We are expecting news on the partial re-opening of (some) Plant Nurseries and Garden Centres this week. There will be stringent guidelines and probably limited items to purchase – gardening gloves = yes; biscuits = no.
As of Wednesday 13 May, many Garden Centres and Plant Nurseries will be open.
There will be strict guidelines to follow, so do check with the Nursery\’s website before visiting. For example, take a mask / scarf and gloves to wear; be prepared to follow a one way system.
You can check which ones are open near you by using this tool from the Horticultural Trades Association
NB, many places are offering click and collect rather than customers browsing as there may not be enough room on site for social distancing.
Mail order is still ongoing, so we\’ve left the list below for now and will update next week, when we see how the new system is working.
Plant Nurseries which already had mail order are in the main still operating, except for those who have seasonal stock such as bare root plants so wouldn’t be trading now anyway.
For Potting Composts, scroll to the end
Tip –
If you want seeds and plants, make them into separate orders. Seeds are quicker to be dispatched as they take less packaging and can be sent by royal mail rather than carrier.
There are many outlets who don’t normally operate mail order but who are now taking orders by email, based on the stock they’ve put up on their websites. These tend to be smaller, locally based Plant Nurseries and Garden Centres.
Tip –
Try local, smaller nurseries and garden centres first. You are more likely to get a speedier delivery as they do it themselves.
There are some of these who only have a Facebook page and / or a listing in an online directory.
If you can only find a phone number, ring them, as they ‘ll have a voicemail which will tell you if they’re open or not.
As well as plants and seeds, many of the usual garden sundries are also available – gloves, plant labels etc.
Tip –
There may be an option to order and collect from many local outlets. Aim to combine this trip with a food shopping trip or your daily exercise.
Plant Nurseries – General lists
RHS has a list of all the exhibitors who would have been at the Flower Shows in April, May, June and July. Many of these are offering mail order. Click on the show you would have gone to for the list of exhibitors. RHS Hampton Court Garden Show is currently postponed from July to September so is not included.
Gardeners World also has a list for online plant retailers
You might also like to check out the Independent Nurseries Guide for a list of nurseries in England and the Channel Islands
Shoot Gardening has a list of Outlets still supplying, including trade only, as advised by members
Its also worth typing Plant Nurseries or Garden Centre + your location into the search bar – there may be more around than you realised!
NB the demand has been overwhelming and occasionally the nurseries are shutting temporarily in order to deal with the orders they’ve had. Many shut over or as a result of Easter weekend. Deliveries may also take longer than normal due to fewer delivery drivers and postal workers.
Individual firms
And just a few individual Plant Nurseries that I’ve used for clients and for myself over the years. They are spread around the country, the list is alphabetical (and is not definitive as others I‘ve used are closed)
Aigburth Hall Nursery
Beetham Nurseries
Blackmoor Nursery (fruit)
Burncoose Nurseries
Eden Park Garden Centre
Hoyland
Manor Farm Herbs
Medwyns of Anglesey (veg)
Ruxley Nursery
Victoriana Nursery
Potting Composts
These are all peat free potting compost suppliers (the list is alphabetical) There are also a few ‘own brand’ peat free from larger firms
Bord na Mona
Carbon Gold
Dalefoot Composts
Fertile Fibre
Moorland Gold
New Horizon – various outlets countrywide
SylvaGrow
You might also like to try Compost Direct, most but not all of their products are peat free.
This list was up to date and checked when uploaded at the beginning of April 2020; most recent update 11 May
We will check this list and update when we can. But please be aware that things can change on a daily basis for individual Plant Nurseries, Garden Centres and Soil retailers so it would be a full time job to keep on top of it!
There are no affiliate links here that we benefit from, but when asked where you found the Nursery etc, we\’d appreciate it if you mentioned Plews: thank you
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