Our story
The Farmyard Nursery is an independent, owner-managed nursery in St Francis Bay, run by Clint, the owner, together with Pinky, our nursery manager, and the team: Memo, Somila, Andile, Owen and Blessing. From the beginning in 2019, the goal has been simple: to create a welcoming, friendly nursery where people can find quality plants and honest, practical advice.
Gardening along this stretch of coastline is not always straightforward. Wind, salt air and sandy soils can be tough on plants, which is why we focus on hardy coastal varieties that are well suited to St Francis conditions. We believe that a successful garden starts with choosing the right plant for the right place, and we are always happy to guide you in making those choices, whether you are starting from scratch or simply adding something new.
At the heart of what we do is a strong commitment to service and quality. We take pride in growing plants that are healthy, resilient and ready to thrive once they leave the nursery.
Many of our plants are propagated and grown on-site, from ornamentals to seasonal seedlings. This allows us to offer something fresh, locally adapted and carefully nurtured. It also means we know exactly how our plants have been grown, from the first cutting or seed to the moment you take them home.
The nursery itself reflects this way of thinking. Set on a working farm, it is a place where plants and animals coexist. Free-ranging chickens wander between the beds, while horses, goats and pigs add to the character and rhythm of the space. It is not just somewhere to shop, it is somewhere to slow down, explore and connect with a more natural way of growing.
Whether you are an experienced gardener or just beginning, we are here to help you grow with confidence, using plants and practices that are suited to this unique coastal environment.
What we stand for
We focus on water-wise and coastal-resilient plants that are suited to gardens in and around St Francis Bay.
We propagate many of our plants on-site and choose our range with quality and long-term performance in mind.
We would rather point you to the right plant for your spot than oversell. Ask us anything about your garden.
With heartfelt thanks
The Farmyard Nursery owes a great deal to Tichafa Maredza. For many years he was Clint's right-hand man and a steadying presence at the nursery, a gentleman in every sense and a truly good human being.
Tichafa taught Clint so much about the plants that thrive here in St Francis Bay, and his knowledge, patience and care helped shape the nursery into what it is today. He has since returned to his village in Zimbabwe after serious health challenges. We think of him often, and we will always be grateful for everything he gave to this place.
The welcoming committee
Every good nursery needs a welcoming committee, and ours comes with four legs each. Teddy and Freddy were rescued through St Francis Animal Rescue and adopted into the Farmyard family, and they have been part of the place ever since. Regulars know them well, and there is usually a treat and a cuddle waiting whenever someone stops by.
How we grow
We follow organic and sustainable growing practices wherever it is practical to do so. It is one of the things that sets us apart, and it shapes how we grow, what we use and what goes on our shelves.
In practice, that means we do not use or sell harmful pesticides and herbicides, and the gardening products we use and sell are organic. We do not hold formal organic certification, but we garden by those same principles: working with nature rather than against it, building healthy soil, reducing chemical inputs and encouraging natural balance wherever we can. It is a slower, more considered way of growing, but it produces stronger plants and looks after the coastal environment we all share.
Alongside this, we lean towards water-wise plant choices and coastal-resilient planting that suit the St Francis Bay climate.
Come say hello
Pop in to Erf 403, Tarragona Road, or send us a message with what you are looking for.
