Adrian and Sue Chappell and their son Matt have more reason than most to hope for good weather this year.
Adrian describes last year as a “diabolical season” for Glenside Nurseries at West Pinchbeck.
He says: “Last year, we dumped thousands and thousands of bedding plants because people wouldn’t buy it.
“We have had the roughest 12 months we have ever had – I think the whole industry has, to tell the truth.
“I should say we are running three weeks behind where we should be. We need good weather this spring.”
The family – which can trace its family roots in the parish of Pinchbeck as far back as 1770 – started farming in Leaveslake Drove but moved to the current site on Glenside South in 1935.
Glenside Nurseries was established in 1961, originally producing bulbs, field grown flowers, wheat, potatoes and sugar beet. When Adrian’s father Maurice retired in 1993 and Adrian and Sue took over, the bedding plants that had been a sideline became the core business.
Adrian says today they produce over three million bedding, patio and basket plants in about 250 varieties under five acres of glass.
The nursery supplies garden centres, wholesalers, supermarkets and local authorities, but also has a retail sales area on the nursery site.
The long family tradition will continue into the future, with Matt’s wife Nicola working at the nursery part-time.