Sheena's Tri Toad Nursery: Where seeds of faith flourish

With annual revenues topping R3 million, Sheena Paulus shares why her nursery journey is one of resilience and faith in our Farmer Mentor podcast series on Farmer’s Inside Track.

When Sheena Paulus founded Tri Toad Nursery in 2022, she planted more than just seeds in the soil of Philippi in Cape Town. She planted the beginnings of a remarkable journey in the commercial seedling and plant industry.

Today, this women-owned business is a flourishing powerhouse, supplying vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings to major retailers like Stodels, Cape Gardens, and Buco while inspiring countless others along the way.

With estimated annual revenue exceeding R3 million, Tri Toad Nursery has rapidly become a game changer under Paulus’s dynamic leadership. But success didn’t come without its fair share of challenges.

Her journey into agriculture began unconventionally. “During my time in logistics, I became fascinated by the greenhouses I saw being transported,” Paulus recalls. “These intricate structures for growing crops in controlled environments sparked years of research and planning.”

It wasn’t until 2020 that Sheena officially took the leap, establishing her nursery with a vision to contribute to agriculture and inspire others.

“It’s been a challenging but rewarding path,” she says, reflecting on setbacks like land access and funding delays. Yet, those obstacles only deepened her resolve.

Lessons in growth

In the nursery’s early days, Paulus encountered a problem that would test her resilience. “In my first six months, I underestimated how fast plants grow,” she admits.

“By the weekend, I returned to find 300 overgrown commercial seedlings – too large for retailers. Overwhelmed, I prayed and asked, ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ Then it came to me: call schools, churches, and prisons, and donate the seedlings.”

That pivotal moment sparked a chain reaction. “I made a post, and people came to pick up seedlings. Two years later, many of those same people are now my clients,” she says. “Their gardens started with those seedlings. That’s the key – just start. Momentum comes once you take that first step.”

What sets Tri Toad apart is its commitment to innovation and sustainability. By employing vertical soilless hydroponic systems, the nursery maximises space and minimises resource consumption, producing an array of crops, from flowers and pot plants to peppers and herbs.

“I’m in the process of purchasing the land we occupy, which includes a 3 500-square-metre greenhouse tunnel and a hectare of shade net covering,” she shares.

“Our hydroponic system uses recycled water, and I’m planning to integrate solar power for a fully self-sustainable operation. Over the past two years, I’ve trialled vertical farming systems and look forward to expanding on those successes.”

Impact on communities

Tri Toad Nursery’s impact extends far beyond profits. The nursery operates with a zero-waste policy, repurposing all plant waste, and has donated over two million seedlings to more than 30 nonprofit organisations, schools, and community food gardens. These efforts foster food security and empower local communities.

Sheena also partners with organisations like Food & Trees for Africa, distributing fruit trees and collaborating on agricultural projects. Her clientele ranges from home gardeners to commercial farmers, proving that Tri Toad is as diverse as it is impactful.

Despite navigating a male-dominated industry, Paulus has built a thriving team, expanding from a solo operation to employing 12 full-time staff members and up to 24 part-time workers during peak seasons. Her ambitious plans include exploring the emerging cannabis industry and constructing a solar-powered greenhouse that embodies her commitment to sustainable practices.

Reflecting on her journey, her words resonate deeply: “Looking back, I’ve learned that things happen exactly as they’re meant to. It’s all about planting the first seed and trusting the process.”