Garden Playbook

Commercial nurseries grow to sell a plant and efficiently transport it to a retailer. We grow to ensure a healthy, enduring garden. We don’t focus on pushing a plant to bloom before its time, to wow you in the moment - we educate our customers to be wowed by roots, not the candy. The blooms should come naturally in your garden!

Our approach to growing and selling plants is guided by one core philosophy: plants thrive best in environments that prioritize natural growth. Instead of confining plants to pots for extended periods, we’ve learned that growing plants in a less contained way, ensures a far healthier plant. Think of them as ‘free range’ plants.

How Plants Are Grown

1. Soil Blocks on Trays

• What We Do: All of our plants begin as soil blocks grown on trays. This technique allows roots to develop naturally without the stress of confinement.

• Why It Works:

  • Prevents roots from becoming pot-bound.

  • Promotes strong, healthy root systems that transplant easily.

  • Minimizes waste by avoiding unnecessary potting materials.

• For Tiny Plants: These soil blocks are sold as is, providing a compact and efficient way for gardeners to start their plants.

2. Transition to Indoor Mini Beds

• What We Do: As Tiny Plants mature and are prepared for sale as Standard Plants, they are transferred into indoor mini beds. When ordered, they are carefully potted into corrugated boxes for transport, ensuring minimal disruption to their natural growth environment.

• Why It Works:

  • Mimics outdoor growing conditions while maintaining control over the environment.

  • Encourages continued root expansion and development.

  • Reduces transplant shock when plants move into customers’ gardens.

3. Big Bloomers

• What We Do: Standard Plants that reach maturity and begin blooming are sold as Big Bloomers. These plants are fully established, offering immediate impact in the garden.

• Why It Works:

  • Provides an option for gardeners who want instant results.

  • Maintains the same natural growth principles as Tiny and Standard Plants, ensuring health and adaptability.

Why We Don’t Grow in Pots

Traditional pot systems can limit a plant’s growth and health. By using soil blocks and beds instead, we create an environment where plants can thrive naturally. We have used fabric pots - and will continue to in limited cases (large plants), but even there, we discovered plants did far better when set free from confinement.

Key Benefits of Open Growth Systems

1. Healthier Root Systems: Roots grow freely, avoiding the circling and binding that occurs in pots.

2. Better Adaptability: Plants grown in open systems experience less stress during transplanting, leading to better performance in your garden.

3. Eco-Friendly Practices: Soil blocks and beds reduce the need for plastic pots, aligning with sustainable growing practices.

How Plants Are Sold

We offer plants in three distinct sizes, each tailored to different gardening needs:

1. Tiny Plants

• Soil blocks are plants that start simply in a block of soil - no container. They provide strong, naturally developed root systems that transplant easily. These blocks are perfect for gardeners who want a healthy starting point with minimal risk of transplant shock, while giving the satisfaction of nurturing plants from the ground up.

• Ideal For: DIY gardeners, those building their gardens incrementally, or anyone looking to cover a large space efficiently by starting with small, adaptable plants that grow into thriving drifts.

• Packaging: Sold in sets with practical, eco-friendly packaging for easy transport.

2. Standard Plants

• Description: Plants transitioned into indoor mini beds, growing into 6-inch mature specimens.

• Ideal For: Filling gaps in existing gardens or adding reliable layers.

• Packaging: Dug fresh to order, minimizing stress and maximizing freshness.

3. Big Bloomers

• Description: Fully mature, blooming plants ready to make an immediate impact in the garden.

• Ideal For: Instant results or gardeners seeking bold seasonal highlights.

• Packaging: Dug fresh to order, maintaining the health and quality of the plant.

The Difference in Our Growing Process

Our system is rooted in real-world observation and questioning traditional practices. By growing plants in environments that mimic their natural conditions, we ensure:

• Robust Growth: Plants grow stronger and adapt better to new environments.

• Less Stress: From soil block to garden bed, plants experience minimal disruption, leading to higher success rates.

• Natural Beauty: Our plants look and perform as they would in nature, offering authentic garden aesthetics.

What This Means for Gardeners

Whether you’re starting with Tiny Plants, filling in with Standard Plants, or making a statement with Big Bloomers, our process ensures that every plant you receive is:

• Healthy and resilient.

• Grown with care and intention.

• Ready to thrive in your garden from day one.

By focusing on natural growth environments and freshness, we’ve created a system that not only supports plant health but also empowers gardeners to build enduring gardens with confidence.