LJN Blog Posts

Here we are on the 23rd January, just 15 working days (yes including Saturdays and Sundays) until we open on 9th February.  Nursery workers are into work everyday except Xmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day!!!

With our work schedule planned out, to the hour, it appears that we will have just 2 days free before we open to tidy and pretty our Nursery.  As with planting or maintaining a garden, it is the detail that counts, and the detail is Tina's department, I just grow and sell plants.

With our plant production, started last July, we have, as always to second guess demand for each plant, and order in the quantities that we think will sell.  It is pure guess work, well backed up by 30 years experience.   All of our plants, pots and soil are paid for, in full.  

In addition, unlike a Landscape or Design Business, we speculate our money on plants, pots and compost, for which we get no return until 6 - 12 months later, when our plants are sold and paid for.  I was always told, a sale is not a sale until you have been paid for it.   Whilst it is Horticulture, it is not as most LJN Members would recognise in their own business.  Design, plant a garden, get paid some up front, some through the project, the rest when you have finished.

Today we went out to a local High Street electrical retailer, and spent just shy of £1000 for Office equipment, Computer, Kettle, Radiator (note - not for us but our Office is damp so this is for overnight heat to save the Computer getting damp) and Fridge.  Fridge you may ask,  well apart from T's supply of cold beers, for us this is an essential.  When we food shop we buy for Home and the Nursery so when we make sandwiches at lunchtime, or whenever we get a moment with no customers to serve, all of the materials are on-site for us to do so.  

As to a computer, well it is essential for business today.  In the late '80's I recall my then boss moaning about "having to buy a fax machine, just to compete", whatever happened to Fax Machines? 

Our start up costs of plants, pots, soil, office equipment and T's Beers is scary, but probably no worse than any other start up business.  

We reckon to start a Wholesale Nursery business from nothing, as we have done, is probably well in excess of £50,000 up front costs.  With no income until you sell a plant!

We are a "growing Nursery" rather than a "trading Nursery" and there is a distinct difference.

So, how much to start up for any Horticultural business ? 

Landscaper

Garden Designer

Garden Care

other Horticultural supplier