Plants for your Small Nursery Business

[@miriambartley6622]

Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge and experience. Last year I had a home plant sale. I enjoy new seed varieties in specific colours for my own garden. I have an extravagant garden. I grew extra to sell at our Horticulture sale. When covid hit, and the sale was cancelled, I had a home sale and set up my plants to sell similar to what you did. I made $600. I advertised in our local face book group for our small towns and through our small town newsletter. I live in a rural area, at the end of a bush road. I had a lot of fun with my sale. It seems people were looking for the experience of a drive in the country. They enjoyed looking at our lambs and calves as well. I enjoyed providing them with a an uplifting experience. I have two 6' tables of grow lights and ran the plants through them in 3 shifts each day. I had 3 4x4 green houses and heated them with crock pots. It was a crazy year of weather here in Ontario, so the challenges were immense. My sale helps to finance my own garden aspirations. This year I ordered 48' of heat cable and a 13' grow tunnel. Herbs were sought after, so I will grow more. I had an advantage in that I bought my seeds early. Later on they became harder to get. I knew that peoples expectations were lower this year because of covid. I used our empty dog food bags and filled them with potting soil and filled them with various plants ; flowers and small vegetables like Tiny Tim, and bush cucumbers. They sold really well $10-$15. Thankyou for this opportunity to talk about my sale. I'm gearing up for another one this year. I hope to grow more perennials and native plants.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

That's fantastic! Good luck with all of your growing and selling

[@stormelemental13]

These videos are so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to pull back the curtain on what it means to be a small business owner.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure Eric. Thanks for watching

[@meisred6307]

I'm planning to start a Small Nursery Business and I'm trying to do research and I found this, and it's really helpful.

[@yoopermann7942]

i keep a note book on the days i take plants to sales/farmers markets, this helps to decide what to grow

[@evanspannknebel9492]

I like most of your videos. You often offer information on growing as a business. Thank you. Kentucky 6b

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Evan

[@XMathiasxX]

Will watch this again with my gf, so much info, cant wait for your next vids!

[@gadielgomez2709]

Wow, this is a great video. Thanks. I'm following all your steps.

[@skyz3160]

You "pump out" some excellent videos! I just saved this one. You are so good with the information you provide. Many times, "Thank You".

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I so appreciate the feedback. And you're welcome!

[@plantaveria9327]

Super helpful info, thank you so much.

[@christmassnow3465]

Great video which starts from the basics. Years ago, I purchased two books about how to START a nursery. After going through the pages, I've read about the daunting challenges of managing my crew, the expensive equipment and epidemics smothering my crops. Very little was dedicated to the basics. I was barely recovering from the 2008 stock market recession and the advices offered by those books were instructions on how to chase your tail as fast as you can. (Or just start the business when you're already rich and experienced). Keep up with the videos. Good job.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for your insights. I'm glad I hit the mark for you!

[@diversegardener392]

Now I see the process, I think I'll stay with my little collection of plants. I'll leave that to you and all the experts, Jesus loves you!

[@butterbredt9401]

Your videos are very helpful. This isn't my first time listening to them but I wanted to say thank you. Last year I tested out the market in my area, very rural, by selling veggie starts through Facebook market place. I did well, so I started up my own backyard nursery business this year. I invested in 2 greenhouses in January, and I am steadily gaining customers and a following of happy people thanks to a lot of your videos.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

It's so good to hear about your success!

[@GardensforLife]

Thanks for your videos! Have an abundant new growing season!

[@Ravenzpeak]

Great video...very interesting topic. You're so articulate and a great presenter. Thanks for sharing.

[@tomjessmore2649]

As a small backyard retail nursery grower myself, I love to hear your insights here. Speaking of easy to grow and low demand, I thought growing multiple varieties of willows to appeal to basket weavers, florists, etc. would be a good market. I guessed wrong. Product selection is critical.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Dang, Tom, we both bet on willow and lost! I still do the red corkscrew willow - but the other varieties never sold well enough. Thanks!

[@jeannedelaurent1708]

Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to make these informative, practical videos. Lots of useful info coming at a perfect time. Thanks from the south of France 😊

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Jeanne I really appreciate the feedback. Merci beaucoup.

[@Mydawgcarl]

This is crazy helpful. Thank you for taking the time to do these.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure Carlos

[@PrairieJournals]

Thank you for these useful ideas. Just starting a small nursery.🇨🇦🙌

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

How exciting! I'll be interested to see how it's working out for you

[@jjprinsloo4046]

Thanks Jason, that makes good sence, funny thing i have 400 + marygolds. But plan on growing them for cut flowers anyway.lol. I will take a look at what my local feedstore sells and try to find the silverlining.

[@maryannjordan8143]

I love your videos, thanks for all that you do.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Maryann - my pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@lambsquartersfarm]

super informative!

[@drewsfoodforest_tv]

I’m adding elderberry plants grown from cuttings this year I found starting them in a 50/50 perlite and vermiculite starting cuttings

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Nicely done! Elderberry is such rewarding propagation

[@MrMockingbird1313]

An excellent video, Jason.

[@lizhaydon2250]

Such good advise. Thank you

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for the encouragement Liz!

[@kimberlyoboyle451]

Thanks for the info! Very useful. I like the idea of pre-bonsai, anything with woody stems. I am on my second year attempt at Harry Lauder's and Blue Atlas weeping "cedar". I also have a highly ramified elm (korean) I got from Bill Valvanis in Rochester, it was a sport he kept but not patented. I also like the idea of Boulevard Cypress, Mugo pines with shorter needles (you can find them among mugos for sale at big box stores, they must grow them from seed). The only problem is Mugo are very hard to do cuttings of, as everything (Besides most of the roses!) I would like to grow.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Kimberly - I'd do bonsai if I had more patience! Sounds like you've got a nice assortment on the way if you can lock down the propagation part. Difficult propagation is a double-edged sword - yes, there's a hard learning curve, but once you have it down, it serves as a barrier to competition.

[@dipankarmookerjee2282]

Please upload a video on Cape gooseberry. How to take care, fertilizer etc. I am from India, I surprisingly noticed that, every winter some of this plant grows in my pots, as I was unaware, that that is a gooseberry, I always throws those out of my pot. By chance I came to know about this plant from your video. Thanks for that.

[@belluzinha7004]

thank you for the english subs

[@1acrehomesteader43]

So glad I found your channel! This video was exactly what I needed to see. I've been kicking around the idea of selling Tomato and Pepper seedlings at several Farmers Markets and I couldn't decide, should I sell types that the big box stores sell because everyone knows those varieties or should I sell rare varieties that few have heard of. My fear was that if a person hadn't heard of that variety, they wouldn't be apprehensive about buying it. But I think your video answered my question!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Glad to hear it, and best luck with selling your veggie starts!

[@1acrehomesteader43]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you!

[@rachelr1023]

as far as different varieties make sure you do your research and have knowledge. That's the best sales to your customers. I do a mixture because people love the common ones but do a few different and know your information. That's the best way to get them to buy yours over the big box stores. People love the helpfulness and knowledge.

[@yell1481]

I am planning to start a small specialist climbing plant nursery. While gathering popular climbers, I also want to specialize in the several species l chose. I like to know more about the set up of the nursey. Could you please make a video about the basic set up. I love your videos as they went pass the passion of business or planting - they talk common sense. Yell

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Yell. My next nursery video is on "first steps" to setting up a plant business. I might be 2 or 3 weeks out from getting it done.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

5:40 This berry grows wild in the Philippines, almost like a weed. We do eat it but farmers treat it as a weed like passionfruit and silverberries.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - I know that various of the physalis varieties have become weedy in the US south as well. Silverberry: elaeagnus? Or something else?

[@hobocyclist]

This table looking is like something from a Robert Kyozaki book

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks (I hope!)

[@hobocyclist]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm All your vids very awesome and helpful thanks

[@goldriderlc]

Nice

[@jonescreekfarm9084]

I am so glad I found your KZbin channel this morning! I could really use some help with my nursery start up. Fo you fertilize you’re plant starts in pots? If so, what do you use? Is there an organic option I can use? My plant starts aren’t as big and beautiful as I’d like them to be.

[@erbauungstutztaufgnade1875]

great :)

[@paultsworld]

Hi Jason, I really like your informative videos. Could I ask you how you did the graph in this video? And the moving arrow - brilliant.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Paul - I love open source software. Libreoffice Draw for the graphics. The arrow I just downloaded and inserted as a moving image on my video editor, VSDC.

[@paultsworld]

Thanks Jason!

[@rynophiliac]

Are you growing any fruiting banana varieties in zone 8? I’m in zone 9 and they do quite well here

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

A few growers I know are doing ornamental bananas, but usually not the fruiting types in our area.

[@warp9p659]

Out of curiosity, what are the 2 or 3 most popular antique/heritage rose varieties that you sell that people want to buy?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I've had good demand for 'Buff Beauty' (which isn't quite antique, but isn't available much in Canada), 'Kazanlik' (because of the perfume thing), 'Chapeau de Napoleon', 'Souv. de la Malmaison', 'Sophie's Perpetual' just off the top of my head.

[@warp9p659]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you !

[@jorgemercado7505]

What plants would you start with if you were in Central Florida zone 9b? Please and thank you. I love your videos by the way.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Jorge. You'd really have to start with what's popular and grows well in your area. My personal approach is to look for something a little less common - so then look for distinctive varieties. And example (and without knowing what plants you'd be most interested in selling) - if there's a good market for a groundcover like ajuga, don't just get the standard well known varieties. Look for something like 'Princess Leia" that has bold markings and not a bad name for selling either! There are always new varieties coming for gaillardia, coreopsis and canna lilies, but if you think the market is already well served on those, you can zag back to native Florida plants and see if there's something showy and uncommon in that group.

[@ainsygray]

Watched this a few times definetly hit the nail on the head , myself I'm looking at variations of marigolds and cornflowers -(sowed last year to hit the early colours of flowers ) also looking at more ground cover as I've noticed this lacks in garden centres around me ,bulked up a few weeks divided and layered , few thyme colour variants , bulking up by using grow towers layering and grow wall pockets , just sown chamomile very fast good germination so sowed more , never seen it for sale , same with borage , I also managed to find some potted on and up rosemary at my local garden centre most branches were well rooted , divided and cut foliage back as the roots couldn't support the amount on it got tons of rosemary to grow into Large sellable plants now -(learnt a lot from you ) Instagram ainsworth.Joshua , plant selling page joshs plants based in bolton England

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - a have a great season!

[@user-ot1vn1lj3n]

Hello! Thanks for videos, they are very informative! I have a question, do you have a special education about gardening and plants? How do you know all this about different names and sorts of plants and how to grow or propagate them? How did you learn all that and how much time did it take you? Thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I did go to horticulture school, then I worked for a perennial nursery for about a decade. It all sinks in from every direction, especially as an enthusiastic gardener - so I don't think there's just one path to learning the range of plants.

[@randyman8984]

Hi Jason, is it a lot of money to have tags like that? I always thought it would be hard to sell a plant without it in bloom. I guess that's a good way to do it with those fancy tags you have. Do you have a video on your tags?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I don't know that I'd use the word "fancy", but okay! No, not too expensive. I use free software, and print as photos for under 10 cents each. I think I go through the process in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5jVooaweauArLc

[@randyman8984]

Jason, I can grow some mean shiso.. the problem in my area is I don't think a lot of people know what this is, that it's even an herb or vegetable. I did some landscaping for a lady and she gave me some of these plants and man it spreads like crazy in my yard I let it grow and get real tall. It gets about 5 or 6 ft. it's real decorative and pretty but I've never eaten any.. I posted some pictures on Facebook and some people from up North said that i have some very expensive plants but I never really researched it to see if they was right about it. Have you ever eaten any?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thank Randy - it sure is the trick: finding something to grow that matches your customers' knowledge, preferences and willingness to pay! I grew some shiso for farmers market sales, and personally found sales to be very poor. The flavor was nice (minty) and it's relatively easy to grow, but I can't argue with the market.

[@TheBestGoodbye]

Hi! Love your content, recently subscribed Where in the world can I get seeds from? I'm a new grower and I'm having a hard time finding a reliable provider. In the US

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I saw some on Gerogie Vines. Sheffields. JL Hudson had a few last time I was shopping.

[@gaugeengineering8467]

Great video again, thank you! Can I ask your thoughts on selling a high volume of cheaper, higher demand plants vs selling a lower volume of more expensive lower demand plants? With the profit being similar is there any advantages to one over the other?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Dave. It can depend on how much you're willing to commit and invest. If you're doing it as a side-hustle, you need to optimize for limited time and money, and I'm encouraging the low-volume specialist approach for the best chance of keeping the business both manageable and profitable. I know people who have gone the other way (very successfully!) picking a high-demand crop and pushing volume - but it took savvy decision making, an incredible commitment (decades) and investment (many, many millions) to get where they are now. It might not be an either/or decision. I could see a point in my specialty rose business where it might make sense to grow some more common varieties in higher volume - if I turn this into a full-time business. For now, though, specialty crops seem like a better fit.

[@gaugeengineering8467]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Some good points there; I had not considered time as a factor, but of course there is a great deal more handling involved with high volume compared to a specialty crop. I've no experience selling yet but I'm speculating a common/high volume/cheap type crop might potentially work as a loss leader to encourage the sales of more profitable plants. We'll see - at least they'll make the stand look more stocked. Thanks again.

[@plantsim]

@@gaugeengineering8467 have you started selling yet? a grower near me decided to start with high demand low cost specialty mints and milkweed and moves a lot through the farmer market stand

[@helener2477]

Just found your channel. What size pots are you using for 18 trays? Do you have a link for your source. Thanks !

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I re-use a lot of plastic from other growers. It's nominally a 4" pot, but like most nursery pots, that's a non-standard measure (in this case, probably more like 3.5" or roughly 9cm) - they fit 18 up in a standard open 1020 tray

[@moxee33]

Hi Jason, where do fruit trees fall on your graph? Can high demand = long time to grow? Ie, like the 2 year old fruit trees at Walmart and home depot that sell for 29.99?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, high demand but a bit to the right (more difficult/time consuming to grow). Maybe not quite in the specialist zone, but I do see some less common fruiting trees with higher prices.

[@moxee33]

Hi Jason, I have a suggestion for you that might help you sell some more plants :) I saw it on John Lord's channel. He has ENORMOUS, COLORFUL labels on his plants that show the plant in full bloom. I personally hate the tiny strip tags at Home Depot that only tell you the name of the plant because I'm not that familiar with the names so I don't know what the flowers will look like. Here's a video that shows his plant tags. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZbQcn6Mm61_brc . You should definitely check out some of his newer videos because it shows you an aerial view of his Nursery which has the most spectacular arboretum.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[@ramsubbareddy254]

Can you share some seed growing to plant ready for sale cycle interested to know your thoughts!!!! From india

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I wish I could give you a better answer for your local market - India's climate and customers could be quite different than here in Canada. I've had good luck with perennials, and I think that some of these plants may grow well for you: Asclepias tuberosa, Salvia nemerosa, Echinacea, Penstemon, Belamcanda, Gaillardia or Liatris can be grown from seed.

[@bohorustica8545]

Thanks for sharing. I hunted down Poke Weed seeds for its medicinal properties. How hard do you consider them for growing from seed? If I lived near you I would no doubt be a repeat customer : ))

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Clean seeds, soak (24 hr) and cold stratify for 8 weeks gave me good germination. Thanks!

[@poetryandhiking]

BOHO RUSTICA I like pokeweed, but I’d never buy it because it pops up naturally in any square inch of bare dirt in my yard. That’s probably what would limit its sales in my area.

[@bohorustica8545]

@@poetryandhiking Where do you live ? I'll be planting it in very Sandy soil mid Vancouver Island.

[@poetryandhiking]

BOHO RUSTICA I live in Alabama (subtropical climate zone 8). It’s native here and grows pretty much anywhere with disturbed soil. It grows equally well in sandy soil or clay soils if well-drained. Our soils are acidic here but I’m not sure if that’s necessary.

[@Rabbitswild]

i know it is off subject for this video, but do you sell hardwood cuttings of your roses? I would be interested in them this coming winter season. ps I am a licensed nursery man with just a small back yard nursery and roses are always in demand..

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - no, I haven't been selling cuttings. Our stock plants just barely cover my own propagation so far.

[@Ismimical]

Which seed catalogs do you recommend? Thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I like Jelitto, GeoSeed, Hazzard's and William Dam

[@Ismimical]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Awesome, thank you friend

[@susanlewis6000]

I'm interested in purchasing some of your plants that didn't sell well. I appreciate God's creation and diversity very much. Can you contact me regarding this? Thanks.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Susan. You local?

[@susanlewis6000]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm So sorry. I just saw that these replies were in my SPAM folder. Yes, we did get caught in that storm and flew out of Abbotsford at -10 degrees C or so. It was warmer, back here in Ontario, when we landed. I am interested in buying some plants and shipping them to me in Ontario, if that could happen.

[@hisherbs8538]

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