Our pals at sister company, PrimeHort, have been developing Farm Nursery Start-Up Kits.
With native planting on the rise across New Zealand, now is the perfect time to start something green—not just for the good of the land, but for your bottom line too!
A small-scale nursery can help you regenerate your property, reduce planting costs, and open up a new revenue stream, all while working with your existing farming calendar. PrimeHort have been working on a practical set of nursery packages to help farmers get started, and will round out the service with expert advice, quality nursery supplies, and everything you need to raise up to 20,000 native plants right in your own backyard.
Why add a nursery to your farm?
Whether you’re tackling erosion-prone hillsides or simply looking to diversify your income, here’s why more farmers are turning to native plant production:
- Save on plant costs
The concept is simple. Buying plants in bulk adds up fast. For example, 20,000 native seedlings at about $2.50 each will set a farmer back $50,000. Rather than purchasing thousands of seedlings each year, farmers can grow their own and sell the surplus to neighbours within their region. With the right nursery setup, you can easily produce up to 20,000 plants, meaning you recoup your investment and increase your income stream within the first year.
- ‘Investment Boost’ makes it affordable to get started
Thanks to the Government’s new Investment Boost, businesses investing in new tools, machinery, or equipment can now write off 20% of the cost against their taxable income. That means it’s more affordable than ever to buy the nursery kit required to succeed, while making a lasting impact on your land and community.
- New income stream.
Sell surplus plants to neighbours or additional entities such as local councils and landscapers, while keeping what you need for your own planting projects.
- Boost biodiversity
Bring native life, birdsong, and ecological value back to your land.
- Reclaim marginal land
Turn tricky, unproductive corners of your farm—like gullies, steep slopes, or flood-prone areas into long-term environmental assets.
- Add long-term value
Revegetated land helps future-proof your farm and can improve your property value.
- Support your community
Supply high-demand native plants to others who are keen to replant but don’t have the means to grow their own.
Choose a package that suits
Three nursery starter packages have been developed to suit different budgets and motivation. All are tailored to help you raise around 20,000 native seedlings - a scale that will deliver significant impact without overwhelming your time or resources.
Option 1 – Full Setup
Approx. $44,500
Includes a kitset greenhouse, potting machine, trays, potting mix, and everything you need to grow plants year-round, plus growing support from an industry specialist.
Option 2 – Smart Start
Approx. $14,500
A cost-effective setup with a kitset greenhouse, trays, irrigation, and the essentials to get up and running with native seedling production, plus growing support from an industry specialist.
Option 3 – Outdoor Essentials
Approx. $10,000
The simplest way to get started, focuses on developing an outdoor nursery space with trays, irrigation, weedmat, and core equipment.
A system that works with the seasons
One of the best things about a farm-based nursery? It fits around your farming calendar.
JULY–NOVEMBER – Propagate native seedlings in the greenhouse
NOVEMBER–JULY – Grow vegetables in the greenhouse and continue raising native seedlings outdoors for farm planting or sale
This dual-use approach means your setup keeps delivering returns all year round — e.g. food for the household or plants for your land.
Real regeneration - real returns.
Farmers know that looking after the land isn’t just about today—it’s about tomorrow too. A small-scale nursery helps you:
- Restore erosion-prone or underused land
- Grow native plants adapted to your soil and microclimate
- Supply high-demand seedlings to your region
- Leave your farm better than you found it
See the concept in action!
PrimeHort will be at Mystery Creek Fieldays, 11–14 June at site J41.
Once you’ve swung by FarmShop at site H3, be sure to visit PrimeHort and see the nursery start-up in action. The team will be able to help you explore what’s possible for your farm.
If you can’t make the Fieldays feel free to contact us and we’ll put you in the right hands.