Toowoomba market stall TE Plant Co grows out of Covid-19 lockdown

Working from home during last year’s Covid-19 lockdown, two friends decided to grow their interest in gardening into a one-of-a-kind garden market stall, which is now thriving.

Last year’s Covid-19 lockdown was a difficult period for many, but for Taylah Gill and Erin Neill it was an opportunity to turn a passion for plants into a thriving business.

Ms Gill, a primary school teacher and Ms Neill, a teacher’s aid, were both forced to work from home during last year’s lockdown, when schools were shut down and the future looked uncertain.

While the two friends admit they were bored during the lockdown, that boredom has spawned a successful and unique market stall business, TE Plant Co.

Taylah Gill (left) and Erin Neill from TE Plant Co at the Makers Market Garden Fair on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Ms Neill said they began experimenting with different planting techniques about 10 months ago when they stumbled upon a planting technique known as lightweight expanded clay aggregate, or LECA, which replaces traditional soil in potplants.

“We saw them on Facebook and we were interested in how it works, so we experimented with a few different plants,” Ms Neill said.

“There’s no soil so there’s less pests and mess and it’s a really great way for people to get into gardening as it’s so simple.

“It started as just a few plants, we might make between five or ten and sell them at a market, but now we’re making up to 30 and selling out at every market we go to.”

Taylah Gill (left) and Erin Neill from TE Plant Co at the Makers Market Garden Fair. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Ms Neill said the common interest was exciting to share with Ms Gill, with the pair travelling across the Darling Downs to various markets to sell their unique product, including Saturday’s Makers Market Garden Fair.

“We haven’t come across any other stalls that sell LECA and plants potted with LECA,” Ms Neill said.

“We just do it for fun, we don’t look at it like a job. We’ve met some really great people and made really good friends.

“It’s rewarding to have lots of happy people come and buy the plants and they know that since they’re really low maintenance they’ve got a really high chance of keeping the plants alive which can be a challenge for any gardener regardless of experience.”