Wildwood Nursery, located in the Southwest of Western Australia, is known for its diverse range of plants from native proteas to high-value crops like avocados and blueberries. Over the years, Baileys Commercial has partnered with Wildwood to develop a series of custom potting mixes, each designed to meet the specific needs of different species and production systems.

What began as a single collaboration has evolved into a long-term partnership. As Wildwood grew and secured new contracts with varying crop demands, Baileys adapted right alongside them developing new mixes, refining formulas, and scaling production to match their success.

Every custom mix begins with a conversation. Our team visits the nursery to see the operation firsthand, understand the crop types, growing environments, and business goals.

For Wildwood, that meant learning about their production systems for proteas, blueberries, avocados, and natives, each with unique requirements in terms of pH, structure, and nutrient release. We discussed their irrigation setup, turnover cycles, and desired outcomes faster growth, healthier root development, and consistency from batch to batch.

Once we understand the customer’s goals, Baileys R&D team steps in. The Baileys laboratory assesses pH, EC, structure, and nutrient profiles to ensure every custom mix meets both Australian Standards for Potting Mixes (AS 3743) and the specific growing requirements of each crop.

For Wildwood, several blends were developed to support their expanding crop range and business growth:

Blueberry Mix – tailored to maintain a slightly acidic pH with excellent drainage and consistent moisture retention.

Cutting/Propagation Mix – fine texture for delicate root initiation, gentle nutrient profile, and high aeration.

Custom Native Potting Mixes – including both cutting and growing blends designed for lower nutrient tolerance, improved drainage, and enhanced microbial activity to suit Australian natives.

Avocado Mixes – separate cutting and growing formulas developed for optimal root aeration, moisture control, and long-term nutrient availability.

Each formula undergoes laboratory testing for porosity, bulk density, and moisture retention to ensure optimum growing performance.

We then produce small trial batches for Wildwood to test in real nursery conditions before full-scale manufacture. Feedback from these trials helps us fine-tune the mix — ensuring it works with their irrigation systems, handling equipment, and plant response.

Once the final formulas are confirmed, our production team brings them to life. Each ingredient from composted bark and coir to sand, perlite, and controlled-release fertilisers is carefully batched and blended in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Our process includes:

• Precision weighing and batching of all raw materials.
• Thorough mixing to ensure uniform nutrient and structural distribution.
• Screening and moisture adjustments to maintain consistency.
• Rigorous quality assurance checks on every batch for pH, EC, moisture content, and structure.
• Every batch is traceable, giving customers peace of mind that they’ll receive the same consistent product every time.

As Wildwood expanded and won additional contracts for new plant types, Baileys scaled production seamlessly, introducing additional custom formulas while maintaining reliability across all deliveries.

Once manufactured, the mix is delivered directly to Wildwood — in bulk or bagged formats depending on their workflow. But our involvement doesn’t end at delivery.

Our commercial and technical team maintain ongoing contact with the nursery, visiting regularly to check plant performance, discuss seasonal adjustments, and ensure every batch continues to meet expectations.

When Wildwood expanded into new plant lines such as large-format avocados and additional native species, we again worked together to adjust the mix structure and nutrient balance to support those plants’ specific needs.

The partnership between Baileys and Wildwood has grown hand in hand with the nursery’s success. Through continuous improvement and open communication, we’ve delivered outcomes including:

Consistent plant growth and improved root structure across crops.

Reduced variability between batches for predictable production.

Enhanced water efficiency through optimal moisture retention and drainage.

Operational ease, with mixes designed to suit Wildwood’s machinery and handling systems.

Each successful new contract for Wildwood has been supported by a matching soil solution from Baileys proving that a strong partnership and technical expertise can grow any business, from the ground up.

At Baileys, we see every nursery partnership as a shared journey built on communication, science, and a mutual goal of growing stronger together. From the first consultation to the final product on the bench, our team ensures every mix delivers consistency, quality, and results.

If you’re looking to improve your nursery performance with a soil tailored to your plants and production system, get in touch with the Baileys Commercial team today.