PROFILE: GRANDVIEW MONBULK
Success through commitment and dedication: Grandview Monbulk By James Nicklen In the lush, rolling hills of Monbulk, Victoria, lies a horticultural haven that has stood the test of time – Grandview Monbulk. With a history stretching back to 1900, this family-owned nursery is a thriving business built upon a commitment to quality and trustworthiness. Purchased and reimagined in 1985 by Dave and Linda Sands, the nursery and its team are dedicated to growing quality plants and delivering them to customers. A glimpse into the business Grandview Monbulk spans two properties – the Invermay Road site, covering 10 acres, and the Moxhams Road property, spanning approximately 7 acres. Each property plays a unique role in the nursery's operations. The Invermay Road site primarily serves as the hub for propagating and small plant growth, while Moxhams Road handles the bulk of the growing, dispatching and order pickups. Dave explains, “As stock becomes ready, it goes down to the Moxhams property to be collated and prepared for dispatch.” This strategic arrangement allows the nursery to efficiently manage its operations and ensure the timely delivery of quality plants to its customers.
A rich history Grandview Monbulk’s story begins in 1900 when the property was first purchased by Dave’s great-grandfather, who lived in a bark hut on site, growing berries and other produce with his young family. They named the property ‘Grandview’ for its spectacular 180-degree views. Over the years, the property was passed down through the generations, witnessing the transitions from carrot farming to chestnut tree growing, before evolving into the nursery it is today. Dave and Linda purchased the property from Dave’s parents and started the nursery full-time in 1985.
The nursery’s product range is diverse and dynamic, with a focus on 14-, 18- and 20-centimetre pots. They produce a wide range of low growing shrubs including natives, Ozbreed lines and Wisterias, catering to both retail customers and the landscape industry. They see the importance of maintaining a balance in their product offerings, striving to keep the list fresh and evolving. Dave’s passion lies in the production side of the business. In some ways, his philosophy is quite simple: “If you grow a good plant, then that’s half the job done or more to selling it.” Grandview Monbulk is renowned for the quality of its plants, and Dave, Linda and their team continuously strive for excellence. Their attention to detail is evident in their pest management efforts. In recent years, Grandview Monbulk has also ventured into Integrated Pest Management (IPM), with younger team members leading the charge. The nursery has reduced its reliance on chemical sprays and embraced a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to pest control. Indeed, sustainability remains an important aspect of Grandview Monbulk’s ethos. The nursery has invested in solar panels, generators, and energy-efficient technologies to reduce its environmental footprint, partly funded through government grants. They’ve also implemented recycling programs for plastics and green waste.
Exploring exciting new varieties Grandview Monbulk is currently focusing on expanding its product range, with excitement surrounding clivias and wisterias. Dave and the team have been diligently working on cultivating a brilliant collection of clivias over the past few years. Drawing on a fellow local breeder's expertise, they are expecting new clivia varieties in exciting colours to emerge from their efforts. They are aiming to present them to customers in larger pot sizes, once they have matured and burst with beautiful blooms.
Emily, Tom and Tahlen – the young guns.
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GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2023
The decision to focus on clivias is part of Grandview Monbulk’s broader strategy to continue diversifying their product range and meeting the evolving demands of their customers. While they have been growing clivias for about a decade, their recent efforts to bulk up the numbers and collaborate with expert breeders demonstrates their dedication to staying at the
