When planning a large-scale forestry, native restoration, or landscaping project in New Zealand, securing a reliable supply of quality plants is critical to success. One solution many project managers and forestry owners turn to is contract growing. This is an arrangement where a grower produces plants specifically to meet a client’s needs, ensuring the right species, quantities, and quality standards are delivered at the right time.
While contract growing offers many benefits, such as securing your supply and customising specifications, it does come with some risks that need to be considered. In this blog, we’ll explore the advantages and potential challenges of contract growing, outline how the process typically works, and share tips to ensure you get the best outcome for your project.
What is Contract Growing?
Contract growing involves an agreement between a nursery and a client where the nursery grows plants specifically for that client’s project. Instead of relying on existing nursery stock, plants are propagated, grown, and managed to meet the client’s specifications, including quantities, species, and delivery timelines.
This method is particularly useful for:
- Forestry projects, where large numbers of pines, eucalyptus or other species are required for replanting.
- Native restoration projects, such as riparian planting or carbon offset initiatives, that require eco-sourced native species.
- Landscaping projects, where specific plants are needed for aesthetics, erosion control, or civil projects.
Now let’s dive into the specific benefits and risks of contract growing.
Benefits of Contract Growing
1. Secure Supply of Plants
One of the greatest advantages of contract growing is that it guarantees the plants you need will be available when you need them. This is particularly important for large-scale projects where significant quantities of plants are required at one time. Without a contract in place, you may face shortages if demand exceeds supply, which is common during peak planting seasons.
For forestry projects, this means having thousands of seedlings ready for planting in winter. For native restoration projects, it ensures you can access eco-sourced species like manuka, kanuka, and totara that align with your project’s ecological goals.
2. Customisation and Personalisation
Contract growing allows you to specify exactly how you want your plants to be grown. This includes:
- Potting mix: You can request specific potting mixes tailored to your project’s conditions, such as well-draining blends for dry sites or nutrient-dense mixes for faster establishment.
- Growing methods: If you prefer plants grown in certain containers, such as biodegradable EnviroPots, this can be accommodated.
- Custom branding: Some nurseries offer options like custom-printed EnviroPots, which are ideal for organisations that want to showcase their commitment to sustainability or branding during high-profile planting projects.
This level of personalisation ensures that the plants are grown to meet both practical and aesthetic requirements, increasing their chance of success after planting.
3. Building a Relationship with the Grower
Working closely with a contract grower helps build a strong, long-term relationship. Over time, the grower will gain a better understanding of your needs, preferences, and project goals. This can lead to:
- Improved communication and trust
- Greater efficiency for future projects
- Flexibility to accommodate changes or challenges
Having a trusted supplier that understands your business can make planning and executing large projects far smoother.
4. Consistency in Quality and Supply
With contract growing, plants are propagated specifically for your project, ensuring consistent quality across the entire order. This is particularly valuable for:
- Forestry projects, where uniformity in plant size and health is critical for even growth in plantations.
- Native restoration projects, where healthy root systems and eco-sourced plants improve survival rates in harsh environments.
Consistency helps avoid setbacks caused by poor-quality plants, ensuring your project stays on track and delivers long-term results.
5. Cost-Effective for Large-Scale Projects
While there may be upfront costs, contract growing can be more cost-effective for large orders compared to purchasing plants from existing stock. By planning ahead and locking in prices, you can avoid fluctuations in plant costs and potential shortages during busy seasons.
Risks of Contract Growing
While contract growing offers significant benefits, it does come with some risks that should be considered.
1. Propagation Failures
Plant propagation is a delicate process, and there is always a risk that it may not go as planned. Factors such as poor seed germination rates, disease outbreaks, or unexpected environmental conditions can affect production. If propagation fails, you may not receive the plants you ordered in time, which can delay your project.
2. Financial Risk if the Nursery Fails
There is always a risk that the nursery you are working with may face financial difficulties and go out of business before completing your order. If this happens, you could lose your deposit or be left scrambling to find another supplier at short notice.
To mitigate this risk, it’s important to work with reputable nurseries with a proven track record and solid financial stability.
3. Natural Disasters or Unexpected Events
Nurseries are exposed to risks from natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and storms, which can damage or destroy plants. These events are beyond anyone’s control but can still impact the delivery of your order.
It’s worth discussing contingencies with your grower to understand how they would manage such risks, such as having backup stock or alternative growing facilities.
4. Upfront Costs and Deposits
Contract growing typically requires an upfront deposit, which helps the grower cover the costs of propagation and production. While this is standard practice, it does mean committing funds well in advance of receiving your plants. If your project is delayed or cancelled, you may not recover your deposit.
Careful planning and realistic timelines are essential to avoid financial losses.
The Contract Growing Process: How It Works
If you’re considering contract growing for your next forestry or native restoration project, understanding the process is key to ensuring a smooth experience. Here’s how it typically works:
- Initial Consultation: You meet with the grower to discuss your project’s needs, including plant species, quantities, specifications, and delivery timelines.
- Proposal and Quote: The grower will provide a proposal outlining costs, timelines, and any terms and conditions, such as deposit requirements.
- Agreement and Deposit: Once agreed, a contract is signed, and a deposit is paid to secure the order. Deposits usually range from 20-50% of the total cost.
- Propagation and Growing: The nursery propagates the plants based on your specifications and monitors their growth to ensure quality.
- Regular Updates: The grower may provide progress updates, including photos or site visits, to ensure everything is on track.
- Delivery: When the plants are ready, they are delivered to your planting site on the agreed date.
When to Order
For successful contract growing, planning ahead is essential. Most native and forestry species require 8 -16 months to grow to planting size, so you need to place your order well in advance of your planting season.
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Contract growing is a valuable option for large-scale forestry, native restoration, and landscaping projects in New Zealand. By securing your supply of plants, customising your order, and building strong relationships with experienced growers, you can set your project up for success.
However, it’s important to understand the risks, such as propagation failures, financial uncertainties, and natural disasters. By working with reputable nurseries and planning ahead, you can mitigate these risks and enjoy the many benefits contract growing has to offer.
For forestry owners, landscapers, and restoration managers, contract growing provides a practical, efficient, and reliable way to meet your planting goals – ensuring you have the right plants, in the right place, at the right time.