searching for land for a plant nursery

[Ryu_Creative]

Hello everybody

I'm currently in the process of setting up a new business, which will specialise in alpines and creative planters delivering direct to the customers throughout the United Kingdom.

I have a background in graphic design and website design and I'm finding this job quite tedious as I do love the creative aspect. Although I'm not enjoying sitting in front of the computer for 10 hours everyday working on tedious jobs.

I've been searching and searching for anywhere nearby to me. Postcode WN75SU which is leigh greater Manchester.

There are some coming up but the prices are astronomical!

I also have a disability, so I don't want to travel too far. I have just been awarded a access to work grant will enable me to employ a couple of people for 40 hours per week to help me with the physical aspects of the business.

I have tried local allotment. Although there is a five-year waiting list.

Any advice could give would be much appreciated. I do have experience running my own graphic design and website design business for the past two years, so I'm quite familiar with running a business. Although I wouldn't mind some advice on anybody else that is also running a plant nursery.

Many thanks. Ryan

 

[Christine Hough]

How much land do you need.

It might be a bit crazy, but I wonder if there is a home owner/ small holder or farmer with too much land who might rent some out to you? I am guessing that for alpines you might be thinking or a relatively small area compared to perhaps growing trees.

 

[Deleted member 226268]

.
I think that it will become a little more involved than just planting seedlings out in a field.

You may need wooden frame cloches or small plastic greenhouses to protect the new plants from the frost and pests.
Then you may need a temporary buildings permit, a water supply, maybe electricity supply for background heating in the winter.

You might also need to buy the correct type of soil in bulk, to suit the plant's acidity tolerance, the local soil may not be good for them.

.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Often in garden centers you see semi derilect polly tunnels that have not been used for many years

It may be worth investigating these types of garden centers and could even work in partnership with them, you use their unused space and supply them with your specialist plants for them to retail sell in their shop and you sell by mail or internet the others

Other areas worth a look are big manor type houses with large unused greenhouses, or drive around local countryside or place a advert in the local paper

Allotments are non commercial so you would not be able to use them even if available

 

[AT700]

Farms will let land, often for a good price too! Obviously purchasing land is a good investment of you have the money and can purchase it for the right money, but if not I'd consider letting land from a local farm.

 

[Julie M Davis]

Purchasing land can be an excellent investment, even if you don't do anything with it.

 

[Ryu_Creative]

Thank you very much for the responses everybody.

Christine. I've already tried this Avenue, although I'm struggling to find anybody with land.

I'm at a crossroads at the moment as I'm at full capacity in my garden and I really need some space to take the alpines I need to grow on

Yes that's correct. Dave I definitely need a poly tunnel or a greenhouse to give them some kind of protection. I would also need a water and electricity supply. With regards to the soil yes I'm also in discussions with some suppliers for this.

Yes Chris, I've already been down this Avenue asking my local garden centres about any available space and unfortunately they don't have any.

I was thinking of contacting some farms although I'm not sure where to start. Does anybody know where I can get any good resources. I do eventually want to purchase someone with the profits from the business when this gets up and running

 

[Andy Longford]

I know this is and old post, however we hope that you found somewhere and if you are still up and running please reach out to us! Folium and Flos