From Soil to Sale: How We Grow at Our Nursery

Every plant that leaves our nursery has a story. Long before it reaches a garden border, balcony pot, or patio container, it has been carefully grown, monitored, and nurtured - often for months, sometimes for years. We believe that how a plant is grown matters just as much as how it looks when you buy it.

This is how we take our plants from soil to sale.

Starting with the Right Foundations

Healthy plants begin with healthy roots, and that start with what they're grown in. At our nursery we use peat-free compost across our productions. We have done this since the nursery was founded in 2016 and we have tried many different peat-free composts to ensure we give our plants the best start without using peat which although is great for growing is not good for our planet. Peatlands are vital carbon stores and wildlife habitats, and avoid peat is one of the most important steps the horticulture industry can take towards a more sustainable future.

Peat-free compost behaves differently to traditional mixes, so it requires some experience and close attention. Watering, feeding, and potting timings all need to be adjusted, but the result is resilient plants with strong, well-developed root systems that establish better once planted in your garden.

Propagation: Taking the Time to Do It Properly

Many of our plants are produced through hand division, a traditional and highly skilled method of propagation. Rather than relying on rapid, high-volume techniques and potting machines, hand divisions allow us to:

• Select only the strongest, healthiest parent plants
• Maintain true-to-type growth and form
• Reduce stress on young plants during propagation

It's slower, more labour-intensive work, but it means every plant starts life with the best possible structure and vigour. Each division is assessed by hand before being potted on, ensuring weak or unsuitable material never enters production. 

Growing with Nature, Not Against It

Pests and diseases are a natural part of any growing environment, but our approach focuses on balance rather than blanket chemical control. Wherever possible, we use biological pesticides and natural predators to manage problems.

This might include introducing beneficial biological controls like nematodes to control vine weevil or natural deterrents like garlic wash to keep away slugs and snails. By doing so, we protect pollinators, reduce chemical inputs, and create a healthier nursery ecosystem overall.

It also means our plants are better prepared for life beyond the nursery, having grown in a more natural environment, they're tougher, more adaptable, and less reliant on intervention.

Growing On: Patience Makes Better Plants

Once potted, plants enter their growing-on phase. This is where time becomes one of the most important ingredients. We monitor:

• Root development
• Shoot strength and structure
• Overall balance between top growth and roots

We resist the temptation to rush plants through this stage. A plant that looks good too early can still be underdeveloped below the surface, which often leads to poor performance once planted out.

Spacing, light levels, airflow, and feeding are all carefully adjusted as plants grow, encouraging compact, healthy growth rather than soft forced results.

Deciding When a Plant is Ready

One of the most important decisions we make is when a plant is ready for sale, and just as importantly, when it isn't.

Every batch is assessed by experienced growers, looking at more than just appearance. A sale-ready plant must have.

• A well-established root system that holds the compost together
• Strong, balanced growth that matches the varieties natural habit
• No signs of stress, pest pressure, or nutrient imbalance that are abnormal to the time of year

If a plant needs more time, it gets it. Some plants are simply not ready when the calendar says they should be, and we're happy to hold them back until they meet our standards. That patience means fewer failures for our customers and better results in real gardens.

The Final Check Before Leaving the Nursery

Before plants leave us, they go through a final quality check. This ensures they're correctly labelled, well-watered, and in peak condition for transport. We want every plant to arrive looking good, but more importantly, ready to thrive once planted.

Why it Matters

We know you're not just buying a plant, you're investing time, space, and care into your garden. By growing responsibly, selecting carefully, and refusing to cut corners, we aim to give every plant the best possible start, and every gardener the best possible chance of success.

From soil to sale, our focus is simple: grow plants well, and they'll reward you for years to come.

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