Cross Keys Nurseries

Cross Keys Nurseries is a place for the production of a wide range of potted berry plants for commercial growers.  The original Cross keys site, formerly a cut flower nursery, needed a major overhaul to accommodate the production of soft fruit plants and has seen many improvements over the years.

Now Cross Keys Nurseries is an established department within Hargreaves Plants and is going from strength to strength.  Using the experience gained over the years, alterations have been made to the original table top system, which now allows production of ever higher quality plant material.  Hygiene standards have also risen in keeping with Hargreaves Plants philosophy and to meet the ever increasing standards required by the professional grower.  For example: foot dips/change of footwear before entering sites, installation of an ultra-violet system to sterilise all water used, complete traceability.  These are just some of the efforts Hargreaves Plants are making to be the forerunner in the industry.

With Hargreaves Plants ongoing commitment to quality soft fruit plant production and customer demand, Cross Keys Nurseries has now expanded to 18 acres, of which 11 acres are protected areas, split over two production sites.  This has allowed the company to designate each site to specific areas of production.

Everbearers

All tips are taken from High Health Grade mother plant material.  This material is allowed to flower before tips are harvested.  All other plant material is inspected for trueness to type.  Tips are then taken and placed under mist sprinkler units.  Once rooted, they are either hardened off outdoors or despatched.  There is complete traceability of all plant material throughout the system.  Biological control can be applied prior to despatch to prevent pest issues.  Quality control procedures are in place from planting right through to despatch.  A wide range of varieties is available.

Tray Plants

Elsanta tray plants are also handled within this specialist division of Hargreaves Plants.

Mother plants are grown specifically for the operation, providing tips for early July.  The plant material is given maximum attention to detail, with particular reference to fertilizer and trace elements throughout the growing season and with equal importance prior to cold storage.  This system produces a high quality, well balanced plant for 60 day production.

Potted Raspberry Plants

Potted raspberry plants are also grown within Cross Keys Nurseries.  This highly successful technique has ushered in the fast tracking of many new varieties e.g. Erika, Polka and Tadmor.  Freshly grown plants are available in May, with over-wintered plants from March.