OGA Podcast host Liv James visited Taw Valley Organics in North Devon, one of only a handful of certified organic ornamental 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.
