When 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. He wrote So 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 focuses on the business and planning concerns of the nursery owner. 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. This book is a must-read for horticulture students, industry insiders, and advanced gardeners who dream of turning their passion for plants into a job they love.

Average Customer Review: ( 22 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

EXACTLY the information I needed!

19 of 19 found the following review helpful:

Terrific BookOct 07, 2005
By P. F. Zimmerman
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.

22 of 23 found the following review helpful:

'two cent opinion' - Excellent Book !!!Jul 23, 2005
By David H. Dudley "'Two Cent' Opinion"
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.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

The otherside of the NurseryMay 25, 2007
By SouperMan "SouperMan"
This book is not your typical "grower" book. It has little to do with actually growing, this is a business book. If provides you with details of the actual running of a nursery business that you probably have never thought of. If you are looking at starting a greenhouse/nursery/veggie stand etc this book would be a wise investment.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Fabulous bookAug 10, 2007
By Petra S. House "Petra's Garden"
I was engrossed when I first picked the book up and have been reading it every night since. Lots of great information and no nonsense advice. Real world information and a must have for anyone thinking about starting a nursery.

See all 22 customer reviews on Amazon.com