A new Nursery... just maybe

After 6 or so months of crap, we are just maybe on the point of securing our new Nursery.Our meeting tommorow will decide our fate, so those of you that know us, please give us a thought tomorrow afternoon.We have in place the well worked Business Plan, and this time around the whole thing will self funded, with no involvement of the banks, so real progress.We have also had some amazing news today to do with this venture from an old friend, more of which will be revealed later... watch this space, and yes it involves plants, of a sort?Thanks to all and everyone that have helped us through this difficult period.New update on Wednesday morning when we return, and perhaps Wednesday P.M. with some major news???

Hi Clare,

Well, long story, tried it first time around, didn't work, so through determination, stupidity or perhaps a combination of both we are doing it again.

If firstly I set out the negative with running a Nursery. Plants don't have days off, so you don't tend to get them either. You have watering, plant care, and obviously your Nursery needs to be open for your customers, so it is pretty much 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year working, you can normally get Xmas/New Year off.

As a positive, the growing of plants, sold to make gardens brighter and our world a better place gives me the biggest buzz.

The hardest thing with starting up is I guess finding a site. If you are Trade only, as we are, you can look at an existing Nursery, or possibly more interesting Agricultural land. With the latter option you have a blank canvass, so you are not taking on any of the mistakes made by the previous owners. Trade Nurseries growing their own stock have the same status as Agriculture, as in they are exempt from Business rates, whereas Retial sites are subject to them.

For agricultural land their are many websites worth checking out, and obviously land with nothing on it can be very cheap.

As with starting any business you need a plan, what will you grow, who will you sell it to, how much does it cost to produce, and what you will sell it for.

Our production will be 5 - 10 litre Shrubs, Herbaceous and Grasses all grown in peat-free compost. In our opinion the 2-3 litre market is pretty much done to death, so there is no point us trying to compete with it, and our peat-free compost is our USP.

Our market is Garden Designers, Landscapers, Garden Centres and other Wholesale Nurseries, so pretty much anyone, and everyone who sells plants.

Hope this is of help.

regards,

Steve

Replies

PRO

Phil Voice April 26, 2010 at 6:49pm

That's great news Steve...good luck and look forward to hearing your news.
Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus April 26, 2010 at 7:10pm

Good luck to you both. It sounds like you've been through the wringer recently and I hope it all works out for you.
Kerrie John-The garden design Co April 26, 2010 at 7:49pm

Everything crossed for you.
Graeme @ BGS April 26, 2010 at 8:16pm

Wow - Fingers crossed for you both. By the way Rod White sends his regards and keeps asking after you.
Shelley Barnes April 26, 2010 at 8:26pm

will do- good news! and good luck- everything crossed for you xx
T & S Plants April 27, 2010 at 10:10pm

Many thanks to Philip, Nick, Kerrie, Graeme and Shell for your support.

A very good meeting today, the deal is not done yet, but we hope it will not be too much longer.

Another meeting tomorrow in relation to a major project unrelated to the Nursery, at the moment...

more news soon
The Perfumed Garden May 2, 2010 at 10:08am

I've only just read your post (been away rammed earth wall building). Hope things are going in the right direction

Simon
T & S Plants May 17, 2010 at 9:21pm

Hi all,

We are delighted to confirm that we have now secured our new 3 acre nursery.

Subject to finding a house to rent nearby, we should complete on 1st June.

Contact details etc, etc to follow.

many thanks for your support.

Kind regards,

Steve & T
clare birch May 20, 2010 at 7:42am

hi, i am a relative newbie on LJ and have just read this post. I am really interested in your story as starting up a nursery is also my long term dream!. I would really appreciate any advice you have now you have been through the process.
T & S Plants May 20, 2010 at 9:40am

Hi Clare,

Well, long story, tried it first time around, didn't work, so through determination, stupidity or perhaps a combination of both we are doing it again.

If firstly I set out the negative with running a Nursery. Plants don't have days off, so you don't tend to get them either. You have watering, plant care, and obviously your Nursery needs to be open for your customers, so it is pretty much 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year working, you can normally get Xmas/New Year off.

As a positive, the growing of plants, sold to make gardens brighter and our world a better place gives me the biggest buzz.

The hardest thing with starting up is I guess finding a site. If you are Trade only, as we are, you can look at an existing Nursery, or possibly more interesting Agricultural land. With the latter option you have a blank canvass, so you are not taking on any of the mistakes made by the previous owners. Trade Nurseries growing their own stock have the same status as Agriculture, as in they are exempt from Business rates, whereas Retial sites are subject to them.

For agricultural land their are many websites worth checking out, and obviously land with nothing on it can be very cheap.

As with starting any business you need a plan, what will you grow, who will you sell it to, how much does it cost to produce, and what you will sell it for.

Our production will be 5 - 10 litre Shrubs, Herbaceous and Grasses all grown in peat-free compost. In our opinion the 2-3 litre market is pretty much done to death, so there is no point us trying to compete with it, and our peat-free compost is our USP.

Our market is Garden Designers, Landscapers, Garden Centres and other Wholesale Nurseries, so pretty much anyone, and everyone who sells plants.

Hope this is of help.

regards,

Steve