Holly Farm Nurseries was established by Tim and Helen Noble, who originally bought a smallholding which had been used as part of a mixed farm including a small herd of dairy cows. After converting the dairy into a potting shed, the shipon into a shop and erecting three polythene tunnels, they first opened the nursery in May 1979 to sell the bedding plants and vegetables which they had sown and nurtured during the previous winter and spring. Initially, the Farm Shop was very central to the enterprise, Tim and Helen growing vegetables both for their own shop and for the wholesale market, but this later gave way to a greater concentration on ornamental plants for the garden and this has been the main focus of the nursery in recent years. The legacy of the Farm Shop remains in the growing of broad beans, runner beans and soft fruit in season, products which have remained popular with customers in a fluctuating ‘pick your own’ market.
The nursery has grown slowly but steadily founded as it is on sound business practices which have seen it through difficult times. A high standard of customer care together with quality produce, much of which is grown on the nursery has created a loyal customer base in the face of considerable competition. Our friendly, helpful and well informed staff has contributed greatly to making Holly Farm Nurseries an enjoyable place to visit and a place which retains the attractive qualities of a ‘real’ nursery, where plant care is understood, rather than just a retail area for the resale of imported plants. At the same time we are constantly increasing and updating the range of plants available for our customers so that Holly Farm has become a place where garden enthusiasts can be confident of finding what they want.