In nurseries where plants are to be grown in polypots, large quantities of soil will be required. This has to be carried to the nursery, so it is important to have a large source of sandy loam or loamy soil, preferably organic top soil, as close as possible to the proposed site. If only heavy soils such as clays are available, it will be necessary to mix them with sand, so an easily accessible supply of sand will also be required. In nurseries where mycorrhizae are to be grown, the soil at the site should be well drained.
In contrast, where plants are to be produced in beds, it is important to select a location with deep loamy soil, if possible, with good content of organic matter (2%), on a well-drained site. Another consideration is the availability of currently unused vegetation for compost making. The quantity of soil required each year are surprisingly high even in small nurseries. So, the increase in cost and labor required demonstrates the importance of selecting a site with a soil and sand supply as near as possible.
Easy access to stone for building the nursery wall and beds as well as other items, such as a water tank, shed and a compost bin, is also an advantage.
A lot of labour is required for the construction of the nursery and later on periodically for tasks such as soil transportation and pot filling. The nursery should be located where it is possible to obtain labour without great difficulty almost round the year. Setting up a nursery on a main trail near a village will also increase awareness of it and enable the person to carry out his extension works more easily.
