Rooted in trust

Thomas Nass prefers to focus on what he loves most: producing high-quality plants for his customers.

That’s why his professional relationship with Plantpeddler owner Mike Gooder has proven vital over the years. Nass is the grower at Faribault, Minnesota-based Donahue’s Greenhouse, a family-owned business specializing in clematis and other plants, operating as both a wholesale nursery and as a seasonal destination retail garden center.

So, for Nass, this partnership is more than just Plantpeddler’s starts, particularly its begonia liners. It’s about consistency, reliability and having a supplier who understands the unique challenges of growing quality plants in the Upper Midwest.

Nass can’t talk enough about the exceptional quality of Plantpeddler’s begonia liners. The consistency of these liners is a significant benefit, as it removes the need for grading or culling weak plants. According to Nass, every tray is filled with well-rooted, uniform plugs that are ready to be planted immediately. He even jokes that the begonias are so well-rooted that it can be a workout just getting them out of the trays.

“When we were planting this past spring, it would have been nice if there were fewer roots on some of Plantpeddler’s begonias because we could hardly pull them out of the plug trays because they were so well-rooted,” Nass jokes. “And that kind of says a lot, because begonias are not an easy crop to root.”

This consistency is a testament to Plantpeddler’s expertise and commitment to quality. Nass attributes this not only to Gooder’s decades of experience as a “begonia guru” but also to the fact that he has built a dedicated staff that shares his passion. This collective commitment ensures every plant is produced to the highest standard, making it easier for Nass to produce a high-quality finished product that will perform well for his customers.

The relationship between Nass and Plantpeddler goes beyond simple transactions. Nass, who previously worked for a begonia breeder and as a broker, has a long history with Gooder and his business. Their long-standing partnership has built a strong foundation of trust and open communication. This means when Nass places a large begonia order, he can be confident that it’s already in the system, scheduled for sticking and will be delivered precisely on time.

“For Mike, it’s decades of working with the crop,” Nass says. “And it’s also hiring and training people who know how to do it and who appreciate it the way you appreciate it. He’s built a great staff at Plantpeddler, and everyone has his commitment to quality.”

Additionally, Plantpeddler’s trial gardens allow Nass to visit and see new plant varieties growing in his region. This opportunity for in-person evaluation helps Nass make informed decisions about which new lines to incorporate into his production, further strengthening their business relationship.

“It goes beyond just the plants they deliver to us in the spring,” Nass says. “The trial garden allows us to see new products, or maybe products that are better suited to us than the ones that we’re currently using.”

For Nass, his relationship with Plantpeddler is a key part of controlling the chaos of the spring season. It’s a relationship built on trust and a shared understanding that producing a high-quality, dependable product is what keeps customers coming back.

“Mike’s plants are tough as nails,” he adds. “And when you’re getting the quality starting liner like you are from Plantpeddler, you can be confident that it’s going to work well for you as the grower, and most importantly, it’s going to perform for the consumer.”