Starting a Nursery Business - The best advice I can give

[@awakenacres]

I started out small a couple years ago. My goal this year is to double the amount that I sold last year. I already made as much in one week as I made all of last year. So I’m optimistic! Thanks for the inspiration!💚

[@twohomesteads6512]

Wow. Excellent.

[@TheRainHarvester]

What did you do differently?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You're doing great!

[@katipohl2431]

Amazing progress and very motivating. Hi from Germany and I am just 65 years old, a professional gardener and graduated biologist, on the way to my own first business.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great!

[@daymoonfarm2903]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I'm 69 year old, and I'm fascinated by plant propagation. Obviously, to follow my passion, I'm going to have a lot more plants than I could ever use in my yard. My hope is to be able to get a spot at the local farmers market and sell my plants. It would be a tremendous help to supplement my income. Your advice and encouragement gives me hope. Thank you.

[@Growing-Our-Retirement]

Craig, hope you have a great weekend with excellent sales. You have inspired many and for those who really want to start a nursery, you give them a road map to follow! Nursery looks amazing! 👍👍👍

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks - always working on it!

[@mystressfreelife5]

Thank you for this! I needed to hear this. I have a small nursery that I am trying to build and sometimes it feels like it's too small, but this helped me realize- 'start where you are' I love your inspiration! Thanks again! 💜🪴

[@Lynnhopeacres]

I’m so glad this venture is working out! You and the family are doing GREAT things! Let’s hope for a continuation of a great spring season for everyone!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you!

[@janethalsey8753]

Thank you for all your good advice. Its so easy to want to grow every plant from the beginning. Thats been my biggest challenge is reigning it in and moving slow. Thanks for all you do.

[@bri0013]

He told you how to start it but this man's Faith, his Family, and his financial responsibility has helped him succeed. So awesome. That storm that just came through got our hoophouse *bummer.

[@southerntulip799]

Amen.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for the kind words. Storms... yeah. A not-fun part of nursery life, for sure.

[@melissaoleary8196]

About a year ago, I watched all your videos from day 1. It took around 2 weeks and it ended as you were about to have your first opening day. It was so interesting to see the growth and process you all went through to get to where you are today. Thanks for the inside look! And so happy for what you have accomplished!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Oh, that's great! thanks for watching.

[@foreversettled9144]

Thank you. Everything is aesthetically pleasing. Very professional. Blessings on your day!

[@RachelTsTime]

Sold my first 6 plants 🌱 it’s so exciting. I’m on my parents front patio after a job loss and plants are where my heart is so I know this will pan out. I have the drive and I’m gaining the knowledge 😊 ty for this ❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do it!

[@richstaniland9515]

Love your videos. They are so inspirational. You have inspired me to try a back yard nursery in the UK. Thank you for sharing your journey and your knowledge

[@PaulZiegler-o9x]

Great advice and as usual very helpful. This, in my opinion, is one of the best and helpful and inspirational videos I have ever seen. You hit the ball out of the park with this one. I'm starting on a very small piece of land. You have given me the answer to the question I have been asking myself. Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks so much - you can absolutely do it too!

[@hosta127]

Thanks, Craig. Your motive of encouragement hit home with me. i have roughly 100 Green Giant Arborvitae to sell, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to wait until my hydrangea bloom so I can sell them too. I'm going to advertise on Facebook for my 100 Green Giants and wait for the customers! Thanks again. Many Thanks!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good plants. Good prices. Good pics. They will sell.

[@jacobezell9521]

You are all about giving. Thankyou! We need more people like you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you!

[@shantelmouritsen3062]

I love your content! I am sold. I have a plant obsession and want to get out of my work from home desk job. You have inspired me to go for it. I live on five acres and have always dreamed of having a nursery. Your practical advice has me convinced I can start small and scale possibly. Thank you so much for sharing all of this!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do it! One step each day

[@stevenfrey8034]

I think what got me interested in selling trees was when I took a few plants to a yard sale a few years ago and they sold immediately. I could have sold them all day if I had more. I started bringing them to other sales after that. That's how I got the bug.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Similar to me. People love to buy plants.

[@teresaholland4790]

You are a great Christian and teacher of all things small nursery and we are very grateful to you all ❤

[@charlesmay8251]

that compound bow you sold years ago was an awesome move.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I agree.

[@stevec2775]

I really enjoy your videos and thank you for sharing all your hard work! As a botanist, I was surprised to see that you are selling purple loosestrife and creeping jennie. These are both invasive plants in wetlands and should not be sold (that is my opinion but there are states where these plants are no longer allowed for sale, or are considered noxious weeds. Best of luck with your nursery this year!

[@maureenmccrackin6933]

Purple loosestrife is an invasive species in Canada as well. You might want to reconsider that one.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I looked into it more after you and others commented here. It's off my list! thanks

[@reginaneufeld1092]

I don't know you guys at all...but I am so proud of you all!❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I really appreciate that!

[@John_GGG]

Informative, educational and inspiring!!! Keep it rolling.

[@pamelamercado6902]

I already grew veggies fruits and citrus I always give to neighbors the soup kitchens ect but then I found your channel I normally would plant around 800 to a thousand veggie plants . I grew 1200 plants last year and sold around 200 or so for$ 2.50 This year I sold vegetable plants fruit and citrus also a lot of the plants that I had propagated I made $3,000 + I don't think I would have ever started selling if I had not found your channel even though I have grown vegetables and fruit for about 40 years . I will always remain to share with neighbors family friends and food banks. I'm very thankful that you still do your videos even though you are busy with your plants and your nursery sales you have not forgotten about us the viewers thank you.❤❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Pamela, always enjoy your input, You're doing awesome.

[@veronicawilding7198]

So pleased I have come across your videos. Thank you for all your helpful information.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching

[@countrymanvideos6006]

long time nurseryman here i stoped selling barberries 15 years ago rhododendrons 20 years no difference in my sales just concentrate on what you do best propagate & sell no end to demand ther is room for a nursery in every town of 5000 or more people in america ok im to wordy ALWAYS INJOY YOUR VIDEOS

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good words... thank you.

[@Pawpawtrees]

I grow a few different native plants and sell them at plant sales. I'm still in college, so I can only grow so much right now.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I wish more people your age saw the potential in this business!

[@Pawpawtrees]

@@savvydirtfarmer I know me too. Thank you 😊.

[@andielliott7721]

Always inspiring to listen to you.

[@OkikaHawaii]

I’m working on my plant growing skills. I want to have my own nursery. I’m starting at Colorado State University for a bachelor in horticulture. It’s an online degree and I live in Hawaii on the big island. I love that I can pretty much grow anything and I mean anything in this climate. The only exception is some cold weather plants.

[@jotandtittle4525]

Sound advice! Thank you, neighbor

[@LibertyFallFarms]

Craig, I am glad that you mentioned that when you had your first sale, you had 1 person stop by in a couple of hours. I had my first sale last weekend and had no one stop. Had a blast! Divided all of my hostas…. Potted up some limelights while watching your last video potting up limelights.. was not planned 😂! Thanks for your time that you are giving us. Your journey inspires so many people to follow their dreams. God bless..

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Don't be deterred... just keep growing great plants!

[@Lynnhopeacres]

My first plant sale ever, I didn’t have many plants but I had some to sell so I was gonna sell what I could. I had one lady show up and bought one plant but I’ve gone leaps since then and have way more plants than ever and make a decent income from it. I have big dreams. Keep doing you and having fun with it!

[@gloriasanders9616]

Thanks so much for the great advice

[@PlasBachGarden]

Thanks for this video! I'm hoping to one day start a nursery. I'm thinking of starting off by selling plants by the side of the road - start small!

[@ChasingDestinyBand]

Creeping jenny is a great plant to start with in a small space, you can't kill it, it grows quickly, roots easily and people love it! I checked price at Lowes yesterday and they are getting 4.99 for a small 4 inch pot!

[@crystalruth3733]

Thanks for always sharing!! Love you and your family, always an inspiration to us ! On my second year of my backyard nursery journey. You guys have done an awesome job!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks!! Still so much to do here.

[@RideAgainClassics]

My first year planting here in Tennessee. Planted some liners out in the field for long time growth. Love the channel learning a lot!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great! That's never a bad idea.

[@danradtke1663]

Keep getting new stuff so it keeps your customers guess. What will he have this week. Great job.you do need the space to grow. You are doing a great job filling your space. Awesome.

[@cheezytaco1000]

Place looks great, a place you would want to visit even if you weren’t going to buy anything.

[@tiffanybalden5879]

Thank you for being so encouraging and informative. I’ve had a passion for plants since I was 18. Tried starting a market garden in 2014 but was denied the land loan from USDA…looking back it was Gods will for sure BUT I wasn’t ready. I feel ready now and unlike in the past, I’m more nervous than ever. Funny how things change! The moral of the story is, I’ve been praying and really getting into my walk with Jesus and really feel like he’s speaking to me regarding this leap through y’all’s channel THEN you revealed that you are OR were a pastor. Very neat. Of course, once a pastor, always a pastor right! I want to thank y’all for the info and guidance. I’ve got a vacant house that was never repaired after A major flood and I’m going to utilize it as a green house. It might not be a traditional green house but I’m thinking it will get us started and we will have a controlled environment through winter to be prepped for Spring. (Which I wouldn’t have planned for if we didn’t watch y’all’s channel) Keep up the great and honest work.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Love it. You can absolutely do it, and that house could be turned into something pretty unique. One step at a time. Thank you for the kind words. Lean hard into your walk with Christ - you'll never regret it.

[@jkkelley7582]

All the plants look wonderful! It is exciting to see what this year has in store for you! Always great advice!

[@melissaoleary8196]

I went to my very first farmer's market last weekend. Made 400 dollars from 4 varieties of perennials I started by seed in my basement. Looking forward to more plant sales. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and encouragement in your videos. Very much appreciated!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

YES!! Well done

[@subsonicdemon]

Great advice as always I introduced your videos to several of my friends today down in waco. So hopefully you gained 3 or 4 new followers today

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Much appreciated!

[@subsonicdemon]

@@savvydirtfarmer Not a problem I really do enjoy the content

[@f.demascio1857]

I really appreciate your channel & shared info. I'm just starting out, making a career change. Making tons of cuttings from my own trees & bushes. Hopefully full scale by 2026

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Very nice! You can absolutely do it.

[@petereich1715]

Thank you for all you're thoughts... very helpful.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@margielavarias1490]

Wow love it! God Bless

[@stevenfrey8034]

Great advice. Thanks.

[@seybro6298]

Great video, now I feel even more prepared

[@Dbusiness1]

Impressive expansion this year . How about a video with prices ?? 😅

[@barryrhyno3190]

Love your channel. Thanks for the videos

[@transmediapedia3732]

Awesome video. Beautiful nursery 🥰

[@savvydirtfarmer]

thanks for watching!

[@maureenmccrackin6933]

It might be interesting to record plant requests. It may give you good insight into what plants to stock in the future.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I really should do this. Many plants I have now are because I learned about them from requests.

[@tonyb1803]

I am 57 yrs old and am disabled due to MS. I started last year selling tomato, pepper plants, roselle hibiscus, lemon grass and moringa trees. I did fare but not real good either. I am trying again this year and am doing worse. I have found out that white hydrangeas are very popular and dwarf black mulberry are also popular. I am having trouble on determining what to sell. I am NOT interested in a nursery business like you have. I just want to supplement my disability and sell on an appointment bases. I just wish it were easier to determine what to stock. I can root almost any plant. Thank you for your videos!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Start with the two you named, and go from there.

[@RootedInBolton]

Hi and thank you very much for another great informative video. I would be very interested in a video which explains how you organise your working day/week. This is my first year of trying to make a living from my nursery, and I'm really struggling to get myself some sort of schedule. The front garden needs to look beautiful because it's a showpiece so I can't leave it and do other things, but seeds need sowing and cuttings need taking, and this takes two to three times longer because I'm trying to video what I'm doing for KZbin, and there's the paperwork to sort and my website to get up and running, and checking up events to go to and sell at, and then advertising! I'm totally on my own in this, how do I chop myself into all these pieces and wear the different hats? 🤠🌻

[@TheRainHarvester]

Why use shade cloth if buyers plant them outside?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Annuals are grown in greenhouses somewhere. The transition from greenhouse to garden can be rough on them. So, the shade provides something of a transitional environment between greenhouse and customer. And, it keeps the plants from burning while in my custody.

[@nel6211]

You remind me of Amos of Famous Amos Cookies. He once said people research things to death. They never get started. Like you said, just START with what you have. The rest will fall into place.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Ahhh, that's great!

[@cindymcatee4027]

Do you have a template for your plant ID cards? Thanks for all you teach us!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No, I just make them on canva. Very quick and easy. I save as PDF and email to a local print shop, where they print and laminate them for me. About $1/sheet. 4 cards per sheet. $.25/card. Very, very cheap marketing.

[@John_GGG]

@@savvydirtfarmer great tip!

[@zackholmes3229]

Would you mind sharing your watering schedule for the Green Giants? We have some some Murray Cypress trees in 1 gallon pots we bought as liners, but i am not sure we are watering them enough.. Do you use a moisture meter to check them?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No, I've never owned or used a moisture meter for anything. Don't overcomplicate an easy thing. Once the weather gets warm and sunny, I water them pretty much every day, unless it has rained or been cloudy. It really depends on your potting soil. Some soils are going to hold moisture better than others. If you scratch the surface of your potting soil to just a half inch deep or so, you can tell if they need water or not.

[@PrettyAliceNight]

Thank you! How big is your nursery space?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Hard to say now… kinda spread out. Probably 10,000 sq ft + parking

[@marlenemullet]

Thanks for another great video! I’m curious if you live in a big community? I’m not sure if my community is big enough to bring enough plant business if I would open a backyard nursery?Hope that makes sense?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

My community is out of town, but not far. People often comment (or whine) about "how far they drove." But, I live within 25 miles of something like 150,000 people. That said, and this may sound counter-intuitive, don't let your location deter you if nursery is something you want to do. I have a friend who grows and sells fruit trees is very remote area in Arkansas and they have a huge business! People drive there from 50 plus miles every day and they are booming. Grow nice plants and let people know what you're doing. People will drive a long way to get them. Just make it worth their time.

[@marlenemullet]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks for your reply! Very encouraging!

[@johndismang]

What potting mix do you use?

[@LeadByFaith81]

First, how reasonable is it to start a backyard Berry Nursery, selling only berries? I have had a dream for about a year, ever since I have been following you, of selling berries for a side hustle. There are very little people selling Honey Berries in my area and people are always looking for them even though they grow great here. That and Marion berries seem to not be talked about a lot here. I have 4 bushes that I planted a day ago and I have plans to get more and propagate the ones that I have once they grow a bit. I also have Marion and Logan Berries growing with plans to propaget them as well. I already started buying cheap pots and I have a ton already from all of the plants I grew last year. The Area of my backyard is about 5600 ft. I would be using about 1400-1500 feet to grow berries. This part of my house is unimpeded with neighbors trees on the north side of my house. Would this be a reasonable side hustle? I may end up using more of my back yard if this ends up being a good Idea. Just curious of your input if you get to this comment.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Berries are 100% a good way to get started. Add blueberries to your list. I sold 180 of them, mostly in February, when they were dormant. CRAZY how popular virtually all edibles are. Fruit trees, etc. Take 1000 sq ft of space and master getting everything you can out of every inch of it first. You can have a HUGE business in 5,600 sq ft.

[@LeadByFaith81]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you very much, I appreciate your input!

[@mattdaddi]

You may want to check on the legality of purple loosestrife. In Wisconsin it is a major invasive for shore lands, and it is actually against the law to sell it, vs a lot of other “invasives” that are still legal to sell, but they are on some lists of invasives so all the haters come out. But those really aren’t that bad if you’re a gardener. But purple loosestrife is pretty bad from what I hear. Just fyi.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Have done so thanks to a couple of comments here. It's off my list. No more. thanks!

[@Dicofol1]

If I do not want to sell retail, can I just propagate and sell the plants to a garden center in bulk (like 200 rooted plants)?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sure you can, you just have to find buyers.

[@mandilamantia9279]

Where do you get your pots?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Amleo.com, greenhousemegastore.com, locally, or free/cheap via Craigslist or FB marketplace

[@LizTompkins]

If I split my hostas in spring and put in containers, where do I keep them in the winter?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Wherever you have room for. Just leave them in the containers you split them into.

[@kayperkayful]

I just want to be a small town granny gardener who has a couple sales a year so l can hopefully make enough money to fuel my addiction of gardening. Then, find a 12 step program for my addiction cuz l am out of control! Lol.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

"Small town granny gardener." I like it!

[@russhuslage1013]

I have bought our first lime lite hydrangea do I prune them or wait till next year

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Prune them back by about 1/2 any time this winter.

[@davidnichols8162]

Hey this is Dave. Watching your family has been a highlight in my KZbin watching. I like that you are so real. Wish you were closer to Arkansas. I would love to have your friendship! I have a Channel lil’o’farm if your bored sometime check me out. I hobby with plants. Don’t want it to become a job. People are a joy to me, I enjoy meeting folks. This is a great way to help people smile. I see your heart for it. Keep it up!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

good deal... thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching.

[@johnrayburn6578]

Always wish there was a Two Thumbs Up button.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

thanks thanks!!

[@amydu5498]

Everything looks wonderful! One thing to check on- I think you said you are growing purple loosestrife. If so, please check it out online - it’s invasive in many areas. I am not sure if that of the case where you are.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I have learned about it thanks to you and others comments. It's off my list! No more. thanks

[@John_GGG]

It’s a beautiful plant, but boy is it invasive.