RENT-A-GARDEN
 This concept usually involves a plot
of 500 to 2,000 square feet in size
rented without any added services.
Under these conditions the fee is usu-
ally quite low -often only $5 to $15
per year. Often these projects are city
or community sponsored.
 A commercial producer may also
rent plots, including basic land prep-
aration, basic fertilizer application,
some seasonal cultivation and irriga-
tion as needed. For these services, the
charge is more than for land only. This
arrangement, however, be more eco-
nomical for the renter than doing
these things for himself. The landlord
may also make some added income
from doing these services at one time
on a volume basis for all his clients.
Row spacings, in this instance, should
be uniform and fit regular farm culti-
vator widths. Tall growing crops like
corn and vine crops, such as cucum-
bers or squash, should use the same


rows in each plot so the cultivator can
be used in low-growing or bush type
plants longer during the growing
season.
 A written contract with rent-a-
garden customers is a must to clarify
rights and duties of both parties. A
waterproof label in the garden to
match a card carried by the renter can
provide a means of checking persons
in and out of the garden area. This
also provides the necessary garden
identification and helps avoid mis-
understandings and hard feelings by
produce being harvested from wrong
plots. Friendly supervision and some
helpful suggestions will go a long way
to avoid problems.
 Seeds, plants and other items need-
ed by gardeners can also be sold.
These, as well as pick-your-own pro-
duce from other parts of the farm, are
additional sources of income. People
who garden usually do home canning
or freezing. If a fruit and vegetable


retail business is also operated, then
canning and freezing supplies could
create extra sales. Garden and can-
ning supplies may offer a good poten-
tial in some situations and not in oth-
ers. Low sales volume potential due
to other convenient sources of supply
may rule out this venture. In any case,
it is well to move into this phase of
the business cautiously. If a few items
go well, more can be added later.
 Rent-a-garden offers savings in food
cost as well as the freshest possible
produce. The satisfaction of "I grew it
myself" as well as a healthful recre-
ation activity are promotable sales
pitches and should be utilized in ad-
vertising. As with rent-a-tree, the sales
potential for rent-a-garden is not fully
known at this time. Rent-a-garden
potential must be carefully evaluated
on individual locations. It may be a
burden rather than an asset if man-
agement is spread too thin or other
factors limit the usefulness of this
marketing idea.


SELECTED READINGS


Antle, Glen G., "Pick-Your-Own Market-
 ing of Fruits and Vegetables", unnum-
 bered pamphlet, Michigan State Uni-
 versity, 1969.
Bird, J. J., "A Measure of Pick-Your-
 Own", American Fruit Grower, May
 1967 pp. 46-47.
Cate, H. A., Agr. Communications Spe-
 cialist and J. W. Courter, Small Fruits
 Specialist, University of Illinois, "Pick-
 Your-Own Catches On", Extension
 Service Review, June 1970.


Klingbiel, George C., "Pick-Your-Own
 Strawberries, The Ten P's to Profit",
 Cooperative Extension Programs folder
 A2496, University of Wisconsin, Madi-
 son, Wisconsin.
Turner, Herbert E., "Our Experience with
 Retail Sales" and "Why We Like Pick-
 Your-Own", pp. 93-96, Michigan State
 Horticulture Society Annual Report,
 1953.
"Customers Harvest This Crop", Michi-
 gan Farmer, May 15, 1971.


"Doctor Runs Pick-Your-Own Farm", The
 Packer, Produce Weekly, March 18,
 1973.

"Pick-Your-Own Bibliography and Infor-
 mation", Extension Marketing, P.O.
 Box 231, Waller Hall, New Brunswick,
 N.J. 08903.

"Pick-Your-Own Success Takes Planning",
 American Vegetable Grower, June 1973,
 pp. 22, 24, 49.


This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply discrimination or endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service.
Cooperative Extension Service Programs are open to all without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home
economics, acts of May 8, and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department ofAgriculture. Gordon E. Guyer, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University,
E. Lansing, MI 48824. 2P -10 M -7:78-JP-Price 20 cents.


14-12