5 Reasons Your Nursery Will Fail

How many things can go wrong in a nursery? About as many as you can think of. The best thing to do is identify some of these things as you are starting to reduce the risk of failure as much as possible. With some due diligence, paying attention, and perseverance there is no reason your nursery startup should fail. Here are 5 common reasons a backyard nursery may not survive.
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#backyardnursery
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0:00 - Intro
5 Reasons - 0:24
Closing - 11:16

[@savvydirtfarmer]

What are some reasons a nursery may fail?? Comment below

[@oddtreepress420]

Getting a bunch of plants on 30 or 60 net terms. I would highly discourage any small nursery from doing this. I've seen others fail due to this. I built everything as a cash based business. If I don't have the money, I don't buy it.

[@RCCRAYZ]

Don’t jump the gun, reasearch everything possible.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Cash only!

[@RCCRAYZ]

@@savvydirtfarmer I’m just curious to your thoughts , im not doing cash only, (totally legit) how can cash only fail a nursery?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@RCCRAYZ In response to the comments above, I just meant paying cash (in full) for whatever you buy for your nursery. NO DEBT. Too much pressure and risk to do a backyard nursery with any debt.

[@ceciliajackson6570]

I don't know if this is a fail in a backyard nursery or how to fail at persevering in life. Thank you for the pep talk!

[@oddtreepress420]

I just stumbled onto your channel a few days ago. Thank you for making these videos. Your advice is spot on. I've been running a small backyard nursery for about 10 years and it started to really take off about 4 years ago. It's tons of work to be sure. Couple things I'll add is to build a solid client base that will stick with you for years to come and make wholesale deals with feed stores & such whenever possible. It's nice to know that a lot of your plants are already sold each year. It's kind of funny that I was just thinking this morning during chores that when I first started, I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. There is still much to learn. lol

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for commenting... very good words!

[@oddtreepress420]

@@savvydirtfarmer BTW. I probably made every mistake you mentioned along the way. :)

[@melissah6082]

Thank you for this video...great information and inspiration! 😊

[@awakenacres]

Personally I hate using plastic as a weed barrier. Eventually the weeds break through and then are difficult to remove without further damaging the plastic. I have much better luck using a thick layer of mulch which I get for free from chip drop or other tree trimming crews. Just my experience, you have to use what works for you. I also think its a good idea to grow what you love and have room for in case you don’t sell all your plants.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Valid points, but you're thinking more like a gardener than a nursery owner. Plants will very quickly root out the bottom of pots into any mulch... I've tried it, and it's a disaster. I'm a grower, so my plants stay in their pots for several months typically, so they will sit for a while. Weeds don't break through woven ground cloth; they germinate from the top and root through it. Staying n top of the weeding prevents that. Some of the ground cloth in my nursery has been there for 5+ years, with no major weed problems. I love the plants I grow because people love to buy them... and, that makes both of us happy.

[@walkaboutjesusradio]

Looking at 3:08 that is almost exact setup I used to pot up tomatoes about 3 days ago. Very encouraging!

[@plantsim]

Your videos keep coming and high quality, they help influence my plant selection and early wholesale buys, thank you

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you!

[@crushivintage]

Wonderful series and advice. Thank you for being honest and sharing your advice.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@smoke420love69]

You’re a humble man. Thank goodness for your channel

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I try

[@markb8954]

Thanks for all of your practical & useful & commonsense information, tips & tricks. Much appreciated. I’m starting off with Hostas, Lilies of the Valley, Liriope & Burning Bush. Building inventory now I’m hoping our Community Association has their Autumn community sale.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Best of luck!

[@anitahouse3600]

As always, love seeing your videos pop up. And by the way....the dappled willow cuttings I got are greening up and i'm seeing color on a couple of them! how cool!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great! Nothing is easier to propagate than those willows - that's why I like them

[@plantsim]

My method so far has been to put all the cardboard boxes that come in on the ground and the plants on top of them. I add layers when I move pots, and twice have scrounged up some extra boxes.

[@eeperry86]

I love your channel! Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve learned through creating your own backyard nursery. This is so helpful for those of us who want to start our own. Could you do a video on how you go about pricing your plants? Do you go lower than what other places sell or stay competitive with them? I would love to hear what your process is for that.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good idea! I'll think on it and see if we can come up with a decent video.

[@bodydoc2010]

Great videos. The facts about the embarrassing feelings is a biggie. “ it’s ok to be sold out- I get embarrassed over not having it all, like you said. So true and difficult to get beyond .

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yep. May be the hardest thing to get over.

[@jacobbrown5429]

I’ve been wanting to start my own nursery here in Mississippi. We don’t have a nursery within 75 miles and really lack diversity in our plant options. We do of course have Walmart and a few hardware stores sell plants but they’re all pretty much the same.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sounds like a good opportunity! Time for you to get started.

[@xxpowwowbluexx]

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for a NATIVE plant nursery. 😃

[@kerrytoby7041]

Another excellent video. Thank you. I like your wheelbarrow chair!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Everybody's gotta sit somewhere.

[@caseyhardison4320]

I've gained so much from your channel over the past year or so as a subscriber! I'm sure there are many others who feel the same, so thank you!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you so much!!

[@bonniemccormack1361]

So true! I just didn't apply what I learned property 😬

[@digsindirt4490]

Great video. Now that I’m closing out my first year, “#3 Discouragement” really hit home for me. I got a bad batch of all purpose potting mix that bred MONTHS of fungus gnats! Ugh.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

YES!! Those are the things you have to be able to push through. And, unfortunately, things like that happen that are completely out of our control. But, we press on!

[@kburkes4245]

Great video! I think it would be easier for someone who's already a gardener, already has garden infrastructure, patience, time, and most of all, enjoys caring for plants. Plants are definitely not a 'get rich quick' product!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good points! I would add that if a person likes caring for plants, or even thinks they might, everything else can be learned, acquired, built, or bought. ANYONE can do this.

[@RCCRAYZ]

Thanks for the info! I've been planning my nursery for the past 7 years, and this is the 2nd season I've been "getting ready" lol so I'm getting closer to being able to start selling. I am building my inventory, I was originally planning on starting to sell this year, but I think I'm going to wait until next year to sell because I want to focus on quality instead of quantity, and variety. I appreciate all your helpful information, and your time spent putting out these videos. I will be posting my own journey on my other channel.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sounds like you have a good plan!

[@RCCRAYZ]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks, the type of work I do I have winters off, so I’ve spent it researching everything out. I still have a lot to learn so every bit of wisdom I can get from others I am thankful for.

[@ARoseGrowsInHarlem]

Thank you for sharing these warnings. Gardening is not difficult, but it is hard work. Failed plants can tear down self-confidence very quickly. Wishing you a fantastic growing season! 🌱

[@DJDOUBLE077]

So many valid points...great channel

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad you like them!

[@crystalruth3733]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No problem 😊

[@RedDawn1324]

I gotta work on getting my plants out there. I got em just gotta sell em. I'm planning on doing a yard sale/plant sell like you said you started off doing, then see where I go from there.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Just make sure you get the word out! Nice pics of your plants will get people to your driveway.

[@erbauungstutztaufgnade1875]

Great informations.

[@mysticmeadow9116]

The news nobody wants to hear but the information everyone needs to know. Patience and a green thumb is not a problem for me. My downfall would be that I'm an introvert and I know I need to work on that. Blessings from Linda, zone 8a, middle Georgia. Ps: new sub 👍

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Introvert here 🤷‍♂️

[@TheAdhdGardener]

Thanks for this! I've been binging your videos to figure out how the heck to get started with my nursery dreams🌻🌻

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The main thing is to JUST GET STARTED. You can do it.

[@RedDawn1324]

Awesome to see you here, I'm one of your subs as well.

[@TheAdhdGardener]

@@RedDawn1324 wsup! Yea I have a flea market/yardsale I'm going to next week and it prompted the thought of my future nursey dream. Im bringing some cuttings of my Cuban Oregano plant I potted up along with some mystery pepper seedlings(of course I didn't label properly😆) gotta start somewhere. This will hopefully kick my butt into gear.

[@RedDawn1324]

@@TheAdhdGardener well I wish you luck, but I know you'll do good. I got some cukes, tomatoes and herbs I'm gonna be selling, I just gotta get my plants out there. I just love both of yalls channels, I've learned a lot from you guys. Plant peeps, are the best peeps. ✌

[@mickaelderouineau665]

J’adore vos vidéo et votre pépinière donne vraiment envie de venir vous voir merci 🙏

[@savvydirtfarmer]

thank you!

[@Bfamreef]

You need to like what you are doing. If you are not enjoying growing your plants and learning about them it's best not to get into this. You are right to many people are looking at turning a profit too quick.Use the "growing time" to learn and invest in your self not just the plants.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Excellent point!

[@theduck7456]

Graig I've watched a great deal of your videos and noticed your ground cover is perfect joined. How do you put each ends together. I enjoy your videos. Regards, Tom

[@savvydirtfarmer]

overlap it and pop a sod staple in it. You can fold the ends under and keep them from fraying... that's helpful as well. Very simple.

[@xxpowwowbluexx]

If you put the plants on wooden stands or tables, they can’t root into the ground. And you won’t need to keep replacing that black ground cloth.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That’s a good idea… but I never replace ground cover. At least haven’t yet

[@awafall-diop4393]

Very Helpfull

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks

[@agentbarron9768]

Thanks bro im going to start a nursery, just dug 2 25x25 foot beds for a garden , ive also got 4 large compost piles , as soon as that compost is ready im going to start some nursery plants. I definitely dont want to buy the soil or the pots , im going to just ask the lanscapers for pots , they throw them away when doing the landscaping in the housing community's. Their customer already paid for those pots why let them go to the dumpster.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Landscapers can be a great source for free pots of all sizes, for sure.

[@edwarddiaz5311]

Wow awesome video

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Beverlyshillbillyhomestead]

Can you put plants in greenhouse over winter to keep y them growing. Also evergreens?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Perennial plants of any kind, evergreens, shrubs, trees, etc, need a dormant period. Keeping them "awake" will kill them. They can't survive in climates that don't allow some freezing temperatures... and, that varies by plant and their individual hardiness zones.

[@0264370]

How many plant varieties did you start with in first year? And how fast have you been able to grow the variety you offer?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

First year? I think when I started I had a few Emerald green arborvitaes, dogwood trees, and crapemyrtle trees. So, 3. I still don't have a ton of variety... that's an interesting question, because so far I haven't needed more variety to sell virtually every plant I have.

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Real talk.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That's what I'm aiming for

[@JustinsProject]

What is the material you are using on the shade cover shed? How long does it last? Most importantly where do we buy it?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It is a simple shade tarp... mine have lasted several seasons, 3+ so far, still going. I've bought mine from Harbor Freight or multiple nursery suppliers online. Easy product to locate - all depends on how big of cloth needed. You can get one that's 8x8 or one that covers thousands of square feet, or anywhere in between. 50-60% shade seems to be the sweet spot.

[@HWoodCreations]

I know you've stated what your soil consists of and your fertilizer, etc. But how do you control insects? Do you just address them if issues arise or do you spray on a schedule to control? Thanks.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I just address as they arise. Only real trouble I have is a couple of varieties have aphid issues and some Japanese beetles. If they get bad, I spray them with something from Lowes. I don't even know what it is. Something formulated for vegetable gardens. I don't get my sprayer more than twice a year and don't even use much of it then.

[@sampedro9316]

3 heavy pallets screwed together make a great nursery table.

[@kathleendowling1698]

I am in East TN, can I get by without a shade house or green house for a while to get started with herbs?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Generally, I would say yes, but I don't know much about herbs. I would just start growing some and see how they respond to full sun in pots. Nursery pots can get incredibly hot in direct sun, especially in places with very warm/hot summers. I had pots melt 2 or 3 years ago (that was an exceptional thing). But I also grow some plants in full sun with no problems. Just a trial and error thing.

[@Ismimical]

Hello, what's the saleable size for plants? Thank you for the video

[@savvydirtfarmer]

80-90% of my plants are sold in trade gallon size pots, which is about 2/3 gallon

[@Ismimical]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you, what's the size of the plant tho? Meaning are selling fully grown plants? Young plants?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@Ismimical Once the plant fills out nicely in the pot, it needs to go... actual size (ie. exact height) varies widely by plant.

[@Ismimical]

@@savvydirtfarmer Ahhh ok 😂 needs to go! I like that. So no exact size, just filling out the chosen container, got it, thank you for your time and I'll knowledge 🤝

[@sherrillgagnon6758]

Are you able to sell to local nurseries and do you need a permit to sell from your backyard?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sure! you can sell to anyone who will buy, I've mostly done retail to this point. Yes, a nursery certificate issued by your state's dept of agriculture is required

[@408Dolly]

Do you happen to still have those Arborvitae?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The plants in this video have long since been sold. This was 1.5-2 yrs ago, now January 2024.

[@randyman8984]

I noticed when watering this time of the year that the water is alot colder coming out the tap. Does that shock the plants?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's definitely colder. It doesn't hurt the plants though... also you'll notice rain is a LOT colder too, but plants know what to do.

[@randyman8984]

@@savvydirtfarmer I think I seen a video where a KZbinr mentioned it, but now remembering he was watering in a heated greenhouse. Getting a head start on with some annuals.

[@bonniemccormack1361]

1.) Didn't spend enough because propagating was working. 1a.) Didn't start propagating soon enough and suddenly it's fall, moved nursery inside and planned to set up loft for plants~later because second job happened .3.) My cat. The raccoon she loved (?). Blackbirds. 3a.) Over watered, rushing for work, killed my corn. 3b.) Wood stove went out while at work at 2nd job. I had a good plan and my investment would have been sufficient had I managed time better and got some good grow lights sooner then later. Notes were taken, lessons were learned , round two may work ! 😮‍💨

[@bonniemccormack1361]

5.) My time spent researching and planning every detail I needed to succeed even close enough to believe I could do this a second year was based primarily on shade loving plants because of the three maple trees providing perfect light conditions. My plan did not include what to do when the main shade providing tree got cut down by the provincial power company. Lemme tell ya, ADD WORSE CASE SCENARIO changes to your research. Had I added a few more sun lovers to the plan,in spite of my set backs, propagation would have got me thru my mini disasters lol I still have 12 of my original crop with 90+ growing from seeds~more sun and some shade lovers this time 😥😣

[@coreybennett6495]

i can sell seedlings to a local nursery is that a good start or do you prefer farmers markets

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Those would be two drastically different approaches, and I have never tried either. Do you know for sure the local nursery would buy from you, and at what price? I wouldn't think they would buy from someone unless you have shown them you can produce a proven product. Seems like a lot of trouble to lug plants back and forth to a farmer's market, especially if you're going to be doing any real numbers. Just a couple of things to consider.

[@coreybennett6495]

@@savvydirtfarmer yes they sell seedling plants and accept local growers thats why i asked but it does seem like a lot of time and care to do just that . i want to do shrubs/trees/veggies and differant plants so im trying to find the correct approach

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@coreybennett6495 Good thing about doing small plant starts for a local nursery is that you can do thousands of them in a small space. That's also something to consider.

[@coreybennett6495]

@@savvydirtfarmer absolutely I’m going to give it a try just because they offered . But I love watching your channel because you have the same goals as I do and you’re pretty much living what I’m trying to get to so I love all the advice

[@FarmToMarketRoad]

My seed cost from 1 cent to one doĺlar. Soil and amendments 25 cents. 6" pots 15 cents. Costs me average of about a buck per plant. From seed, though germination to saleable pĺant is about 3 months. So $1.00 to $5.00 in 3 mon̈ths is a reallÿ good return on investment.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Exactly. One of the reasons there's no business like the nursery business.

[@John_GGG]

Plants are going to die is the best thing I learned. Because they do die and it isn't necessarily because I am bad at growing.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yep... some just die... used to tear me up when they did. I got over it.

[@marke1029]

Where can we buy the Sunny Halcyon bare root in bulk?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Got mine from devroomen.

[@marke1029]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you! Thank you for all you are doing in the Saavy Dirt Community. I appreciate all your videos,,, keep them coming!

[@Brownieacornshow]

I like how you tied Biblical ideas to the video.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The Bible speaks to EVERYTHING!

[@jonathanryals9934]

This old gardener lady told me that plants want to live. You don't have to give them ideal conditions, you just have to not kill them.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That old gardener lady was correct!

[@enshalla123]

Agh..why mention the bible.. ruined the vid

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yeah… it’s pretty offensive. You’ll be happier on another channel.