Backyard Nursery Production

Prepared by: L. Robert Barber, & Ilene Iriarte

For: Guam Cooperative Extension Service & Guam

Department of AgricultureFunding provided by:

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education,

Administration for Native Americans,, & Sanctuary Incorporated

Why we need a Nursery

• List purposes and needs in detail– What are we trying to do?

• List potential ventures– What are possibilities in the future?

Starting a Backyard Nursery Production

• To run and operate a nursery requires knowledge in all phases of plant production

• Requires a knowledge of what plants are desired by your market

• You will need to know:– Market, desired species, propagation methods,

production costs, & market outlets• Backyard nursery can be started with very small

capital outlay– If attention is not paid to, cost can quickly add up

How To Enter the Nursery Business

• Start with an idea!– Produce a product or service that no one

else is filling or do it better than everyone else!

• Develop a detailed business plan– Include targeted products, production

methods, & markets.Goals, Resources, Action Plan, Monitor

• Experience and knowledge of plants is a must!

• Research and evaluate operations

Nursery Design & Space Requirements

• The space you need depends on:– Plant requirements – Number of plants to be produced– Facility restrictions– Resource limitations

• The ultimate goal in design is to use space efficiently

• Plant turn over is key! The longer a plant stays in your nursery, the more it costs to produce, the smaller the profit

Nursery Components

• Storage (inclusive or separate)• Potting area• Propagation area• Grow out area• Hardening area (Avoid if possible)

Nursery Components (cont.)

• Soil Media• Pots• Irrigation• Nutrition• Weed and Pest Management

– Control what comes into the nursery

Propagation

• In the propagation area think about:– What are the propagation requirements

of the plants you want to grow– What size you want to sell or grow or

use– Design & installation of irrigation & or

mist systems

Sexual Production

• Clean seeds• ? Scarification• Keep moist do not over water• Flats or individual cells

Mist System

• Recommended for asexual propagation

• Conserves water• Reduces water loss from plant leaves• No need to soak soil and favor

rotting• Plant leaves can remain on plant and

make energy to produce roots faster• Lower labor cost

Mist System

Non-Mist Propagation

• Low tech• Needs more monitoring• Must be cool• Shade is a must

Non-mist

Things to watch out for!

• Tall lanky seedlings• Timing for use• Pot bound plants• “J” rooted plants• Mislabeled plants• Frequent inspections• Sanitation

Assignment:

• Determine what and how many plants you need to produce in your nursery

• Plant requirements• Pot selection• Soil Media• Schedule propagation of each