successful farming
How hard is it to run a successful *small* plant nursery?
We live on a small farm in oregon, and for a good many years we have wanted to open a small plant nursery. I would like to hear from others who have done this, and how hard was it for you to get it started.
Thank you.
Nurseries are not easy businesses to operate because they are very complex but with hard work and determination, you can do anything.
I don’t want to scare you away, but I do want to be sure you consider these points:
-First, get Tony Avent’s book “So You Want to Start a Nursery”
http://www.startanursery.com/
-What kind of nursery will you be? Wholesale/retail…
-What kind of plants will you offer? What size containers will you have?
-Will you deliver? What trucks will you use?
-Are you knowledgeable with plants? Pests? Soil mix? Fertilizer?
-How will you start your plants? Seeds? Plugs? Liners? Retail ready material?
-Will you have greenhouses? What kind? What size? Permanent? Semi-permanent hoop houses?
-Is your property zoned for a nursery? What licenses will you need (re-sale certificate, nursery stock license, pesticide license, truck license and registration, tax id number…)
-What kind of software system will you have? How will you label your plnats? How will you price your plants?
-Who will you cater to?
-Staffing…you will need workman’s comp insurance among other things. Is your staff knowledgeable? Can they hand water properly?
-What carts will customer’s use to shop? What carts will you use to move plant material around?
-Will you be open year round? Seasonally? On weekends?
-Do you have a good library of reference books?
-What kind of irrigation system will you set up? What kind of system do you currently have? Will it be sufficient to run a nursery? Have you had the water tested?
-How will you advertise?
As with any business, you will learn as you go. You can contact the Oregon Association of Nurserymen and get some information from them. Also contact your local Cooperative Extension Office and see what help they can provide you. I would also visit other nurseries in your area and see what they are doing. Perhaps you can ask them for advice as well. Many nurseries are helpful and will sit down with you. Be kind and friendly and create good working relationships with them. You don’t want to compete directly with them so grow things that they do not have.
Most nurseries do not take off right away and it takes some time before you get money back from your investment. It is hard work but very rewarding – most customers are friendly and want to be there because they enjoy gardening and have a nice hobby.
I hope this helps you some. Best of luck. Work hard! 
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