Suppliers...

We need suppliers! I've tried researching, but can't find anyone close to us. I'm going to make a list here so I can update it as I locate suppliers.

I've tried contacting several suppliers for letters of intent for our business plan with no luck. We need organic and regular plants, organic soils and soil amendments, organic fertilizers, garden equipment, gardening tools, sprinkler systems, accounting software, security system, greenhouses, and so much more. Why can't we find suppliers? Why won't they respond?

So far, only Monrovia has responded, with a very nice catalog. It is a hardcover, wirebound, colorful book with good information. Also, I did contact a tree supplier in NC who will do business with us once we get up and running.

Plants suppliers
Monrovia (big box.... aggggh)

Trees/Shrubs suppliers
Carolina Native Nursery

Hydroponics suppliers

Organic Fertilizer suppliers

Organic Soil Amendments suppliers

Container suppliers

Emailed the following Suppliers:
Baucom's Nursery - Charlotte
Greenleaf Nursery
Piedmont Carolina Nursery
Bailey Nurseries

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Boy have we been busy! Researching greenhouses, propagation, organics, native plants, etc. Also doing some propagation ourselves. I believe we may have settled on a greenhouse, but it will need a lot of work to get it ready for winter and storms. It's the Harbor Freight greenhouse, and very affordable. However, there are horror stories about how it doesn't hold up under windy conditions. Strong reinforcements will have to be built into it. Here's a picture of it:

Check out this guy's brick planting beds! Pretty neat!

There are quite a few modifications to make, and I don't have a clue what the people in the forums are talking about as far as tools and lag bolts and other jargon, but we may hire someone to do it.

Notes on Reading "So You Want to Start a Nursery" - Part 1

I read the first 9 chapters this weekend and I've gotten some very good ideas.

First off, the book says you must define your business concept. What is our concept? Though we would like to go all-organic, we feel that our town isn't the prime location for it starting out. At least not until we build up our organic clientele. We will have to go 50-50, or maybe even 70 non and 30 organic...

One phrase that got me thinking in the book, that I hope to gain motivation from each time I read it, is:

"If you cannot take the leap of faith that is required to make the shift from working for someone else to working for yourself you will also not have the nerve it takes to make the day-to-day gambles required in the nursery business."

I have a lot of notes so far, and plan to have a lot more. This book will be my "gardening bible" for quite a while!

My Book Came Today!!!

Yay! The books got here today! I gave Mom the propagation book, and I took the garden center book. Can't wait to start reading it! I'm sure we're going to learn a lot from them. I'll post my thoughts periodically as I'm reading through it, take notes, etc.

I have a busy week this week with finals at school, month-end close out at work, and going to the beach Thursday night. I should be able to start on the book next week.

I emailed the agent about the last property we visited and we are scheduled to meet again next Wednesday. I told her we would consider a much lower price, as long as all the inside work is completed as well. Wish I could find someone who knew what they were doing as far as home renovations... We'll bring along either my hubby or stepdad.

Ideas For Starting Out Small...

Here I want to post ideas we come up with to start out small. We know that having a garden center is at least a year away, so this is what we plan to do in the meantime to build up our inventory, make customers aware of our name, and gain more plant knowledge.

• We are shopping for greenhouses for our home. Mom and I will both purchase one and begin propagating our plants.
• We could sell our plants at our homes, farmer's markets, town fairs, and approved parking lots.
• We will keep our store location options open, constantly looking for the best price at the best location, for rent or purchase.
• We will get our hands on as many gardening/propagation/industry books and magazines as possible.
• Begin contacting possible suppliers, keeping a list of date, time, response, etc.
• More ideas to come as we think of them...

A Garden Center Visit

This morning Mom and I visited the local farmer's market and a well-known garden center in our area.

We hadn't even planned on going to the farmer's market, but as we got closer, I remembered Trey Pitsenberger's comment and told Mom to stop. At the farmer's market, we purchased some tomato and bell pepper plants. We also bought a basket of strawberries and 2 elephant ear plants.

I couldn't believe the things people were selling at a farmer's market! Jewelry, crocheted items, baked goods, wood furniture, bird houses, and more. I could see us doing pretty good there, especially with vegetable plants.

The garden center we went to is very popular. I've been there quite a few times. There is hardly room to walk, let alone park. The staff hardly ever smiles. The store is very crowded and unorganized. They are very overpriced. However, the place stays packed, and people come from miles around.

My hubby thinks Mom and I should purchase greenhouses for our homes. Then we could grow our own plants and lease a small shop to start out with. I'm sure we could find a suitable location. We just need to ride around the major roads a bit and keep our eyes open!

We could also sell our plants at a few yard sales, the farmer's market, or set up shop in a parking lot somewhere. Any profits we make would go into our "Garden Center Fund". It's a thought... I'm still diggin' the property we looked at yesterday.

Pics of Possible Location for EcOasis Garden Center!

This is the left side of the property.

This is the front of the house. Too bad this gazebo was in the way when this picture was took. The things we could do with that front yard!

Here's the drive. We will pave it and extend it to the back of the store.

To the left side of the store. These buildings make it really hard to imagine greenhouses here... They do have a cute swing and gazebo that we may do a little bartering for!

More greenhouse area.

The edge of the property to the right. The trees to the right show the creek's path. It's very small, though. Not sure we could use it for much watering. Snakes will be a problem.

The stick you see at the right bottom of this pic shows the right side property line. We could use that entire triangle area to create a focal point for the 20,000+ cars that come by!

All in all, the property needs a lot of work, and we aren't cut out for it. We would have to hire subcontractors before we could even sell a plant...