Site Visit: Du Prins Wholesale Nursery

Q: Tell us a little about how Du Prins was

established?

A: Du Prins Wholesale Nursery was established in 1992. The daily operations of the nursery are run by David du Toit who is the general manager and Josef Masilela as the production manager. They are assisted by Prof ES du Toit renowned horticulture specialist. Michelle Stanton, an MSc Horticulture student, is also part of this diverse team and assists with special projects on a parttime basis.

At the time of establishment, David du Toit was a post-graduate student in Horticulture at the University of Pretoria. During an excursion visit to Bergland Tuine, the owner Gerrie Roos convinced David to produce Hedera canariensis plants for him on a contract basis. Over the years, the nursery has developed into an operation of 2.4ha on two sites, producing around 1.5 million plant units per annum. Currently, it produces about 120 species, carefully chosen to service the corporate and residential landscape markets. The nursery employs 28 full-time staff. The two nursery sites are situated north of Pretoria, with the main premises at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute.

Q: Which areas of South Africa do

you service?

A: Du Prins delivers to all parts of Gauteng, Noth West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Deliveries to all other provinces are contracted out to service providers.

We also understand the difficulty for smaller landscapers to run sites, source and collect quality plants at reasonable prices. We make it our aim to service these landscapers and help them grow their businesses.

In general, we grow all our own stock, and we aim to produce at least 5,000 to 10,000 of each specie of plant. This enables us to fill big orders with uniform plants at competitive prices for corporate landscapers and plant brokers. The benefit of producing in Gauteng ensures that our plants are hardy and adapted to the cold highveld climate during winter months.

Q: Market trends for the corporate landscaper?

A: Well, we are licensed growers for OZ Breed as well as for “Knock-out” roses. We keep a keen eye on developments in plant choices and developments in the industry as a whole. With this in mind, we have developed a model that helps us predict future trends and selling volume of plants in the landscape market. The nursery has a light management structure that enables it to adapt to a changing market, and fast.

We have seen the movement to bushveld type of landscapes as a general trend. The mass planting of veld grass interplanted with flowering bulbs has also been rather popular. The fact that these types of landscapes are waterwise should be seen as a bonus.

Q: What would you say Du Prins is best

known for?

A: The management team places a high emphasis on scientific horticultural practices to solve problems in production cycles of plants. It is our

passion to solve propagation problems of difficult to grow plants. Currently, we are known for the production of Elegia tectorum, Trachelospermum jasminoides, and a variety of veld grass. We are members of both SANA an IPPS (International Plant Propagators Society). IPPS has been a priceless source of horticultural knowledge over the years. If possible, we travel to international conferences to stay abreast of all the latest developments in the industry.

Q: What projects have you recently supplied

and worked on where we might see some of your plants?

A: Some projects Du Prins has been involved in include: The Blyde, Cape Town International Airport, Waterfall Estate, Highlands Golf Estate, Riversands development, Kia Silverlakes, and Rainbow Junction.

Q: How do you see Du Prins nursery growing

within the green industry, especially as we consider a 'new normal' in life after COVID-19?

A: We are certainly planning for the impact of the COVID-19 virus, which we feel will only really come into full effect in six months’ time. Thus, we plan to consolidate and improve efficiency. We do, however, expect an upward trend in the long-run for the green industry. We believe that a move back to a more wholesome type of lifestyle is on the cards. This will include, working from home, stay-at-home entertainment, homegrown vegetables, more park landscapes for exercise and entertainment, and development of green and sustainable housing developments, especially for high-density communities. With this, we do see a growth in the DIY as well as gardening sections of the economy, but it will take time.

DU PRINS OPERATES OVER 2.4 HA ON TWO SITES AND PRODUCE +- 1.5 MILLION PLANT UNITS PER ANNUM

For more information, visit the Du Prins website www.duprins.co.za, our Facebook page, or our Youtube channel (Agriculture Academy) where we share our horticultural and propagation knowledge, or contact us at: duprins@absamail.co.za |

082 850 8019

MODULAR PLAY SYSTEMS

Modular play systems are designers and manufacturers of bespoke commercial playgrounds for the restaurants, shopping centres, schools and private estates. We specialize in custom designed playgrounds and have a huge range of standard playgrounds which can suit any application and customer requirement. vicente@modularplaysystemsint.co.za | 011 474 6930

CUSTOM SHADES AND DESIGN

Custom shades is a tensile structure manufacturer, we specialize in custom designed structures to meet our customers needs. We specialize in conical, barrel vault and hypar (shade sails) structures. Custom shades has a full design, engineering, fabrication facility and have our own rigging teams to carry out installations. We service restaurants, shopping centres, schools, private estates and government buildings. bruce@customshades.co.za | 011 474 6930

Is your landscape hydrozoned?

A landscape that is correctly hydrozoned can save between 30% and 38% water.

• High water use zone (3 drop) This hydrozone should be kept as small as possible. These plants will need frequent watering throughout the year. Plant 3 drop plants, such as annuals and spring-flowering bulbs, in containers.

• Medium water use zone (2 drop) Keep this hydrozone relatively small, as these plants will need more water than that is received as rainfall in your area. Many popular exotic garden plants are considered 2 drop.

• Low water use zone (1 drop) This hydrozone can be as large as you like. 1 drop plants will thrive mainly on the rainfall received and may only need a little extra water in dry months. Plants suitable for this zone are often indigenous plants.

• Very low water use zone (0 drop) You may make this hydrozone as large as possible. Plants that are categorized in this zone are often established local indigenous plants, shrubs, and succulents. A very low water use area may also include permeable paving and hard landscaping.

www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60