Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business : A Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a High-Profit Business That Benefits the Environment [Paperback]

Ted M. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0962867802 | ISBN-13: 978-0962867804 | Publication Date: April 1997 | Edition: 4th

According to the author, there are not enough greenhouse growers in the country to be anywhere near the saturation point—making it an excellent business venture for those who love working with plants. His pragmatic no-nonsense guide offers a complete course for such a business venture. He discusses everything: plant containers, buying plugs, propagation, hydroponics, specialty crops, watering and growing care, soil and fertilizer mixes and more. A chapter on greenhouses discusses different types of structures, coverings, heating and cooling systems, and provides basic plans for a 30' x 96' solar greenhouse. Another chapter on insect and disease control outlines an excellent organic program emphasizing prevention, organic sprays, and beneficial insects. He pays ample attention to the business side as well, explaining marketing, accounting, sales, plant delivery, bill collecting, computers, financing, licenses and permits, etc. He even provides a wholesale price lists as guides and a large list of plant buyers and suppliers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Excellent how-to guide. A gold mine of information. -- Growing Edge Magazine

If you operate a greenhouse for profit, you need Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business. -- California State University - San Luis Obispo

The author has revealed all his secrets. This guide is straightforward and professional, worth far more than the price tag! -- Small Press - Magazine of Independent Publishers

From the Publisher

New Edition Available NOW with 280 Pages (130 pages larger than the 1998 edition). Revised and Edited by one of the best. Author available for questions at anytime.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Green Earth Pub Co; 4th edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962867802
• ISBN-13: 978-0962867804
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

155 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plan to Succeed, February 12, 2001

By 

Steven Carruthers (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business : A Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a High-Profit Business That Benefits the Environment (Paperback)

Secrets to a successful Greenhouse and Business is written for the beginner or serious home gardener who wants to start a profitable home-based business growing plants in a greenhouse, or for educators looking for specialized classroom projects. It is also valuable text for existing commercial growers, if only to revisit some of the basics from time to time. Divided into 11 sections, Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business will tell you everything you want to know to get started in a greenhouse business. The book covers all major growing systems including hydroponics, organics, and good old-fashioned soil cultivation. It includes a basic plan to build a solar greenhouse, and information on soil and fertilizer mixes, insect and disease control, marketing, and guidelines to organize your greenhouse business. The section on ?Selling, Marketing, and Economics? is especially useful for new comers to greenhouse production. Gone are the days of growing plants on speculation and hoping to find a market before the crop is harvested. The first step in any successful horticulture business is to identify your market, and to grow what the market wants. This section offers some valuable insights into how to go about that. The text explores the marketing process and includes developing sales concepts and marketing strategies, as well as establishing a realistic budget. I can?t think of another text that says it better. There are also special treatments for marketing hydroponic and organic products, as opposed to soil-grown products. The section on ?Greenhouses? is succinct. The author leaves no stone unturned in his endeavor to cover every aspect of greenhouse production. Topics include environmental control, choosing the right greenhouse covering, operating costs and cash flow, ideas to improve your greenhouse, and much, much more. This section also includes a basic solar greenhouse plan, including a detailed inventory of materials (imperial measurements). The section on ?Specialized Projects with Excellent Profit Potential? examines the major soil-less culture growing systems that are used in today?s modern greenhouse, with a focus on greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, tropical fruits, and ornamental plants. There is also a special treatment for school greenhouse programs. There are few greenhouse texts that go beyond the hardware of a greenhouse business. This text does. The section on ?Guidelines to Organizing Your Business? is about turning into actions. According to the author, people don?t plan to fail they just fail to plan. In this section, apart from highlighting the need for good planning, the author explains the basic steps for organizing your greenhouse business. These include on sight considerations such as obtaining zoning ordinances and building permits, and types of financing, right down to Workers Compensation. Another section on ?Delivery, Collecting, & Using Computers?, is a practical guide for those processes. The author covers everything including packing and labeling, box construction, and how to start with a small business computer. The author provides a practical explanation of the World Wide Web and its importance for communication, to quickly find or exchange technical and market information, or to develop new markets. The author also includes a lists of useful websites. This book is published in the Unites States, for a North American readership but its wealth of information gives it international appeal. If you are thinking of starting a greenhouse business, then this book is for you wherever you are. It is full of tips, ideas and resources, and generously illustrated.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book saved me ten years!, October 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business : A Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a High-Profit Business That Benefits the Environment (Paperback)

If you want the best info on greenhouses that was written in this country and is very up to date, this book is for you. Info on hydroponic tomatoes was the latest available (very important). The info on getting customers is the best that I have read. Real good ideas on building a greenhouse and the many extras you can get for this wonderful business. Suggestions on what to grow first for new growers and how many. Even what to say to prospect buyers. A buyers list that has real buyers! Just a great book and will save you many years.

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Great!, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business : A Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a High-Profit Business That Benefits the Environment (Paperback)

You won't belive all the secrets in this pramatic book.Its so easy to find buyers using their method. Some really good money saving tips about everthing. Not a lot of the same old info on how to grow but the secrets on how to produce top quality plants.