Stewartsturf was founded in 1894 under the name of Stewart and Lowe Seedsmen based in St. Giles Street , Edinburgh.  Their customers at the time were professional gardeners and farmers.  Within a short space of time the company had developed an impressive portfolio of clients throughout the UK. By 1900, Stewarts had outgrown their premises and moved to larger property in Melbourne Place .

In 1900 golf in Scotland was booming.  Over the past twenty years 170 golf courses have been opened.  During this boom John Forbes joined the business.  As a keen golfer and international rugby player he naturally was keen to spearhead the drive into the burgeoning sports market.

Fortunately by the 1960's the sports market was rapidly improving.  The introduction of mini crumb fertilisers and irrigation systems transformed greenkeeping techniques and raised the quality all sports turf surfaces.  Money was being spent on sport in a way that had not been seen before.  Our politicians were debating long and hard on what people would do with so much leisure time, as apparently we would work less and less.

In 1975 with the increase in garden centres and the demise of market gardens, Graeme Forbes decided to direct all the company's energies into the sports turf and amenity markets.  The company moved to Stronghold Works, Mayfield Industrial Estate, Dalkeith.  Ideal for our manufacturing requirements and need for a supply depot.

In 1914 now trading as Stewart and Company Seed Merchants the company moved to bigger premises at 13 South St. Andrews Street to accommodate the expanding business.

After 1918 high taxation and changing social attitudes severely impacted on our core market, the country estate.  The company adapted and consolidated its efforts towards the farm, garden, nursery and sports business.

In 1986 seeing an opportunity to enter the fledgling cultivated turf industry, the company took on 50 acres of land in East Lothian.  With our experience as seedsmen and understanding the demands placed on professional turf managers we soon became the nation's premier turf grower.  In 1996 we purchased Grahamstone Farm, this acquisition allowed us to increase our acreage to in excess of 800 acres and to meet the increasing demand for good quality turf.

By 1933 Stewarts were a key supplier within the sports turf market.  Our “Stronghold” grass manure and “Stronghold” grass seed mixtures were receiving growing acclaim from respected greenkeepers throughout the UK and abroad.  The 1930's were the years of the Depression. Stewarts, like all businesses suffered but managed to adapt to take advantage of new opportunities.

World War II came, resulting in many of our staff and customers being called to arms.  Materials were in short supply.  Many sports surfaces were ploughed up to feed the nation.  It was a period of great difficulty for the business.  However, with the war over came renewed vigour.  Ian Forbes returned to the company after his war service.  By 1946 the war time” Digging for Victory” campaign led to a post war boom in gardens and allotments.

During the 1950's, adapting to the needs of the amateur gardener meant refurbishment of our shop and additional premises at Mortonhall Estate.

Today Stewartsturf are still servicing many of the markets and customers we have worked with for over a century.  We employ a team of 20 people across five locations.  They come from a variety of backgrounds, groundsmen, landscapers, and farmers all bring their unique core skills together with, sales, accountancy, IT, manufacturing and logistics.  Our superb team are devoted to finding effective, good value solutions for all your turf needs .

Times change but our long standing core values of integrity, honesty, fairness and trust, have not, allowing us to continue to successfully serve our markets.