Our  Ethos

Hands in the Dirt was born out of a love of flowers, plants, nature and being outside. Established in 2019 by Aila Morgan Guthrie with the love and support of her Mum, Astrud, growing and working with nature has always been an intrinsic part of our lives. The decision to begin Hands in the Dirt was a very natural process. By turning passion into work, we have been able to connect deeply with nature while sharing the beauty of locally grown flowers and exceptional perennial plants.

Nestled on a 12-acre farm in the Ahuroa Valley, Auckland, Hands in the Dirt is home to both our cut flower farm and our specialist perennial nursery. While our flower fields occupy just half an acre, our nursery has become a true labour of love. We grow a collection of more than 200 rare, unusual and hard-to-find perennial varieties, carefully selected for their beauty, resilience and garden performance. Every plant begins its journey with us—from seed to sale. We germinate, nurture and grow every perennial ourselves, allowing us to offer thoughtfully grown plants that are rarely available elsewhere in New Zealand.

Our nursery exists to celebrate diversity in gardening. We are passionate about preserving and sharing unique perennial varieties and believe gardens should be filled with plants that inspire curiosity, create lasting beauty and connect people with the changing seasons. We carefully pack and ship our plants nationwide, making it possible for gardeners across New Zealand to grow varieties they may not otherwise have access to.

Across both our flowers and nursery, we follow regenerative principles and grow using organic (not certified) methods. We embrace the seasons, work with nature rather than against it, and follow the Slow Flowers movement. We use a no-till approach, sow cover crops, build healthy soils with organic compost and fertilisers, and return all green waste to the land. Caring for the health of our soil and the biodiversity it supports is at the heart of everything we do.

Working symbiotically with nature, we aim to create a genuine connection between our plants, flowers and the people who take them home. Every bouquet is harvested from our fields, and every perennial has been grown from seed with patience, care and intention. Nothing is mass-produced, making everything we grow unique, seasonal and deeply connected to the place it comes from.

With aroha,

Aila x