A greenhouse and nursery businessman provides information on starting and operating a horticultural business; finding a job working with plants, trees, and flowers; and performing field studies in ornamental horticulture in order to evaluate real businesses and institutions in operation and scout for business opportunities.

Growing High Value Trees Growing trees for profit is an ideal part-time or full-time business for anyone who wants to be their own boss and enjoys being outdoors working with plants. Trees are a profitable, renewable resource that can be grown in a backyard or on acreage. You can start a tree growing business with a small amount of money - as little as a few hundred dollars. Here are the 8 proven money-makers covered in this book: Bonsai - Tiny trees that can be grown in a small backyard. Japanese maples - A high-value tree that can be grown in a backyard. Fruit trees - 3 best ways to profit. Landscape trees - A "green" business growing potted trees to sell. Nut trees - Grown for both a yearly harvest and timber in the future. Tree farming - using "agroforestry" to grow multiple crops in the same space. Willow trees - cuttings for crafters can be harvested every year. Christmas trees - Demand is growing for "real" natural trees. What You'll Learn - How to grow and sell your trees. Most popular varieties of each tree. Wholesale sources for seeds and seedlings.

There are twenty million acres of lawns in North America. In their current form, these unproductive expanses of grass represent a significant financial and environmental cost. However, viewed through a different lens, they can also be seen as a tremendous source of opportunity. Access to land is a major barrier for many people who want to enter the agricultural sector, and urban and suburban yards have huge potential for would-be farmers wanting to become part of this growing movement. The Urban Farmer is a comprehensive, hands-on, practical manual to help you learn the techniques and business strategies you need to make a good living growing high-yield, high-value crops right in your own backyard (or someone else's). Major benefits include: Low capital investment and overhead costs Reduced need for expensive infrastructure Easy access to markets Growing food in the city means that fresh crops may travel only a few blocks from field to table, making this innovative approach the next logical step in the local food movement. Based on a scalable, easily reproduced business model, The Urban Farmer is your complete guide to minimizing risk and maximizing profit by using intensive production in small leased or borrowed spaces. Curtis Stone is the owner/operator of Green City Acres, a commercial urban farm growing vegetables for farmers markets, restaurants, and retail outlets. During his slower months, Curtis works as a public speaker, teacher, and consultant, sharing his story to inspire a new generation of farmers.

A totally modern, all-purpose handbook for today’s agricultural dreamers—covering the challenges and triumphs of launching any successful farm—from two leading lights in sustainable farming Do you dream of starting your own farm but wonder where to begin? Or do you already have a farm but wish to become more sustainable to compete in today's market? Start Your Farm, the first comprehensive business guide of its kind, covers these essential questions and more: Why be a farmer in the 21st century? Do you have what it takes? What does sustainable really mean, and how can a small (as little as one acre) to midsize farm survive alongside commodity-scale agriculture? How do you access education, land, and other needs with limited capital? How can you reap an actual profit, including a return on land investment? How do you build connections with employees, colleagues, and customers? At the end of the day, how do you measure success? (Hint: Cash your lifestyle paycheck.) More than a practical guide, Start Your Farm is a hopeful call to action for anyone who aspires to grow wholesome, environmentally sustainable food for a living. Take it from Forrest Pritchard and Ellen Polishuk: Making this dream a reality is not for the faint of heart, but it's well within reach—and there's no greater satisfaction under the sun!

Ginseng - A High-Value Cash Crop Nicknamed "green gold," this medicinal herb can be grown in the woods or in raised beds in your backyard. Asians have valued ginseng for thousands of years as a healing herbal tonic, and ginseng has been harvested and exported from the United States for over 300 years. George Washington even used ginseng profits to finance the American revolution! At current prices, a half-acre ginseng patch could produce over $100,000 worth of seeds and roots over a six-year period, or over $16,000 per year. A few backyard raised beds of ginseng could produce $5,000 per year of seeds, rootlets and roots. What's in the book: Three affordable ways to grow ginseng on a budget. How to sell ginseng seeds and rootlets for income every year. Step-by-step instructions for building backyard ginseng growing beds. How to set up your growing area for maximum yield. Pest protection - what works and what doesn't. State-by-state resources for registered ginseng buyers. Reliable sources for disease-free stratified seeds. Order your copy today and start growing "green gold."

Lavender - The Perfect Cash Crop for Small Growers. Lavender farming can produce a substantial income for small growers. The fresh flowers are sold in bundles or used to make lavender oil, and the dried flower bunches are sold to florists and hobbyists for dried arrangements and wreaths. The harvested lavender is also used to make dozens of value-added products, from dried buds to aromatherapy products, skin-care products, sachets and herbal pillows. All are easy to make and in demand from consumers who love the scent of lavender. That's the beauty of lavender - unlike other perishable crops, nothing goes to waste, and profits are year-round. Lavender is a long-lasting, easy to grow herb with a lifespan of 12-15 years. New plants are usually produced from cuttings, so it's easy to replace older plants, expand your growing area or produce lavender plants for sale at almost no cost. In addition, because lavender is so easy to dry, it can be used to make value-added products year-round instead of just during the growing season. You can start a lavender growing business with just a small amount of money - as little as a few hundred dollars for plant starts and hand tools. In this step-by-step guide, you'll discover: Best lavender varieties for commercial growers. Top 5 lavender varieties for essential oil production. Top 5 lavender varieties for culinary use. 20 proven ways to add value and increase your profits 200% to 800%. Wholesale sources for lavender plants. Wholesale sources for value-added skin care ingredients. Lavender organizations in the U.S. Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Boom Times for Garlic Growers Gourmet garlic is one of the easiest and most profitable cash crops for small growers and perfect for organic growers, as garlic has few pests and diseases thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Garlic is easy to plant, grow and harvest and the plants are compact, so a large amount of garlic can be grown in a small area. In fact, garlic can produce an income of up to $10 per square foot, so even a small garlic patch can bring in thousands of dollars. One of the best ways to profit from a garlic crop is to "add value" by selling garlic products in addition to fresh bulbs. Profit margins for value-added garlic products range from 200% to 500%. In this book, you'll discover: Best garlic types for market growers. Top 8 soft-neck garlic varieties. Top 30 hard-neck garlic varieties. Best garlic varieties for producing large bulbs. How to double yields with intensive planting. Best places for new growers to get full retail prices. 16 Best value-added garlic products. How to pick the best varieties for your climate. Wholesale sources for seed garlic, growing and packaging supplies. Order Now and Start Growing!