As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from Hill
House Nursery's Facebook page.....


"Well, a long and interesting discussion here has led us to the idea of
compiling an online list of all the small, independent nurseries in UK. NB
this does not include any chains - 'independent' is the keyword for this.
Ben Cox and Matthew Currie have generously offered their time and expertise
to start exploring the idea and how to go about the technical side of it.
BUT we need absolutely everyone to come in on this and so we need help from
all over the country.

This means every one of us is a representative for our own area or for areas
where you have holidayed and know independent nurseries exist. We need you
to write in, giving the name and location of the nursery and if possible, a
contact email or address. Ask the nurseries you go to, to spread the word
among their nursery owning friends and get them to contact us. Costs are
unknown at present but will be tiny, if any, as this is not a commercial
venture. It's being done to help small, independent nurseries and their
potential customers. There is currently no such source of information even
remotely as comprehensive as this will be.

This is going to take a while to compile and get flying, so please don't
expect an instant result! Please start by emailing any nurseries you know of
(not just your personal favourites) to me at
and encourage your friends, local gardening group, WI etc. to do the same
with Online Nursery Guide in the subject heading.
."

Whilst it is intended as a list of those you can visit, there is hope that
others that sell at shows and association meetings will be included provided
it is the main source of income, please exclude those who do it as a hobby,
perhaps prop a few Pels in their greenhouse, as this is meant to be a
professional list.
--
Regards
Bob Hobden
Posting to this Newsgroup
from the W.of London. UK

On 27/03/2016 09:10, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere and this is
what Sacha et al are trying to achieve for the benefit of all of us
gardeners. Because of the lack of any list they need the help of us
gardeners to tell them what and where.

That is correct Chris. For example we have one near us called Dunkirk
Nursery in Egham (bedding, veg, patio etc) and they do have a small web site
and advertise locally but still few know they are there, only known by word
of mouth or passed down the generations from what I've seen. We were in our
50s before we found it and we are and always have been local! There is
another similar in Burnham, Bucks called Davies Brothers and again they seem
little know other than regulars or those that stumble across them.
It appears people are conditioned to get plants from GCs, I know we all know
better, but it isn't realised by the general public and a resource like this
would be useful for everyone and possibly a life saver for some small
nurseries.

There are also the specialist nurseries like Charlie's Roseland House, or
Hart Canna, even McBean's Orchids, which specialise in one type of plant and
do it superbly, and these really are little known by the general public.

I might add I recently got involved in a request on Twitter by a well known
garden designer for Iris nurseries, she only knew of one of those I
suggested. So the professionals, those in the trade, would find a
comprehensive list of nurseries and their specialisation useful.

--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

On 27/03/2016 15:15, Janet wrote:
In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.


http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/ appear to charge, as do most of
these "Good ideas" I don't ever pay for advertising as I am in the
fortunate position of too many customers and not enough plants. I don't
mind free listings such as the Plant Finder which is geared to helping
plant buyers, but there are rafts of other listings and keeping them all
updated is a chore

--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
National collections of Clematis viticella & Lapageria rosea

In article ,
says...

On 27/03/2016 15:15, Janet wrote:
In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.


http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/ appear to charge, as do most of
these "Good ideas"

Its a free resource for potential customers, who pay nothing to look.

When participating nurseries pay for advertising/promotion they'll make
sure it's kept up to date, accurate and working. Which is good news from
the POV of potential customers using it.

Janet.

"Chris Hogg" wrote ...

Janet wrote:

Bob Hobden says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this
from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered
to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much
like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as
the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much
better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it
for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/


That is the point, there isn't a comprehensive list of plant nurseries
covering the UK. There are lists but usually small and selective by payment,
region, plant type, etc but nothing comprehensive. I personally welcome the
initiative, might find something interesting near me I didn't know about.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

On 27/03/2016 22:50, BobHobden wrote:
"Chris Hogg" wrote ...

Janet wrote:

Bob Hobden says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost
this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be
bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's
much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault
as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much
better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do
it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/


That is the point, there isn't a comprehensive list of plant nurseries
covering the UK. There are lists but usually small and selective by
payment, region, plant type, etc but nothing comprehensive. I personally
welcome the initiative, might find something interesting near me I
didn't know about.


Probably the most useful guide to smaller nurseries is the Plant Finder,
whilst it only shows specialist nurseries I've found some interesting
places I'd never have known about otherwise.
David@ a very wet side of Swansea Bay

On 2016-03-27 14:15:09 +0000, Janet said:

In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

That guide has 21 nurseries in it and is not being kept up to date.
Since the idea for the new app was launched on 26th March, I have
received the names of 77 nurseries, either asking to be listed, or
suggested by their customers. That Guide has been discussed at length
on the Facebook group All Horts! which is where the idea for a new app
that will be basic and simple to use, has started. Several
professionals post to it, as well as 'civilians'.

We have not received one customer via the British Plant Nursery Guide,
and other nurseries have said the same. It was last updated two months
ago and that was with a copy of a Tweet. Unfortunately, either BPNG
hasn't received enough publicitiy or it hasn't pushed itself enough.
From what I've read at All Horts! the owner of BPNG has probably moved
on to other things and like so many of us, is time-poor.
Nurseries have to pay a minimum of £100 to join it, whereas the new app
is to be as low cost as is humanly possible and a non-profit-making
source of information. The only criteria is that it is for independent
nurseries, not chains. The idea behind it is for independent
nurseries to support and help each other, as well as their customers.
The information given will be absolutely basic with name, location,
contact & short info on any specialities stocked. It will then be up
to the customer to contact the nursery or to visit it, as they wish.
We won't be giving opinions or comment. It is a guide, pure and simple.

Chains are well known already and can afford to advertise much more
heavily than the average nursery. And it is rare for them to have
unusual plants and knowledgeable staff. Many are supermarkets for
plants where what counts is whether or not someone can operate the
till, not help and advise. Nurseries are different.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon

On 2016-03-27 15:25:29 +0000, Chris Hogg said:

On Sun, 27 Mar 2016 15:15:09 +0100, Janet wrote:

In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/

Yes, that brings my to-date tally up a LOT. Thanks, Chris.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon

On 2016-03-27 22:31:04 +0000, David Hill said:

On 27/03/2016 22:50, BobHobden wrote:
"Chris Hogg" wrote ...

Janet wrote:

Bob Hobden says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost
this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be
bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's
much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault
as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much
better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do
it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/


That is the point, there isn't a comprehensive list of plant nurseries
covering the UK. There are lists but usually small and selective by
payment, region, plant type, etc but nothing comprehensive. I personally
welcome the initiative, might find something interesting near me I
didn't know about.


Probably the most useful guide to smaller nurseries is the Plant
Finder, whilst it only shows specialist nurseries I've found some
interesting places I'd never have known about otherwise.
David@ a very wet side of Swansea Bay

The new proposed app is a sort of reverse lookup to that, David. As an
app, it will be available wherever people are and all they'll need to
do is type in the area and see a list of nurseries. If those nurseries
have a web site they can look further. Quite a lot of small nurseries
don't have web sites (though they should have, imo) so people never get
to hear of them.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon

On Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:10:23 +0100, sacha wrote:

On 2016-03-27 22:31:04 +0000, David Hill said:

On 27/03/2016 22:50, BobHobden wrote:
"Chris Hogg" wrote ...

Janet wrote:

Bob Hobden says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost
this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be
bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's
much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault
as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much
better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do
it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/


That is the point, there isn't a comprehensive list of plant nurseries
covering the UK. There are lists but usually small and selective by
payment, region, plant type, etc but nothing comprehensive. I personally
welcome the initiative, might find something interesting near me I
didn't know about.


Probably the most useful guide to smaller nurseries is the Plant
Finder, whilst it only shows specialist nurseries I've found some
interesting places I'd never have known about otherwise.
David@ a very wet side of Swansea Bay

The new proposed app is a sort of reverse lookup to that, David. As an
app, it will be available wherever people are and all they'll need to
do is type in the area and see a list of nurseries. If those nurseries
have a web site they can look further. Quite a lot of small nurseries
don't have web sites (though they should have, imo) so people never get
to hear of them.

People did not have a problem finding nurseries before the Internet
existed so why should they now?

Steve

--
Neural Network Software for Windows http://www.npsnn.com

On 2016-03-28 16:02:14 +0000, Stephen Wolstenholme said:

On Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:10:23 +0100, sacha wrote:

On 2016-03-27 22:31:04 +0000, David Hill said:

On 27/03/2016 22:50, BobHobden wrote:
"Chris Hogg" wrote ...

Janet wrote:

Bob Hobden says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost
this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be
bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's
much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault
as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much
better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do
it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

But very far from comprehensive, listing only 21 nurseries. I've sent
Sacha a list a dozen I know of, mostly in west Cornwall, but also an
on-line list of nearly 70 nurseries across Cornwall, from here
http://www.gardensincornwall.co.uk/nurseries/


That is the point, there isn't a comprehensive list of plant nurseries
covering the UK. There are lists but usually small and selective by
payment, region, plant type, etc but nothing comprehensive. I personally
welcome the initiative, might find something interesting near me I
didn't know about.


Probably the most useful guide to smaller nurseries is the Plant
Finder, whilst it only shows specialist nurseries I've found some
interesting places I'd never have known about otherwise.
David@ a very wet side of Swansea Bay

The new proposed app is a sort of reverse lookup to that, David. As an
app, it will be available wherever people are and all they'll need to
do is type in the area and see a list of nurseries. If those nurseries
have a web site they can look further. Quite a lot of small nurseries
don't have web sites (though they should have, imo) so people never get
to hear of them.

People did not have a problem finding nurseries before the Internet
existed so why should they now?

Steve

Nurseries didn't have a problem until the spread of garden centres,
supermarkets and corner stores selling plants. Do some research on how
many have been forced out of business.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon

On 2016-03-27 13:55:28 +0000, BobHobden said:

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it
for themselves but because there isn't an association of small
nurseries, a trade association covering everyone, there is no list
anywhere and this is what Sacha et al are trying to achieve for the
benefit of all of us gardeners. Because of the lack of any list they
need the help of us gardeners to tell them what and where.

That is correct Chris. For example we have one near us called Dunkirk
Nursery in Egham (bedding, veg, patio etc) and they do have a small web
site and advertise locally but still few know they are there, only
known by word of mouth or passed down the generations from what I've
seen. We were in our 50s before we found it and we are and always have
been local! There is another similar in Burnham, Bucks called Davies
Brothers and again they seem little know other than regulars or those
that stumble across them.
It appears people are conditioned to get plants from GCs, I know we all
know better, but it isn't realised by the general public and a resource
like this would be useful for everyone and possibly a life saver for
some small nurseries.

There are also the specialist nurseries like Charlie's Roseland House,
or Hart Canna, even McBean's Orchids, which specialise in one type of
plant and do it superbly, and these really are little known by the
general public.

I might add I recently got involved in a request on Twitter by a well
known garden designer for Iris nurseries, she only knew of one of those
I suggested. So the professionals, those in the trade, would find a
comprehensive list of nurseries and their specialisation useful.

It would be lovely if individual, independent nurseries had the
advertising budget of a garden centre chain, or indeed the money to pay
someone to run their web site and publicitiy campaign. In the real
world of nursery owners, any payment for publicity has to equate to
"how many plants do we have to sell to cover that?" Nobody gives a
cut-rate to the nursery when it comes to advertising.

As you point out, Bob, the impetus behind this idea IS nurseries doing
it for themselves - making an online app available which will help them
to be found. We've had people who lived 10 minutes away for 25 years
say "I never knew you were here" - and we do advertise, distribute
leaflets, support local charities etc. It's uphill work for everyone.

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon

On 28/03/2016 17:53, sacha wrote:
On 2016-03-27 13:55:28 +0000, BobHobden said:

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this
from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as
the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it
for themselves but because there isn't an association of small
nurseries, a trade association covering everyone, there is no list
anywhere and this is what Sacha et al are trying to achieve for the
benefit of all of us gardeners. Because of the lack of any list they
need the help of us gardeners to tell them what and where.

That is correct Chris. For example we have one near us called Dunkirk
Nursery in Egham (bedding, veg, patio etc) and they do have a small
web site and advertise locally but still few know they are there, only
known by word of mouth or passed down the generations from what I've
seen. We were in our 50s before we found it and we are and always have
been local! There is another similar in Burnham, Bucks called Davies
Brothers and again they seem little know other than regulars or those
that stumble across them.
It appears people are conditioned to get plants from GCs, I know we
all know better, but it isn't realised by the general public and a
resource like this would be useful for everyone and possibly a life
saver for some small nurseries.

There are also the specialist nurseries like Charlie's Roseland House,
or Hart Canna, even McBean's Orchids, which specialise in one type of
plant and do it superbly, and these really are little known by the
general public.

I might add I recently got involved in a request on Twitter by a well
known garden designer for Iris nurseries, she only knew of one of
those I suggested. So the professionals, those in the trade, would
find a comprehensive list of nurseries and their specialisation useful.

It would be lovely if individual, independent nurseries had the
advertising budget of a garden centre chain, or indeed the money to pay
someone to run their web site and publicitiy campaign. In the real
world of nursery owners, any payment for publicity has to equate to "how
many plants do we have to sell to cover that?" Nobody gives a cut-rate
to the nursery when it comes to advertising.

As you point out, Bob, the impetus behind this idea IS nurseries doing
it for themselves - making an online app available which will help them
to be found. We've had people who lived 10 minutes away for 25 years
say "I never knew you were here" - and we do advertise, distribute
leaflets, support local charities etc. It's uphill work for everyone.

Though Sacha is very knowledgeable on gardening I now realise why I have
not missed her here. I thought advertisement was not allowed, seems
Sacha has found a way round that. Of course market gardens are
succumbing to supermarkets et al, as have many other shops, just look at
the empty premises in almost every town centre. It is no good playing
Canute, the tide of change cannot be held back.