Transforming a dairy paddock into a new Garden Nursery at Cohuna, Ruth and Russ Robins have embarked on an exciting new venture. Set on the 120-hectare dairy, the Robins Nest Nursery Garden will follow Ruth’s passion for plants and commitment to creating a welcoming space for locals to fill a gap left by the closure of other nurseries, such as Elm Tree, run by Christine Morris.

Ruth, a former teacher with a lifelong love for gardening, saw an opportunity to fulfil a personal dream while addressing a community need.

“Everyone in Cohuna missed having a nursery,” Ruth shared, recalling conversations with locals who encouraged her to open one.

Starting in September 2024, she and Russ converted a paddock into a developing nursery and stunning garden, complete with a greenhouse and plans for a red gum-fenced courtyard.

The nursery opened with a bang on Mother’s Day, drawing an estimated 130 visitors. Sue McGillivray’s coffee van served 110 coffees, and the car park overflowed, with some parking along the road or out back to make room.

“One lady said we should’ve had traffic control,” Russ laughed, amazed by the turnout.

The nursery offers a diverse range of plants, from fruit trees and citrus to natives like ground covers, eucalyptus, and acacias. Ruth’s personal favourites—roses, perennials, and bulbs—are also featured, with bare-rooted roses and trees available until the end of July.

The couple has leaned on industry connections, including Christine Morris and Bianca Frost, who shared their supplier lists and recommended favourites, particularly herbs. This support has helped stock the nursery with quality plants while fostering ties with other businesses.

The Robins aim to create an experience. “We’re not just a retail nursery; we’re a garden nursery,” Russ emphasised. They envision a space where visitors can enjoy coffee, browse plants, and watch the garden evolve. Plans include a barn for indoor plants and a gift shop area for pots, garden tools, and potting mixes.

Russ’s mother is exploring a coffee van to enhance the visitor experience. “Everyone says if we had coffee, they’d be here every weekend,” Ruth noted, highlighting the community’s desire for a social hub.

The nursery complements their existing dairy farm, which supports 150 cows, and Russ’s hay contracting business, focused on big square bales for long-term clients. However, the demanding hay season, often involving sleepless nights, has Russ considering scaling back. “I’d like to give that away and work with Ruth here,” he said, citing the toll of long hours.

The nursery also ties into their farm’s sustainability efforts. To address shading issues in paddocks, they thinned red gum trees, milling the timber on-site with a Lucas mill to create posts and rails for a picturesque fence around the nursery. The Robins’ venture is a family affair, with daughter Emily handling marketing and social media, and Kiara pitching in to support Ruth’s vision.

Ruth and Russ are committed to staying true to their love for God and plants—offering quality plants and a welcoming environment—while serving Cohuna’s plant lovers and building a legacy rooted in community and passion.

The winter hours are Friday to Monday 10 am until 2pm.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 17 July 2025.