Tony Avent is the owner of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tony founded this nursery to help fund the activities of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, a display and research garden with over 11,000 plants. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Tony was a student of the late horticulture professor J. C. Raulston, who instilled in him the quest for the newest and best garden plants from around the world. Tony is well known as a lecturer and garden writer and recipient of prestigious awards from the American Horticultural Society, the North American Rock Garden Society, and the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, to name a few. He was originally drawn to horticulture by a quirky combination of genes. Tony actually began selling plants when he was a young kid, so selling plants as an adult seemed natural to him. He quickly realized that starting a nursery was the best way to cover the costs of plant addiction without having to get a real job. "It's sort of like a gambler opening a casino or a car buff opening an auto repair shop," says Tony. Tony is a lighthearted garden genius who tired of letting Mother Nature put him in his place. "Nurseries are for people who want to be in a business that embraces gardening, [and] enriches peoples' lives, while controlling their own destinies ... as much as Mother Nature will allow." Tony Avent runs his nursery, Plant Delights, together with his wife, Michelle; they receive help from their cats Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, and Zirconia.
A thoughtful, realistic overview. -- Alice Joyce Booklist 20030801 Realistic. Greenhouse Management and Production Green-Mail 20030812 This is an essential book for all those considering horticulture as a profession. -- John E. Bryan Gardening Newsletter 20031003 If you've ever thought about turning your gardening hobby into a nursery business, learn from Tony Avent's experience. -- Mary Beth Breckenridge Akron Beacon Journal 20030816 I'm sure it will be a primary reference in nursery management classes for years to come, and will hold a place in the library of many future succesful nurserymen. -- Michael E. Chelednik Trillium 20030903 Now, inquiring beginners can be referred to this very comprehensive book covering all aspects of starting up a nursery. -- Cynthia W. Mueller Horticulture Update 20030912 When I saw his book "So You Want to Start a Nursery" I half expected to open the cover and find a four-letter word: don't. What I found instead was a comprehensive how-to textbook as well as a sober reality check. -- Ken Druse New York Times 20030911 If this is a lifestyle that interests you, then this book is a must read. -- Bob Souvestre Baton Rouge Advocate 20030817 You'll find answers (or pointers to answers) here for questions that you might otherwise never even think about asking--until it's too late! Most importantly, the advice here is from someone who has "been there, done that" (or at least, has "been there, seen that"). -- Greg and Pat Williams HortIdeas 20030924 This is an essential book for all those considering horticulture as a profession. For those already owning or working in a nursery it should be required reading. -- John E. Bryan Gardening Newsletter 20031014 This remarkable book by a North Carloina nurserman offers a down to earth approach to the business of operating a nursery. Bloomin' News 20031118 What it takes to succeed in the ornamental plant nursery business. Wildland Weeds 20031201 The best part of this excellent resource for those considering or in the nursery business is it is downright cheap at $24.95 for 340 informative pages. -- Winston Dunwell Nursery Views 20031201 Provides readers with the tools to make a business plan of their own. Orchids 20040224 Visit Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina and you will be so impressed with the smooth-running operation and efficiency evident in all directions, that you might think to yourself, "This guy out to write a book." Well, the good news is that he has; and there isn't any bad news...this book is an invaluable guide for anyone even remotely considering starting their own nursery. -- Ernie O'Byrne Rock Garden Quarterly 20040607 From backyard semi-professional gardeners to nursery workers who dream of extending a passion for plants into a professional avocation, aspiring gardeners and horticulturists will consider So You Want To Start a Nursery to be an essential guide. Bookwatch 20040409 If I were truly thinking about starting a nursery, this book would be an indispensable starting point, and if I were already operating one, this book would make me closely re-examine my business practices, reduce costs, and increase profits ... it will spare every nursery owner (or dreamer) from the hundreds of headaches they are likely to encounter on the road to success. -- Ronny Lopat American Gardener 20040501 Encourages those who are considering following their dream to write themselves a reality check while they can still cash it. -- Ernest Flippo Hosta Journal 20040830 We think you will find this to be a thought-provoking information-packed book that fills a huge void in the practical how-to world of running a nursery. Plant Delights Nursery Sales Catalog 20050111 So You Want to Start a Nursery is a thorough and well-thought piece of work with three appendices, a great index, useful charts and tables, and a number of black-and-white photos. BackHomeMagazine.com 20050311 I have always recommended new people learn all they can through study, visiting other nurseries, and building a network of resources over one or more growing seasons before putting a plant in the ground or in a container. Now I will add, and strongly recommend, that they read Tony's book as part of that learning investment. HortMemo 20030731 A must-read for those considering a venture into the nursery/greenhouse business. -- Tom Eckert Hobby Greenhouse 20060701
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