Small Talk with Nuala Young of Young Nurseries

Nuala Young, owner of Young Nurseries

Nuala Young talks about the greatest opportunities facing the industry today and her hopes for the future of Irish horticulture

Horticulture

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19 November 2025

In association with ICL

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s h orticulture trade.

This month’s conversation is with Nuala Young, owner of Young Nurseries.

How did you first get involved in the horticulture sector?

I grew up on a nursery, my father and grandfather were both nurserymen. My fondest memories were alongside my dad growing geraniums from cuttings and bedding plants from seed. I started my own nursery on a small site next door, initially growing perennials and alpines. I got my first bank loan of £1000 in 1988 to develop the business. Fast forward a few years, Joe joined the business and we put a plan in place to develop and expand.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

Both our daughter and son joining us in the business and helping to progress it into the future.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

Storm Ophelia certainly left its mark, and then the 2020 pandemic. It was all about adapting and pivoting the business to survive, we have a great team working with us and great credit is due to them rowing in with us when times get tough.

Could you give us an example of a recent success you had in your work?

Winning the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award at GLAS show meant so much to us and our team, and on top of that, we were honoured to win the ‘Best New Hardy Plant’ award for Dianthus
‘Capitan Pink Eye’. These achievements reflect the hard work dedication and customer focussed approach we bring to everything we do. Awards like these motivate us to continuously improve and deliver even greater value to our customers.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

There are many, but the greatest ones are rising inputs and labour costs, labour and skills shortages, extreme weather events, competition from imports, perceived low value of plants, succession planning.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

Investing in automation and labour-saving technology, such as: robotics, sensors, drones. Embracing sustainability and energy efficient systems. There was a surge of new gardeners during the pandemic, we need to foster this new generation of consumers and keep them engaged and inspired.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

I would advise people gaining as much experience in the industry as possible, find the area you love working in and just go for it.

What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?

Ireland has a wonderful climate for growing plants, there is so much potential for development. We must concentrate on innovation and environmental sustainability, creating opportunities for growth.

Young Nurseries, a wholesale nursery based in the scenic Ballyhoura region of Co Limerick is one of the premier suppliers in Ireland of a vast range of Irish grown Perennials and Alpines, Herbs and Grasses.

Small Talk is produced in association with ICL, a world-renowned leader in agriculture, food, industrial products, and a top global producer of specialised fertilisers.

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