How To Start a Backyard Tree Nursery For Under $600

Starting a backyard tree nursery is an exciting venture that’s surprisingly affordable and can yield great rewards, both financially and personally. You might be wondering how to get started with such a business on a modest budget—say, under $600. 

Here’s a breakdown of how to turn a bit of backyard space into a thriving tree nursery without breaking the bank, covering everything from the initial setup to long-term care.

1. Why Start a Tree Nursery?

With rising interest in sustainable landscaping and eco-friendly gardening, demand for young trees has taken off. Trees provide shade, improve air quality, and enhance property value. They’re a perfect niche market for a backyard nursery because they require minimal maintenance compared to other crops once established. Plus, starting your own tree nursery offers a flexible, at-home business opportunity that’s manageable and scalable.

2. Setting Up Your Backyard Nursery on a Budget

To keep costs low, prioritize essentials: soil, containers, seeds, and some basic tools. The setup phase doesn’t require major investments. Look for recycled pots and start with tree varieties suited to your local climate, which minimizes maintenance and helps them thrive. Here’s a breakdown of the initial costs:

Expense	Estimated Cost
Seeds & Saplings	$50 – $100
Pots/Containers	$100
Quality Soil	$50
Watering System	$50 – $100
Gardening Tools	$50 – $75
Total	~$600

Each component helps create a nursery space that’s functional and sustainable. A basic watering system—like soaker hoses or a DIY drip irrigation—will keep water usage efficient.

3. Choosing the Right Trees to Grow

The best trees for a starter nursery are hardy varieties that do well in a range of soil types and climates. Some popular options for backyard growers include:

• Fruit Trees (apple, pear, peach) – Fast-growing and appealing to home gardeners.
• Native Trees – Species native to your area often grow well with minimal care.
• Shade Trees (maple, oak) – These have high market value and are in demand.

Choosing species that are popular and easy to care for is essential to keep the business profitable without overwhelming you.

4. Propagation Techniques to Maximize Growth

Propagation methods vary depending on the type of tree, but some basic techniques include starting from seeds, grafting, and cuttings. Starting from seeds is affordable and low-risk, while grafting or rooting cuttings allow you to grow more expensive varieties.

5. Managing and Marketing Your Nursery

Once your saplings grow a few inches, they’re ready for display. Set up a social media page showcasing your trees, use local online marketplaces, or reach out to garden clubs and landscapers in your area. A roadside stand is also a simple way to attract local buyers, especially during planting seasons.

6. Keeping Track of Profits and Future Growth

As your trees grow and begin to sell, keep records of each sale and cost. Profits will increase as trees mature, which means investing time in care yields higher returns. Consider adding new tree varieties as demand grows. A well-maintained backyard tree nursery can yield great profits with minimal investment.

Starting a backyard tree nursery under $600 proves that with thoughtful planning and dedication, growing a small business—literally—isn’t just affordable but incredibly fulfilling.

Room to Grow

Although many established tree nurseries cover over a hundred acres, most started on a much smaller scale – often as a backyard venture. If you have acres available, that’s great, but you can start small and expand.

Two ways to produce a large number of trees in a smaller space like a backyard are growing trees in pots or choosing compact tree varieties to grow. Using standard two-gallon pots, a modest backyard with only 1,000 square feet of space can hold over one thousand trees. Compact trees include bonsai trees, Japanese maples, and table-top Christmas trees, such as the Elwood cedar and Italian stone pine.

Growing trees is a great way to turn a 50 cent seedling into a $10 to $50 sale in 2–5 years with not much work. Just keep repeating the four steps for a steady ‘green’ income from a backyard tree nursery. You’re the boss, working on your own schedule, and you keep the profits. Best of all, it’s a business anyone can start with just a few hundred dollars.