Commercial Growing Services
Quantil provides young plant raising services for UK commercial growers.
Commercial Growing Services
With sixty years of farming experience, we understand the needs of the commercial grower first-hand. We set up our horticultural business alongside of our agricultural business in 1994. Since then, Quantil ltd has doubled in size and we continue to grow ever larger, investing in new facilities and technologies as we evolve. Our nursery team has been together since the beginning of the business. Not only are they responsible for overseeing the cultivation of over 100 million plants a year, they are dedicated to building strong and lasting partnerships with our customers.
Our products and services
Today, with over 14 hectares of glass, we have the capacity and expertise to cater to each customer’s unique needs. We currently grow a wide range of brassicas; we continue to flourish as one of the UK’s largest growers of bare root wallflowers; and now also count lettuces, leeks, and strawberries amongst our products. We grow according to contract, allowing us to put the needs of the customer first.
We begin the sowing process earlier than most, commencing in January with heated sowings and ending in October for overwintered crops. This helps to ensure we are able to supply plants throughout the year, in accordance with our customers' growing schedules.
Committed to high standards
We pride ourselves on the quality of our plants, adjusting our techniques accordingly to ensure each has strong fibrous roots. Our agronomist provides excellent support to our experienced team, keeping us abreast of the latest chemical treatments and growing techniques. We source all our growing materials from leading suppliers, and use only accredited peat. We maintain high standards of hygiene in the nurseries, which are audited annually by Global Gap. Full traceability is available for all our plants for growers assured audits.
Products
Brassicas
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Sprout
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Cabbage (all types)
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Cauliflower
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Kale
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Broccoli
Leeks
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Early heated leek production - blocks and modules
Tray cell sizes
We use GPG trays, which is the standard growing tray for the industry.
126 & 216 cell
These cell sizes are used for early production and overwintering.
345 cell
Size used through the main planting season.
600 cell
Leeks only - limited availability on this cell size.
Meet the
production team
Colin Holmes
Head of Retail Production & Development
Colin has been working in the horticultural industry since leaving high school at 16 and brings a wealth of experience to his role. Supporting Stuart Blackhurst within the nursery, he is involved in developing new products, product design, and purchasing for the Herb range. Colin focuses on expanding the product range to offer customers greater variety and enhanced buying options.
Outside of work, Colin enjoys dining out with family and friends, traveling abroad, and playing golf when time allows. He is also an active member of the local crown green bowling community.
Simon Brown
Assistant Nursery Manager
Simon joined Quantil in 2000 as a Nursery Worker. He is responsible for the management and regulation of the glasshouses, overseeing irrigation, climate control, and maintenance. Simon also plans growing activities and organises space allocation to ensure efficient operations. Simon manages equipment and resources, and ensures compliance with health and safety and environmental regulations.
Outside of work, Simon looks after his 16,000-bird free-range egg unit and enjoys caravanning and going for long walks.
John Blackhurst
Site Nursery Manager
John joined Quantil in the late 1990s as a Nursery Worker. As Site Manager, he ensures that all plants and crops grown meet high-quality standards. He manages the day-to-day duties of nursery staff, oversees operations in the glasshouses, coordinates planting and harvesting schedules, monitors crop health, and ensures that resources and equipment are used efficiently. John also implements best practices, maintains health and safety standards, and supports the continuous improvement of production processes.
Outside of work, John enjoys long walks with his dog and exploring new destinations on holiday.
Chris Lyon
Assistant Nursery Manager
Chris joined Quantil in 2010 as a Nursery Worker. He is now Assistant Manager, working alongside John to supervise day-to-day activities at the Martin Lane site, with a particular focus on the herb crop. Chris also oversees stock distribution and operations in the pack house.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys watching his son play football and rugby league, and his daughter play netball. He also likes walking the dog, going for a pint, and socialising with friends.
Dave Lea
Transport Manager
David joined Quantil in 1975, beginning his career in the mill on the seed side of the business, where he gained hands-on experience in all aspects of farm production and crop inspections. Through dedication and hard work, he progressed within the company and was promoted to Transport Manager.
In his current role, David ensures that Quantil’s transport operations run safely, legally, and efficiently. He oversees staff, vehicles, and logistics to meet business requirements and customer needs, including managing vehicle maintenance, planning schedules, and optimizing routes for maximum efficiency. David is also responsible for purchasing seed, packaging, and all essential horticultural supplies required for retail sales.
Outside of work, David enjoys attending music festivals with his family, watching Manchester United and other sports, and relaxing with a pint at his local pub.
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Environmental Responsibility
At Quantil, we are committed to taking responsibility for our environmental impact.
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