Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Container Nursery Production

Estimated Cost $10,000 per acre establishment costs (grading, roads, water, drainage)

Market Outlets Retail garden centers, landscape contractors, retail sales

Market Potential Some room for expansion

Profit Potential $0 to $12,000 per acre per year

Adapted Areas South and East Texas

Labor Requirements One man per 3 acres depending upon many variables

Equipment Requirements Ranges from a minimum of a small tractor, trailer, sprayer to much more

Soil Requirements None - all plants growin in artificial media

Water Requirements Daily watering necessary most of the year; water quality very important. Low sodium content and high volume water sources are required.

Minimum Size 1 acre

Risk Factor Moderate

Other Limiting Factors Location is important especially if delivery to customers is not possible. Locations near major markets are second only in importance to a good water source. Continuously monitor numerous diseases and insects

Additional Information

Comments Texas is currently producing less than half of the container plants sold here. Competition from large producers in California and other Gulf Coast states is intense.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$10,000 per acre establishment costs (grading, roads, water, drainage)
Market Outlets	Retail garden centers, landscape contractors, retail sales
Market Potential	Some room for expansion
Profit Potential	$0 to $12,000 per acre per year
Adapted Areas	South and East Texas
Labor Requirements	One man per 3 acres depending upon many variables
Equipment Requirements	Ranges from a minimum of a small tractor, trailer, sprayer to much more
Soil Requirements	None - all plants growin in artificial media
Water Requirements	Daily watering necessary most of the year; water quality very important. Low sodium content and high volume water sources are required.
Minimum Size	1 acre
Risk Factor	Moderate
Other Limiting Factors	Location is important especially if delivery to customers is not possible. Locations near major markets are second only in importance to a good water source. Continuously monitor numerous diseases and insects
Additional Information
Comments	Texas is currently producing less than half of the container plants sold here. Competition from large producers in California and other Gulf Coast states is intense.