Product Description

When Tony Avent announced that he was quitting his job to build a specialty nursery, his former horticulture professor begged his student to reconsider, telling him he couldn't possibly make a profit "without doing something illegal." More than ten years and 20 nursery catalogs later, Avent owns a thriving national business with nearly 30 employees --- and is the winner of the American Horticultural Society's Commercial Award. He wrote You Want to Start a Nursery to debunk myths about the ornamental-plants nursery business and what it takes to succeed, whether you're a backyard hobbyist or a wholesale grower. (And he still has a clean arrest record.)

Assuming that the reader has some basic knowledge about how plants are grown, Avent avoids excessive detail about soil mixes and greenhouse pests in this comprehensive overview --- he directs readers to other easily accessible sources of information on such practical matters. Instead, he focuses on the business and planning concerns of the nursery owner --- from considering whether to consult a lawyer about a partnership to whether to build your own greenhouses. While recounting humorous stories of his baptism by fire as a beginning nurseryman, Avent also provides a primer on the nursery industry as a whole, with discussions of the merits and disadvantages of retail, wholesale, mail-order, and liner operations, to name just a few. Readers of this book will obtain the tools they need to make a business plan of their own.

Avent's approach to the nursery business is witty, wise, and decidedly irreverent. Far from being a dry recitation on business practices, So You Want to Start a Nursery underlines the "people" part of the nursery trade. This book will be a must-read for horticulture students, industry insiders, and advanced gardeners who dream of turning their passion for plants into a job they love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54277 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 340 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780881925845
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Booklist
Within the greater horticultural community, Avent and his Plant Delights Nursery are known for taking a high-spirited approach to a business that offers a select inventory of plants appealing to sophisticated gardeners. Befitting Avent's effervescent personality and commercial acumen, he steers clear of penning a purely technical manual, and alternatively presents a thoughtful, realistic overview on how to go about building and managing an enterprise based upon cultivating, marketing, and selling live plants. Avent writes for those aiming high in terms of income, as well as individuals who value freedom over profits, as he explains options associated with different types of nurseries. From the importance of business plans, to essential skills, mission statements, structuring a business, and selecting a site, Avent spells out all the necessary practicalities he has learned from experience and sheds light on the stresses one can expect to encounter as he takes readers inside every aspect of the nursery business. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"If I were truly thinking about starting a nursery, this book would be an indespensable starting point, and if I were already operating one, this book would make me closely re-examine my business practices, reduce costs, and increase profits ... it will spare every nursery owner (or dreamer) from the hundreds of headaches they are likely to encounter on the road to success."
—Ronny Lopat, American Gardener, May/June 2004 (American Gardener )

"When I saw his book "So You Want to Start a Nursery" I half expected to open the cover and find a four-letter word: don't. What I found instead was a comprehensive how-to textbook as well as a sober reality check."
—Ken Druse, New York Times, September 11, 2003 (The New York Times )

If I were truly thinking about starting a nursery, this book would be an indespensable starting point, and if I were already operating one, this book would make me closely re-examine my business practices, reduce costs, and increase profits ... it will spare every nursery owner (or dreamer) from the hundreds of headaches they are likely to encounter on the road to success. Ronny Lopat, American Gardener, May/June 2004 (American Gardener )

This book far surpasses anything I’ve seen presenting this subject. I think this sets a new standard for our industry. -- R. Wayne Mezitt, President of the American Nursery and Landscape Association

When I saw his book "So You Want to Start a Nursery" I half expected to open the cover and find a four-letter word: don't. What I found instead was a comprehensive how-to textbook as well as a sober reality check. Ken Druse, New York Times, September 11, 2003 (The New York Times )

From the Author
Tony Avent is founded plant Delights in 1988 to help fund the activities of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, a display and research garden with over 11,000 plants.

Customer Reviews

A MUST HAVE for Nursery start ups
Gotta say the author gives a realistic picture of starting a nursery business. By the time you finish this you will have a clear picture of the business basics. If you are looking for a book on how to grow plants look elsewhere - this is a practicle guide to starting the business. Includes the Web address for additional info.

EXACTLY the information I needed!

Terrific Book
As the owner of a five year old Rose Nursery I found this book to be a great combination of theory and pratical advice. I particulary like the chapters where he breaks down the numbers for what you should be charging and what your production costs should be. Anyone thinking of starting a nursery should read this book before they start.

The first chapter alone where he talks about the personalties that start nurseries is well worth the price.

'two cent opinion' - Excellent Book !!!
As a nursery hobbist, somewhat new to the nursery industry, and as a person trying to grow my nursry hobby into a side business, I found this book to be truly wonderful. It is packed with lots of valuable information and seems to cover every aspect of the nursery business. I had initially bought the book thinking I would resell it when finished, but I liked it so much & found it to be such an excellent reference book, I have decided to keep it. I found this book to be very helpful, thorough, and delightfully written. Well, that's my 'two cent' opinion.