Plan for supplies and packaging
Whether you're just testing a few new ideas or ready to scale your product line, this session will help you prepare thoughtfully and legally for the busy fall season ahead.
Start Now to Make the Most of the Holidays
The best time to plan for the holidays is while your crops are still growing. A few hours of prep in July and August can lead to meaningful income in November and December—without scrambling at the last minute.
And whether you're creating herbal teas, spice mixes, botanical gifts, or dried floral wreaths, remember: the personal touch is part of the value. Good stories, clear labels, and practical planning are what turn homegrown products into cherished gifts.