Starting a plant nursery can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Jason from Fraser Valley Rose Farm shares his insights, offering practical advice on how to lay the foundation for a successful nursery business. His focus is on starting small, testing the market, and building your skills and resources over time. Whether you’re growing plants in your backyard or planning a larger operation, these steps will guide you toward success.
Step 1: Start Selling Plants, Even in Small Quantities
Jason emphasizes that the first step in starting a plant nursery is to get your hands on plants or plant-related products and start selling them. The key here is that you don’t have to grow everything yourself. Wholesale growers, brokers, or even bulbs can provide stock to begin testing the market. Alternatively, you can divide houseplants, garden perennials, or propagate cuttings to create your initial inventory.
The goal is to understand local demand and get comfortable selling plants, whether through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist or at farmers’ markets. For example, Jason’s first experience was selling trays of alpine strawberries on Craigslist. Similarly, many successful nurseries began with humble beginnings, such as selling backyard plants or bulbs from a truck. Start small, learn as you go, and build your confidence and customer base.
Step 2: Understand Local and Federal Regulations
Regulations may seem intimidating, but understanding them early can save headaches down the line. Jason advises becoming familiar with local, state, and federal requirements to avoid future challenges. Here are some key considerations:
- Business Licenses: Depending on your location, you may need a license to operate your nursery, particularly in cities or for retail setups.
- Phytosanitary Requirements: Shipping plants across state or provincial lines introduces additional regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. For example, certain plants may require inspection and certification to comply with USDA or Canadian Food Inspection Agency standards.
- Tax Reporting: Like any small business, nursery owners must track and report income.
- Plant Propagation Rights: Propagating plants from seed is generally unrestricted, but cloning or dividing patented plants without authorization can violate plant breeder rights.
Staying informed about these regulations helps protect your business and ensures a strong reputation in the industry.
Step 3: Learn to Grow and Propagate Plants
While it’s possible to source plants to sell, eventually, you’ll want to develop your growing and propagation skills. Jason highlights that this is both a critical business skill and an opportunity to indulge your passion for plants. Experimenting with propagation techniques—such as rooting cuttings under humidity domes or testing different soil mixes—can help you improve your results over time.
Success in this area ensures that your nursery can offer healthy, market-ready plants while keeping costs manageable. Learning to time your production to meet market demand is another critical aspect of growing plants for profit.
Step 4: Leverage Social Media for Marketing
Social media is a powerful tool for plant nursery marketing, giving smaller businesses a unique advantage. Jason explains that platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube allow you to connect authentically with gardeners and customers who share your passion. Unlike large corporations, small nurseries can build trust and relationships by showcasing their knowledge, enthusiasm, and behind-the-scenes operations.
Jason credits much of his success to his YouTube channel, where he shares gardening advice and promotes his nursery. This presence has helped him attract customers to in-person events and improve online sales, even during challenging times like the pandemic. Start small, whether with Instagram photos or Facebook posts, and grow your online presence gradually.
Step 5: Keep Detailed Records
Good record-keeping is essential for tracking production, sales, and profitability. Jason suggests starting with a simple spreadsheet or handwritten notes to document what you grow, when you sell it, and how well it performs. For example, he records sales trends and notes on plant performance using tags and weekly data. Over time, these records help optimize production schedules and ensure inventory is ready when demand peaks.
Step 6: Secure Supplies Locally
Every nursery relies on a steady supply of essentials like soil, pots, and fertilizer. Jason recommends sourcing these materials locally whenever possible, as it’s often more cost-effective and reliable. Here are some tips:
- Soil: Local potting soil producers can often create mixes tailored to regional needs. If local options aren’t available, widely distributed peat-perlite mixes like Pro-Mix or Sunshine Mix can be ordered in compressed bales.
- Pots: Local growers may have surplus pots available at a fraction of the cost of new ones. For example, blueberry growers often have extra containers that can be repurposed for pennies per pot.
- Fertilizer and Other Supplies: Agricultural supply stores or horticultural suppliers are excellent resources, but networking with other local growers can provide additional recommendations.
Building relationships with suppliers and growers in your area can help secure quality materials while keeping costs low.
Final Thoughts: Start Small and Grow With Confidence
Jason’s advice for starting a nursery boils down to one core principle: start small and focus on learning. Whether you’re selling a few plants at a farmers’ market or experimenting with propagation techniques, each step builds your knowledge and business. From understanding regulations to leveraging social media, these foundational strategies set the stage for long-term success.
As Jason reminds us, the most important thing is to begin. Don’t wait for the perfect setup—start testing the market, learning the trade, and building your dream nursery one plant at a time.
