A plant nursery is a place where young plants and trees are grown for sale or to be planted elsewhere. Producing and selling plants in your backyard can turn into a small but profitable side business.
Your garden shed is likely to have most of the tools you need to propagate plants, such as secateurs, sharp knives, wheelbarrows, hoses, sprayers, punnets, and pots. The purchase of seeds, disinfectants, hormone preparations, etc., will also be required. You can make a full-time living selling farm-fresh fruits and vegetables if you live in a milder region that produces produce all year long.
Moreover, you supply your customers with the fruits and vegetables they need to prepare healthy meals, and you earn a profit. Follow the guide below to successfully start a nursery business from home.
1. You will need the following equipment
Investing in tools for transporting and maintaining fresh produce is essential to selling them. For moving produce and making deliveries, a van or truck and a hand truck are crucial.
Additionally, you’ll need containers to protect the product from damage during harvesting, storage, and transportation. In order to sell at outdoor markets, you will need tables and umbrellas (for shade). Also, make sure you have enough space to set up your own shop and refrigerator units to keep the produce cold, fresh, and appealing to customers.
2. Invest in fresh products
In order to get the fruits and vegetables you need, you have a couple of options. In a greenhouse or on land, you can grow it yourself. Make sure you have the space and equipment necessary to complete this task if you choose this path.
Costs associated with soil, seeds, gardening tools, building supplies, mulch, and soil testing equipment should also be considered. Additionally, you can purchase starter plants, which are more convenient but cost more. In the spring, many gardening organizations and nurseries offer plant and seed sales to keep costs down.
Alternatively, you can buy produce from local farmers, gardeners, and orchards at wholesale prices and resell it at retail.
3. Analyze the market
The market needs to be researched and analyzed before you start your business. By doing so, you can find out who will buy in the area where you plan to sell.
Prior to deciding what to grow or buy from local sources, identify the unfulfilled markets that exist in your area. In order to convince people to try your fresh produce, if you choose a direct selling approach, you need signs.
4. What are your plans for sales?
If you have enough produce to sell at a market that lasts a few hours, you can set up a table at farmers’ markets, fairs, and flea markets. Depending on what’s in season, you have to convince customers to sign up for a subscription service to receive fresh produce every week or bi-weekly.
There are also restaurants, bakeries, caterers, schools, and nursing homes that require fresh food to serve their clients. Also, you can sell to grocery stores.
5. Participate in community-supported agriculture
An individual subscribes to a farm through CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture). Each week, they receive freshly harvested vegetables delivered to a specific pick-up location or can pick their share directly from the farm. You will receive payment up front and encourage community members to buy local products through this type of marketing.
6. Raised garden beds are a great place to plant
Raised garden beds are ideal for growing crops that produce a higher yield. If you are interested in making money from your vegetable garden, raised gardens can produce up to four times more than a standard garden.
This is due to the soil’s deepness, looseness, and fertilization. In addition, you won’t have to leave space for walking paths so that you can plant more vegetables in a smaller area. In a garden supply store, you can purchase the supplies you need to make a raised garden bed.
7. A marketing strategy
In order to make your business successful, you need effective marketing strategies. Promoting your products through word-of-mouth is a good idea.
Distribute attractive business cards and flyers in places where you can reach out to potential customers, such as grocery shops, hotels, restaurants, and canteens of schools, colleges, and universities. Promote your business using popular social media platforms. If you are interested in selling your fresh produce to local restaurants, you can build a network with chefs. TV and newspaper ads can also be used to promote your business.
You can start a nursery and fresh produce business from home by following these steps. Farming or gardening-trained employees are needed.
In order to start the business, you will need to obtain all necessary licenses and permits. Find wholesalers from whom you can purchase supplies in bulk and at lower prices by researching the market.
