How do I check a bedding plant greenhouse’s heating costs and spring rush?

Start with the bills. Ask for fuel, power and water records month by month, and line them up against sales and labour. Fixed costs keep running whether or not plants sell, while variable costs rise with each tray. Seeing both side by side shows how much pressure sits on a short season.

Next, ask about the heating system itself. How old is it, what fuel does it use, is the supply under contract, and how often has it failed? Ask a technician to look at boilers, vents and curtains. Poor insulation or ageing equipment can turn a cold spring into a costly one.

Then examine the rush. Ask when orders start, who the main customers are, and how much is sold to retailers versus walk-in buyers. Find out how weather changes the timing. A late thaw and a warm snap can both shift sales. Ask what happens to unsold plants, because that waste belongs in the picture too. Ask what the seller would change about the building if money allowed. Their wish list is often a fair guide to the next large expense.

Key takeaways

• Match monthly heating bills to monthly sales and staffing, and note which months lose money.
• Have a technician check boilers, vents and insulation.
• Ask how weather moves the spring rush and what happens to unsold plants.
• Ask what the seller would upgrade first if money were no object.