Nursery plants
Last updated on July 11, 2024The nursery plant sector produces thousands of different species of perennials, vines, ground covers, shrubs and trees that are used to beautify public and private landscapes and to re-vegetate damaged native ecosystems. The sector also produces berry and tree fruit plants for home gardens and commercial orchards.
Nursery crops are either grown in the field or in containers. Field-grown nursery stock ranges in size from one-year-old whips to mature specimen trees.
Production
Growing nursery crops is challenging due to the tremendous diversity of plants propagated and production systems used. The information provided in this section is intended to be used by growers to identify and correct crop health issues.
Information on growing nursery plants, with an emphasis on sustainable pest management:
Onsite testing of growing media and irrigation water (PDF, 246KB) is a description of how to use routine testing of salts and pH in the growing media to prevent costly nutritional problems in container-grown crops.
The importance of aeration in container media (PDF, 126KB) is a description of the impact of the drainage and aeration of growing media on the health and vigor of container-grown plants.
Plant pests and diseases contains information on the management of specific pests that damage nursery plant crops.
New entrants
If you are new to the sector, you may have questions about how to get started.
Starting a nursery business in B.C. (PDF, 1.2MB) offers advice for establishing a successful nursery
Preparing a business plan: wholesale nursery example (PDF, 2.3MB) provides a starting point to help nursery managers prepare a formal business plan for their operation.
Farm business management: whether you're starting a new farm or seeking to improve your existing operation, the B.C. Government has resources for implementing best practices for business growth.
Greenhouse checklist (fillable PDF, 1.7MB) This checklist consists of a series of self-assessment questions, with related information and tips covering key considerations when planning to purchase, build, and ultimately operate a small to medium-sized greenhouse.
Regulation
Canadian nursery certification program
TheCanadian nursery certification program (CNCP) D-04-01 is a systems-based phytosanitary certification program. CNCP-approved facilities can issue their own phytosanitary certification labels for shipments of nursery stock within Canada or to the United States.
Importation and domestic movement
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has a mandate to ensure a safe food supply for everyone. Canadian Food Inspection Agency directives have been developed that restrict the importation and domestic movement of specific greenhouse vegetable crops to prevent the introduction and spread of regulated pests.
Plant Protection Act
Under the Plant Protection Act, specific pests of nursery crops are regulated in British Columbia, such as balsam woolly adelgid ( Adelges piceae) and little cherry disease. Other local, provincial and federal legislation and regulations apply.
B.C. agriculture programs are available to support the industry.