How to Start an Eco Plant Nursery

Selecting a business structure for your eco plant nursery involves some research and planning.  Many nurseries are different from garden centers because they grow the plants and sell the wholesale plants that landscapers and garden centers sell directly to the consumer.

Tools and Materials

• Organically Cultivated Seeds, Bulbs, and/or Cuttings


• Biodegradable Planting Pots


• Peat Moss


• Organic Fertilizer


• Organic Soil

Instructions

• Consider your locality when you choose the types of plants to grow and sell at your nursery.  In order for your buyers to consider your business to be an ecologically friendly business you need to offer locally grown organic plants sold in eco containers.  Also consider cultivating and selling native plant species, meaning that you grow plants that naturally occur in your local area.


• Write a business plan that caters to your startup needs.  If you need to secure funding or even simply create the business entity’s name and tax identification numbers then you will need to create a checklist of business side things to accomplish.


• Research the federal, state and local regulations regarding plant growing and selling.  Contact the USDA for more information regarding their regulations about transporting plants.


• Select plants that are native to North America and even more specifically from your region.  This ensures that the plant will thrive well and showcase other native species such as wildflowers.  Many plants from overseas can choke out native varieties and become invasive which discourages native plants and trees.  


• Attend local business and trade shows in order to meet other growers and potential clients.


• Start your plant starts early in the season so that they will be ready for bulk sale to garden centers and landscaping companies.