How to establish a process for sourcing and checking new plant stock

Your most important job when buying plants is to stop problems before they start. Establish a simple, repeatable checklist to inspect every plant for pests, diseases, and damage the moment it arrives from the nursery. Rejecting poor-quality stock on delivery is far easier than dealing with a pest infestation or a dying plant in a client's garden later on. This process protects your work, your reputation, and your bottom line.

Finding the Right Suppliers

The quality of your work is directly linked to the quality of your materials. Don't just buy from the most convenient garden centre. Seek out reputable trade nurseries that cater to professional landscapers. Ask other landscapers for recommendations, check online reviews, and if possible, visit the nursery to see their growing conditions for yourself. A good supplier is a partner in your business's success.

Your Essential Plant Quality Checklist

When a delivery arrives, you need to be systematic. Don't just give the plants a quick glance. Use a mental or physical checklist to inspect a good sample of the stock, paying close attention to these key areas:

• Overall Health: Do the plants look vibrant and strong? Check for healthy, well-coloured leaves and avoid anything that looks wilted, yellowing, or stressed.
• Pest Inspection: Look closely for common pests. Check underneath leaves for aphids and spider mites, and inspect stems for scale insects. Tiny webs, sticky residue, or distorted leaves are all red flags.
• Signs of Disease: Scan for common fungal diseases like black spot, rust, or powdery mildew (a white, dusty coating on leaves). Check the base of the plant for any signs of rot.
• Healthy Root System: Gently slide one or two plants out of their pots. The roots should be firm and white or light-coloured, and fill the pot without being excessively coiled (root-bound). Avoid plants with dark, mushy, or smelly roots.
• Physical Damage: Check for broken stems or significant leaf damage that may have occurred during transport.
• Weeds and Labels: Ensure the pots are free from weeds and that the plants are correctly labelled. You need to be certain you've received the exact species and variety you ordered.

Handling Deliveries Like a Pro

It can feel awkward to hold up a delivery driver while you inspect plants, but it's a crucial step. Politely explain that you need to check the stock before signing for it. If you find a problem with a few plants, take clear photos immediately and contact your supplier. You can usually agree to reject the individual plants while accepting the rest of the order. If the overall quality is poor, don't be afraid to reject the entire delivery.

Top Tip: If you have space, it's a great practice to quarantine new plants for a week or two at your own premises before taking them to a client's site. This gives you a final chance to spot any pests or diseases that weren't obvious on delivery.