A wholesale nursery functions as a dedicated supplier, providing plant material in bulk quantities to businesses such as landscapers, garden centers, and commercial developers. This differs distinctly from a retail experience, which is tailored to the general public and involves smaller purchases. Buyers seek wholesale sources to secure better volume pricing, access specialized or large-scale inventory, and establish reliable supply chains. Navigating the wholesale market requires understanding its unique protocols, from confirming business eligibility to deciphering specialized product metrics.
Establishing Eligibility and Opening an Account
The first step is proving your status as a legitimate business that intends to resell or professionally install the plant material. Wholesale nurseries operate on a business-to-business model and require specific documentation to prevent sales tax liabilities and unauthorized retail purchases. This process begins by contacting the nursery’s sales or accounts department to request an application for a wholesale account.
The required paperwork includes a copy of your state-issued sales tax identification number, often called a reseller permit or resale certificate. You may also need to provide a current business license and, in some regions, a specific nursery dealer’s license or an agricultural addendum. Once documentation is submitted and verified, the nursery will approve your account, often assigning a unique buyer number. This approval is the formal step that grants access to the nursery’s confidential wholesale pricing and inventory lists.
Understanding Wholesale Pricing and Inventory
Wholesale pricing is structured around volume, meaning the cost per unit decreases as the total quantity purchased increases. The pricing structure often involves tiered discounts based on the buyer’s status or the size of their order. Understanding the specialized terminology on a nursery’s availability list is fundamental to navigating their inventory.
Plant size is measured by specific horticultural metrics, not simple height, which directly influence the price. Trees are measured by caliper, the diameter of the trunk taken at a standardized height, typically six inches above the ground for smaller trees. Container-grown plants are listed by a “trade gallon” size (e.g., #5 or #15), which indicates the maturity of the root system and the volume of the container, not a liquid gallon measure. Field-grown stock, particularly large trees and shrubs, is designated as B&B, or balled and burlap, signifying the root ball was dug from the ground, wrapped in burlap, and secured in a wire basket.
Availability lists change constantly, reflecting the living nature of the product, and must be checked frequently. Buyers can secure future inventory through forward contracts, which are agreements to purchase a specific quantity of material at a fixed price for future delivery. This practice is used to lock in supply and pricing for large projects planned well in advance of the planting season.
Inspecting Stock and Placing the Final Order
Before finalizing a purchase, a physical inspection of the stock is the most reliable way to ensure quality control. When visiting the nursery yard, buyers should check for signs of plant vigor, such as healthy new growth and a lack of discolored or wilting foliage. Inspecting the base of the plant for pests (like scale insects or mealybugs) and checking for signs of disease (such as leaf spots or cankers) is necessary.
For container plants, a quick check of the root system is advisable, looking for firm, white root tips and avoiding plants that are severely root-bound. For B&B material, the root ball should be firm, and the trunk flare, where the trunk widens at the base, should be visible just above the soil line. After selection, the plants are reserved through “tagging,” where a unique tag is affixed to each item with the buyer’s name and account number.
The final step involves submitting a purchase order (P.O.) which confirms the exact quantity, price, and terms of the sale. Payment terms are negotiated, with many nurseries offering “Net 30” terms, allowing 30 days from the invoice date to pay for the order. New accounts often begin with Cash on Delivery (COD) or payment upon pickup until a credit history is established.
Transportation and Initial Plant Care
Logistics must be finalized with the nursery, which typically offers customer pickup or delivery for a fee. If opting for pickup, the buyer is responsible for having an appropriately sized vehicle and necessary materials, such as tarps and tie-downs, to safely secure the load. Nurseries are generally equipped to load the plants with forklifts or other machinery, but securing the load to prevent shifting or damage during transit is the buyer’s responsibility.
Delivery involves scheduling a drop-off time and location, with the nursery managing the safe transport of the material. Plants are susceptible to stress during transit, particularly from windburn and desiccation, so they are often covered with a protective tarp to maintain humidity and block strong airflow. Upon arrival at the final site, the plants require immediate attention to prevent further stress.
The first action is to thoroughly water the root balls, especially if the plants have traveled a long distance or sat for a period. Plants should be staged in a temporary, protected area that provides partial shade and wind protection until they are planted. Maintaining consistent soil moisture immediately post-transport significantly improves the plant’s chances of successful establishment.