1)Length of service: Well ! …..it turns out it’s 4 decades 😁 just under 41 and a half years to be precise.
2)Tell us about your career at Johnsons, which departments have you worked in? I started at Whixley on the 1st June 1983, after an interview with John Richardson on the 26th May. (the day after I left school ) Initially, I was destined for the field gang but the Whixley Propogation Unit were short staffed, so, I went there for 2 weeks to help out ……..10 years later (!) I moved down to Newlands to look after the potting – did that for a couple of years , then went on to Dispatch for a stint, followed by a move to Stock Control . After that,I was lucky enough to be asked to manage Roecliffe . I eventually came full circle and moved back to run The Propagation Unit. Finally moving to the office to work in retail sales.
3) What was the most rewarding part of your career? Meeting and getting to know people, not so much in my current job but earlier when propagating and potting and doing cultural work , I would be teaching people new skills all the time which in turn is rewarding when you then see them passing those skills on to others.
4)What will you miss most about working at Johnsons? The people and the banter , both with colleagues and customers . Some folks, I have worked with all my working life, you share a lot of special times with them through the years.
5) Tell us about an unforgettable memory of your time at Johnsons: There have been so many over the years, the nursery was a different place 40 years ago. No forklifts, so we had to empty the peat wagon by hand , this was in the days when peat came in 300L bags. I also remember spending the whole day collecting conkers at Myton for next years crop. We also used to go to the power stations like Drax to collect material for cuttings.
6)Who are some of the most memorable colleagues you have worked with?
A lot of people over years, when I first started work with some of the old guys, they used to come to work in waistcoats and tweed jackets ! They could tell some great tales and they used to appear really old , but now, frighteningly, I’m older than they were at the time.
7)Who influenced you most during your career? Everyone, from the top to the bottom, I try to learn something every day. I have worked under managers who are steeped in horticultural knowledge, but equally , I have spent a day with new starters who have really left an impression on me.
8) Any big plans to celebrate your retirement? Well , in the short-term, we are going out for a family meal on the 20th, but as it is Christmas ,meaning that both people and places are so busy; I will arrange something in the New Year.
9)Will you be spending lots more time on the golf course? Yes, there will be more golf, hopefully, but also more time to do other things as well, all the usual suspects; read more , gardening, DIY 😐 , Box sets and generally just being in my pyjamas all day if I feel like it. 🤣
10)If you had chosen a different career, what would it have been?
That’s easy ! An Architect – what a job, to be able to design something that improves people’s lives and will (hopefully) still be there in a hundred years.
Posted 19th Dec 9:16am
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After 25 years with Johnsons, Claire has been an integral part of our success. Her dedication, expertise, and hard work have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for her continued contributions. Here’s to celebrating this impressive milestone and many more years ahead!
1) What inspired you to pursue a career in horticulture, and what has kept you passionate about it over the past 25 years?
I never intended to pursue a career in horticulture—it happened by accident. I studied forestry and worked at a nursery propagating trees from cuttings and seeds. An opportunity arose to work at Johnsons, and since I wanted to work with plants and be outdoors, it seemed like the right move. Over the years, seeing new varieties emerge and witnessing how plant fashions evolve has kept me passionate.
2) What has made you stay at Johnsons for all of these years?
I stayed at Johnsons because I felt it was time to settle down. Before joining, I had moved around Ireland and England for short-term work contracts. Johnsons provided the stability I was looking for.
3) What was your first role at the nursery, and how has your role evolved over time?
My first role was at Ryther near Tadcaster, where we grafted and grew trees. During the winter, I worked at Newlands with bare-root trees. Over time, my role evolved to focus more on customer interactions, particularly in the cash and carry section. It’s a much cleaner job now and more customer-facing compared to my early days.
4) What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the horticultural industry over the years?
The biggest change has been the growing acceptance of health and safety measures. It’s great to see safer work practices being implemented across the industry, as they help protect people rather than hinder progress.
5) Favourite plant variety and why?
My favorite plants are Viburnums due to their diversity. I have two in my garden: Viburnum tinus, a large evergreen that flowers early in the year and serves as a screen for my neighbor’s garage, and Viburnum Mariesii, which grows in beautiful, flattened tiers with lace cap flowers in summer. Its autumn leaves turn a stunning red before falling.
6) Share a memorable moment from your time at Johnsons:
One memorable moment was when the BBC filmed a garden design competition at the cash and carry. Staff members teamed up with contestants to help gather plants for their designs. It was fascinating to see how the filming was done, and after the program aired, two of the contestants became loyal customers of Johnsons.
7) What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding aspect is when customers return with photos of their finished gardens, showing our plants thriving. It’s fulfilling to see how an idea on paper transforms into a living, growing space that brings joy to the end client.
8) What’s the strangest plant-related question a customer has asked you?
While discussing hedging with a customer, they asked, “Which size do I have to get so I don’t have to water it?” That was definitely one of the strangest questions I’ve heard!
9) If plants could talk, which one do you think would have the most interesting story?
The large Sycamore on the nursery boundary near the F-beds would likely have the most interesting story. It’s like the guardian of the nursery, having witnessed the development of Johnsons and the entire surrounding landscape over the years.
Posted 19th Dec 11:53am
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We are delighted to announce the successful completion of our plant health training course. This initiative underscores our commitment to upholding the highest standards in plant health and biosecurity, ensuring our plants are of the best quality for our customers while safeguarding against pests and diseases.
The training, delivered for the first time by Technical Manager, Tom Watkins, proved to be a rewarding experience. Reflecting on the course, Tom shared:
“It was a pleasure to conduct a plant health training course this year. This was the first time for me conducting a course like this, and it went as well as I could have expected. It was rewarding to see the knowledge of attendees developing as the course went on, even those more experienced in this area. Contributions from attendees were always valuable and productive for the sessions. By the end of the course, everyone was able to identify and discuss pest and disease issues confidently, and I was really pleased with the progress demonstrated by everyone. I have already seen instances of attendees flagging up P+D issues on sites. Having people who can confidently identify plant health issues promotes good Biosecurity within the company, and the more staff we have involved, the better! I look forward to conducting the course again next year and welcome any staff who wanted to get on the course this year and weren’t able.”
We would like to extend our congratulations and a big well done to the following employees who successfully completed the course:
The group celebrated their achievement with certificates handed out by Group Managing Director Graham Richardson, accompanied by hot drinks and biscuits—a well-deserved treat for their hard work and dedication!
This course not only enhanced attendees’ knowledge of pest and disease management but also fostered valuable discussions and contributions, which added depth and practical value to the sessions.
The training aligns with Johnsons’ broader mission of sustainability and excellence, as we continue to take proactive measures to address challenges in plant health. By equipping our team with the tools to identify and manage risks, we’re ensuring a healthier, more resilient future for our plants and the environment.
Johnsons Group Managing Director Graham Richardson added: “By investing in such training, Johnsons reinforces its dedication to producing healthy plants and maintaining its reputation for quality, care, and leadership within the horticultural industry. This effort is vital not only for our business but also for supporting the broader industry in safeguarding against plant health threats.”
We look forward to running this training again next year and welcoming even more staff members to participate in this essential learning opportunity. Together, we’re raising the bar for biosecurity in the horticultural industry!
Posted 10th Dec 10:57am
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