Shopping Guide: City Farm Nursery
Northey St Plant Nursery: An Informed Shopper's Guide
Why You Should Visit
- A Unique and Eclectic Selection: You'll find a fascinating variety of plants, including permaculture-suitable, healthy, seasonal, and subtropical options. The nursery stocks herbs, native plants, bush tucker, vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees.
- Beyond Plants: The location offers a range of garden supplies and permaculture books. You can also find soil, compost, mulch, and organic plant care products.
- Knowledgeable and Friendly Staff: Shoppers can expect relaxed, knowledgeable, and friendly service from staff who are often described as expert horticulturalists. They are ready to provide timely and expert advice.
- High-Quality, Local Products: The nursery is known for its excellent compost, made locally on-site. This compost is often praised as superior to commercially produced alternatives.
- Community Focus: This is a social enterprise with a big heart, and is a not-for-profit organisation. You’re supporting a business with ethical purpose and values, including a Work for Centrelink program.
- Ethical Products: The location has organic seeds, herb and veggie seedlings, flowers, fruit trees, natives, indoor and water plants.
- Excellent for Subtropical Gardening: You’ll get advice on growing in the subtropics, which is very useful given the specific climate.
- Atmosphere: The homey, rustic aesthetic with little touches of whimsy and art creates a welcoming environment.
- Community Hub: The location is a hub for ideas exchange, conversation, and working together in a supportive environment. The nursery has like ecosystem talks and a kids area.
- Additional Services: Coffee is available on Sunday mornings when the Northey Street Organic Markets are on.
- Freebies: The business also participates in the free native plants program from Brisbane City Council libraries.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Soil Concerns: Be aware that the organic vegetables may be growing above lead-polluted soil separated by a thin film of plastic. This is a concern raised in some reviews.
- Safety Issues: Some reviewers express concerns about the safety of children's play equipment, describing weatherworn and sharp-edged plastic items that haven't been discarded.
- Work for Centrelink Program: The "Work for Centrelink" program has been described as more of a cost-cutting measure, where job seekers might lack enough tasks.
- Indigenous Representation: There is a concern raised about the lack of Indigenous leaders to provide perspectives on nature.
- "Rustic" Aesthetic: Some may find the environment described as more "Junk-yard-dog" than organically focused.
- Timing is Key: Ensure you arrive well before lunchtime.
