Starting your plant nursery is simple, and the financial benefits can be rewarding. Plus, it shouldn’t cost you a huge amount of money. You can start your backyard plant nursery and grow plants for profit for around $800. Here’s how:
First, you’ll need to take care of some legal issues. Talk to your state about acquiring a business license. Having a license will help you be able to buy supplies and plants at wholesale prices. Next, you might need a special license or permit to operate a plant nursery. Again, check with your state to determine their rules and regulations. Finally, you might need a resale license if you live in a state with a sales tax. This requires you to collect sales tax and gets you an exemption certificate from purchasers who plan to resell any plants they buy from your plant business.
Now, you need to think about what you’d like to grow. Visit nearby retail nurseries to see what they stock and sell. Pay attention to the pot size they sell their plants in and the different varieties they offer.
Okay, so you’ve picked out some plant possibilities. Hopefully, you have a few essential hand tools and a water source. Here’s what else you’ll need:
1. Containers – Plant containers are relatively cheap. You can also get them free from landscapers. Get the sizes you’d like to try.
2. Potting Soil Mix – Your plants must grow healthy and strong, so a good soil mix is essential. You can buy pre-mixed potting soil or make your own. A basic formula is:
- Six parts topsoil or compost
- Three parts peat moss
- Two parts sand
3. Fertilizers – Controlled-release fertilizers (also known as slow-release or time-release) do just that – they slowly release nutrients over time, easing the amount of work on you. Don’t buy these fertilizers at your local garden center. Instead, buy them at a wholesale nursery supply in 50-pound bags. The price might seem high, but on a per-plant basis, it’s pretty reasonable, as they will last for months.
4. Plant Labels – It’s important to know just what type of plant is in each container, so a plant label will help provide that information. You can even put other information there, such as when it was planted. Two kinds of plant labels are commonly used:
- Stake tags, which are put in the soil next to the plant
- Slip-a-tags, which get attached to the branch of the plant
Your backyard nursery is in business once you gather all these supplies and obtain any licenses or permits you need. Assembling these supplies shouldn’t take you long, and it shouldn’t put you into debt, either. You should be able to get your basic supplies for $800 or less. Soon, your profitable plants will cover any start-up costs you have, and your backyard nursery business could be the business of your dreams. To learn more, read How to Start a Backyard Plant Nursery.