plant nursery business plan sample

Plant Nursery Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Agriculture Industry » Crop Cultivation » Plant Nursery

Are you about starting a plant nursery? If YES, here is a complete sample plant nursery business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a plant nursery . We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample plant nursery marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for plant nursery businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

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It is without doubt that starting a plant nursery can be a very sure way to use your love of plants and gardening to gain or make money. When people think of a plant nursery, the local garden centre usually comes to mind. But it is important to note that most garden centres produce very few of the plants they sell.

Instead, they buy their plants from specialty nurseries, which actually grow the plants. There are many specialty plant nurseries starting from tiny backyard nurseries to very large regional wholesale nurseries, who might supply retailers in several states.

One awesome fact about the business is that the industry is still very much open to contain a large variety of farms and individuals. The best way to achieve brand awareness and make substantial money in the plant nursery business is to choose a niche and specialize in plants that are in demand and can be container-grown to save space.

A relatively new development in container growing – called the “pot-in-pot” system, gives farmer the chance to grow  larger trees and shrubs without the back-breaking hand digging and high water consumption needed by field growing, and for smaller plants, container growing saves time, water and transplanting.

One’s need or a supplier’s need of having your own plant nursery is being able to buy wholesale at deep discounts. There are hundreds of wholesale nurseries that specialize in what are called in the trade “plugs, liners & whips”, which are different types of plant starts.

If you think this sound like the kind of business you would want to start, then you can begin to look into writing a business plan. If the idea of writing a business plan sounds scary, then you may want to work with a sample business plan like the one below;

A Sample Plant Nursery Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

It is worthwhile to note that businesses in the plant nursery industry grow nursery plants, such as trees and shrubs; flowering plants, such as foliage plants, cut flowers, flower seeds and ornamentals; and short rotation woody trees, such as Christmas trees and cottonwoods.

These plants can either be grown under cover or in an open field. It is a known fact that the industry has survived poorly in the past five years. The influx of low-cost cut flower imports from Colombia and Ecuador has without argument had a direct negative effect on domestic farmers, reducing the revenue of the industry.

We believe that in the coming years, the revenue of the industry will reduce, held down by the weak demand from florists and nurseries and by import competition.

We all know that the economy of the united states is no longer in a recession, weak discretionary spending will continue to strain flower sales throughout the year. It is also important to note that businesses in this industry are located throughout the United States, and their distribution varies slightly from the population distribution.

Most products of the plant nursery industry grow better in some climates and a concentration of growers has developed in a given area. Demand in the industry we believe is moved by consumer income, home sales and new home construction, and commercial real estate construction.

The success of individual companies rests on anticipating demand for various types of plants, efficient distribution, and competitive pricing. Bigger ventures in the industry have economies of scale in distribution, and little businesses in the same industry can compete successfully by raising specialty plants or serving a local market.

2. Executive Summary

Ostrander Nursery is a new plant Nursery in the heart of Oregon that is dedicated to provide quality choice for individuals searching for plant and garden supplies, as well as serving contractors who need a reliable source of products.

We at Ostrander Nursery hope to offer a wide variety of plants, trees, vegetable plants, along with a selection of garden supplies.

We believe that most of the plants we will be selling will be grown in our greenhouses. We also believe that with a suitable and convenient location, Ostrander Nursery will successfully market its products to the residential customer, as well as contractors and renters.

We at Ostrander Nursery would love to see and acknowledge a five to ten percent increase in our customer base annually, which will serve as a factor to dictate our success. Our marketing strategy includes providing a knowledgeable staff, affordable prices, a great location, and top notch customer service.

We also plan to experience a growth rate of 20% in sales for the second year of operation and build upon that as our Nursery grows. We believe that with adequate, creative marketing and a quality choice of plants and garden supplies for our customers, we will be able to achieve success and make our presence known in the nursery community.

Ostrander Nursery has been the long time dream of owners Oscar and Alexander Grant for many years, and has been a project in the making for the last five years.

Oscar and Alexander Grant, two brothers with a precise goal and visions, will manage all aspects of the Nursery. Alexander, we believe will manage the staff and be involved with the ordering of merchandise, while Oscar will be in charge of the ordering of the garden supplies and tree stock, as well as the maintenance of the greenhouses.

3. Our Products and Services

We at Ostrander Nursery plan to offer a wide variety of bedding plants, shrubs, trees, and vegetable plants along with many garden accessories such as fountains, stepping stones, garden tools, fertilizers, and potting soils. We believe that most of our plants will be grown on-site in state-of-the-art greenhouses. First and foremost, we plan to buy full grown plants for our first few months of inventory.

Our main source of revenue stream at Ostrander Nursery will come from the direct sale of plants and trees from our outdoor and indoor greenhouse facility.

We hope to carry a number of seasonal and year round (perennial) species. We also plan to sell to both individual customers and landscape contractors. We will also generate secondary revenue streams by organising the transportation or big orders of trees and plants on behalf of individual customers and landscape contractors.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Ostrander Nursery is to become one of the leading ventures in the Plant Nursery Business and in the whole world, starting from the United States.
• We at Ostrander Nursery are very much dedicated to provide a wide variety of plants and trees in an aesthetic setting. We understand that the customer service we provide is extremely important, because we want each customer to have a pleasant shopping experience, and it is the intention of our staff to answer questions with expertise and to offer advice when we feel it is needed.

Our Business Structure

Ostrander Nursery has been a long time dream of brothers Oscar and Alexander Grant, and has been a project in the making for five years.

We believe and hope that our opening date will be within next year March, Oscar and Alexander Grant is seeing the dream of operating a nursery to become the leading figure in the industry. Located in the outskirts of Salem, Oregon at 98983 Orchards Heights Rd, opposite the famous Sundance Lavender farm.

We also plan to focus on providing quality bedding, hanging, and vegetable plants, along with a variety of potted trees. Our major aim at Ostrander Nursery is to serve both residential customers and landscaping contractors, and provide a variety of garden accessories such as ponds, statues, potting soils, fertilizers, and garden tools.

Outlined below are the portfolios we wish to start Ostrander Nursery with:

Chief Executive Officer

HR and administrative Executive

• forest nursery worker
• forest assistant nursery
• greenhouse worker

Marketing and Sales Manager

Security guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• His in charge of Overseeing all other executives and staff within the organization.
• He is Tasked with board of directors and other executives to determine if company is in accordance with goals and policies.
• Charged with encouraging business investment.
• He also promotes economic development within communities.
• His in charge of directing the organization’s financial goals, objectives, and budgets.
• Implement the organization’s guidelines on a day-to-day basis.
• Preside over quality control.
• In charge of Hiring, training, and terminating employees.
• In charge of developing and implementing strategies and set the overall direction of a certain area of the company or organization.
• Provides visionary and strategic leadership for the organization.
• Collaborate with the board of directors to develop the policies and direction of the organization.
• He makes sure that the members of the Board of Directors have the information necessary to perform their fiduciary duties and other governance responsibilities.
• He also Provide adequate and timely information to the Board to enable it to effectively execute its oversight role.
• Directs staff, including organizational structure, professional development, motivation, performance evaluation, discipline, compensation, personnel policies, and procedures.
• In charge of overseeing the running of HR and administrative tasks for Ostrander Nursery
• Monitors office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Stays updated on job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Builds the ventures reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• States job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Organizes staff induction for new team members
• In charge of training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• In charge of arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• In charge of overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Tasked with defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• In charge of preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• In charge of financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• In charge of developing and managing financial systems and policies
• In charge of administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Forest Nursery worker

• Plants, sprays, weeds, fertilizes, and waters plants, shrubs, and trees, using hand tools and gardening tools.
• Plants crops, trees, or other plants.
• Applies chemical solutions to plants to protect against disease or insects or to enhance growth.
• Harvests plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
• Marks agricultural or forestry products for identification.
• Harvests agricultural products.
• Records information about plants and plant growth.
• Maintains operational records.
• Feels plants’ leaves and note their colouring to detect the presence of insects or disease.
• Evaluates quality of plants or crops.
• Sells and delivers plants and flowers to customers.
• Transports animals, crops, or equipment.
• Sells agricultural products.
• Operates tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants.
• Operates farming equipment.
• Fills growing tanks with water.
• Inspects plants and bud ties to assess quality.
• Digs, cuts, and transplants seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.
• Cuts trees or logs.
• Ties and bunches flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders.
• Packages agricultural products for shipment or further processing.
• Regulates greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.
• Operates irrigation systems.
• Digs, rakes, and screens soil, filling cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting.
• Prepares land for agricultural use.
• Dips cut flowers into disinfectant, count them into bunches, and place them in boxes to prepare them for storage and shipping.

Forest assistant nursery

• Moves containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.
• Sows grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.
• Cleans work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
• Cleans equipment or facilities.
• Maintains inventory, ordering materials as required.
• Maintains inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Hauls and spreads topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels.
• Prepare land for agricultural use.
• Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.
• Builds agricultural structures.
• Cuts, rolls, and stack sod.
• Provides information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.
• Advises others on farming or forestry operations, regulations, or equipment.
• Folds and staples corrugated forms to make boxes used for packing horticultural products.
• Traps and destroys pests such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides.
• Captures or kills animals.
• Grafts plants and trees into different rootstock to reduce disease by inserting and tying buds into incisions in rootstock.

Greenhouse Worker

• Grafts plants.
• Inspects facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.
• Negotiates contracts such as those for land leases or tree purchases.
• Positions and regulates plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
• Prepares soil for planting, and plant or transplant seeds, bulbs, and cuttings.
• Provides information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns.
• Assigns work schedules and duties to nursery or greenhouse staff, and supervise their work.
• Determines plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
• Determines types and quantities of horticultural plants to be grown, based on budgets, projected sales volumes, and/or executive directives.
• Identifies plants as well as problems such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests.
• Manages nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
• Selects and purchases seeds, plant nutrients, disease control chemicals, and garden and lawn care equipment.
• Tours work areas to observe work being done, to inspect crops, and to evaluate plant and soil conditions.
• Applies pesticides and fertilizers to plants.
• Confers with horticultural personnel in order to plan facility renovations or additions.
• Constructs structures and accessories such as greenhouses and benches.
• In charge of Identifying, prioritizing, and reaching out to new markets for our agriculture produce, processed food, new partners, and business opportunities within the agro – allied industry
• In charge of Developing, executing and evaluating new plans for expanding increase sales of all our agriculture produce and processed foods
• Tasked with documenting all customer contact and information.
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Aids to increase sales and growth for the company
• In charge of protecting the farm and its environs
• Controls traffic and organize parking
• Tasked with giving security tips when necessary
• Patrols around the farm on a 24 hours basis
• Presents security reports weekly

6. SWOT Analysis

Ostrander Nursery is a standard plant nursery started to be exceptional and not as a trial and error, which is why conducting a proper SWOT Analysis became a necessity. We at Ostrander Nursery believe that getting our things right from the start would mean that we have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us establish a successful plant nursery.

We at Ostrander Nursery plan to offer a large number of products, we have no plans for failure but a well situated plan that will help us to maximizing our strength and opportunities and also make our threat and weakness an advantage for us. Properly explained below is a summary of the result of the SWOT analysis for Ostrander Nursery;

According to our SWOT Analysis, our strength rest on the fact that we have built and established a well based rapport with a handful of major players (agriculture merchants) in the agro – allied industry; both suppliers and buyers within and outside of the United States.

We have also purchased some of the latest modern machines, tools and equipment that will helps us manage our plant nursery. We also have experienced and best hands for the business in the whole industry

The SWOT Analysis perceived that the time it will take to gain customers and boost our brand will be our major weakness. It explained the unimaginable competitive industry and how industry players are keen on their advertising strategies.

• Opportunities

The opportunities that we at Ostrander Nursery have are the amount of homeowners, and industries that will come for our plants and also industries that will come for the raw materials from our plant Nursery.

One of the threats that was perceived during the SWOT Analysis is the probability of global economic downturn that will affect us negatively, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), unfavourable government policies and a new competitor ( a plant nursery that cultivates few or almost all the crops we cultivate ) as our nursery within same location.

We believe in our strength and know that we will overcome any available threat with ease through handwork and consistency.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trend

It is a known fact that most businesses in the farming industry are no longer relying only on non – organic farming. They have now added both organic crop cultivation and non – organic crop cultivation and despite that organic food are costly; they are steadily increasing in demand.

Also we all know that the agricultural industry is as old as man’s survival on planet earth, but that does not in any form make it over saturated or filled; ventures in the industry keep exploring new ideas technologies in order to improve cultivation processes and also food preservation process; mechanized farming has without doubt increased the level of foods and crops that are being produced. The industry will always be needed for the survival of man and his family.

Farmers are now growing crops in large numbers in a country where such crops could never survive before now and in locations where there are little or few farming land due to the advancement of technology. Individuals can now make use of rooftops (basement) of their houses to plant crops even at large quantity.

8. Our Target Market

Our target market strategy at Ostrander Nursery will be relying on becoming an attractive choice for homeowners and landscape contractors in the city of Salem Oregon. We believe that the target markets we are going to be chasing are the residential consumers searching for a large variety of plants and trees to beautify their residences.

We also believe that the Landscape contractors will be attracted by competitive prices and a diverse inventory. We understand that individuals will want to shop at our location because of the superior customer service we hope provide. We at Ostrander Nursery would like to see a five to ten percent increase in customers annually, and the profile of our customer consists of the following demographic information:

• Male and Female.
• Married and Single.
• Combined annual income in excess of $50,000.
• Age range of 25 to 80 years, with a median age of 40.
• Own houses or townhouses valued at over $150,000.

Our competitive advantage

There are approximately more than 17,000 businesses that operate one or more facilities that sell plants and trees to both individual customers and contractors.  It has been estimated that in each of the last five years, the plant nursery industry has generated in excess of $27 billion while providing jobs to more than 150,000 people.

Aggregate payrolls in each of the last five years have exceeded $3.5 billion. This goes to show that the industry is a matured industry, and the future expected growth rate is expected to mirror that of the general economy.

We at Ostrander Nursery believe that we have one of the most extensive and affordable plant and flower selections in the entire State of Oregon, and a very knowledgeable staff ready to give out unparalleled customer service. We believe that contractors looking for a reliable nursery will find we at Ostrander Nursery very supportive and easy to work with. The ease and convenience of our location is a very big plus and a competitive advantage to us.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Our main source of revenue stream at Ostrander Nursery will come from the direct sale of plants and trees from our outdoor and indoor greenhouse facility. We hope to carry a number of seasonal and year round (perennial) species.

We also plan to sell to both individual customers and landscape contractors. We will also generate secondary revenue streams by organising the transportation or big orders of trees and plants on behalf of individual customers and landscape contractors.

10. Sales Forecast

We at Ostrander Nursery have been able to analyse what our sales or the income we will be generating in the next three years. We have put plans in place and we believe in our strength and the way we plan to run Ostrander Nursery, and we believe we will achieve these goals and figures.

We have also perfected our sales and marketing strategies to help us achieve our aim and goals, we have employed experienced hands and individuals we believe can help us be what we want, when we want.

Our sales projections was analysed from two main revenue streams: the general public, and contractors. We believe that our sales projections for the upcoming year will be based on a modest growth rate for sales. We are Ostrander Nursery being a new plant nursery business we are projecting a growth rate of 20%, believing our advertising will bring in new customers daily. Outlined below are the sales projections of Ostrander Nursery:

• First Year -: $650,000
• Second Year -: $1,100,000
• Third Year -: $3,000,000

Note : it is worthwhile to note just like we stated above that this forecast was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the believe that none of the threats we mentioned above will be a hindrance or may likely appear.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We at Ostrander Nursery plan to make use of a number of marketing strategies that will allow our Plant Nursery to easily target individuals within the target market. We believe that these strategies will include traditional print advertisements and ads placed on search engines on the Internet.

We believe that we need a functional marketing and advertising strategy to be able to boost our business. Which is why we will also use an internet based strategy. We believe that this is very important as many people seeking local retailers, such as plant nurseries, now make use of the Internet to conduct their preliminary searches.

We at Ostrander Nursery also plan to register our business with online portals so that potential customers can easily reach the business. Ostrander Nursery will also develop our own online website showcasing the operations of the business, our inventory, hours of operation, and other services offered by the business.

Finally, we will also develop ongoing relationships with landscape contractors that will need inventories of trees and plants from Ostrander Nursery in bulk on a regular basis. In time, these contractors will become an invaluable source of business for us at Ostrander Nursery.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We at Ostrander Nursery believe that our marketing strategy will be based on becoming an option for contractors and the general public to fill their plant and shrubbery needs. We also intend to maintain an extensive marketing campaign that will ensure maximum visibility for the business in our targeted market. Below is an overview of the publicity and advertising strategies for Ostrander Nursery:

• Establish relationships with landscape contractors within the target market.
• We hope to place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms; we will also advertise Ostrander Nursery Consultants  on financial magazines, real estate and other relevant financial programs on radio and TV
• Ostrander Nursery will also sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• We also plan to make use of various online platforms to promote the business. All these will make it easier for people to enter our website with just a click of the mouse. We will take advantage of the internet and social media platforms such as; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• We also plan to mount our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Salem, Oregon
• We at Ostrander Nursery also plan to engage in road show from time to time
• We also plan to distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas all around Salem
• We plan to make sure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our official vehicles are well branded with our company’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Our strategy at Ostrander Nursery will based on serving our customers with expert service and product knowledge, to build our marketing plan to reach homeowners, renters, and contractors, to focus on satisfying the needs of our customers, and to focus on providing quality plants at affordable prices.

Ostrander Nursery believe that to get the right pricing for our plants, we need to make sure that we choose a good location for Plant Nursery, choose a good breed / seeds that will bring forth bountiful harvest, reduce the cost of running our plant nursery to the smallest minimum and make sure we attract buyers to our business, as against taking our plants to the market to source for buyers.

With this, we would have successfully removed the cost of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics from the equation.

• Payment Options

We at Ostrander Nursery after our extensive research and thorough discussion understand efficiently that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at different times and ways. We plan to make sure that we provide them with payment options that will make their transactions less stressful and very open.

Listed below are the payment options we at Ostrander Nursery plan to making available to our customers;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via POS

We have also chosen to partner with a known bank in the United States in order to give our customers the best they can ever get in the agricultural sector of the United States.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Our major objectives at Ostrander Nursery is to maintain an average gross margin at or above 50%, generate an average of $1,000 of sales each business day of each month, and realize an annual growth rate of 10% in Year 2. We believe that these objectives and goals are very much reachable.

Which is why we are being very detailed about all information penned down in our business plan? We have also decided on the possible factors to spend our start up capital and they include:

• The price for incorporating our farm in United States of America – $750.
• Our budget for key insurance policies, permits and business license – $4,000
• The cost of acquiring / leasing a nursery facility and land – $55,000
• The budget for preparing the soil (for planting et al – $25,000
• The price for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / tractors et al– $600,000
• The price of Launching an official Website – $600
• The budget for paying our workers for 1 year – $500,000
• Other business requirements (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000
• Miscellaneous – $5,000

From our detailed cost analysis above, we will need $1,192,350 to start Ostrander Nursery and make the nursery ready to serve the needs of our customers. Here also are the few equipment we believe that are necessary in starting Ostrander Nursery:

• Propagation Containers
• Tillers and spades
• Wheelbarrows
• Compost bins
• Irrigation systems
• Hoes and Hand held pruners
• Harvest baskets
• Rain collection barrels

Generating Funding / Start-up Capital for Ostrander Nursery

We at Ostrander Nursery understand that having the required finance for your business; will go a long way to make sure you achieve your desired goal. Finance basically is a very crucial factor when it comes to building any business, and building a successful business is not a one day job but a continuous job that requires consistency and hard work.

Ostrander Nursery is a privately owned farm that will be solely finance by the owners and their immediate family. Outlined below are the possible means we plan to raise funds for Ostrander Nursery

• Raising part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Raising part of the start – up capital from family members and friends (soft loans and gifts et al)
• Raising a larger chunk of the start-up capital from the banks (loan facility).

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Oscar and Alexander Grant are the founders and operators of Ostrander Nursery. Oscar has worked in the nursery industry for over fifteen years (with 10 years managing Age rock Nursery). While Alexander has a degree from the University of Oregon in agronomy and has worked for the Green Nation Agency as a plant specialist advising the local population on the purchase and care of a wide range of plants.

We believe they have the adequate experience and combine knowledge to lead Ostrander Nursery to limelight and success.

We also understand that the plant nursery industry is highly competitive, and how important it is to maintain a high level of customer service, offer quality products, and give our prospective clients a large variety of choices when shopping for plants and trees.

We believe that our business approach will be to offer a diverse selection of plants, trees, and garden supplies. We also believe that exceptional customer service will be important in meeting the needs of our target markets. Healthy plants will be a top priority at Ostrander Nursery, and we will display the plants artistically.

We also believe that our immediate geographic market which is the capital of Oregon has the adequate population we need to flourish and that a 100 mile geographic area would want our services, as we become a well known nursery. We also believe that what will make us successful and attract enough clients for us will be based on the following services:

• Sell products of the highest quality with excellent customer service and support.
• Retain customers to generate repeat purchases and make referrals.
• Continue to expand daily sales by adding to the variety of plants we sell.
• Communicate with our customers through creative advertising.

Checklist/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Leasing, renovating and equipping our facility: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with banks, financial lending institutions, vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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Garden Nursery Business Plan Example

Published Aug.31, 2014

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Cynthia Turner

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Table of Content

Nursery garden business plan for starting your own business

The plant and greenhouse industry is blooming! IBIS World reports $40 billion in 2018 sales, an enormous number with plenty of room to grow. The sales figures include stock, bedding and garden plants, sod, mushrooms, flowering foliage in pots, and many other products.

Of particularly good news for the budding entrepreneur who is intending to open a new operation is the fact the average horticulture operation has higher sales than the average U.S. farm. This is an industry ripe for innovation whether through the use of technology or through creative thinking. The first step towards startup is the development of a customized, professional nursery garden business plan.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

People appreciate nice landscapes around homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. They want well-kept parks, nicely maintained natural preserves, and highways bordered with hardy sod and local wildflowers. As the green movement grows, there is also a demand for more products like native varieties which require less watering and care, and plants that offer other benefits like high oxygen production and soil anchoring.

2.2 Management

The business plan for plant nursery will address the ”hows and whys” of the operation. It should include all information relevant to startup that will guide decision-making, keep the company on track to fulfill its mission, and entice investors or lenders. Typical company information includes:

The experience level of the entrepreneur and other managers is critical because this is a highly specialized industry catering to well-defined markets. Whereas most consumers and commercial operations need paper, for example, the products sold by the operation are directed at a segmented market.

2.3 Customers

The overall theme of the nursery will influence the product line. Will the nursery cater to customers who want native plants to create natural ecosystems, green products suitable for particular climate zones, a variety of landscaping items, and/or indoor foliage? Will other items be offered for sale too, like flower pots, garden tools and decorations, and fertilizers?

2.4 Target of the Company

These are a few of the topics covered in the enterprise proposal. Developing the project is a critical first step towards successful startup. The process ensures the entrepreneur has carefully thought through critical details. The finished document can also be used to support requests for funding or financing from private investors, financial institutions, and government agencies.

Company Summary

3.1 company owning.

Garden nurseries can be started in areas that are suitably zoned. The entrepreneur should demonstrate that land use regulations are researched and appropriate licenses obtained. The entrepreneur may need funding for land purchase and building and greenhouse construction. Nurseries need an irrigation system, storage buildings, heavy equipment for moving and delivering inventory, a warehouse, sales office, and so on. How much startup capital is needed? When is the nursery expected to start making a profit after accounting for costs?

3.2 Why the Business is being started

The status of local water supplies is a critical issue. What is the source of water? Are there permit requirements? Many areas are going through a drought and installation of efficient watering systems is mandatory.

3.3 How the Business will be started

The options are unlimited and include perennial and annual flowers, shrubs, trees, sod, other products like Christmas trees, agricultural seed products, starter plants, maintenance supplies, and so on. Will plants be grown in containers or rootballed, or sold as bare root or a mixture of production methods? Will the operation deliver to the customers’ sites? If so, it is important to have the right type of delivery equipment available.

The detailed start-up requirements, start-up funding, start-up expenses, total assets, total funding required, total liabilities, total planned investment, total capital and liabilities as forecasted by experts, is given below:

Services for Customers

If you are thinking about opening a nursery, you must first decide the services which you’ll be providing. Mentioning them clearly in the form of a nursery plant  business plan experts for plant nursery is preferable as it can give you an idea about the things which will be needed in starting nursery plant business.

We know it’s confusing to decide which sort of plants and products to showcase, so that everyone can find the things of their interest. Therefore, we’re providing here a sample business plan for plant nursery of a startup, Flora Mart, so that you can get idea about services which can prove profitable these days.

Services listed in nursery plant business plan of Flora Mart are as:

• Bedding Plants: Flora mart will keep seasonal bedding plants by amassing different colored flowers and leaves to create visually appealing flower beds.
• General Vegetation: We’ll be selling seedlings of general indoor and outdoor plants such as spider plant, Dracaena, Jade plant, African Violet, Boston Fern etc.
• Seeds: We’ll keep seeds of all almost types of carnivorous plants, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
• Landscaping Services: We’ll be providing professional gardeners to set up lawn and vegetation according to customer’s land and space.
• Garden Accessories: We will be keeping all the things that one can need in landscaping and gardening such as water sprinkler, pressure sprayer, seedling trays, lawn mowers, hand diggers, electric dust blowers, hydroponic trays, soils, grass patches, organic & inorganic fertilizers, plastic and sand-made pots of every size and shapes, hanging plant containers and garden stones.
• Purchasing through App & Delivery Services: Customers can also avail our services by making a purchase using our app and get it delivered to their door.

Marketing Analysis of business for plant nursery

Landlord business plan writing, 4.1 market trends.

In other words, the entrepreneur who wants to start a commercial nursery or greenhouse has many options. The key is to develop an operation capable of generating revenue year round for maximum profitability. For example, the owner could sell spring, summer, and fall flowers and shrubs, pumpkins and fall varieties in October, and Christmas trees in December. These are the types of topics covered in the business plan for plant nurseries.

4.2 Marketing Segmentation

Just owning a nursery isn’t sufficient to generate desired profits. To be successful, you must have to analyze your target customers before you actually start your business for plant nurseries. It can help you in devising policies and in adorning your place.

Also your plant nursery requirements can vary according to your target market. For instance, if you aim at targeting companies then it’ll be good to create a fine reception space and keeping formal and eye-refreshing indoor plants.

Target groups of Flora Mart are given here:

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

4.2.1 Home Owners: The first group of our customers will be the people living in our city, Seattle. This group of general population is expected to purchase our products, seeds, and seedlings as well to avail our gardening services to adorn their in and outdoor space with natural beauty.

4.2.2 Institutes: The second category includes research and educational institutes who can buy our plants and will also avail our landscaping services to create refreshing view in their departments.

4.2.3 Companies: Our third target category includes companies and offices who always leave a big space for a beautiful lawn and eye-catching entrance. They are expected to make big purchases with us.

4.2.4 Event Organizers: Our last category to target will be the event organizers in restaurants or in homes. For beautifying space naturally for parties, weddings and other events they’ll be needing our plant beds, prepared grass patches, and our landscaping services.

The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

4.3 Business Target

Defining measurable, realistic and achievable goals before starting a business plan for plant nurseries can keep you working in a high spirit. Assessing your performance after the time you had set to achieve your goals can also help in bettering the coordination among you and you employees.

Business Targets set by Flora Mart are:

• To earn net profit margin of $20k per month by the end of the first year
• To maintain an average client rating score of 4.5 out of 5 at the end of first year
• To increase our sales by 20% every 2 months

4.4 Product Pricing

Our prices will be just comparable with the other business for plant nurseries running in our vicinity. However, we’ve priced our gardening services a little bit higher because we’ll hire highly experienced staff for it.

Business plan writer for Canadian government

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Plant Nursery Marketing Strategy

5.1 competitive analysis.

Before you think about how to start a business plan for plant nurseries, you must first research what your competitors are doing. Only in that case, you’ll be able to do something different.

To take a lead upon its competitors, Flora Mart will introduce app and delivery system so that customers can choose the plants while sitting at their location and get it delivered in almost no time. Secondly, Flora mart will be providing landscaping services for events and ceremonies which no one in the vicinity is providing. Lastly, the business will ensure exceptional customer service – valuing the client’s satisfaction more than anything else.

5.2 Sales Strategy

The business strategy services you’ll be adopting in order to sell your services must also be covered in your business plan for plant nurseries.

We’re listing some effective measures from sample garden center business plan of Flora Mart which will be taken to bring the target customers to its site.

• Company’s services will be advertised in magazines and local newspaper
• Strong presence on the web and social media will be ensured
• On every shopping above $80, free delivery within 10km distance will be provided
• 20% discount will be offered on our landscaping services for the first two months

5.3 Sales Forecast

Our sales are forecasted in the following column charts:

The detailed information about sales forecast is given in the following table:

5.4 Sales Monthly

5.5 Sales Yearly

Personnel plan

Before starting a plant starting a nursery business plan it’s essential to create an effective personnel plan to ensure that you’ll be hiring the right persons while paying them a fair amount. Because it is something that can affect your starting a nursery business plan in the long run.

The personnel plan developed by Denzel Sean, the owner of Flora Mart, is given in this starting a nursery business plan .

6.1 Company Staff

• 2 Accountants to maintain financial records
• 1 Web Developer to run company’s app and websites
• 2 Drivers for providing Home Delivery
• 4 Gardeners to cultivate plants
• 1 Horticulturist to supervise hard-to-grow plants
• 1 Landscaping Expert to set up lawn design ideas
• 1 Sales Executives to market and to find new ventures
• 3 Assistants to do day-to-day tasks
• 3 Cleaners to clean the facility
• 1 Receptionist

6.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan

The last step in making an effective nursery project plan is to make a detailed fianancial plan listing accurate statistics of your investments, expenses, and expected profit margins. For the sake of completeness its good to include at least 3 year forecast in your nursery business model. Your plan should cover details of how you’ll be managing your financial goals and increments in your employee’s salaries within the expected profits. It should also give a clear idea of amount that you can need to increase your product line. Moreover, the strategy to be followed if you fail to generate enough revenue for your starting a nursery business plan must also be included in the financial plan.

7.1 Important Assumptions

7.2 Brake-even Analysis

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

7.3.1 Profit Monthly

7.3.2 Profit Yearly

7.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

7.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

7.6 Business Ratios

Download Garden Nursery Business Plan Sample in pdf

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Plant Nursery Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Plant Nursery Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their plant nursery businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a plant nursery business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Plant Nursery Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your plant nursery business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Plant Nursery

If you’re looking to start a plant nursery business, or grow your existing plant nursery business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your plant nursery business in order to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Plant Nursery Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a plant nursery business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings is the other most common form of funding for a plant nursery business.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a plant nursery.

If you want to start a plant nursery business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below we detail what should be included in each section of your business plan:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of plant nursery business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a plant nursery business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of plant nursery businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the plant nursery industry. Discuss the type of plant nursery business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of plant nursery business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of plant nursery businesses:

• Houseplant Nursery : this type of plant nursery business focuses on providing a selection of popular houseplants for indoor growing.
• Landscaping Nursery: this type of nursery focuses on outdoor plants and supplies for lawn care and landscaping.
• Tree Nursery: this type of nursery specializes in providing a selection of trees for purchase.

In addition to explaining the type of plant nursery business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, number of products sold etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the plant nursery industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the plant nursery industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section:

• How big is the plant nursery industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your plant nursery business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: homeowners, apartment renters and landscapers.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of plant nursery business you operate. Clearly, apartment renters would respond to different marketing promotions than landscapers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most plant nursery businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other plant nursery businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes landscapers and local plant swaps. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other plant nursery businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be plant nurseries located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What types of plants do they grow and sell?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide better quality and selection of plants?
• Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a plant nursery, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of plant nursery company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to a plant nursery, will you provide custom landscaping services, educational programs or any other services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your plant nursery company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your plant nursery located in a busy retail district or shopping plaza, or is it visible from a busy highway, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your plant nursery marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your plant nursery business, including tending plants, growing or transporting plants, and helping customers.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell your 100th plant, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your plant nursery business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your plant nursery business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing plant nursery businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing plant nurseries or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your plant nursery business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a plant nursery business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your nursery location lease, blueprints of your nursery design or an inventory list.  

Putting together a business plan for your plant nursery business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the plant nursery industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful plant nursery business.

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Plant Nursery

Back to All Business Ideas

Starting a Plant Nursery Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on January 6, 2022 Updated on August 6, 2024

Investment range

$2,050 - $105,100

Revenue potential

$70,000 - $1,000,000 p.a.

Time to build

6 – 12 months

Profit potential

$65,000 - $400,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Starting your plant nursery? Here are the most vital considerations:

• Location — Choose a location with suitable soil, water access, and sunlight for growing plants. Consider proximity to your target market. Construct greenhouses or shade houses to protect young plants and extend your growing season.
• Niche — Decide on the type of plants you want to specialize in, such as ornamental plants, native species, fruit trees, or succulents.
• Licenses — Depending on your location, you may need a nursery or plant dealer license . Check with your state’s agricultural department for specific requirements.
• Equipment — Invest in essential tools such as shovels, pruners, watering cans, and machinery like tractors or tillers if needed.
• Supplies — Stock up on soil, pots, fertilizers, and other growing supplies.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Staff — Employ individuals with expertise in horticulture and customer service. Provide ongoing training to ensure your staff can offer expert advice and maintain plant health.
• Partnerships — Collaborate with local landscapers, garden centers, and florists to expand your market reach and create mutually beneficial relationships.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your plant nursery business today!

You May Also Wonder:

Can a backyard plant nursery be profitable?

Absolutely! Planting and growing your offerings costs very little, so you can sell them for a large markup. You can even sell your plants at wholesale prices to large garden centers and make a healthy profit.

Do I need a license to have a plant nursery in my backyard?

Even a backyard nursery is a business, so depending on where you live, you may need business licenses and permits at the state and local levels. Check with your local governments for requirements.

How much space do I need to start a backyard plant nursery?

You can start a plant nursery with very little space. You’ll just be limited to the number of plants that you can grow. You can plant things like ground cover and produce a lot of plants in a small space. A 50 by 50-foot plot can hold up to 8000 ground cover plants pots.

What types of plants should I consider growing in my nursery?

The types of plants to consider growing in a nursery depend on factors such as the local market, climate, and customer preferences. Popular options include flowering plants, succulents, herbs, vegetable seedlings, shrubs, and trees.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a plant nursery has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Gratifying – Nurturing living things can bring great pleasure
• Excellent Profit – Profit margins on plants are high
• Backyard Opportunity – Start in your backyard for little money
• Seasonality – Depending on your location, you may have some downtimes
• Competition – You’ll face competition from big garden centers

Plant nursery industry trends

The nursery and garden store industry includes large garden centers as well as farm supply companies.

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – Market analyst IBISWorld values the US nursery and garden store industry at $42 billion in 2021, with an average annual growth of 2% since 2017.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ )) The plant and flower growing industry alone was valued at over $15 billion in 2020, an increase of over 7% from the previous year, according to market analyst Statista.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/1174498/plant-and-flower-growing-industry-market-size-us/ ))
• Growth forecast – Higher consumer spending on home improvements presents growth opportunities for the nursery and garden stores industry, according to IBISWorld.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/nursery-garden-stores-industry/ ))
• Number of businesses – There are almost 19,000 nursery and garden stores in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – Close to 145,000 people are employed in nursery and garden stores.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ )) 

Trends and challenges

Some trends in the nursery industry include:

• The housing market affects the nursery industry since when people buy new homes they often invest in landscaping. Home sales are projected to be up almost 7% in 2022, according to Realtor.com, which is positive news for the nursery industry.
• Home gardening television shows have increased the popularity of landscaping, propelling the growth of the industry.

Some challenges also exist in the industry which include:

• Competition for US nurseries comes from cheaper imported plants. 
• The industry is affected by factors such as climate issues and infectious plant diseases.

How much does it cost to start a plant nursery business?

Startup costs range from about $2,000 to $100,000 or more. The low end represents starting a backyard nursery that sells plants to garden centers. You could also sell your plants to customers if you set up a small farm stand. The high end includes the cost of a down payment to buy or build a greenhouse and storefront. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your plant nursery business. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Shovels, trowels, pruners

How much can you earn from a plant nursery business?

Profit margins will be high for a backyard nursery, around 95%, even selling plants at wholesale prices to retail garden centers. The price you charge will vary based on the type of plants you grow but should average about $7. Your volume of sales will depend on the amount of space you have for growing, and how much space the type of plants you grow require.

In your first year or two, you could grow and sell 10,000 plants. That would mean $70,000 in revenue and over $65,000 in profit, assuming that 95% margin. As your brand gains recognition, you could purchase a greenhouse and storefront and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 40%. If you produce and sell 100,000 plants per year and sell them at retail prices that average $10, your expected annual revenue would be $1,000,000, and you would make about $400,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a plant nursery. Your biggest challenges will be:

• You either need to have enough land for growing, or spend a chunk of money on a greenhouse and storefront
• The climate where you live may make your business seasonal
• You need extensive knowledge about how to plant and grow various species

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a plant nursery, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research plant nurseries in your area to examine their products, price points, and customer reviews or what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a plant nursery that offers varietal ground cover plants.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry such as shrubbery.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your plant selection

You should decide first whether to specialize in certain types of plants or grow a wide variety. Your space should be a consideration since certain types of plants will require more space. Also consider how long it takes plants to grow. The faster they grow, the faster you can sell them. 

How much should you charge for plants?

Your prices will be dependent on the market for each specific type of plant. If you are selling to garden stores, your prices will be wholesale prices the stores are willing to pay. Your target profit margin should be high, around 95%.

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price point. Remember, the price you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will likely be either be homeowners or garden center managers. Either way, you can likely find those groups on Facebook or LinkedIn. 

Where? Choose your plant nursery location

If you are starting a backyard plant nursery, you’ll be running your business from home. If you are going to open a garden store, you’ll need a space with a greenhouse and a storefront.

When choosing a location for your plant nursery, here are the factors to consider:

• Proximity to Target Market – Choose a location close to your primary customers to minimize transportation costs and ensure fresh plant delivery.
• Soil Quality – Ensure the soil at the chosen location is fertile, well-draining, and free from diseases or pests, to support healthy plant growth.
• Access to Water – The nursery should be near a reliable water source, as regular and quality watering is vital for plant growth and health.
• Sunlight Exposure – Select a site with adequate sunlight since most plants require sunlight for photosynthesis and optimal growth.
• Protection from Extreme Elements – Choose a location that can be easily protected from harsh weather conditions, such as heavy winds or frost, to prevent plant damage.
• Ease of Access for Transpor t – Consider road connectivity and transport logistics to facilitate easy shipping of plants and receipt of supplies.
• Room for Expansion – Opt for a location with extra land or space, allowing for future expansion of the nursery as your business grows.
• Local Regulations and Zoning Laws – Ensure the chosen location adheres to local zoning laws and regulations related to land use, water rights, and business operations.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Plant Nursery Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “nursery” or “plant nursery”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Jim’s Nursery” over “Jim’s Shrubs”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Plant Nursery Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A concise summary outlining the key elements of the plant nursery business, including its mission, goals, and financial projections.
• Business Overview: An overview detailing the nature of the plant nursery business, its mission, vision, and the specific products it intends to offer.
• Product and Services: Clear description of the variety of plants and services the nursery will provide, emphasizing unique offerings or specialty items.
• Market Analysis: Thorough examination of the target market, including demographics, trends, and potential customer needs for plant-related products.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the plant nursery industry, highlighting strengths and weaknesses to inform the business’s competitive strategy.
• Sales and Marketing: Detailed plan outlining how the nursery will attract and retain customers, including pricing strategies, promotions, and marketing channels.
• Management Team: Introduction to the key individuals who will lead and manage the plant nursery, emphasizing relevant experience and skills.
• Operations Plan: A comprehensive outline of the day-to-day operations, including sourcing plants, managing inventory, and ensuring quality control.
• Financial Plan: A detailed financial forecast, including startup costs, revenue projections, and a break-even analysis, providing a clear picture of the business’s financial viability.
• Appendix: Additional supporting documents and information, such as resumes of key team members, market research data, or any other relevant details that enhance the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan yourself before, it can be an intimidating task. Consider hiring an experienced business plan writer to create a professional business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to plant nurseries. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your plant nursery will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Starting a backyard nursery shouldn’t require any financing, but if you want to open a garden center with a greenhouse, a bank loan will probably be your best option. Friends and family might also be a good possibility. 

Step 8: Apply for Plant Nursery Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a plant nursery business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments. Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as, health license and permit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level licenses and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements. 

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

For peace of mind and to save time, we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state, and provide them to you to make sure you’re fully compliant.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account . Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your plant nursery business as a sole proprietorship. 

Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability : The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property : Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance : Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation : Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property : Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto : Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability : Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) : This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You can use industry-specific software, such as epicor , acctivate , or Planting Nursery , to manage your plantings, inventory, billing, purchasing, and staff. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, such as landscapers, garden centers, and home improvement stores, to cross-promote your plants and expand your customer base.
• Local SEO  — Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Educational Workshops: Host workshops on gardening, plant care, and landscaping to engage the community and position your nursery as a knowledgeable resource, fostering customer loyalty.
• Seasonal Promotions: Create seasonal promotions and discounts to attract customers during peak planting times and encourage repeat business throughout the year.
• Community Events Sponsorship: Sponsor local events or community festivals to increase brand visibility, enhance community relationships, and draw attention to your nursery.
• Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program offering discounts or freebies for repeat customers, encouraging customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Social Media Engagement: Utilize social media platforms to showcase your plants, share gardening tips, and engage with your audience, building a loyal online community.
• Demo Gardens: Establish demo gardens at your nursery to allow customers to see mature plants in a natural setting, inspiring them to make purchases and providing practical ideas for their own gardens.
• Email Marketing: Build an email subscriber list to share newsletters, exclusive promotions, and gardening advice directly with your audience, keeping your nursery top-of-mind.
• Customized Plant Bundles: Offer curated plant bundles for specific gardening needs, making it easier for customers to create cohesive and attractive landscapes.
• Customer Testimonials: Showcase success stories and testimonials from satisfied customers, instilling confidence in your nursery’s quality and expertise.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your plant nursery meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your plant nursery business could be:

• Organically grown plants to beautify your lawn
• Varietal ground covers to accent your yard
• Lovingly homegrown flowers to brighten your curb appeal

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a plant nursery business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in plant nurseries for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in plant nurseries. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small with a backyard nursery, you may not need any employees. But if you purchase a greenhouse and store you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a plant nursery business would include:

• Gardeners – plant and care for plants
• Store Clerks – make sales, customer service
• General Manager – order supplies, staff management, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media, other marketing

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Plant Nursery – Start Making Money!

If you have a love of gardening, starting your own plant nursery will be a great way to do what you love and make a healthy profit at the same time. Plant nurseries are a $42 billion industry and can be very lucrative ventures. 

You can start in your own backyard with just a few tools and your green thumb, and eventually purchase your own greenhouse and storefront. Now that you know what’s involved in starting a plant nursery, you’re ready to start your entrepreneurial journey and plant your way to success! 

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Plant Nursery Name
• Create a Plant Nursery Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Plant Nursery Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Plant Nursery - Start Making Money!

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How to Start a Profitable Plant Nursery Business [11 Steps]

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 02, 2024

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a plant nursery business plan., 3. develop a plant nursery brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for plant nursery., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for plant nursery services., 8. acquire plant nursery equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for plant nursery, if required., 10. begin marketing your plant nursery services., 11. expand your plant nursery business..

Starting a plant nursery business requires a keen understanding of the market to ensure your offerings meet customer demand and stay competitive. A thorough market analysis is essential for identifying your niche, understanding your competition, and determining the most sought-after plants and gardening supplies. Here are some key steps to guide you through the process:

• Research local demographics to understand the potential customer base, focusing on factors like age, income levels, and homeownership rates.
• Analyze competitors by visiting nearby nurseries and garden centers to assess their product range, pricing, and services offered.
• Identify trends in the gardening industry, such as popular plant varieties, organic gardening practices, or sustainability in landscaping.
• Survey potential customers to gauge their interests, preferences, and willingness to pay for certain plants and products.
• Assess suppliers to determine the best sources for high-quality plants and gardening materials at competitive prices.
• Examine the local climate and seasonal variations to understand which plants will thrive and when peak buying times may occur.

Are plant nursery businesses profitable?

Yes, plant nursery businesses can be profitable. Plant nurseries typically make the majority of their profit from the sale of plants, seeds and other gardening supplies, but may also generate additional income from offering landscaping and garden maintenance services, as well as renting out gardening and landscaping equipment.

Creating a thorough business plan is crucial to the success of your plant nursery, as it provides a roadmap for your business's growth and financial stability. It should detail your goals, strategies, market research, and financial projections. Consider the following points while drafting your plant nursery business plan:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your business's purpose, products, target market, and financial highlights.
• Company Description: Provide detailed information about your nursery, including location, size, and legal structure.
• Market Analysis: Research the industry trends, identify your target customers, and analyze your competition.
• Organization and Management: Outline your business's organizational structure and detail the backgrounds of your management team.
• Products and Services: Describe the types of plants and related products you will offer and any additional services such as landscaping or consultations.
• Marketing Plan: Explain how you will attract and retain customers through advertising, promotions, and customer service strategies.
• Operational Plan: Discuss the day-to-day operations, including sourcing of plants, supplies, staffing, and technology requirements.
• Financial Plan: Present detailed financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, profit and loss projections, and cash flow analysis.

How does a plant nursery business make money?

A plant nursery business can make money in several ways, such as selling live plants, seeds and bulbs, offering landscaping services to customers, and providing consultation and advice to other businesses. The target audience for a plant nursery business could include landscapers looking for quality plant materials, homeowners looking for a wide selection of plants to choose from, gardeners and hobbyists who want rare or specialty plants, and commercial operations such as golf courses, parks and gardens. For example, 11 Steps To Starting a Successful Spice Business could target restaurants and grocery stores that are looking for interesting spices to keep customers coming back.

Creating a distinctive brand for your plant nursery is essential in making your business memorable and appealing to your target audience. It's not just about a logo or a name; it's about the story and the experience you provide to your customers. Here are some key steps to consider when developing your plant nursery brand:

• Define Your Brand Identity: Decide on the core values, mission, and vision of your nursery. What sets you apart from competitors? Is it your commitment to organic plants, rare species, or local flora?
• Choose a Brand Name: Pick a name that's catchy, easy to remember, and reflects the essence of your nursery. Ensure it resonates with your target audience and is available as a domain for your online presence.
• Design Visual Elements: Create a logo, color scheme, and typography that communicate your brand's personality. Consistency in these elements builds recognition and trust with customers.
• Build a Brand Voice: The language and tone you use in marketing materials, social media, and customer interactions should align with your brand's personality. Whether it's friendly, authoritative, or whimsical, your brand voice should be distinctive and consistent.
• Plan Your Marketing Strategy: Leverage your brand identity in your marketing efforts. Use storytelling to connect with customers and share what makes your nursery unique. Tailor your strategy to reach your target audience effectively.

How to come up with a name for your plant nursery business?

Naming your plant nursery business can be challenging but also fun. Start by considering what you want to communicate to potential customers. Do you specialize in a certain type of plant, or offer a diverse range of plants? Your name should reflect the overall tone and mission of the business. Think about word play, puns, and other creative techniques that can draw attention to your brand. Finally, research for potential conflicts in trademarked names before settling on your final decision. By taking into consideration these tips, you can come up with a unique and memorable name for your plant nursery business!

Registering your plant nursery is a crucial step in laying the foundation for a legitimate and legally compliant business. This process varies by location but typically involves a few common steps. Follow these guidelines to ensure your nursery is properly registered and ready for operation:

• Check with your local government or business bureau for specific registration requirements for plant nurseries in your area.
• Select a legal structure for your business (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation) that suits your needs and offers the appropriate balance of liability protection and tax benefits.
• Register your business name through the appropriate state agency, ensuring it's unique and not already in use.
• Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax purposes, especially if you plan to hire employees.
• Apply for any necessary permits or licenses specific to plant nurseries, which may include a nursery license, a business operation license, and a reseller's permit for sales tax collection.
• Register for state and local taxes to ensure you meet all tax obligations for your new business.
• Consider consulting with a legal professional to ensure all your paperwork is in order and your business is compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations.

Resources to help get you started:

Explore key resources designed specifically for plant nursery entrepreneurs to gain insights into market trends, operational best practices, and strategic growth strategies:

• AmericanHort : A leading trade association for the horticulture industry, providing members with research, education, and networking opportunities. No direct link provided.
• Nursery Management magazine : Offers the latest news, trends, and advice for nursery operators, focusing on production, marketing, and plant management. No direct link provided.
• The Greenhouse Grower : This publication covers all aspects of running a successful greenhouse, including technology, plant health, and market analysis. No direct link provided.
• National Gardening Association : Provides resources, trend reports, and educational materials for professionals in the gardening sector. No direct link provided.
• Proven Winners : Offers a comprehensive marketing strategy and plant brand recognition tips, helping nurseries grow their business through branding. No direct link provided.

Starting a plant nursery requires compliance with various regulations to ensure your business operates legally and safely. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process of acquiring the necessary licenses and permits:

• Research Local Zoning Laws: Contact your local government to understand zoning regulations for agricultural businesses. Ensure your intended location is zoned for a plant nursery.
• Nursery License: Most states require a nursery license for selling plants. Check with your state’s Department of Agriculture for specific requirements and application procedures.
• Business License: Obtain a general business license from your city or county clerk's office. This is a basic requirement for operating any business.
• Sales Tax Permit: If you're selling products, you'll need a sales tax permit. Apply for this through your state's revenue agency.
• Environmental Permits: Depending on your operations, you may need environmental permits related to water usage, waste management, or pesticide application. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency or your state's environmental regulatory agency for details.
• Building Permits: Should you require construction for greenhouses or other structures, check with your local building department for necessary permits.
• Specialty Permits: If you plan to sell endangered or exotic plants, additional permits may be required. Consult the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for guidance.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a plant nursery business?

A plant nursery business will need to obtain a variety of licenses and permits in order to operate legally. Depending on the state and locality, this could include a tax registration permit, a business license, a zoning permit, a pesticide license, and a waste disposal permit. It may also require insurance coverage for the property and any employees that work in the nursery.

Starting a plant nursery requires not only a green thumb but also smart financial management. To ensure smooth financial operations, opening a business bank account is crucial, and securing funding is essential for growth. Follow these steps to establish your business's financial foundation:

• Research Banks: Compare different banks to find the best business account options, fees, and services that suit your nursery's needs.
• Prepare Documentation: Gather necessary documents, including your business license, EIN, and ownership agreements, to open your business bank account.
• Open the Account: Visit your chosen bank with your documents to open the account. Consider online banking options for convenience.
• Explore Funding Sources: Evaluate various funding options such as small business loans, government grants, or investment from private individuals.
• Create a Business Plan: Develop a detailed business plan to present to potential lenders or investors, showcasing your nursery's potential for success.
• Understand Terms and Conditions: Thoroughly read and understand the terms and conditions of any funding agreement before acceptance to avoid future financial issues.

Setting the right pricing strategy for your plant nursery is crucial for profitability and customer satisfaction. It's important to consider both the cost of producing your plants and the perceived value to your customers. Here's how you can approach this step:

• Cost Analysis: Calculate the total cost of growing each plant, including seeds, soil, water, fertilizers, labor, and overhead costs. Ensure your price covers these costs and provides a reasonable profit margin.
• Competitive Pricing: Research prices set by competitors for similar plants and services. You want to be competitive without undervaluing your offerings.
• Value-Based Pricing: If you offer unique or specialty plants, or additional services like landscaping design, you might price higher to reflect the added value to your customers.
• Discounts and Promotions: Consider offering discounts for bulk purchases, seasonal promotions, or loyalty programs to incentivize repeat business.
• Dynamic Pricing: Adjust your prices as necessary based on demand, seasonality, and inventory levels to maximize revenue and minimize waste.
• Transparency: Ensure your pricing is transparent to avoid confusion and build trust with customers. Include all costs, such as delivery or installation, in your pricing information.

What does it cost to start a plant nursery business?

Initiating a plant nursery business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $187000 for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your plant nursery business.

Starting a plant nursery requires not just passion and knowledge about plants, but also the right equipment and supplies to ensure the health and growth of your nursery stock. Whether you're starting small or aiming for a large-scale operation, having the proper tools and materials is crucial for efficient and successful plant cultivation. Here's a list of essential equipment and supplies you should consider acquiring:

• Pots and Containers: Various sizes for different stages of growth, including seed trays and larger pots for mature plants.
• Soil and Compost: High-quality soil mixes and compost to provide the necessary nutrients for plant growth.
• Watering Systems: Irrigation tools like hoses, watering cans, or drip irrigation systems to maintain proper moisture levels.
• Gardening Tools: Trowels, pruners, spades, and gloves for daily maintenance tasks.
• Greenhouse or Shade Structures: To protect plants from harsh weather and control the growing environment.
• Fertilizers and Plant Protection: Organic or chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides to keep plants healthy and pest-free.
• Labels and Signage: To identify plant species and provide care instructions for customers.
• Carts and Wheelbarrows: For moving plants and soil around the nursery efficiently.

List of software, tools and supplies needed to start a plant nursery business:

• Greenhouse: approx. $2,500+
• Soil testing kit: approx. $50
• Gardening tools: approx. $100
• Watering system: approx. $200+
• Nursery pots & trays: approx. $90+
• Potting soil: approx. $30
• Gardening gloves: approx. $10
• Seeding trays: approx. $20+
• Greenhouse plastic covers/panels: approx. $50+
• Labels/stakes for plants: approx. $10+

Securing the right business insurance is a crucial step in protecting your plant nursery against potential risks and liabilities. It's important to understand the types of insurance that may be necessary for your specific operation. Here are some guidelines to help you with this process:

• General Liability Insurance: This is essential for any business. It covers legal fees, settlements, and medical costs if your nursery is sued for property damage or personal injury.
• Property Insurance: This protects your business property, including plants, greenhouse structures, and retail space, from damage due to fire, theft, or natural disasters.
• Product Liability Insurance: If you're selling plants, you'll want protection in case your products cause harm to customers, such as allergic reactions or property damage.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance: Required in most places if you have employees, it covers medical costs and disability benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Commercial Auto Insurance: If your nursery uses vehicles for delivery or transportation, this insurance covers damages from accidents.
• Professional Advice: Consult with an insurance broker or agent who specializes in agricultural or retail businesses to ensure you get coverage tailored to your nursery's specific needs.

Embarking on the journey of marketing your plant nursery is crucial to attract customers and grow your business. A strategic marketing plan will help you reach your target audience and showcase the unique qualities of your nursery. Here are some effective strategies to consider:

• Develop a Brand Identity: Create a memorable logo and consistent branding materials that reflect your nursery's values and appeal to your target market.
• Build an Online Presence: Launch a professional website with an online catalog of plants, care guides, and a blog. Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility.
• Utilize Social Media: Create profiles on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to share beautiful images of your plants, gardening tips, and special promotions.
• Network Locally: Attend garden shows, farmers' markets, and community events to connect with potential customers and other businesses.
• Offer Workshops: Conduct gardening workshops and seminars to engage with your community and position your nursery as a knowledgeable resource.
• Leverage Email Marketing: Collect email addresses and send out newsletters with gardening advice, new arrivals, and exclusive deals to keep your nursery top-of-mind.

As your plant nursery business grows, expansion becomes a pivotal step to cater to increasing demand and maximize profits. Consider these strategies to scale up your operations effectively and sustainably, ensuring your business continues to flourish.

• Explore new markets by attending gardening shows, farmers markets, and online platforms to reach a wider customer base.
• Introduce a diverse range of plants, including rare and exotic species, to attract different types of customers and plant enthusiasts.
• Invest in advanced horticultural technology and equipment to improve the efficiency of your operations and the quality of your plants.
• Expand your sales channels through e-commerce websites and partnerships with garden centers and landscapers.
• Consider offering gardening workshops and consultations to build a community around your brand and educate customers.
• Implement a customer loyalty program to encourage repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Assess the feasibility of opening additional nursery locations or acquiring existing nurseries to increase your market presence.
• Secure additional funding if necessary, through loans, investors, or grants, to support your expansion efforts.
• Stay informed about environmental regulations and sustainable practices to ensure your expansion is eco-friendly.

How To Build a Business Plan for Your Plant Nursery: Essential Guide

By alex ryzhkov, get full bundle.

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a plant nursery. With the increasing popularity of gardening and green spaces, the plant nursery industry has witnessed substantial growth in recent years.

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In fact, according to the latest statistics, the global plant nursery market is projected to reach a value of $20.9 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. This reflects the immense potential for entrepreneurs like yourself to establish a successful plant nursery business.

So, if you're ready to turn your passion for plants into a thriving business, let's delve into the essential steps of creating a comprehensive business plan for your plant nursery.

• Conduct market research
• Define your target market
• Determine your unique selling proposition
• Identify your sources of funding
• Evaluate the competition
• Establish a pricing strategy
• Set business goals and objectives
• Create a detailed financial plan
• Develop a marketing and advertising plan

By following this checklist, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the plant nursery industry and pave the way for success.

Conduct Market Research

Market research is a crucial step in developing a business plan for your plant nursery. It allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the industry, your target market, and the demand for your products and services. By conducting comprehensive market research, you can make informed decisions and develop strategies that will help your business succeed.

When conducting market research for your plant nursery, consider the following:

• Industry Analysis: Understand the overall trends and growth potential of the plant nursery industry. Identify any challenges or opportunities that may exist.
• Target Market: Determine who your potential customers are, such as retail stores, residential and commercial properties, and landscaping professionals. Analyze their needs, preferences, and buying behavior.
• Competitor Analysis: Identify your direct and indirect competitors in the market. Analyze their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, and unique selling propositions. This analysis will help you differentiate your plant nursery from competitors.
• Demographic and Geographic Factors: Study the demographics and geographic location of your target market. Understand factors such as age, income levels, and proximity to your plant nursery. This information will help you tailor your offerings and marketing strategies.
• Trends and Opportunities: Research emerging trends and opportunities in the plant nursery industry. Stay updated on new plant varieties, gardening techniques, and sustainable practices. This knowledge will help you stay ahead of the competition and cater to evolving customer preferences.

Tips for Conducting Market Research:

• Utilize online resources, industry reports, and market research databases to gather relevant data and insights.
• Engage with potential customers through surveys, focus groups, or interviews to understand their needs and preferences.
• Visit local plant nurseries and garden centers to observe customer behavior and gain firsthand knowledge of the industry.
• Monitor social media platforms and online forums to stay updated on discussions and trends related to plants and gardening.
• Network with landscaping professionals, gardeners, and horticulture experts to gain industry insights and identify potential partnerships.

Define Your Target Market

In order to successfully establish and grow your plant nursery business, it is crucial to clearly define your target market. Understanding who your ideal customers are will allow you to effectively tailor your products, services, and marketing strategies to meet their specific needs and preferences.

1. Research and analyze your market: Begin by conducting thorough market research to identify the demographics, psychographics, and buying behaviors of potential customers within your geographical area. This will help you gain insights into their preferences, interests, and purchasing power.

2. Determine your niche: Consider specializing in a particular type of plants or offering unique services that cater to a specific audience. For example, you may choose to focus on selling rare exotic plants or providing expert advice on sustainable gardening practices.

3. Segment your target market: Divide your target market into distinct segments based on factors such as age, gender, income level, lifestyle, and interests. This segmentation will enable you to develop targeted marketing campaigns and better understand the specific needs of each segment.

• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers to gather valuable insights and feedback.
• Observe and analyze the characteristics and preferences of your existing customers to help define your target market.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the plant nursery industry to identify new potential markets.

4. Study your competition: Analyze your competitors to identify any gaps in the market that you can fill. Look for underserved customer segments or areas where you can differentiate yourself and offer a unique value proposition.

5. Refine your target market: Based on the insights gathered from your market research, niche identification, segmentation, and competitor analysis, refine your target market to ensure it aligns with your business goals and capabilities.

By defining your target market in detail, you will be able to develop a more focused and effective marketing strategy, deliver personalized customer experiences, and ultimately increase your chances of success in the plant nursery industry.

Determine Your Unique Selling Proposition

In order to stand out in the competitive plant nursery industry, it is essential to determine your unique selling proposition (USP). This is the factor that sets your business apart from others and gives you a competitive advantage. Your USP should highlight what makes your plant nursery different, valuable, and appealing to your target market.

Here are some steps to help you determine your unique selling proposition:

• Identify your strengths: Start by identifying the strengths and assets of your plant nursery business. This could include factors such as a wide variety of high-quality plants, expert staff with extensive knowledge, a convenient location, or unique services offered.
• Understand your target market: Research and understand the needs and preferences of your target market. This will enable you to tailor your unique selling proposition to meet their specific demands. For example, if your target market consists of environmentally-conscious customers, you could highlight your commitment to offering organic and eco-friendly plants.
• Highlight your unique services: Determine what unique services your plant nursery can offer to customers. This could include services such as personalized plant recommendations, expert advice on plant care and maintenance, or customized garden design services.
• Communicate your competitive advantage: Clearly communicate your unique selling proposition to your target market through all your marketing and advertising efforts. This includes your website, social media profiles, business cards, and signage. Emphasize the benefits customers can expect when choosing your plant nursery over competitors.

Here are some tips to help you determine your unique selling proposition:

• Research your competitors to identify what sets you apart from them.
• Conduct surveys or interviews with potential customers to understand their needs and preferences.
• Regularly analyze and evaluate your unique selling proposition to ensure it remains relevant and appealing to your target market.
• Use powerful language to convey your unique selling proposition in your marketing materials.

Identify Your Sources Of Funding

Once you have conducted market research, defined your target market, and determined your unique selling proposition, it's time to consider your sources of funding for your plant nursery business. This step is crucial as it will help you secure the necessary capital to start and operate your business smoothly.

Here are some important factors to consider when identifying your sources of funding:

• Personal Savings: Assess your personal savings and determine if you have enough funds to invest in your plant nursery business. Using your own savings can be an advantageous option as it gives you full control over your finances.
• Friends and Family: Consider reaching out to friends and family members who may be interested in supporting your venture. They can provide either a loan or become investors in your business.
• Bank Loans: Explore the possibility of obtaining a business loan from a bank or financial institution. Prepare a solid business plan, financial projections, and demonstrate your ability to repay the loan within the specified timeline.
• Grants and Government Programs: Research if there are any grants or government programs available specifically for small businesses in the plant nursery industry. These programs can provide financial support or assistance in obtaining funding.
• Investors: Seek potential investors who may be interested in investing in your plant nursery business. Prepare a compelling investment proposal outlining the potential growth and profitability of your business.
• Crowdfunding: Consider using crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for your plant nursery. Present your business idea and offer attractive rewards or incentives for those who contribute to your project.
• Ensure that you have a well-prepared and comprehensive business plan to present to potential lenders or investors.
• Consider alternative funding options such as microloans or peer-to-peer lending platforms.
• Explore local or regional economic development programs that may provide financial assistance or incentives for small businesses in your area.
• Take advantage of online resources and tools that can guide you in identifying and securing funding for your plant nursery business.

Evaluate The Competition

When starting a plant nursery business, it's crucial to thoroughly evaluate the competition in your market. This step will help you understand the existing players in the industry and identify opportunities to differentiate your business.

Here are some important factors to consider when evaluating the competition:

• Identify key competitors: Research and identify the main competitors in your area or niche. Look for businesses that offer similar products and services to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Study their pricing: Analyze the pricing strategies employed by your competitors. Determine whether they focus on low prices or if they position themselves as a premium brand. This information will help you set competitive and profitable prices for your own products.
• Assess their product offerings: Take a close look at the range and variety of plants offered by your competitors. Consider whether there are any gaps in the market that you can address with unique plant offerings.
• Analyze their marketing efforts: Explore how your competitors market their businesses. Look at their websites, social media presence, and advertising initiatives. Determine their target audience and identify ways to differentiate your own marketing strategy.
• Study customer reviews and feedback: Read customer reviews and feedback about your competitors. This will give you insights into what customers like or dislike about their products and services. Use this information to identify areas where you can excel and provide a better customer experience.

Additional Tips:

• Visit your competitors' physical locations to observe their operations, organization, and customer interactions.
• Attend industry events and trade shows to network with your competitors and gain valuable insights.
• Stay updated on the latest industry trends and innovations to identify ways to stay ahead of your competition.

By thoroughly evaluating the competition, you'll be able to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and use this knowledge to develop strategies that set your plant nursery business apart.

Establish A Pricing Strategy

When it comes to running a plant nursery business, establishing a pricing strategy is crucial for success. It allows you to determine the right price points for your products and services, ensuring that you remain competitive in the market while still maintaining profitability.

Here are some important steps to consider when developing your pricing strategy:

• 1. Analyze your costs: Before setting your prices, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your costs. Calculate all expenses related to sourcing plants, maintaining inventory, providing services, and running your nursery. This will help you determine a baseline price that covers your expenses and ensures a reasonable profit margin.
• 2. Research the market: Take the time to research the prices of similar products and services offered by your competitors. This will give you an idea of the average price range in the market and help you position your nursery accordingly. Consider factors such as the quality of your plants, the level of expertise in your services, and any unique offerings you provide.
• 3. Consider your target market: Understand your target market's willingness to pay for your products and services. Are they price-sensitive or willing to pay a premium for high-quality plants and expert advice? Tailor your pricing strategy to meet the expectations and budget constraints of your target customers.
• 4. Offer value-added services: Consider offering bundled packages or value-added services to differentiate yourself from competitors. For example, you could provide free delivery and installation of plants for larger orders or offer personalized consultations for landscaping and gardening design. These additional perks can justify higher price points.
• 5. Test and refine: Once you have established your initial pricing strategy, it's important to continuously evaluate and refine it based on customer feedback and market demands. Monitor your sales performance, customer satisfaction levels, and overall profitability to make necessary adjustments and optimize your pricing strategy over time.
• - Consider offering discounts or promotions during slower seasons to attract customers and boost sales.
• - Regularly review and update your pricing strategy to stay competitive and adapt to market fluctuations.
• - Don't undervalue your products and services – ensure that your prices reflect the quality and expertise you provide.

By following these steps and considering the unique aspects of your plant nursery business, you can establish a pricing strategy that both meets the needs of your customers and ensures the sustainability and profitability of your business.

Set Business Goals And Objectives

Setting clear and achievable business goals and objectives is crucial for the success of your plant nursery business. These goals will guide your day-to-day operations and help you measure your progress towards growth and profitability.

When setting your business goals and objectives, it is important to consider both short-term and long-term aspirations. Short-term goals typically focus on immediate targets that can be achieved within a year, while long-term goals look ahead to where you want your business to be in three to five years.

• Be Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. For example, increasing annual revenue by a certain percentage, expanding your customer base, or launching new products or services.
• Set Measurable Targets: Ensure your goals are quantifiable. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales volume, customer satisfaction ratings, or market share percentage to track your progress.
• Make Your Goals Attainable: While it is important to set ambitious goals, make sure they are realistic and achievable within the given timeframe. Consider your available resources, market conditions, and industry benchmarks.
• Set a Timeline: Establish deadlines for achieving each goal. This will help you stay focused and hold yourself accountable for making progress.
• Align Goals with Your Business Values: Ensure your goals are consistent with your mission, vision, and values. This will help maintain consistency and a clear direction for your plant nursery business.

Remember, setting goals and objectives is not a one-time process. As your business evolves, it is important to regularly review and adjust your goals to stay aligned with market trends and changing customer needs. By setting clear and actionable goals, you will have a roadmap to success and be able to measure your progress towards building a thriving plant nursery business.

Create A Detailed Financial Plan

Creating a detailed financial plan is crucial for the success of your plant nursery business. It will help you understand the financial aspects of your business and ensure that you have a clear roadmap to follow. Here are some important steps to consider when creating your financial plan:

• Evaluate your start-up costs: Determine the initial expenses required to start your plant nursery business. This may include costs such as acquiring land or leasing a space, purchasing plants, equipment, and supplies, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and hiring staff.
• Estimate your operational expenses: Calculate the ongoing costs of running your business, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, employee salaries, insurance, marketing expenses, and other overhead expenses. This will give you a clear idea of the amount of revenue you need to generate to cover these costs.
• Forecast sales and revenue: Estimate the number of plants you expect to sell and the price at which you plan to sell them. Consider market trends, competition, and customer demand when making these projections. This will help you set realistic sales goals and determine your expected revenue.
• Track your expenses: Keep detailed records of all your expenses and regularly monitor them against your projected budget. This will help you identify any areas where you may be overspending and allow you to make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
• Monitor cash flow: Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. It is essential to ensure you have enough cash available to cover your expenses and invest in the growth of your plant nursery. Create a cash flow statement that tracks your incoming and outgoing cash to maintain a healthy financial position.
• Consider financing options: If you require additional funds to start or expand your plant nursery business, explore financing options such as business loans, grants, or partnerships. Research and evaluate the terms, interest rates, and repayment schedules to choose the best option that aligns with your financial goals and capabilities.

Tips for creating a detailed financial plan:

• Consult with a financial advisor or accountant to ensure accuracy and expertise in creating your financial plan.
• Regularly review and update your financial plan to reflect changes in your business or market conditions.
• Be conservative in your revenue projections and factor in potential risks or challenges that may affect your cash flow.
• Use accounting software or tools to streamline your financial management processes and maintain accurate records.
• Consider seeking professional guidance for complex financial aspects, such as tax planning and compliance.

Develop A Marketing And Advertising Plan

The marketing and advertising plan is a crucial component of your overall business plan for your plant nursery. This plan outlines the strategies and tactics you will employ to effectively promote your products and services to your target market.

Firstly, you should identify your target market and understand their needs and preferences. This will help you tailor your marketing messages and campaigns to resonate with your potential customers. Conduct market research to gain insights into your target market's demographics, psychographics, and buying behavior.

• Segment your target market to customize your marketing efforts for different customer groups.
• Utilize surveys, interviews, and social media listening to gather valuable customer feedback.

Once you have a deep understanding of your target market, you can devise a comprehensive marketing strategy. This strategy should encompass various channels and tactics that align with your business goals and budget.

Your marketing and advertising plan should include both online and offline methods to reach a wider audience. Online strategies may include creating a professional website, utilizing search engine optimization (SEO), and leveraging social media platforms to engage with potential customers and showcase your products.

For offline marketing, consider participating in relevant industry trade shows and events, distributing flyers or brochures in your local community, and forming partnerships with complementary businesses such as gardening or landscaping services.

• Invest in professional photography to showcase the beauty and variety of plants you offer.
• Build an email list and send regular newsletters to keep customers informed about new arrivals and promotions.
• Consider offering special promotions or discounts for referrals to encourage word-of-mouth marketing.

To measure the success of your marketing efforts, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, conversion rates, and customer retention. Regularly monitor and analyze these metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing and advertising plan and make necessary adjustments.

Remember, developing a marketing and advertising plan is an ongoing process that requires flexibility and adaptability. Stay up to date with industry trends, monitor your competitors, and continuously refine your strategies to stay ahead in the competitive plant nursery market.

In conclusion, starting a plant nursery business requires careful planning and preparation. By following these 9 essential steps, you can create a comprehensive business plan that will guide you towards success. Conduct thorough market research to understand your target market and competition, and determine your unique selling proposition. Identify potential sources of funding to finance your venture, establish a pricing strategy, and set business goals and objectives.

Create a detailed financial plan that includes budgeting for purchasing plants, equipment, and marketing efforts. Lastly, develop a marketing and advertising plan to promote your business and attract customers. With a well-thought-out business plan, you will be well-equipped to launch and grow your plant nursery business successfully.

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Plant Nursery Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

IX. Financial Plan

This Section's Contents

Revenue and Cost Drivers

Capital requirements and use of funds, key assumptions.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come primarily from its plant nursery sales. The company will sell the plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, soil, fertilizer, and accessories to the residents in the community. As the company’s revenues increase, it will be able to increase its offerings and services. The plant nursery lease, beginning inventory, supplies, and labor expenses will be the key cost drivers of [Company Name]. The major cost drivers for the company’s operation will consist of:

• Gardening supplies and equipment
• Plant inventory
• Business Insurance
• Lease on business location and utilities

Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for [Company Name].

[Company Name] is seeking a total funding of $100,000 of debt capital to open its plant nursery. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures such as nursery and greenhouse build-out, hiring initial employees, beginning inventory, marketing and branding expenses, and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Nursery and greenhouse design/build-out: $50,000
• Equipment, inventory, and supplies: $25,000
• Working capital: $25,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

  5 Year Annual Income Statement

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

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Plant Nursery Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Hello, we are the owners, Irina and Oleg. We sell a bright, comfortable and very beautiful flat, designed in a Scandinavian style. The flat created "for himself", but forced to sell due to moving to Moscow. ( We bought and renovated this flat for us but we have time sell it due to ...) The flat is located in a picturesque location near the Uktus mountains. The residential complex Stony Brook. In the flat: - All necessary equipment. (Dishwasher, washing machine, oven, refrigerator, range hood, stove, TV, microwave, coffee machine) - 2 wardrobes - Ennobled balcony where you can enjoy beautiful views of the forest and mountains, and dream about the most valuable. - Cable TV, wireless internet. - Increased size of window openings make the flat extremely bright. - All items and accessories are in the flat. In building: - High-speed elevator otis, which descends directly into the underground parking. - Concierge. - Courtyard complex located on the podium, which is located at 3 floors. House territory developed according to modern requirements - as a sport, and a playground with a safe finish. - On the first floor there is a trading gallery with a large grocery store, pharmacy, children's and sports goods, cafés and restaurants. The complex has a fitness club. Area: - In walking distance from the complex there is a shopping center "Globus" Waterpark "Limpopo", sports complex, "Planet IGRIK" (children's entertainment center), ICE (fitness center), the ski slopes and ski resorts, subway Botanica. - 8 km to the center. - 100 m bus stop

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Yekaterinburg & Sverdlovsk Oblast

History, Politics, and Economics

Yekaterinburg lies at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, east of the slopes of the Ural Mountains in central Russia. The continental divide is 30 kilometers west of the city. Yekaterinburg is Russia’s third or fourth largest city with a population of 1.5 million. It was founded in 1723 and is named for Peter the Great’s wife, Catherine I. Peter recognized the importance of Yekaterinburg and the surrounding region for the rapid industrial development necessary to bolster Russia’s military power.Today, Yekaterinburg is primarily known both as a center of heavy industry and steel-making, the Russian equivalent of Pittsburgh, and as a major freight transportation hub. Its major industries include ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, chemicals, timber, and pulp and paper. Yekaterinburg has long been an important trading center for goods coming from Siberia, Central Asia and Europe. The city also has a reputation as a center of higher education and research. The Urals Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is located there with its 18 institutes and numerous research facilities linked to industry. Yekaterinburg is also well known as a center for the performing arts. Its Opera and Ballet Theater dates back to 1912. The Urals Philharmonic Orchestra is the largest symphony orchestra in central Russia.

Yekaterinburg is the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast (an oblast is the equivalent of a American state). Economically, Sverdlovsk is among 10 of the 89 administrative subdivisions of the Russian Federation that are net contributors to the federal budget. Sverdlovsk has produced many prominent political figures, including Russia’s first President, Boris Yeltsin, and Russia’s first elected Governor, Eduard Rossel. Since the establishment of the Russian Federation, Sverdlovsk Oblast has been one of the nation’s leaders in political and economic reform. In 1996, Sverdlovsk became the first oblast to conclude agreements with the Federal Government granting it greater political autonomy and the right to conduct its own foreign economic relations.

Economic reform has gathered momentum in Sverdlovsk Oblast. The majority of Sverdlovsk’s industries have been privatized. 75% of enterprises are at least partially owned by private interests. About three-quarters of retail sales and industrial output is generated by private enterprise. Services have grown to 40 percent of oblast GDP, up from only 16 percent in 1992. About 25,000 small businesses are registered in the oblast. Small businesses make up about one-third of the construction, trade and food service.

Industry and Natural Resources

Sverdlovvsk Oblast, like most of the Urals region, possesses abundant natural resources. It is one of Russia’s leaders in mineral extraction. Sverdlovsk produces 70% of Russia’s bauxite, 60% of asbestos, 23% of iron, 97% of vanadium, 6% of copper and 2% of nickel. Forests cover 65% of the oblast. It also produces 6% of Russia’s timber and 7% of its plywood. Sverdlovsk has the largest GDP of any oblast in the Urals. The oblast’s major exports include steel (20% of its foreign trade turnover), chemicals (11%), copper (11%), aluminum (8%) and titanium (3%). In terms of industrial output, Sverdlovsk ranks second only to Moscow Oblast and produces 5% of Russia’s total. Ferrous metallurgy and machine-building still constitute a major part of the oblast’s economy. Yekaterinburg is well known for its concentration of industrial manufacturing plants. The city’s largest factories produce oil extraction equipment, tubes and pipes, steel rollers, steam turbines and manufacturing equipment for other factories.

Non-ferrous metallurgy remains a growth sector. The Verkhnaya Salda Titanium Plant (VSMPO) is the largest titanium works in Russia and the second largest in the world. A second growth sector is food production and processing, with many firms purchasing foreign equipment to upgrade production. The financial crisis has increased demand for domestically produced foodstuffs, as consumers can no longer afford more expensive imported products. Many of Yekaterinburg’s leading food processors — including the Konfi Chocolate Factory, Myasomoltorg Ice-Cream Plant, Myasokombinat Meat Packing Plant and Patra Brewery — have remained financially stable and look forward to growth.

Foreign Trade and Investment

Sverdlovsk Oblast offers investors opportunities mainly in raw materials (metals and minerals) and heavy industries (oil extraction and pipeline equipment). There is also interest in importing Western products in the fields of telecommunications, food processing, safety and security systems, and medicine and construction materials. Both Sverdlovsk Oblast and Yekaterinburg city officials have encouraged foreign investment and created a receptive business climate. The oblast has a Foreign Investment Support Department and a website which profiles over 200 local companies. The city government opened its own investment support center in 1998 to assist foreign companies. Despite local efforts, foreign investors face the same problems in Yekaterinburg as they do elsewhere in Russia. Customs and tax issues top the list of problem areas.

Sverdlovsk Oblast leads the Urals in attracting foreign investment The top five foreign investors are the U.S., UK, Germany, China and Cyprus. About 70 foreign firms have opened representative offices in Yekaterinburg, including DHL, Ford, IBM, Proctor and Gamble, and Siemens. Lufthansa airlines has opened a station in Yekaterinburg and offers three flights per week to Frankfurt.

America is Sverdlovsk’s number one investor with $114 million in investment and 79 joint ventures. The three largest U.S. investors are Coca-Cola, Pepsi and USWest. Coca-Cola and Pepsi both opened bottling plants in Yekaterinburg in 1998. USWest has a joint venture, Uralwestcom, which is one of Yekaterinburg’s leading companies in cellular phone sales and service. America is Sverdlovsk Oblast’s number one trading partner. In 1998, Boeing signed a ten-year titanium supply contract valued at approximately $200 million with the VSMPO titanium plant. Besides the U.S., Sverdlovsk’s top trading partners include Holland, Kazakhstan, Germany and the UK.

Yekaterinburg, like most of Russia, has a continental climate. The city is located at the source of the Iset River and is surrounded by lakes and hills. Temperatures tend to be mild in summer and severe in winter. The average temperature in January is -15.5C (4F), but occasionally reaches -40C (-40F). The average temperature in July is 17.5C (64F), but occasionally reaches 40C (104F). Current weather in Yekaterinburg from  http://www.gismeteo.ru/ .

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YEKATERINBURG: FACTORIES, URAL SIGHTS, YELTSIN AND THE WHERE NICHOLAS II WAS KILLED

Sverdlovsk oblast.

Sverdlovsk Oblast is the largest region in the Urals; it lies in the foothills of mountains and contains a monument indicating the border between Europe and Asia. The region covers 194,800 square kilometers (75,200 square miles), is home to about 4.3 million people and has a population density of 22 people per square kilometer. About 83 percent of the population live in urban areas. Yekaterinburg is the capital and largest city, with 1.5 million people. For Russians, the Ural Mountains are closely associated with Pavel Bazhov's tales and known for folk crafts such as Kasli iron sculpture, Tagil painting, and copper embossing. Yekaterinburg is the birthplace of Russia’s iron and steel industry, taking advantage of the large iron deposits in the Ural mountains. The popular Silver Ring of the Urals tourist route starts here.

In the summer you can follow in the tracks of Yermak, climb relatively low Ural mountain peaks and look for boulders seemingly with human faces on them. You can head to the Gemstone Belt of the Ural mountains, which used to house emerald, amethyst and topaz mines. In the winter you can go ice fishing, ski and cross-country ski.

Sverdlovsk Oblast and Yekaterinburg are located near the center of Russia, at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and also the southern and northern parts of Russia. Winters are longer and colder than in western section of European Russia. Snowfalls can be heavy. Winter temperatures occasionally drop as low as - 40 degrees C (-40 degrees F) and the first snow usually falls in October. A heavy winter coat, long underwear and good boots are essential. Snow and ice make the sidewalks very slippery, so footwear with a good grip is important. Since the climate is very dry during the winter months, skin moisturizer plus lip balm are recommended. Be alert for mud on street surfaces when snow cover is melting (April-May). Patches of mud create slippery road conditions.

Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg (kilometer 1818 on the Trans-Siberian Railway) is the fourth largest city in Russia, with of 1.5 million and growth rate of about 12 percent, high for Russia. Located in the southern Ural mountains, it was founded by Peter the Great and named after his wife Catherine, it was used by the tsars as a summer retreat and is where tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed and President Boris Yeltsin lived most of his life and began his political career. The city is near the border between Europe and Asia.

Yekaterinburg (also spelled Ekaterinburg) is located on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains in the headwaters of the Iset and Pyshma Rivers. The Iset runs through the city center. Three ponds — Verkh-Isetsky, Gorodskoy and Nizhne-Isetsky — were created on it. Yekaterinburg has traditionally been a city of mining and was once the center of the mining industry of the Urals and Siberia. Yekaterinburg remains a major center of the Russian armaments industry and is sometimes called the "Pittsburgh of Russia.". A few ornate, pastel mansions and wide boulevards are reminders of the tsarist era. The city is large enough that it has its own Metro system but is characterized mostly by blocky Soviet-era apartment buildings. The city has advanced under President Vladimir Putin and is now one of the fastest growing places in Russia, a country otherwise characterized by population declines

Yekaterinburg is technically an Asian city as it lies 32 kilometers east of the continental divide between Europe and Asia. The unofficial capital of the Urals, a key region in the Russian heartland, it is second only to Moscow in terms of industrial production and capital of Sverdlovsk oblast. Among the important industries are ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, machine building and metalworking, chemical and petrochemicals, construction materials and medical, light and food industries. On top of being home of numerous heavy industries and mining concerns, Yekaterinburg is also a major center for industrial research and development and power engineering as well as home to numerous institutes of higher education, technical training, and scientific research. In addition, Yekaterinburg is the largest railway junction in Russia: the Trans-Siberian Railway passes through it, the southern, northern, western and eastern routes merge in the city.

Accommodation: There are two good and affordable hotels — the 3-star Emerald and Parus hotels — located close to the city's most popular landmarks and main transport interchanges in the center of Yekaterinburg. Room prices start at RUB 1,800 per night.

History of Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great and named after his wife Catherine I. It was used by the tsars as a summer retreat but was mainly developed as metalworking and manufacturing center to take advantage of the large deposits of iron and other minerals in the Ural mountains. It is best known to Americans as the place where the last Tsar and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918 and near where American U-2 spy plane, piloted by Gary Powers, was shot down in 1960.

Peter the Great recognized the importance of the iron and copper-rich Urals region for Imperial Russia's industrial and military development. In November 1723, he ordered the construction of a fortress factory and an ironworks in the Iset River Valley, which required a dam for its operation. In its early years Yekaterinburg grew rich from gold and other minerals and later coal. The Yekaterinburg gold rush of 1745 created such a huge amount of wealth that one rich baron of that time hosted a wedding party that lasted a year. By the mid-18th century, metallurgical plants had sprung up across the Urals to cast cannons, swords, guns and other weapons to arm Russia’s expansionist ambitions. The Yekaterinburg mint produced most of Russia's coins. Explorations of the Trans-Baikal and Altai regions began here in the 18th century.

Iron, cast iron and copper were the main products. Even though Iron from the region went into the Eiffel Tower, the main plant in Yekaterinburg itself was shut down in 1808. The city still kept going through a mountain factory control system of the Urals. The first railway in the Urals was built here: in 1878, the Yekaterinburg-Perm railway branch connected the province's capital with the factories of the Middle Urals.

In the Soviet era the city was called Sverdlovsk (named after Yakov Sverdlov, the man who organized Nicholas II's execution). During the first five-year plans the city became industrial — old plants were reconstructed, new ones were built. The center of Yekaterinburg was formed to conform to the historical general plan of 1829 but was the layout was adjusted around plants and factories. In the Stalin era the city was a major gulag transhipment center. In World War II, many defense-related industries were moved here. It and the surrounding area were a center of the Soviet Union's military industrial complex. Soviet tanks, missiles and aircraft engines were made in the Urals. During the Cold War era, Yekaterinburg was a center of weapons-grade uranium enrichment and processing, warhead assembly and dismantlement. In 1979, 64 people died when anthrax leaked from a biological weapons facility. Yekaterinburg was a “Closed City” for 40 years during the Cold Soviet era and was not open to foreigners until 1991

In the early post-Soviet era, much like Pittsburgh in the 1970s, Yekaterinburg had a hard struggle d to cope with dramatic economic changes that have made its heavy industries uncompetitive on the world market. Huge defense plants struggled to survive and the city was notorious as an organized crime center in the 1990s, when its hometown boy Boris Yeltsin was President of Russia. By the 2000s, Yekaterinburg’s retail and service was taking off, the defense industry was reviving and it was attracting tech industries and investments related to the Urals’ natural resources. By the 2010s it was vying to host a world exhibition in 2020 (it lost, Dubai won) and it had McDonald’s, Subway, sushi restaurants, and Gucci, Chanel and Armani. There were Bentley and Ferrari dealerships but they closed down

Transportation in Yekaterinburg

Getting There: By Plane: Yekaterinburg is a three-hour flight from Moscow with prices starting at RUB 8,000, or a 3-hour flight from Saint Petersburg starting from RUB 9,422 (direct round-trip flight tickets for one adult passenger). There are also flights from Frankfurt, Istanbul, China and major cities in the former Soviet Union.

By Train: Yekaterinburg is a major stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Daily train service is available to Moscow and many other Russian cities.Yekaterinburg is a 32-hour train ride from Moscow (tickets RUB 8,380 and above) or a 36-hour train ride from Saint Petersburg (RUB 10,300 and above). The ticket prices are round trip for a berth in a sleeper compartment for one adult passenger). By Car: a car trip from Moscow to Yekateringburg is 1,787 kilometers long and takes about 18 hours. The road from Saint Petersburg is 2,294 kilometers and takes about 28 hours.

Regional Transport: The region's public transport includes buses and suburban electric trains. Regional trains provide transport to larger cities in the Ural region. Buses depart from Yekaterinburg’s two bus stations: the Southern Bus Station and the Northern Bus Station.

Regional Transport: According the to Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT): “Public transportation is well developed. Overcrowding is common. Fares are low. Service is efficient. Buses are the main form of public transport. Tram network is extensive. Fares are reasonable; service is regular. Trams are heavily used by residents, overcrowding is common. Purchase ticket after boarding. Metro runs from city center to Uralmash, an industrial area south of the city. Metro ends near the main railway station. Fares are inexpensive.

“Traffic is congested in city center. Getting around by car can be difficult. Route taxis (minivans) provide the fastest transport. They generally run on specific routes, but do not have specific stops. Drivers stop where passengers request. Route taxis can be hailed. Travel by bus or trolleybuses may be slow in rush hour. Trams are less affected by traffic jams. Trolley buses (electric buses) cannot run when temperatures drop below freezing.”

Entertainment, Sports and Recreation in Yekaterinburg

The performing arts in Yekaterinburg are first rate. The city has an excellent symphony orchestra, opera and ballet theater, and many other performing arts venues. Tickets are inexpensive. The Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater is lavishly designed and richly decorated building in the city center of Yekaterinburg. The theater was established in 1912 and building was designed by architect Vladimir Semyonov and inspired by the Vienna Opera House and the Theater of Opera and Ballet in Odessa.

Vaynera Street is a pedestrian only shopping street in city center with restaurants, cafes and some bars. But otherwise Yekaterinburg's nightlife options are limited. There are a handful of expensive Western-style restaurants and bars, none of them that great. Nightclubs serve the city's nouveau riche clientele. Its casinos have closed down. Some of them had links with organized crime. New dance clubs have sprung up that are popular with Yekaterinburg's more affluent youth.

Yekaterinburg's most popular spectator sports are hockey, basketball, and soccer. There are stadiums and arenas that host all three that have fairly cheap tickets. There is an indoor water park and lots of parks and green spaces. The Urals have many lakes, forests and mountains are great for hiking, boating, berry and mushroom hunting, swimming and fishing. Winter sports include cross-country skiing and ice skating. Winter lasts about six months and there’s usually plenty of snow. The nearby Ural Mountains however are not very high and the downhill skiing opportunities are limited..

Sights in Yekaterinburg

Sights in Yekaterinburg include the Museum of City Architecture and Ural Industry, with an old water tower and mineral collection with emeralds. malachite, tourmaline, jasper and other precious stone; Geological Alley, a small park with labeled samples of minerals found in the Urals region; the Ural Geology Museum, which houses an extensive collection of stones, gold and gems from the Urals; a monument marking the border between Europe and Asia; a memorial for gulag victims; and a graveyard with outlandish memorials for slain mafia members.

The Military History Museum houses the remains of the U-2 spy plane shot down in 1960 and locally made tanks and rocket launchers. The fine arts museum contains paintings by some of Russia's 19th-century masters. Also worth a look are the History an Local Studies Museum; the Political History and Youth Museum; and the University and Arboretum. Old wooden houses can be seen around Zatoutstovsya ulitsa and ulitsa Belinskogo. Around the city are wooded parks, lakes and quarries used to harvest a variety of minerals. Weiner Street is the main street of Yekaterinburg. Along it are lovely sculptures and 19th century architecture. Take a walk around the unique Literary Quarter

Plotinka is a local meeting spot, where you will often find street musicians performing. Plotinka can be described as the center of the city's center. This is where Yekaterinburg holds its biggest events: festivals, seasonal fairs, regional holiday celebrations, carnivals and musical fountain shows. There are many museums and open-air exhibitions on Plotinka. Plotinka is named after an actual dam of the city pond located nearby (“plotinka” means “a small dam” in Russian).In November 1723, Peter the Great ordered the construction of an ironworks in the Iset River Valley, which required a dam for its operation. “Iset” can be translated from Finnish as “abundant with fish”. This name was given to the river by the Mansi — the Finno-Ugric people dwelling on the eastern slope of the Northern Urals.

Vysotsky and Iset are skyscrapers that are 188.3 meters and 209 meters high, respectively. Fifty-story-high Iset has been described by locals as the world’s northernmost skyscraper. Before the construction of Iset, Vysotsky was the tallest building of Yekaterinburg and Russia (excluding Moscow). A popular vote has decided to name the skyscraper after the famous Soviet songwriter, singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky. and the building was opened on November 25, 2011. There is a lookout at the top of the building, and the Vysotsky museum on its second floor. The annual “Vysotsky climb” (1137 steps) is held there, with a prize of RUB 100,000. While Vysotsky serves as an office building, Iset, owned by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, houses 225 premium residential apartments ranging from 80 to 490 square meters in size.

Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center

The Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center (in the city center: ul. Yeltsina, 3) is a non-governmental organization named after the first president of the Russian Federation. The Museum of the First President of Russia as well as his archives are located in the Center. There is also a library, educational and children's centers, and exposition halls. Yeltsin lived most of his life and began his political career in Yekaterinburg. He was born in Butka about 200 kilometers east of Yekaterinburg.

The core of the Center is the Museum. Modern multimedia technologies help animate the documents, photos from the archives, and artifacts. The Yeltsin Museum holds collections of: propaganda posters, leaflets, and photos of the first years of the Soviet regime; portraits and portrait sculptures of members of Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of various years; U.S.S.R. government bonds and other items of the Soviet era; a copy of “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, published in the “Novy Mir” magazine (#11, 1962); perestroika-era editions of books by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Vasily Grossman, and other authors; theater, concert, and cinema posters, programs, and tickets — in short, all of the artifacts of the perestroika era.

The Yeltsin Center opened in 2012. Inside you will also find an art gallery, a bookstore, a gift shop, a food court, concert stages and a theater. There are regular screenings of unique films that you will not find anywhere else. Also operating inside the center, is a scientific exploritorium for children. The center was designed by Boris Bernaskoni. Almost from the its very opening, the Yeltsin Center has been accused by members of different political entities of various ideological crimes. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

Where Nicholas II was Executed

On July, 17, 1918, during this reign of terror of the Russian Civil War, former-tsar Nicholas II, his wife, five children (the 13-year-old Alexis, 22-year-old Olga, 19-year-old Maria and 17-year-old Anastasia)the family physician, the cook, maid, and valet were shot to death by a Red Army firing squad in the cellar of the house they were staying at in Yekaterinburg.

Ipatiev House (near Church on the Blood, Ulitsa Libknekhta) was a merchant's house where Nicholas II and his family were executed. The house was demolished in 1977, on the orders of an up and coming communist politician named Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin later said that the destruction of the house was an "act of barbarism" and he had no choice because he had been ordered to do it by the Politburo,

The site is marked with s cross with the photos of the family members and cross bearing their names. A small wooden church was built at the site. It contains paintings of the family. For a while there were seven traditional wooden churches. Mass is given ay noon everyday in an open-air museum. The Church on the Blood — constructed to honor Nicholas II and his family — was built on the part of the site in 1991 and is now a major place of pilgrimage.

Nicholas and his family where killed during the Russian civil war. It is thought the Bolsheviks figured that Nicholas and his family gave the Whites figureheads to rally around and they were better of dead. Even though the death orders were signed Yakov Sverdlov, the assassination was personally ordered by Lenin, who wanted to get them out of sight and out of mind. Trotsky suggested a trial. Lenin nixed the idea, deciding something had to be done about the Romanovs before White troops approached Yekaterinburg. Trotsky later wrote: "The decision was not only expedient but necessary. The severity of he punishment showed everyone that we would continue to fight on mercilessly, stopping at nothing."

Ian Frazier wrote in The New Yorker: “Having read a lot about the end of Tsar Nicholas II and his family and servants, I wanted to see the place in Yekaterinburg where that event occurred. The gloomy quality of this quest depressed Sergei’s spirits, but he drove all over Yekaterinburg searching for the site nonetheless. Whenever he stopped and asked a pedestrian how to get to the house where Nicholas II was murdered, the reaction was a wince. Several people simply walked away. But eventually, after a lot of asking, Sergei found the location. It was on a low ridge near the edge of town, above railroad tracks and the Iset River. The house, known as the Ipatiev House, was no longer standing, and the basement where the actual killings happened had been filled in. I found the blankness of the place sinister and dizzying. It reminded me of an erasure done so determinedly that it had worn a hole through the page. [Source: Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, August 3, 2009, Frazier is author of “Travels in Siberia” (2010)]

“The street next to the site is called Karl Liebknecht Street. A building near where the house used to be had a large green advertisement that said, in English, “LG—Digitally Yours.” On an adjoining lot, a small chapel kept the memory of the Tsar and his family; beneath a pedestal holding an Orthodox cross, peonies and pansies grew. The inscription on the pedestal read, “We go down on our knees, Russia, at the foot of the tsarist cross.”

Books: The Romanovs: The Final Chapter by Robert K. Massie (Random House, 1995); The Fall of the Romanovs by Mark D. Steinberg and Vladimir Khrustalëv (Yale, 1995);

See Separate Article END OF NICHOLAS II factsanddetails.com

Execution of Nicholas II

According to Robert Massie K. Massie, author of Nicholas and Alexandra, Nicholas II and his family were awakened from their bedrooms around midnight and taken to the basement. They were told they were to going to take some photographs of them and were told to stand behind a row of chairs.

Suddenly, a group of 11 Russians and Latvians, each with a revolver, burst into the room with orders to kill a specific person. Yakob Yurovsky, a member of the Soviet executive committee, reportedly shouted "your relatives are continuing to attack the Soviet Union.” After firing, bullets bouncing off gemstones hidden in the corsets of Alexandra and her daughters ricocheted around the room like "a shower of hail," the soldiers said. Those that were still breathing were killed with point black shots to the head.

The three sisters and the maid survived the first round thanks to their gems. They were pressed up against a wall and killed with a second round of bullets. The maid was the only one that survived. She was pursued by the executioners who stabbed her more than 30 times with their bayonets. The still writhing body of Alexis was made still by a kick to the head and two bullets in the ear delivered by Yurovsky himself.

Yurovsky wrote: "When the party entered I told the Romanovs that in view of the fact their relatives continued their offensive against Soviet Russia, the Executive Committee of the Urals Soviet had decided to shoot them. Nicholas turned his back to the detachment and faced his family. Then, as if collecting himself, he turned around, asking, 'What? What?'"

"[I] ordered the detachment to prepare. Its members had been previously instructed whom to shoot and to am directly at the heart to avoid much blood and to end more quickly. Nicholas said no more. he turned again to his family. The others shouted some incoherent exclamations. All this lasted a few seconds. Then commenced the shooting, which went on for two or three minutes. [I] killed Nicholas on the spot."

Nicholas II’s Initial Burial Site in Yekaterinburg

Ganina Yama Monastery (near the village of Koptyaki, 15 kilometers northwest of Yekaterinburg) stands near the three-meter-deep pit where some the remains of Nicholas II and his family were initially buried. The second burial site — where most of the remains were — is in a field known as Porosyonkov (56.9113628°N 60.4954326°E), seven kilometers from Ganina Yama.

On visiting Ganina Yama Monastery, one person posted in Trip Advisor: “We visited this set of churches in a pretty park with Konstantin from Ekaterinburg Guide Centre. He really brought it to life with his extensive knowledge of the history of the events surrounding their terrible end. The story is so moving so unless you speak Russian, it is best to come here with a guide or else you will have no idea of what is what.”

In 1991, the acid-burned remains of Nicholas II and his family were exhumed from a shallow roadside mass grave in a swampy area 12 miles northwest of Yekaterinburg. The remains had been found in 1979 by geologist and amateur archeologist Alexander Avdonin, who kept the location secret out of fear that they would be destroyed by Soviet authorities. The location was disclosed to a magazine by one his fellow discovers.

The original plan was to throw the Romanovs down a mine shaft and disposes of their remains with acid. They were thrown in a mine with some grenades but the mine didn't collapse. They were then carried by horse cart. The vats of acid fell off and broke. When the carriage carrying the bodies broke down it was decided the bury the bodies then and there. The remaining acid was poured on the bones, but most of it was soaked up the ground and the bones largely survived.

After this their pulses were then checked, their faces were crushed to make them unrecognizable and the bodies were wrapped in bed sheets loaded onto a truck. The "whole procedure," Yurovsky said took 20 minutes. One soldiers later bragged than he could "die in peace because he had squeezed the Empress's -------."

The bodies were taken to a forest and stripped, burned with acid and gasoline, and thrown into abandoned mine shafts and buried under railroad ties near a country road near the village of Koptyaki. "The bodies were put in the hole," Yurovsky wrote, "and the faces and all the bodies, generally doused with sulfuric acid, both so they couldn't be recognized and prevent a stink from them rotting...We scattered it with branches and lime, put boards on top and drove over it several times—no traces of the hole remained.

Shortly afterwards, the government in Moscow announced that Nicholas II had been shot because of "a counterrevolutionary conspiracy." There was no immediate word on the other members of the family which gave rise to rumors that other members of the family had escaped. Yekaterinburg was renamed Sverdlov in honor of the man who signed the death orders.

For seven years the remains of Nicholas II, Alexandra, three of their daughters and four servants were stored in polyethylene bags on shelves in the old criminal morgue in Yekaterunburg. On July 17, 1998, Nicholas II and his family and servants who were murdered with him were buried Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg along with the other Romanov tsars, who have been buried there starting with Peter the Great. Nicholas II had a side chapel built for himself at the fortress in 1913 but was buried in a new crypt.

Near Yekaterinburg

Factory-Museum of Iron and Steel Metallurgy (in Niznhy Tagil 80 kilometers north of Yekaterinburg) a museum with old mining equipment made at the site of huge abandoned iron and steel factory. Officially known as the Factory-Museum of the History of the Development of Iron and Steel Metallurgy, it covers an area of 30 hectares and contains a factory founded by the Demidov family in 1725 that specialized mainly in the production of high-quality cast iron and steel. Later, the foundry was renamed after Valerian Kuybyshev, a prominent figure of the Communist Party.

The first Russian factory museum, the unusual museum demonstrates all stages of metallurgy and metal working. There is even a blast furnace and an open-hearth furnace. The display of factory equipment includes bridge crane from 1892) and rolling stock equipment from the 19th-20th centuries. In Niznhy Tagil contains some huge blocks of malachite and

Nizhnyaya Sinyachikha (180 kilometers east-northeast of Yekaterinburg) has an open air architecture museum with log buildings, a stone church and other pre-revolutionary architecture. The village is the creation of Ivan Samoilov, a local activist who loved his village so much he dedicated 40 years of his life to recreating it as the open-air museum of wooden architecture.

The stone Savior Church, a good example of Siberian baroque architecture. The interior and exterior of the church are exhibition spaces of design. The houses are very colorful. In tsarist times, rich villagers hired serfs to paint the walls of their wooden izbas (houses) bright colors. Old neglected buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries have been brought to Nizhnyaya Sinyachikha from all over the Urals. You will see the interior design of the houses and hear stories about traditions and customs of the Ural farmers.

Verkhoturye (330 kilometers road from Yekaterinburg) is the home a 400-year-old monastery that served as 16th century capital of the Urals. Verkhoturye is a small town on the Tura River knows as the Jerusalem of the Urals for its many holy places, churches and monasteries. The town's main landmark is its Kremlin — the smallest in Russia. Pilgrims visit the St. Nicholas Monastery to see the remains of St. Simeon of Verkhoturye, the patron saint of fishermen.

Ural Mountains

Ural Mountains are the traditional dividing line between Europe and Asia and have been a crossroads of Russian history. Stretching from Kazakhstan to the fringes of the Arctic Kara Sea, the Urals lie almost exactly along the 60 degree meridian of longitude and extend for about 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles) from north to south and varies in width from about 50 kilometers (30 miles) in the north and 160 kilometers (100 miles) the south. At kilometers 1777 on the Trans-Siberian Railway there is white obelisk with "Europe" carved in Russian on one side and "Asia" carved on the other.

The eastern side of the Urals contains a lot of granite and igneous rock. The western side is primarily sandstone and limestones. A number of precious stones can be found in the southern part of the Urals, including emeralds. malachite, tourmaline, jasper and aquamarines. The highest peaks are in the north. Mount Narodnaya is the highest of all but is only 1884 meters (6,184 feet) high. The northern Urals are covered in thick forests and home to relatively few people.

Like the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, the Urals are very old mountains — with rocks and sediments that are hundreds of millions years old — that were one much taller than they are now and have been steadily eroded down over millions of years by weather and other natural processes to their current size. According to Encyclopedia Britannica: “The rock composition helps shape the topography: the high ranges and low, broad-topped ridges consist of quartzites, schists, and gabbro, all weather-resistant. Buttes are frequent, and there are north–south troughs of limestone, nearly all containing river valleys. Karst topography is highly developed on the western slopes of the Urals, with many caves, basins, and underground streams. The eastern slopes, on the other hand, have fewer karst formations; instead, rocky outliers rise above the flattened surfaces. Broad foothills, reduced to peneplain, adjoin the Central and Southern Urals on the east.

“The Urals date from the structural upheavals of the Hercynian orogeny (about 250 million years ago). About 280 million years ago there arose a high mountainous region, which was eroded to a peneplain. Alpine folding resulted in new mountains, the most marked upheaval being that of the Nether-Polar Urals...The western slope of the Urals is composed of middle Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (sandstones and limestones) that are about 350 million years old. In many places it descends in terraces to the Cis-Ural depression (west of the Urals), to which much of the eroded matter was carried during the late Paleozoic (about 300 million years ago). Found there are widespread karst (a starkly eroded limestone region) and gypsum, with large caverns and subterranean streams. On the eastern slope, volcanic layers alternate with sedimentary strata, all dating from middle Paleozoic times.”

Southern Urals

The southern Urals are characterized by grassy slopes and fertile valleys. The middle Urals are a rolling platform that barely rises above 300 meters (1,000 feet). This region is rich in minerals and has been heavily industrialized. This is where you can find Yekaterinburg (formally Sverdlovsk), the largest city in the Urals.

Most of the Southern Urals are is covered with forests, with 50 percent of that pine-woods, 44 percent birch woods, and the rest are deciduous aspen and alder forests. In the north, typical taiga forests are the norm. There are patches of herbal-poaceous steppes, northem sphagnous marshes and bushy steppes, light birch forests and shady riparian forests, tall-grass mountainous meadows, lowland ling marshes and stony placers with lichen stains. In some places there are no large areas of homogeneous forests, rather they are forests with numerous glades and meadows of different size.

In the Ilmensky Mountains Reserve in the Southern Urals, scientists counted 927 vascular plants (50 relicts, 23 endemic species), about 140 moss species, 483 algae species and 566 mushroom species. Among the species included into the Red Book of Russia are feather grass, downy-leaved feather grass, Zalessky feather grass, moccasin flower, ladies'-slipper, neottianthe cucullata, Baltic orchis, fen orchis, helmeted orchis, dark-winged orchis, Gelma sandwart, Krasheninnikov sandwart, Clare astragalus.

The fauna of the vertebrate animals in the Reserve includes 19 fish, 5 amphibian and 5 reptile. Among the 48 mammal species are elks, roe deer, boars, foxes, wolves, lynxes, badgers, common weasels, least weasels, forest ferrets, Siberian striped weasel, common marten, American mink. Squirrels, beavers, muskrats, hares, dibblers, moles, hedgehogs, voles are quite common, as well as chiropterans: pond bat, water bat, Brandt's bat, whiskered bat, northern bat, long-eared bat, parti-coloured bat, Nathusius' pipistrelle. The 174 bird bird species include white-tailed eagles, honey hawks, boreal owls, gnome owls, hawk owls, tawny owls, common scoters, cuckoos, wookcocks, common grouses, wood grouses, hazel grouses, common partridges, shrikes, goldenmountain thrushes, black- throated loons and others.

Activities and Places in the Ural Mountains

The Urals possess beautiful natural scenery that can be accessed from Yekaterinburg with a rent-a-car, hired taxi and tour. Travel agencies arrange rafting, kayaking and hiking trips. Hikes are available in the taiga forest and the Urals. Trips often include walks through the taiga to small lakes and hikes into the mountains and excursions to collect mushrooms and berries and climb in underground caves. Mellow rafting is offered in a relatively calm six kilometer section of the River Serga. In the winter visitor can enjoy cross-mountains skiing, downhill skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding, snow-shoeing and winter hiking through the forest to a cave covered with ice crystals.

Lake Shartash (10 kilometers from Yekaterinburg) is where the first Ural gold was found, setting in motion the Yekaterinburg gold rush of 1745, which created so much wealth one rich baron of that time hosted a wedding party that lasted a year. The area around Shartash Lake is a favorite picnic and barbecue spot of the locals. Getting There: by bus route No. 50, 054 or 54, with a transfer to suburban commuter bus route No. 112, 120 or 121 (the whole trip takes about an hour), or by car (10 kilometers drive from the city center, 40 minutes).

Revun Rapids (90 kilometers road from Yekaterinburg near Beklenishcheva village) is a popular white water rafting places On the nearby cliffs you can see the remains of a mysterious petroglyph from the Paleolithic period. Along the steep banks, you may notice the dark entrance of Smolinskaya Cave. There are legends of a sorceress who lived in there. The rocks at the riverside are suited for competitive rock climbers and beginners. Climbing hooks and rings are hammered into rocks. The most fun rafting is generally in May and June.

Olenii Ruchii National Park (100 kilometers west of Yekaterinburg) is the most popular nature park in Sverdlovsk Oblast and popular weekend getaway for Yekaterinburg residents. Visitors are attracted by the beautiful forests, the crystal clear Serga River and picturesque rocks caves. There are some easy hiking routes: the six-kilometer Lesser Ring and the 15-kilometer Greater Ring. Another route extends for 18 km and passes by the Mitkinsky Mine, which operated in the 18th-19th centuries. It's a kind of an open-air museum — you can still view mining an enrichment equipment here. There is also a genuine beaver dam nearby.

Among the other attractions at Olenii Ruchii are Druzhba (Friendship) Cave, with passages that extend for about 500 meters; Dyrovaty Kamen (Holed Stone), created over time by water of Serga River eroding rock; and Utoplennik (Drowned Man), where you can see “The Angel of Sole Hope”., created by the Swedish artist Lehna Edwall, who has placed seven angels figures in different parts of the world to “embrace the planet, protecting it from fear, despair, and disasters.”

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (official Russia tourism website russiatourism.ru ), Russian government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Yomiuri Shimbun and various books and other publications.

Updated in September 2020

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