If you’re like most people, you have a lot of fun spending time in your backyard garden. It gets you outdoors practicing a valuable skill. But did you know you could make money with a backyard bamboo nursery? Quite quickly, too. It’s all possible by starting a backyard bamboo business. Here’s how:
Bamboo’s popularity is continuing to grow. Over half the population uses bamboo in one way or another, so the demand for healthy, quality bamboo has been steady, and there’s no downturn in sight. It’s also the fastest-growing plant. A bamboo plant once grew 48 inches in 24 hours!
Starting your own backyard bamboo business is quite easy. First, take into account the climate and environment you live in. If temperatures often go below zero F. in the winter, consider plants other than bamboo. Otherwise, your climate should work fine for growing bamboo, as it tolerates many climates, from tropical to snowy winters. Most bamboo plants will need soil with a neutral pH.
When deciding what plants to grow, here’s a simple rule: Grow what sells. Do your research. Visit the local garden center and see what bamboo varieties they are stocking. Talk to landscapers and commercial growers. What do they typically buy and use? To make a good profit, you need to grow exactly what people want to buy.
Take good care of your plants as they’re growing. Ensure they have plenty of room, as underground runners typically go out as far as the plant’s height. Because you can propagate bamboo simply by dividing the runners (called rhizomes) and re-planting, you’ll have all the free bamboo you want after you purchase your first plants. Once your plants are ready to propagate, you should consider growing your plants in containers, such as pots and planters. Container-grown plants can be sold almost any time of the year. Make sure your containers can “breathe,” as this allows for sufficient drainage.
When you’re ready to sell your plants, you have many options. How about selling directly to the public from your backyard nursery? You get paid immediately and can get to know your customers. Or what about selling through the mail? Put together a flyer, catalog, or website that showcases just what you have to offer. If you specialize in the more exotic varieties, collectors will buy via mail. You could also sell directly to landscapers and garden centers. Or what about selling bamboo products? Making and selling bamboo products is your chance to get creative and make good money simultaneously. Some popular bamboo products include garden sculpture, fencing, privacy screens, and parrot stands. Have fun with it!
You can start a backyard bamboo business fairly quickly. It won’t happen overnight, but with some hard work and intelligent choices, your business could be the one everyone calls for their bamboo needs. Soon, you could be making the profits you’ve always dreamed about.
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