A pioneering plant nursery: Taw Valley Organics

OGA Podcast host Liv James visited Taw Valley Organics in North Devon, one of only a handful of certified organic ornamental (we need a better word right?!) plant nurseries in the UK. Although growing plants with nature should be the norm, what these guys are doing seems pioneering. Some of the exciting conversation Liv had with Liz, Dave and Sam included:

• Growing without pesticides, chemical fertilisers and peat
• Reducing plastic use by using cardboard pots to sell their plants
• How they sell their plants
• Diversifying their business to include art exhibitions, farm tours, workshops and more
• Ornamental plants being a luxury product versus vegetables being an everyday product and the mindset difference in customers
• Not watering their stock garden (ever) and seeing how their plants faired in the 2026 drought

Taw Valley Organic growers are aiming for a closed loop system and it is more of this systems thinking approach to growing we need.  

Guests

Liz, Dave and Sam - Taw Valley Organics

https://www.tawvalleyorganics.com

 Episode chapters

00:00 - Setting expectations for a live-recorded conversation
 00:59 - Introducing Tall Valley Organics in North Devon
 01:55 - Why the nursery was started in the first place
 02:39 - How Dave joined the business and family links
 03:29 - Liz and Sam’s paths into plants and design
 04:45 - Dave’s horticulture background from allotments to landscape work
 05:25 - Learning on the job versus formal horticulture training
 06:38 - Why they chose organic certification
 07:25 - Why ornamental horticulture should follow organic principles
 08:00 - What organic nursery growing looks like day to day
 08:42 - How the stock garden and mother plants support propagation
 09:27 - The three-year ground period and organic plant status
 10:41 - Why growing everything in-house matters for adaptation
 11:14 - Selling plants at a better stage, not just in flower
 12:27 - Why feeding style affects rooting and drought resilience
 13:53 - How the summer drought affected watering and sales timing
 15:23 - The changes they are planning for shade, routing, and watering
 17:19 - Getting peat-free compost to rewet properly
 18:14 - Sand beds and capillary watering for pots
 19:24 - Plans for more outdoor beds and possible Efford sand beds
 21:11 - Moving from plant fairs to open days and online sales
 22:13 - Why online sales work well for small pots and plant info
 23:58 - Diversifying with tea, coffee, events, and seasonal experiences
 24:59 - Turning part of the barn into an art space
 25:24 - A sold-out foraging course and seasonal education
 26:59 - Best and worst performing plants in the heat
 28:07 - Tough-love gardening and what the display garden revealed
 29:22 - Early mistakes, water access, and how the nursery improved
 30:24 - Knowing when to throw away unsold plants
 32:50 - Rethinking how much covered space the nursery really needs
 34:03 - Why it is still just the three of them on the nursery
 34:27 - What happens to plants over winter
 35:28 - Compost costs, buying in peat-free mix, and the closed-loop dream
 38:19 - Winter slowdown, admin work, and seasonal planning
 39:44 - The difference between selling vegetables and ornamental plants
 41:57 - Using vegetables and orchard produce for value-added products
 42:57 - The VED-1 visit payment and the challenge of getting groups on site
 44:45 - Why uptake is difficult and how word of mouth helps
 46:28 - Selling plants in cardboard pots instead of plastic
 48:13 - Why the cardboard system costs more but feels right
 49:05 - Keeping prices competitive while still being organic and plastic free
 49:47 - Why the organic USP matters most online
 50:38 - Closing thoughts on the business and what the episode covered

This podcast is brought to you by the Organic Growers Alliance, the UK's only grower-led organisation providing technical and practical advice and support on organic growing. For more information about the OGA head to www.organicgrowersalliance.co.uk and become a member.

Liv James is taking the reins from James Butterworth as host in 2026. Liv has been a grower for 10 years mainly at Down Farm Market Garden in Devon and is now a storyteller at Soil Association. Alongside this Liv is a plant nut, wordsmith, music lover, life enthusiast, surfer and Mum.