Expanding the Nursery Business - Updates from Our second week

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Was winter kill particularly bad in your area this year? What's your location?

[@lagoya]

I’m in Arkansas and I lost a potted rosemary to that sudden freeze that moved through. However, I have potted up two flats of asclepias and buddleia that I ordered and now just waiting for them to fill out a bit before selling! P.S. my 1yo likes your dog :)

[@newarkgardener6187]

Yes my hydrangeas died because of the late freeze. 4 of them and some or leafing out again.

[@twigandroot]

for sure, I had some die back due to a couple warm days followed by a rough cold. I'm located in central east Alabama

[@michaelheyward7668]

That short cold spell just before Christmas zapped some of my container plants however, the " in ground " plants survived. Central Maryland here.

[@kevinmelton7954]

@ Savvy Dirt Farmer. Whenever you're just sitting around with nothing to do (lol) you might find watching a few videos from the Edge of Nowhere farm YT channel interesting. They are a couple who farm in Arizona and produce many crops as well as harvest meat raised on their farm, Their farm is nothing like what your area looks like but what they've done and the energy they've placed into it is amazing. Like you, they recognized what the basics are for each project (starting with improving soil and oroviding water), focusing on each level of need one at a time and continually build from there.

[@whitneyanderson6050]

You are rocking it. I’m so impressed with your nursery. Your mind set is focused and intentional. The only thing all over the place is you and your adorable family working your butts off. God Bless You.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for the kind words - we're surely trying to get it all figured out.

[@melodyscamman244]

I think the first of your videos I commented on was on blackberry propagation. People may want flowers this spring, but looking forward I believe the trend will be in "edibles" 🤔(?). I love that farmers and gardeners are about the only group that talks about their failures with as much enthusiasm as their successes. Thank you for such an encouraging outlook on life ❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks so much! We had a couple hundred blackberries we were going to sell this Spring... only 30 or so survived winter. But, yes, edibles are HUGE!! People asking about them all the time.

[@PlumbsmartPaul]

Yeah. The way this country is headed, you better grow something to eat.

[@andielliott7721]

@@PlumbsmartPaulTRUTH!

[@KyleMartin.NCRealtor]

Another great video! You will probably see higher shrub sales in the fall. Spring is all about annuals, fruit/vegetables & then perennials as it starts warming up!

[@anniathome]

I’m in west-central Indiana, zone 5b. It’s fun watching you all because we’re still a month from our last frost date! I’m so thankful for all your videos because I’m learning so much! I’d love to see you all write a book about all this adventure. (Dibs on proofreading/copy editing for you!) If you put together an online course walking people through the process of starting their own nursery business, I would buy it in a heartbeat! You’re so authentic and committed to doing this debt free! Many blessings for your continued success!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Online course? It's in the back of my mind. I'm a HUGE proponent of DIY / Self education.

[@nel6211]

You have the room and maybe the time. Look into starting perennials from SEED. Some get big right away others take a season or two. But from seed they are cheap and if they don't germinate not a huge loss. Same thing with annuals. You may need to seal up a diy greenhouse.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Seriously thinking through this... looking at the numbers, and just really trying to understand how to do it. Can't be that complicated, but right now I'm pretty much in the dark. I'm going to do it though.

[@lisazappolo9989]

@@savvydirtfarmer Although most info is available online for starting different seeds, a book called "Park's Success with Seeds" covers germination requirements of hundreds. It is out of print now but can be found online used. Park's was a family owned seed and nursery company in SC that has since been sold.

[@ambergessler1679]

I contacted my local wholesale nurseries in WI and was told they have a difficult time supplying plugs to their existing customers. Those emerald green arborvitae arborvitae cuttings I put in the soil are doing great. Thanks so much for your videos and sharing your knowledge.

[@paxsplace4483]

HI Amber, I too am in Wi. Would love to contact you. I am going to officially start my nusery this year. Been collecting plants for a number of years but life got in the way of starting.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for the info!

[@floweringacre3079]

We are in Brentwood Tn and we have all lost a tremendous amount of shrubs. Laurels, boxwoods, our nandinas have taken a huge hit. Other trees that aren’t dead but look bad are our magnolias. Even out burning bushes which are usually tough as nails are suffering. 25:02 On top of the ones we lost in the December artic blast we had a late frost that set a lot of things back.

[@oakleyjack7600]

Here the same in Bowling Green above you.

[@mimiholland3929]

We started a small backyard nursery this year and we love watching your videos! We did lots of vegetables, herbs, flowers and are wanting to expand to include shrubs, hostas etc this fall! Best of luck!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I've never grown anything from seed aside from garden veggies in the ground. I HAVE to get that together for next Spring. SO MANY PEOPLE have asked for them.

[@Taylors_ridge_glamping_NC]

When my shrubs have died, I've used that as an opportunity to put something better in its place. Usually a flowering bush or roses. Personally, I hate a boxwood or Azalea. I have a backyard nursery as well and I don't bother with either. Hydrangea, Butterfly bushes, Gardenia. I have DOZENS of Japanese Maples that I started carrying last spring. I also do more perennial flowers. I like to focus on the older varieties. The ones you can't buy at lowes or home depot. I love watching you guys grow. I hope to one day buy a property to be able to do the same. 👏👏👏

[@asaliden4584]

What you can prepare for early fall sale is mums and pansies. I know you can plant them fall in your climate and have a early pop of colour early spring. And as someone said here in the comments, sow seeds. You can start right away with both perennials and annuals, or buy plugs and pot them up and grow them right away. Plugs is easier and quicker than starting from seed and when you have a stock of perennials, many of them are easy to divide and sell really nice big plants later on. Perennials with lots of colour- Echinacea. Today there are a ton of different types and colours. Salvia. Lots of varieties and colours and blooms all summer long. Nepeta. Lower plant, blooms twice if cut back, nice foliage, and the cat will thank you. Violas. Early bloomer. Geum. Hard to find, but a stunning perennial. And oh, you should DEFINITELY have Vitex tree/shrubs! Vitex Angus Castus a flowering wonderful shrub with scented foliage and flowers!

[@davidunderwood4341]

I have a small back yard nursery. I've been watching your videos a lot. Looks like you found your passion! Keep up the great work! I have a few videos as well on my small channel if you'd like to. Between your 12-14 hour days of course!

[@mimiholland3929]

What is the name of your channel?

[@soccermom1245]

I found the channel. Look for his full name on KZbin

[@dawsont4328]

We own a lawn&landscape company in Kansas City our most common requests for plant installs are. Emerald Arborvitae, boxwoods, cherry trees, globe blue, yews, hostas, day Lillie’s, begonias, snapdragons, catmint, bleeding hearts, coral bell plum pudding, literally any flat of annual flowers, and mums in the fall. There is more variety then that but that seems to be the most common. Evergreens in tree/ shrub form are so popular and pampas grass.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks - that helps!

[@ruthmeow4262]

Flowers versus shrubs. I think in the early spring flowers will always win out, people want color after the dreariness of winter. In late spring and early summer I am sure the shrubs will take off as people see the holes in their landscaping where their shrubs were. I also agree with the idea of a small greenhouse to start flower seeds in, and for a native plant section.

[@sheilab2726]

I'm in northeast Alabama, all my butterfly bushes I had planted over the last 6 years died in the cold we had. Only ones that survived are 2 that had seeded themselves about 2 years ago.

[@manfoodchannel]

Think the flower thing is seasonal as a long term gardener winter I purn my mum's roses and then things look dead and ugly but when you hit up the big box store kind of thing get a heap of thus potted colour plants Thu it fills the gap between the death of winter and the rose show in Sommer so my point is why as a gardener we think of cheap flowers Sommer not much to do but enjoy your work and in winter here I have tem climette so not bad winters but winter is when we plant shrubs and trees Sommer is enjoy but spring you want that quick bost in colour

[@jackieroberts6316]

Thanks to your enthusiasm I went to a "farm swap" with some of my tomato and pepper plants. Not many folks but I did make $73.00 and had a great time meeting people. I will do a different swap next Sat. and plan to use the money to build a 20' hoop house. Bless you and keep growing.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

YES!! Use the money to continue to build and increase what you're doing. Heck, we basically did that for 5 years.

[@oakleyjack7600]

Sharing and talking with your customers will come back 10 Fold !! You might print up business cards with your Facebook page and telephone number and make up some simple questionnaires to hand out at point of sell to get a gauge with questions about; where they are from (focus areas), what plants they are interested in, gardening products they might be interested in, ETC and this would give you a focus for marketing and future products to stock . Your business and your family’s growth will mold itself into something Special and at the same time teach a value in patience and the pride of doing it together. May God Bless and hold you 🙏🌞❤️

[@popstone116]

I love how your family all works together. I feel like you guys are my next door neighbors.

[@Growing-Our-Retirement]

Love what you are doing and sharing as you go! We lost many plants here in Northwestern NJ in the super cold Christmas time freeze. Almost 0° for several days.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's extraordinary how many things are dead here. Entire rows of shrubs, old, established plants of all kinds... I don't think there's a living Leyland Cypress in my entire county (literally) and there are a TON of them.

[@hnsbro]

In our modern world of "screens", I can see how working with family, outdoors would be appealing and ultimately much more fulfilling than a desk job. Keep up the good / hard work. Even on the West coast we had a tough Winter season - not so much because of the cold but rather the amount of rain, wind and at times hail.

[@OldManAsh73]

You guy's are such an inspiration. I'm really enjoying watching the new place evolve. Thanks from Ash Queensland Australia 😀👌

[@karenbrewer3362]

Lost shrubs in southern North Carolina due to the cold snap. Looking forward to adding lots of hostas this year! Thanks for the encouragement 😊

[@KarlKarsnark]

Spring is springing! Keep up the great work. You've helped be to take the plunge on starting a little nursery-type, something-or-other too. I close on a little 1 acre lot here in N. FL. tomorrow morning! (jinx). Cheers!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Wonderful! There's SO MUCH you can do with that much space

[@Whipporwhill]

Love seeing your journey! Love that you're home educating your kids. Best education & experience for your entire family. ❤🎉

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you

[@dreamagood8321]

I live in West Virginia & this cold weather killed my maple tree … 😢😢😢 But, other then that I think everything is coming out & looking good . Thank God 🙏🏻

[@LittleSpaceCase]

I'd be really curious to see yall add some native plants to your area! Many insects can only eat and live on native plants, which helps birds in the area too. Caterpillars are particularly important to birds since they need 4,000-6,000 of them to raise one healthy brood of chicks!

[@ruthmeow4262]

Maybe look into native bamboo. It is a great plant.

[@LittleSpaceCase]

@@ruthmeow4262 Arundinaria gigantea is probably the most native one for him though there are none native to where I live.

[@oakleyjack7600]

Butterfly bushes are easy to propagate and provide lots of color and interest and also grow quickly. I’m in 6b Bowling Green, Ky and the laurels have been wiped out almost completely, nandina’s have took a major hit also.

[@michaelheyward7668]

So happy to see you guys doing so well in such a short amount of time! Really enjoyed the video...

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks so much!!

[@PalmTreeSanctuary]

Very nice information! South Florida city guy here hoping to start a nursery with an emphasis on palm trees and very much appreciate your videos and input. Thank you so much and will be viewing more of your videos!!!! 🌴

[@compulsivecrocheter8961]

I moved a whole bunch of plants into a new bed just before irrigation season ended in October. Everything seems to have survived the move and the bitter cold. I live in the hot dry part of the PNW.

[@manfoodchannel]

Good show mate build it and they will come if you know the movie field of dreams I think it's called if you do what you love it's never work so good to see it's coming together for you guys good to see the family working together as well as getting There little projects going

[@michaelelder3131]

We have a local nursery/ garden center that grows their own garden mums each year. They start with rooted cuttings or plugs and grow them in the field during the summer with drip irrigation and they start selling as soon as the first buds show color. They also do pansies, snapdragons and sweet william from seed for fall planting. You're doing great! Keep going, keep growing!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Mums are hard. I've studied them to death on exactly how to grow them and all the stuff that's needed to do it. I'm not ready to dive in this year. Maybe next though. There's definitely big money to be made on them - and I'm for that.

[@wordvendor1]

I'm in 6a, mid-Missouri, not too much winter kill here. You might try dianthus; firewitch, zing rose, and other perennial dianthus. They're really easy to grow and have SO much color.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

This year we've had firewitch and Sweet William Rockin Red and Pink... all have done well and we've sold every one of the sweet wm plants. Very hardy... great bloomers.

[@DayOwlPlantAdventures]

Exciting to watch your business grow so quickly.

[@beth6085]

In VA Beach, VA there is a nursery called Coastal landscapes. They have an opening video that shows the whole area they encompass. I wish this for you! Grow Grow Grow!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Oh wow! Thanks for those words - we're working every day (almost) to get this thing going.

[@kellyraming1038]

I’m in STL, MO and I lost a good portion of my roses, some young hydrangeas and even some young hostas that were covered! Love you guys and what you’re doing! I’m starting a small backyard nursery and your channel has been a Godsend! Thank you!

[@kevinmelton7954]

Looking good! You're focusing on the important basics. There's only so much you can do at one time. Of course, you do have to have your mind forward looking too. I think edibles are the way to go more and more. Possibly soon folks will not be worried about what the outside is looking like but more interested in how their insides are feeling. In that way, even herbs count. They propagate easily. Some of them are rampant growers and also look nice as plantings. I have a bed with thyme, sage, peppermint, catmint, oregano. They fill out very nicely and produce flowers. Folks who look at that bed admire its appearance and are surprised it's all edible. I throw in some miniature hollyhocks around the edges along with Basil in attractive pots (bc our area the sun is too hot for it and I have to create microclimates for it) and, Bob's-your-uncle, I have a really nice cottage garden with little upkeep. We go to that bed for herbs to do our cooking all the time. Chives make a nice border. Onions when left in the ground grow tall stems that put out that beautiful big globe shaped flower had. A bed of those flowers is really pretty. The side benefit is that onions will produce new bulbs to be harvested as food. And potatoes make nice looking long vines. Of course, if there's a home improvement store nearby, they can buy those plants there but in the long term, extra sales may be created with easing into some edibles that maybe get started from your own personal garden. You're the one who knows your business best. I'm sure you'll do the right thing. God bless.

[@kevinmelton7954]

Also, Jerusalem Artichokes -which are not artichokes - are super easy and prolific at reproduction. I listened to someone talk about how they ate some that was roasted in the embers of a fire at Colonial Williamsburg, roasted by a docent. They said it was really delicious. They do have to be cooked well to reduce gas-producing side effect. But they grow 8' in my garden and look like wild multi-branched sunflowers. Be sure they're where you want them when you plant them. I've tried to move them twice by sifting the soil to try to get all of the tubers and - nope - I didn't get them all because now I have them growing like crazy every place where I popped a tuber in the ground. But they are easy to pop the tubers out of the ground for resell.

[@kevinmelton7954]

For people concerned over food insecurity, Jerusalem Artichokes lay in the ground year round and with a little attention to reducing gas, they are free food and a food source that few people will recognize as one.

[@sheylaboucher3829]

Thank's for all the infos. Winter was easy here for us in Québec, Canada. Not to much snow, not to cold, compare to usual. In our corner of the province anyway.

[@SarahBird-kq2bz]

'thankfull beyond words' so humble....you inspire me and encourage me so much .

[@rynophiliac]

Id really like to see a video on your irrigation install. I have to do that myself soon also :)

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Will be doing that video soon.

[@marlenemullet]

Love seeing the progress on your nursery! I’ve had lots of plant sales over the years and have found customers buy perennials, especially if they are in bloom, more than anything else. Have you considered selling smaller 4” pot or quart size perennials? People are always looking for smaller, less expensive options. This last winter I lost all my gallon size perennials that I had stored in a very protected spot over the winter😏

[@savvydirtfarmer]

We've put a pile of plants to the side and marked them a couple dollars less than the rest of our perennials... some very common hostas, quart lamb's ears, sage, maybe a few others.

[@ASMRisnice2020]

Coming back to this video and 2 things. 1. I learned that spraying too much neem oil then having a heat wave/lots of sun will burn up plants. Put your plants in the shade if you treat with neem oil folks :) 2. You have 6 acres? We were thinking about purchasing about that much but land where we live is tough to find (at that size). Seems like there’s a lot that can be done with just 1 acre! Need to plan smart it sounds. Great video!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can make a living on 1 acre!! Or even 1/2 acre. Doesn’t take a lot of space to build a great nursery - it’s all about efficient use of space..

[@berrylarson2808]

Make color bowls and hanging color baskets. Grow flowers from seed, petunia, portulaca, blue Salvia and vinca

[@erinblanton123]

I am in Virginia and that cold snap was horrendous!

[@nel6211]

Hey, how's your Sunday going. Just came inside after 10 hours of potting up my veggies in the garden. You mentioned people were looking for flowering plants. Look into "Creeping Phlox". It's a perennial, easy to propagate. They come in different colors. I have dark pink, light lavender, and dark lavender. I'm in zone 7, NYC. It's very easy to grow. Blooms in spring until early summer. Once you have a couple you can easily have hundreds.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Our creeping phlox have already bloomed here. I've sold a lot of them... every one I have, in fact, probably around 50. I need about 10x's that many though. They bloom here in March, mostly. Still a few blooming here and there.

[@jkim3323]

I can't agree more on you saying 'inventory gotten very thin' I do a small Facebook Market Place type of sales and when they sell they sell. Having an extremly thin inventory, sometimes it is gone is just few days. Not making banks from it but good enough to supplment my hobby.

[@LittleSpaceCase]

The dead ones all being on one side might also mean those ones are more wind exposed? Maybe a small wind break overwinter could help. Though I think those loses are still pretty low!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I think most of them were potted from a batch that were already dead when we potted them. It's not always to tell if an EG is dead when they're dormant because they can hold their color fairly well for quite a while. But, why was THAT batch dead? Possibly as you said.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Always love your content. My grandma taught me something while tidying: handle it once. If you can put the culls directly on to a wagon or trailer, you save yourself a percentage of redundant labor. It's a handy habit. Also, for accounting/tax purposes, record all losses.What brand of weed fabric and pins do you recommend? Looks like you're going to need help soon... Real soon! Also, make sure local builders know you are there! Too many people buy from Lowe's because they don't know about the local nurseries.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

"Handle it once." That's good advice, and I waste too much time NOT doing that, I know. Losses? CPA helping with all that.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

@@savvydirtfarmer losses = plants that died. Value of plant x number of losses. Yes to CPA advising on deductions.

[@thegardengoodies]

Thank you so much for your valuable information!

[@amarofam]

As always, very inspiring to see you all and hear about your experience in the nursery. I think petunias would be a great way to start selling annuals since they’re so easy to propagate and grow very fast. Just a thought 😊

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, thanks!!

[@jasonsimmons811]

Yes I live in Chickamauga ga and have a lawn service that cuts in chattanooga tn yes alot of dead shrubs around here

[@danradtke1663]

Ever think of adding you cut or already cut christmas trees for winter income planting time is now. Hope your daughters garden is productive also to help healthy family crops.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Christmas trees not really something I want to get into at this point

[@emilyneal7888]

When I managed a nursery we would go pick plants from wholesale nurseries on Wednesday. Would would get them in place and priced on Thursday and ready to sale for the weekend. We would be open during the week but our main sales happened on the weekends.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That's kinda what I'm doing now

[@danielfowler5940]

I’ve had mud come up through that ground cover. I use churt under it so the water doesn’t bring mud up and also the roots don’t grow through the GC into the ground.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't ever have trouble with plants growing through unless I leave them there a long time. I don't want to keep them long enough for that. I have had them do it, but very, very few.

[@DianePahl]

As a gardener of many years, in the spring - flowers, flowers, flowers. Some folks are hanging basket freaks, lol. Shrubs go in the ground in the fall - up here in the north anyway maybe the same in the south. If you have a plethora of shrubs, perhaps reach out to some local or not so local landscapers, those dudes love to just drop in shrubs everywhere. Don't forget the vegetable people - in the spring, folks are looking to start their vegetable gardens - also plant their fruit trees. Other trees, not so sure about when their "hot" season is, perhaps someone else could chime in. Oh, early fall, get some mums in. They sell like hotcakes up here. There is a cycle, I've seen it in my local nurseries - perhaps it's online somewhere to give you a better take on things. As for winter kill, up here in Michigan, I lost 2 small rose plants, and at least one hydrangea. The two roses, I'm not really surprised, they were puny to begin with (never buy on a "deal") but the hydrangea was a surprise - it was a Quickfire, I thought it would be more hardy up here. Anywhos, you are doing great and it's always just one step at a time, right?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

This is good advice. I need it. thanks

[@Veritequiparles]

I see how much work the first acre is... Not going to be going at the same speed as you guys. Amazing work :)

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do a whole lot of nursery in 1 acre!

[@Veritequiparles]

@@savvydirtfarmer Yessir you can. I will eventually, but need to start small ans manageable. solo and with a main job, house to restore/rebuild. The nursery isn't the main priority, but growing and propagating stock is what I aim to do in the time until I can dedicate full time to it. Your videos are genuinely helpful. Thank you 🙏🙂

[@teresaholland4790]

Great job on this beautiful project with the nursery

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you! 😊

[@dreaminggreennursery]

I'm in zone 6b and my Leeland cypress parent plant is ok, but it seems like it's struggling right now for some reason, kinda like it dried out a bit. All the cuttings I took from it last year are still in sand rooting out and are doing fine tho. And my boxwoods are fine, no problems. They are evergreen so they do brown up in winter but all are green now. Now the only thing I can think of would be your area didn't have enough chill hours for them too be dormant, or it didn't get cold enough long enough for them to go fully dormant. If plants don't go fully dormant, or have enough chill hours they will get stressed out and either die, or not flower because every plant that needs chill hours have to have a bare minimum of them in order to basically live. That's why you don't see sugar maples down south passed a certain point or certain apples, and fruits because it doesn't get cold enough long enough to go into dormancy. I had to learn about chill hours because I germinate my own seedlings and needed to know when to put them in the fridge to germinate, so when they grow, I time them rite for the spring thaw here. But anyway, I hope that helps you guys somehow. Keep asking questions you may have, and I will try to help the best of my ability in knowledge. 👍👍

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Some folks around here are thinking the trees still had a high sap content in them, not having had very low temps up until that point. Then, we go from 55 degrees to near 0 in 24 hours, and stayed below freezing, well below freezing, for over 100 hours... that's VERY unusual here. About once every 20 years, I think.

[@dreaminggreennursery]

@@savvydirtfarmer yah could be. I still wonder at times why I loose things during the winter. I just had one of my prized Japanese maples die for no reason that I can figure. I try to store as much as I can in half hoops just to keep the snow load off of them and also freeze girdling the smaller ones. I lost 3/4 of my plants one year to that. I didn't protect them and then 3 feet of snow got dumped on them, then the thaw, freeze thaw freeze happened and when it froze it girdled them and crushed them under the weight. So lesson learned.

[@kckola4553]

I noticed your ground cover landscape fabric looks to be 12' wide. I am not seeing this available, in most cases it's 3',4', and 6 foot widths that are offered. One other thing, in earlier videos you had called the Green Giant Arborvitae your "bread and butter" propagation plant. Now I see you are doing the Emerald Green. Have you moved away from the Green Giants? Great videos! Keep up the great work.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I buy they wider rolls locally. Cost too much to ship them. Green Giants? Still growing a ton of them. Adding more Emerald Greens to the mix and others. Need more and more varieties and greater numbers of everything I can grow.

[@turiaturiana7529]

Even in England we had the harshest winter and we lost so many plants

[@floweringacre3079]

Also, I have heard you mention that you had shopped at Mary’s Nursey. We miss that spot so much. Did you think about buying their facility? Would have been perfect for your family and you would have acquired a lot of infrastructure.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Buying Mary's would have been a ***little*** out of my price range, but MAN, that would be awesome for sure.

[@RockinGFarm]

I lost all of my butterfly bushes. Zinnias are the best colorful flower. They are super easy to grow. Also, proven winners bubble gum petunias are AMAZING.

[@CloudWalker33]

You have my wheels turning. May try my hand potting/ selling some of our Hydrangea cuttings

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Part of what I want to do with my channel is just to show people what CAN be done. Get the wheels turning... always a good thing.

[@CloudWalker33]

Absolutely! Pretty awesome thing you've got going. I'm sure there will be hard times, but keep doing what you love! That's the BIG lesson

[@JS-jh4cy]

How much square footage do you need for an small successful nursery, in Canada acerage cost more than Japan it seems

[@JS-jh4cy]

Looking for the smallest size, until I can win the lottery to get a few acres later

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Depends on what "successful" means. You can successfully propagate 100 cuttings on a lunch tray in your kitchen window, grow them out, sell them, and call it success. Or, you can have have a full scale production nursery you earn a full time income from. So, kinda hard to answer. All depends on what you're trying to do.

[@mariarametta1282]

Hi there you all doing very well in what you are doing but I was thinking what if you called some of the growers like proven winners and see if they would send you a shipment of annuals and perennials, at spring time l love to buy pansies and petunias, That also frees you of going to the growers you would sell them like hot cakes .

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Workin' on it... workin on everything every day.

[@andirogers7133]

Hi.the emerald green cutting you guys moved over,at what time of year did you take the cutting? I live in u.k an following your channel for over 12 months always excited for your next video.i follow your advice ref cutting but not much success with green giants...my hydrangea on the other hand are awesome & I have so many overs I give away to neighbours.many thanks and wish you and your family all the best for your 1st big season as a nursery 👍

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Those cuttings were rooted some time last summer.

[@IreneNevins]

As your EGAs get bigger, you want to give them more space between the pots so the branches don't touch.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

When they touch I sell them. They son't sit around here long enough for what little touching happens to matter. But, fair point - when they they touch for long they don't like it, for sure!

[@staceyallard2692]

I bet your shrubs will sell come fall, ppl want to color up their flower beds in the spring. And I think the fall is when people usually plants trees and shrubs, right? Idk.. just a suggestion 😊♥️

[@bobmanp8653]

Good will is huge

[@gabriellamclellan1102]

Just found you...thankyou for your genuine advice in plain English.. Love the background music..💕💕💕 What is it please...

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't even know... something I downloaded from KZbin studio. But, thanks for being here - glad to have you on board!

[@paulavance3987]

Wonderful videos. Could you let us know how the "topiary" limelight hydrangeas are doing?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Right now they are leafing out... so far so good.

[@billsweetland294]

i hope you're closed on Sundays

[@savvydirtfarmer]

yep

[@tanvirayub]

Love ❤️ your videos

[@echandler673]

Love your channel, just became a sub. How did you find out which plants sell the most/best in your area?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Just started growing and selling stuff. You never know for sure year to year, but a few staples are easy to figure out. Go to your local lowes type store and ask someone in there what plants they can't keep in stock. See if you can get your hands on some of those to grow or quick flip. Grow and sell. Then do it again, and again, and again.

[@kevinmelton7954]

Not all flowering plants are annuals! You can ease into color without getting into annuals-which will require an enclosed greenhouse, won't they? You can add a little color with ground-spreading herbs and bulbs. Many Herbs produce pretty flowers, usually purple, whitish and blue. You get the dual purpose -- an edible and a flowering plant. Non-edible flowering bulbs that are nice and you don't find that often are Agapanthus ... very pretty blue flower heads. The tiny flowers fall off of the flower head and leaves behind an interesting green, globe flower head that lasts a long time or can be cut as a dried for the house. Stick a few in a vase for a couple if weeks for an interesting display. Also, theres that red bulbing flower...is it called oxbl@@d or spider lily? And irises and the other usual bulbs. Plant some and sell them grown out. If you plant a flower bed in your display area, you can attract buyers to the flowers you grow. An interesting arrangement would be color-based, like red, white and blue flowers, if you've got some that grow in your area. Or make a cottage-y look garden. Can you sell some easy-sow seeds for your area? A wildflower mix sown in your own ground as advertising might be interesting. And, of course, there's roses. Not exactly easy care for you but always popular. Maybe specialize in one type of rose. How about Climbing roses? Don't see them often and there's some real beauties. If you had a climbing rise on an arch that people walk or drive under would be a real wow factor. A flowerbed filled with onions you've allowed to bloom is a showstopper. The flowers also produce seed prolifically. Rosemary. Does it do well there? It has blue flowers. There are several varieties, including one with an upright habit. It's called Seven Seas, I think. (I ordered some online several years ago. We moved before I got to see them mature. Found out later, the neighbor coveted them and dug them up while the house was empty!) Rosemary is another edible with flowers and bees love them, if someone wants to attract bees.

[@kevinmelton7954]

Many herbs are reproduced by cuttings or rootings. No need for sprouting their seeds, which requires a warm environment. When the weather is really cold here, I overwinter them with sheets covering. I've never lost any, even with sustained -20 degrees + ice and snow during one really nasty winter storm. Mine are sheltered from the wind by being placed against a wall. Peppermint and spearmint and moost mints are prolific spreaders. Promote mint juleps! Have a mint julep day!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

We have a LOT of flowering perennials... have sold a lot

[@garygilliam1890]

Were are you located. Ok im in Gaffney South Carolina and I was going to hook you up with some succulents

[@savvydirtfarmer]

NW AL

[@HomesteadByBigfoot]

South Central tx zone 9, we lost trees, oaks, and shrubs to frost this year, by far the worst I'v seen.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Ouch

[@genamueller]

Maybe off topic but I am wondering if you guys are located in the city or in the county? We are looking to buy land and wonder how that would impact our foot traffic. Thanks so much for the great content you guys put out!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

County, out in the middle of nowhere.

[@genamueller]

@@savvydirtfarmer awesome! Thanks so much! That’s encouraging!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@genamueller If that means you're out in nowhere too, out of site, no traffic coming by your location... use that to your advantage. Youre the quaint, off the beaten path, little road trip paradise that the busy city nurseries can't compete with. THEY. WILL. COME.

[@genamueller]

@@savvydirtfarmer Awesome! Thank you so much for the encouragement!

[@genemalone7469]

Hi, just wondering if you top dress your plants with fertilizer with 12-6-8 for good healthy growth.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

18-5-12, I think

[@HomesteadByBigfoot]

what gauge weed block is that 6M or? And what is the size, I used a 6m 6 foot by 500 foot on a garden area but we are wanting to expand, do you have links to the rolls you get and use? thanks.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I bought mine at a local supply store. Check out my amazon store. www.amazon.com/shop/savvydirtfarmer It's DeWitt brand... get the widest roll you can manage.

[@robbieragsdalesarmered-dil1940]

Where are you located and what is the price on the emerald green in 1 gallon and as liners

[@savvydirtfarmer]

NW Alabama; Shoals area

[@branchingoutpermaculturewi4766]

what is the roll of black cloth you lay down called

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Woven ground cloth/cover. Woven is important- don’t use plastic. Water passes through woven; not through plastic.

[@janinedyason2924]

What is the size of your green giants when you sell them? Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Usually about 20-24 inches, trade gallons

[@janinedyason2924]

Thank you very much.

[@okpalms1]

Will you guys still sell/ship hydrangea and willow cuttings? If so when is best time to have them mailed

[@savvydirtfarmer]

If at all this year, it will be winter.

[@CoffeeCakeCrumble]

I don't want to shake your faith in them but......I actually lost 2 hostas. Rotted in the pots. The others in the same spot are busting out like it's just another year 🤷‍♀️ Some winter kill on the thornless blackberries, I think I lost my Saturn grape start, Japanese painted ferns are showing some regeneration (I've fought this fight before with them in the past, they're such drama queens!) Zone 5b, Michigan.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I lost hundreds of Hostas this year… but that has never happened before. They are reliable, for sure, but nothing is completely fool proof.

[@jessefifer3564]

Who do you use to buy whole sale flower pots?? Been looking online but thought I'd ask you to see if you got someone with a better deal

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The best place I know of is a local (to me) supplier. Otherwise, I use amleo.com or greenhousemegastore.com

[@jessefifer3564]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you, love your channel, been following you an your progress scenes last fall, doing great love it keep up the dirt work lol we want to start some time here soon going to start with mums, so any info you think of for mums plz share lol

[@paxsplace4483]

I would start stocking edibles. I belong to Mike's Backyard growers and everyone seems to be saying that's the biggest sellers.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Next year

[@PlumbsmartPaul]

At your pace, are you considering hiring someone? My best friend, besides my wife, hires high school students and retirees for part time labor. He owns a vineyard in KY.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No hires any time soon... we're just not set up for that

[@teresaholland4790]

But can you take that loss off if you’re business taxes?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The cost of producing plants - potting soil, water, fertilizer, pots... are already documented as business expenses. You can't double dip.

[@teresaholland4790]

Dang it 😆

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

💚💚

[@rubylackey9814]

People love hanging baskets.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yeah they do, and I don't have any.

[@andielliott7721]

I like your "dirty knees"...that's exactly what mine looked like today.

[@richardgithens1960]

Check your pronunciation of "arborvitae"

[@savvydirtfarmer]

thanks!

[@annapotter7397]

May be time to hire some part time help...

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Can't do it right now... won't be too long though.