How to Prepare Land for Plant Nurseries
People grow their own plants for many reasons. The most popular are pride in ownership, to save money and maybe even to make a little extra money. In order to establish a plant nursery there are some steps that should be taken first, to ensure a successful harvest.
- Research your soil type, if planting directly in the ground. This can be done with a home testing kit or by mailing a sample to a lab. Kits can be purchased at most hardwares and home improvement stores. Lab information can be located by a quick online search. From those results, determine which types of plants would grow best in your soil.
- Determine the desired size of your plant nursery. Take into consideration the types of plants you will be growing. Trees and shrubs require much more space than flowering plants.
- Find a convenient location. Access to a water source is top priority, whether it is a well or rain barrels. It may also be beneficial, but not necessary, to have the nursery close to an electrical source as well. In cooler climates, heaters are often needed in greenhouses to keep young plants warm during the early spring months.
- Plot out the area. Do some rough estimates to determine plant placement and whether or not the space is adequate. It is also recommended that the area be fenced in to keep out pests.
- Decide if you will be growing plants in the ground, containers, a greenhouse or a combination of options.
- Level the surface area. If planting directly in the ground, soil should be tilled thoroughly with compost added each fall. Greenhouses should be secured to the ground and have plenty of shelving area.
- Order seeds and plants and get started!