How to start a nursery with plants from Lowe's // Can you really do it??

[@savvydirtfarmer]

What box stores are in your area? Do they have good garden centers?

[@RCCRAYZ]

We have Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Tractor Supply, Country Max, Agway. When we had k mart they used to have a nursery too, but they are closed down.

[@denisebalog994]

Lowes

[@vic677]

I go to my local lowes at least once a week to check out their clearance section. When their racks are overwhelmed with clearance plants I offer to help them out by buying in bulk if they discount it further. It saves them from paying to watering them, throwing them out, and can use the space. And of course it clearly works out for me also.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

yep! when I was first starting, I really don't know how many plants I got from the clearance rack... but it wasn't just a few.

[@mommaoinnh2674]

I think of it as the land of misfit toys. The plants are calling to me to come home with them. It’s time now for a trip to Lowe’s.

[@vic677]

Actually I went this morning lol. And got a flatbed cart full for $20.00. My lowes is the best.

[@erinkeyehkey6852]

I used to be a plant merchandiser at a Lowe's store until we got laid off because corporations put profits over people. They really don't care about throwing out plants and watering, you're not saving them anything, not even space. As vendors, we were not allowed to water. Lowe's barely had anyone watering and when they did, the people they have doing it have no idea what they're doing. Otherwise, they simply don't water and that's why plants end up on the sale racks, very stressed plants at that. In the years that I worked there, they did not care at all, ever, about tossing plants. Last year, I watched as over 400 hosta were tossed, every plant in excellent condition. They just had too many. You should see how many veggie plants they toss out. Perfectly good plants but because they're pay-per-scan, they just dump them whenever they feel like it or need room for more plants. Corporations are incredibly wasteful. While I think the idea of buying plants to turn into more plants for a business is awesome, I would not recommend giving a big box corporation your money on principal alone. Shady business is what these big box stores are. Go buy from a reputable grower in your area and support a small business.

[@vic677]

@E. Keyehkey Im sorry you were laid off. Some of the nursey vendors in my area stayed on as store employees. Not sure how long they will continue to work for the local store based on what cooperate is doing. I actually passed by my favorite location this morning. And once again, cooperate who has no idea what actually goes on in the day to day workings of the store. Has new directives for their employees. The employees are literally job scared and telling customers how the cameras are watching them. It's terrible. Instead of making a sale, they choose to lose customers. I was buying rack fulls last year and was thanked for helping them make space, move inventory, and save on the water person. And now they refused to sell me a ripped bag of dirt, lol. These cooperations are losing their minds. And when their employees walk out and do not return, they wonder why?

[@myperfectlyimperfectgarden7233]

Duuuuude! I have learned so much from you! I really think I just want to try this. 2 years ago, I put about 100 weeping willow twigs in a glass. I ended up with about 40 weeping willow trees that were about 5 ft tall. Not thinking I would get anywhere, I put them on Facebook... for free. No risk! I ended up making almost $400! In one week! Why am I so scared to do it! I'm retired! It would be easy!!! Please pray for me to be able to make the leap.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You've proven to yourself you can do it. Make the leap!! It's fun.

[@compulsivecrocheter8961]

What do you have to lose? A few twigs? Go,,,, YOU!!!!!

[@Starting321]

Go for it!! I just got my hobby nursery grower's license! This channel has truly inspired me! Thanks Savvy Farmer!!

[@kimfroman2023]

I drive past a huge oak leaf hydrangea on the side of a frontage road. Yesterday went for a cutting. Turns out it spreads by runners. I filled a bucket with babies. Potted up 25 and they look good this morning!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I love that you stopped on the side of a road and started digging stuff up!

[@askpawpaw]

Great video! What a coincidence. I just bought 10 halcyon Hostas for $1.50 each off the clearance rack, brought it home and divided into 29 plants!

[@vic677]

Always do the same thing with clearance plants. Great way to increase your supply.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great score!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Absolutely

[@russbear31]

My cousin owns a large greenhouse/nursery. In mid-July he threw in the towel for the season because it's been too damn hot (100+ for days on end). He did a super clearance of the greenhouses for 48 hours. Almost everything was $1 or less. Everything that was left over he donated to the Boy Scouts, churches, and other charities so he could clean house. He'll be back in the fall when it's cooler with his fall & winter stuff. In the meantime, he's relaxing at home under the air conditioning. 😀

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's been a hot summer to remember for sure. Everybody is adapting as well as they can, but A/C sure sounds nice.

[@billsweetland294]

two or three weeks ago my local Walmart was clearing out their parking lot nursery for the season. The prices were unbelieveably marked down. Nice size crete myrtles for $5 each and tons of smaller plant for 2 and 3 dollars each. Generally in my area, North Carolina the Walmarts start closing out a lot of products in late June.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good score!!

[@redwoodsgal]

As a retired, we'll supposedly nursery owner I have to put in my two cents. Just because the Big Box store is selling a specific species of plant doesn't really mean that particular plant will grow well in your area due to soil, rainfall, temperatures. These stores have a big loss but can right these off without much worry. A small nursery can't afford those kinds of losses and you need to research which do best under your conditions before you just start loading up on a lot of different varieties. Junipers just saying grow great in hot dry climates but in my wet summer foggt area they take forever to reach size. Be careful

[@ohreally1997]

As one independent nursery vet to another, wanna know what the real kicker is? Those big box store don't even have to write off a loss. They contract with distributors who represent dozens of wholesale growers. The distributor employees the folks that bring in the inventory, install the retail display, care for inventory weekly, toss whatever doesn't look good - and the big box store only pays those distributors for the plants actually sold!!! All the big box store is responsible for is watering them daily (maybe) and providing the retail space. With a fix like that, makes you wonder how independent nurseries survive at all, huh?

[@josieraimondi6763]

Great advice all around. Very workable. I like to buy my hostas from Gilbert H Wild. 100 for $150. I soak them a couple of hours and then plant them in one quart containers. These are bareroot. I find that factoring in my time at $20 an hour it is faster for me to buy the bareroots. To each his own. Anyway, I pot them and water them for 4-6 weeks and sell them as starters. GHW would be an excellent sponsor for your channel. I agree that most dead-looking plants need a good watering to revive.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Definitely buying from wholesalers is the way to go... that's what we do here. But, for those curious about acquiring their first plants, dabbling with propagation, satisfying a curiosity, etc... the box stores can be a great resource. I'll have to check out GHW for sure.

[@bugaboogirl44]

I found your videos a couple days ago and can’t stop watching. This has been maybe the most helpful, and your ad was so great I paused the video to check out orchid supply store. Thanks for all the info!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great! Thanks for being here and thanks for watching.

[@RCCRAYZ]

Thanks for this detailed video, this is exactly what I'm looking for is a list of public domain plants. If possible keep this kind coming so I can make a list. Thank you for your time

[@PetalsAndMetal]

Do a search for patent free plants and you'll find a list.

[@denisebalog994]

Whoohoo 😁 I took your advice and on a 99 degree afternoon, a Saturday no less, waiting for me were solid green hostas in nice size 3" pots for $1.37💚🌱 I made sure to select plants with double shoots in each container 😁👍 Thank you Savey Dirt Farmer🌱👍 I beginning to see the future up ahead 🌱🌱🌱😊

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great find!!

[@rockerdad2]

I just found your channel a day ago, so much info, I subbed. My one thought would be to also buy off the clearance rack and take care of some of the wilted stuff to , just sell off at the yard sale.. Great vids , new sub!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Much appreciated!

[@myperfectlyimperfectgarden7233]

I also wanted to ask you if you have ever tried to propigate Japanese maples. I was so shocked at how super easy they were to propagate. I stuck them in perlite! I have about 20 of them now. The biggest is about 12" tall. I stuck them on June 27, 2022, under a seed tray dome. This is so much fun!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Named varieties, or from seed? They rarely survive from cuttings... that's why ALL the fancy varieties are grown from grafts.

[@myperfectlyimperfectgarden7233]

@@savvydirtfarmer They are actually what came up from the root stock after the Red Japanese Maple, I got from Walmart for $14.99, died. Hopefully, since it's from rootstock, they will be okay. So far so good.

[@mommaoinnh2674]

I went to Ocean State Job Lot and bought a few stackable aluminum Turkey roasting pans. They are about 3” deep and you can purchase a 3” high clear cover. For about $1.50 I have hydrangeas rooting in clear cups inside one and azaleas rooting in another.

[@fabricdragon]

if you have any nurseries that are "big" in your area, chances are they have a sale/rescue/clearance section. i have gotten many plants (for my own use) from the clearance section at my local chain (not nationwide) including a half price apple tree. if you dont see it, ask... it may be tucked in an odd corner. you can also ask at many places about any damaged plants (or good plants with broken pots) you see on the regular floor - they may mark it down for you. time used to be i was known to the garden center at Lowes as the "clearance orchid lady" because i would buy ALL the clearance orchids, revive them, and give them to charity fundraisers and so on. (PS, i dont have the physical capability to do mass orchid repotting any more, but look up 'semi hydroponics' and orchids. ) PS... i would LOVE to see a video on propogating Juniper... i know you said it was like arborvitae, but Juniper is a search keyword for us in teh bonsai world.... (Junipers from nursery stock are used to practice on for bonsai folks, and are VERY much in demand for some varieties)

[@denisebalog994]

Thank you! Great video. Very, very helpful 🌱🌱🌱💚👍🙂

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blahdeblaaah9445]

Awesome video. I think I have a few of those wine and roses bushes right now and yeah I got them on clearance too!

[@wordvendor1]

You've inspired me. I bought 3 - 3 foot Green Giant Arbs to cut up. I half half of one done and have 150 cuttings in a dishpan in front of my apartment. My neighbor was amazed, lol. Will be very productive for a $45 investment.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Should work great! Keep them in the shade for sure.

[@JamieAlbright-hz7ij]

Thank you

[@CBlakeDavis]

I'm really glad you got some sponsorships. Been watching your videos awhile and am thrilled to see you making some money off them

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad you like them!

[@fabricdragon]

i recently got a lot of daylilys (for my own yard) from the clearance section at lowes. 5 dollars each for what had been 25 dollar pots. and all of them needed to be divided... so i coudl very easily have planted half and repotted the other half for sale. now i doubt daylilies are your best option, but just saying it CAN work

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That's all you need to know is that is CAN work. Hard word, trial and error, and persistence will take care of the rest.

[@pedropereira8924]

Very good idea, thanks for teaching us!!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad it helped.

[@juliahelland6488]

Great tips! We only have Menards and Walmart. I look forward to rooting some cuttings. 💯❣️

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do it!!

[@Ricosyard]

Great advice thank you for sharing

[@RCCRAYZ]

Hey cool! Moving on up with the sponcers! Rite now are the clearance prices as well👍👍

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Right on!

[@bri0013]

I've done this myself. Wait until seasonal changes and you can probably catch some amazing deals.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Correct! I've done it. Our Lowes here doesn't mark plants down near as much as they used to, but in year's past, on Oct 1, you could get a $30 shrub for $3... literally everything was deeply discounted - now, they're trying to overwinter plants in their garden center more.

[@bri0013]

@@savvydirtfarmer yes and their prices are climbing like a Jasmine vine lol

[@jkkelley7582]

Beautiful orchids!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They are!

[@Apuhiishaloo]

Is there a particular source that you use that lists all of the plants just coming out of patent? I always check for patent numbers on tags but that weigela 'Alexandra' fooled me (I believed the tag). Thanks for another great video!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't really use anything in particular. Just start google searching "patented plants" and the like and I suspect you'll find what you're looking for.

[@patriciahogg5763]

Great tips!! Thanks!

[@savvydaughter7368]

Great video! I like Lowe's!

[@pennyarizzio2824]

I missed it.. how do you tell if it has a patent? Does it literally say it on the tag? I see where it shows the patent number .. that part I understand, but if it doesn't have a patent number are we safe? Also another question, how do you know the patent has expired Thank you again and again for such great videos!!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Patented plants are labeled. Regardless, it's always up to you to know exactly what plants you have.

[@pennyarizzio2824]

@@savvydirtfarmer Yes I understand. Thank you so much for keep on keepin' on. I Love your videos!

[@LoriThurstonInTunePhoto]

Such great information! Thanks!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnclements6201]

Great segment! My question is off topic but, do you encounter squirrels digging in your potted plants or stuck cuttings? If so, what counter measure tips could you offer? Fence or some other deterrent? Thanks! Looking forward to your next episode.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They have never been a major problem for me. But, I have shot a few (pellet gun) and trapped a few and relocated them miles away. Most seasons they aren't a problem... just a minor annoyance here or there for me.

[@PaulDzielinski]

I've lived in my house 20+ years. There were rhododendron, azealea, andromeda I want to take cuttings from. But I don't know the name. But at least after 2 decades any parents should have expired, right?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Best practice is to only use plants you know the name of. That said, it certainly wouldn't hurt to try propagating them for practice!

[@barbaracole4314]

2 comments, what about going through their dumpster to get the ones that have been thrown out? Also I'm really only interested in selling house plants, is there a market for that and can i compete with the big box stores?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Do what you want as far as dumpster diving - I’ve done it for pots at a nursery. House plants? Don’t know anything about them

[@anitahouse3600]

As always, thank you!!!!! Speaking of dappled willows.....Is there anything we should be doing? Or when is the next time we have to do anything to them?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Prune them when they get tall and keep them watered

[@anitahouse3600]

@@savvydirtfarmer ok, thanks! I'm on track then. 😁😁

[@dannypritchett01]

I've never had issues with willows but Dappled Willows barely root for me. Then when they do they die.

[@John_GGG]

A follow up video by Savy Daughter would be good.

[@DrBug-mu3ud]

Say I have a plant that I know the name of but no longer have the tag/remember what company (i.e. Proven Winners) produced it. What is the easiest way to find out if the plant is patented?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

What’s the name? Google it

[@bowler8]

how do you take cuttings from juniper?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Depends on the juniper - the all grow slightly different, but the main thing is to let them grow out a little in the Spring and take tip cuttings of the new growth, maybe early JUne or so, timing doesn't have to be exact. Then put them under mist.,

[@fernandosolar9998]

I was thinking to do the same thing now is 50% off and home Depot and all perennials some plants cost $80 but now they sell them for 40 how about if I buy it and sell it next year for maybe 70 do you think that's a good idea

[@mommaoinnh2674]

Buy something that you can get cuttings from, or divide up with a shovel like hosta. The bigger potted coreopsis can be cut in half, azaleas or hydrangeas can give you cuttings. I would avoid roses, avoid annuals. Personally, I want to know how to keep my cuttings over a New England winter.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

good answer.

[@thatchristmasimp3170]

Maybe a silly question, but what does the patent mean and why does it disqualify it as a nursery starter? Can they not be propagated?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

A patent may be granted for a new cultivar of plant that has unique characteristics that has proven to be reliably asexually propagated. You can use them for starter plants, but only to buy and resale. You cannot legally propagate them. So, for the small nursery person, at least doing it the way I do, they aren't a good choice since I want to propagate as ,much of my own stuff as possible.

[@RCCRAYZ]

What was the name of that blue juniper you held up? I found some blue star Juniper at Walmart today I grabbed for 8$ each

[@savvydirtfarmer]

blue rug... many nice junipers that are easy to propagate!

[@RCCRAYZ]

@@savvydirtfarmer I also grabbed a blue Pacific Juniper. I got that for 8$ as well.

[@robinbass3133]

Or when they are expired?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Use google to look them up... patents are good for 20 years from the date the patent application is filed.

[@RCCRAYZ]

How many times does a royalty need to be paid on one single cutting? If I bought a plant that was patented on clearance to resell, is it legal for me to resell that same plant? Or can I not re sell it because it's patented, and have to pay a second royalty to the patent owner?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The royalty has to be paid one time. If I bought in 100 patented small hydrangeas and grew them out for 1 full season, selling them the next, I paid the royalty when I originally bought the small plants.

[@RCCRAYZ]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks. Now what about the pots? I'm hearing when you buy patented plants, you have to buy certain pots for them and tags also?

[@Aviatorgreen]

You are awesome…

[@savvydirtfarmer]

😂😂😂

[@msher479]

So how can we tell that a patent has expired just by looking at the patent number

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can look up the patent number on google. "Plant patent XX,XXX" and the patent expires 20 years from the file date.

[@nancyouellette4125]

I have firecracker crape Myrtles. I think the patent ran out recently. Is there a place online I can search patents to make sure I can propagate the plants I have? I also have several coral bell varieties and would love to know if they are under patent. I know one is black pearl. Thanks so much!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Just did a quick google search. Looks like the name "firecracker" is trademarked, so you can't use it. The botanical name is "Lagerstroemia Whit V." Dr. Whit is one of the great crapemyrtle gurus in the world. Don't take my word for any if that... look into into it before you make decisions about propagating or not.

[@nancyouellette4125]

@@savvydirtfarmer yes I have heard of Dr Whit. So that would make sense about the name. I bought mine about 18 years ago. They are about 20’ tall. I just found one on an online nursery and they are calling it Carolina Red. Just starting to understand about the parent vs the trademarked names. Thank you so much for this video. I have learned a lot watching all your content.

[@nancyouellette4125]

*patent

[@robinbass3133]

How do you tell if there is a patent on plants?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They will be labeled as such.

[@mattmcghee1137]

What edibles you suggest

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Blackberries, blueberries, figs, whatever....

[@jonathanferguson6061]

This is what I do 😁 Great video 🤙

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good stuff!

[@larrycole3137]

How do you find out/ know if a patent number is expired?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Google the patent number "plant patent 20,xxx" and find out what its file date is.

[@lindaferguson593]

I want to find out everything about plant patent ID'ing. Do you need to make your side hustle a legal nursery with a permit if plants are not patented? Need you to be better detailed in a video on how to distinguish possible plant patenting. Thanks!! How do you research patents to see if plants are still under a patent. Thank you!!

[@coreybennett6495]

whats up with the patents

[@savvydirtfarmer]

See my video on patented plants.

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

💚💚

[@gloriaiarango]

Ten dollars a hosta plant? Here in Long Island you can't get one for less than $19.99 and I'm talking a small one!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

This ain't Long Island. 😀

[@eoysny7781]

I don’t care that it’s not Long Island the viewers are like me and I agree the prices exploded. Thank God, I’ve always propagated.

[@dorareyna3791]

❤ IS ACTUALLY TOES AND FINGERS WET FOR REAL❤

[@lolitabonita08]

true story...i went to Sams a week ago and they had some almost dead plants on sale...did not have too much money on me so i purchased only one...so i went today and they had a pile of very sad dying plants and I asked the manager if they can sell the plants at good discount..to my surprise the assistant manager went with me to see the plants, he picked up a dead plant, scanned and turned to me and say "this plant is 9.99 and the manager can give you 20% off" which i reply...hey the plant is dead so why u are selling that for so low discount...well turned out that those plants were going to the dumpster...so i asked when they were planing to put the pile on the dumpster so i can pick them up...needles to say the jerk was no happy, and as turn out they prefer to toss pots that i can use in the trash...go and figure that out...Sams is part of the wallmart emporium so the rude people, the trash prefer attitude instead of selling it a huge discount or donate to food banks is their priority...Your video opens another door for those of us looking for plants...thank you so much for sharing.