BREATHING
I’ve decided not to make any grand announcements. Let’s call it a “soft closing”. I’m sort of sitting on Individual Plants Nursery for a while, perhaps I will do a couple of very select plant fairs next year and my monthly pop-up through the summer here in Lismore, but other than that, I’m breathing. I’ve tried, but I’m not (very) stupid, I like to think I know when something isn’t viable.
Believe it or not I started Individual Plants Nursery way back in 2021. I’ve gone from working full time in a beautiful garden, to unemployed, to self-employed, I’ve sold seeds, plants online and plants at fairs, I went from gradually scraping together to get a trailer, investing in more seed to literally grow my stock from scratch to sell, I’ve gone from just a handful of followers on social media to thousands, I’ve had some great exposure in some good places, I’ve had nice words of support and actual support from my contemporaries in the independent nursery realm, both here and in the UK BUT, it’s just not viable. I am done. I’m trying to hold down freelance work (where my actual income comes from) and look after various personal responsibilities and my own (increasingly mental) health too. My lovely nursery will slumber for a bit.
I’ll be honest, this year has been dismal. Plant sales haven’t even paid for the nursery expenses this year, the most I’ve ever brought in from plant sales for a year, is 4k which basically washes the nursery’s face. I have two polytunnels STUFFED with rare plants that I can’t get rid of and I’m loathed to sell them off at €3 a plant like I tried to do at my last pop-up. So, I’ll keep hold of them and sell them at what they’re worth at select places next year. I’m pretty exhausted to be honest and gutted too. My epic plans didn’t work because I haven’t had the ability to take it where it needs to go. I’ve busted my guts, but I’m beat. I need to save my energy for my freelance work so that I can actually survive in the long term.
Since I’ve been reflecting, a huge part of my disappointment comes from not having had the support of ISNA (Irish Specialist Nurseries Association). Despite trying on multiple occasions to join. My last correspondence with them was when I asked for feedback on why I hadn’t been allowed entry this year (2026) and eventually got a reply saying the committee had discussed all applications and decided to “streamline” their admission process… Just in case anyone on the committee is reading, here are some ideas on how to do that:
Micro-nurseries (like mine) in particular need all the help they can get to reach their target markets (especially at the start when they’re trying to save enough money to buy trailers and seeds and compost) and plants sold online shouldn’t be deemed bad quality. It’s perfectly do’able in this era to see feedback, photos and “proof” of quality, seriousness and knowledge via websites and social media/media coverage. Having a requirement to see plants at a sale and have other members look at them, then wait for an unstated amount of time to have a committee meeting about it before letting a nursery join, is quite frankly, clunky. If you really are genuinely wanting to encourage, promote and support small independent nurseries, (and you’re not actually just acting as a cartel for your own committee members) JUST LET NURSERIES PAY THE MONEY AND JOIN. - after checking out their online activities if you’re worried about quality bringing the reputation of the Association down.. which is why I’m gutted I wasn’t “let in”, despite having some amazing coverage and public feedback. ISNA is where people go to find good stuff. Not being a member makes it look like I’m not serious. It gets a bit galling when you’re the only stall at a plant fair who ISN’T a member of ISNA… eyeroll. shrug.
Anyway, I’ve got to the point where I no longer want to dance for the social media billionaires for zero return and I no longer have the energy to keep producing beautiful plants that sit in my nursery demanding increasing levels of care and investment. I’ll keep the socials open and this website going for this blog and bits a pieces of rubbish and I’ll probably still grow a few things for my own enjoyment (when I can be fucked again). In the meantime, Cheers lovely humans!
