January garden centre sales are heading for a new record volume level for the month, according to Epos data analysed weekly by GTN Bestsellers. Sales are not only up on 2021 levels, when we were in Lockdown #3, but to date, after three weeks of the month, are 15% ahead of 2019 levels, the previous best start to January recorded by GTN Bestsellers.

After the initial rush to scoop up early bird gardening offers and Christmas sales running down, week on week volumes dropped for product sales but plant sales moved up by 8.5%.

Garden centres are also reporting garden furniture sales as soon as products go out on display, which will be pushing turnover for the month up to unprecedented levels.

And at every garden centre we’ve visited this week catering has been going great guns.  Hopefully the weather stays on our side for this weekend and into February.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 3.

• Garden Products Top 50 – down 16%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 613%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 220%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 147%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 3

• All Plants with Barcode index – up 390%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 226%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

RocketGro continues to grow out its presence in the UK Peat-Free Compost market, keeping their prices down to £2.90 a bag delivered for their premium product range.

RocketGro will supply all 18 Notcutts stores with their growing media product range as of February to start the season.

Commenting on the new supplier relationship with Notcutts, Toby Thomas Director and co-founder of the RocketGro business said: ‘’We are really pleased to be working with Notcutts this year. As one of the longest established garden centre groups in the UK we feel that working with Notcutts is something to be proud off. We have been in discussion with Colin at Notcutts since we met at GLEE last year and his knowledge and passion for the industry is impressive. We are delighted that Colin and his team have decided to stock our Peat-Free RocketGro products.’’

Colin Dale lead buyer at Notcutts commented: “RocketGro was the big stand out supplier at GLEE this year, with a fresh new look & a new slant of peat free alternatives.”

Listen to the last episode of Peter Seabrooks podcast, This Week In The Garden, a memorial edition compiled by producer Rich Jarman.  Play below

or use this link: https://play.acast.com/s/thisweekinthegarden/memorial 

or find a link for itunes, Spotify, etc here: https://pod.link/1188677160

Plant sales grew week on week as gardeners clamoured for winter colour to brighten the grey cloudy days we’ve been having.

Highlights of the week were:

• Primula were the most popular choice for instant winter colour, selling over four times the volume of Cyclamen, the second most popular.
• Rose sales trebled to be a re-entry at No 11.
• Spider plants, Chlorophytum, were a houseplant re-entry at No 26.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Ahead of its first Day Conference of 2022, GIMA has revealed more details about what attendees can expect to learn during the one-day event focused on Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR).

Taking place on February 17th at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire, the packed agenda will look at the EPR regulation changes that are set to come into effect in 2023. These changes will see any businesses that turn over more than £1million, or handle more than 25 tonnes of packaging annually, become responsible for the full cost of managing all packaging they place into the market.

Kickstarting the day will be Josh Remi, Commercial Manager at Ecoveritas. Josh’s session will explain how and why the new Extended Producer Responsibility regulations are being introduced, outline which businesses will be subject to new obligations and give more details regarding the expected estimated costs. 

Josh will be followed by Tim Hayne, Head of Marketing at Wessex Packaging, who will be providing a quick overview of the forthcoming Plastic Packaging Tax being introduced by the government in April 2022.

After Tim there is set to be an informative panel debate which will focus on the fees that will become payable under the new EPR. This session will invite debate about the impact of packaging types and potential changes that are likely to directly impact costs under EPR, covering a range of topics, including: ‘Choosing recyclable materials’, ‘Contamination issues in horticultural products’, ‘Flexible packaging recycling rate’, ‘Managing compostables in the scheme’ and ‘Commercial, industrial & transit packaging’.

Joining the panel will be a range of industry experts and suppliers who have all already encountered challenges and/or developed products and strategies that will impact their fees under EPR. Look out for insight from Jane Hartley, Marketing Manager, Evergreen Garden Care; Nick Mathias, Managing Director, Floramedia; Sam Marriage, Managing Director, WHM Pet Group; Tim Hayne from Wessex Packaging; Tom Mason, Innovation Manager, Flexipol Packaging; George Atkinson, Policy Manager, Valpak; and Josh Remi, Commercial Manager Ecoveritas.

Following a networking lunch, delegates will be joined by Valpak’s Policy Manager, George Atkinson for the day’s final session entitled ‘Data Collection & Submission for EPR’. George will be covering the information and data that businesses will be required to collect and submit under the new EPR, as well as outlining the latest estimated timescales for implementation. He will also explain how Valpak support their clients with data collection and submission.

Talking ahead of the day, GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations are a complex and daunting prospect, so with this latest GIMA Day Conference we hope to cut through some of the noise and arm delegates with the confidence to move ahead with the changes in the year ahead. A huge thank you must go to our team of experts who will be joining us on the day to share their insight, experience and knowledge. It is much appreciated.”

Find out more

Open to both members and non-members, GIMA is urging interested parties to secure their places now, as space is limited. Tickets cost £60 per person for GIMA members (plus £30 for each additional delegate from the same organisation), and £120 per person for non-members (plus £60 for each additional delegate from the same organisation). A buffet lunch and refreshments will be available throughout the day and is included in the ticket price.

To book your place at the forthcoming GIMA Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations Day Conference, visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA team on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk

The Greenfingers charity, organiser of Garden Re-Leaf Day, is calling on every garden centre and industry supplier in the UK to take part in the annual FUNdraising event on Friday 18th March 2022, to help raise vital funds for the charity whilst also kickstarting the garden retailing season.

Since its inception in 2012, Garden Re-Leaf Day has been a key event within the garden retail calendar, and to-date has helped to raise over £730,000, all of which has gone towards helping the charity design and create over 60 magical gardens in children’s hospices throughout the country.

With less than two months to go before the national industry-wide event, participants are being urged to register their interest now to support this thriving charity day.

Whilst recent Garden Re-Leaf Days have been impacted by the pandemic, it is hoped that the easing of restrictions will encourage hundreds of garden retailers, suppliers and industry supporters from across the country to run a range of fundraising activities on both Garden Re-Leaf Day and throughout the weekend.

In 2021 - Garden Re-Leaf Day’s 10th anniversary - FUNdraising activities raised over £77,000 for the Greenfingers charity. Supporters from all corners of the garden retail sector came together (many virtually!) to undertake a wide range of tasks and challenges, including mammoth walking, cycling, running and even skipping challenges, to virtual quizzes, head shaving, product donations, free design consultancy and even mowing contests, showcasing that when it comes to Garden Re-Leaf Day all and any ideas are welcome!

How to get involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022

Registration for the 2022 event is now live, and Greenfingers is also on the look-out for sponsors of the event. To find out more please contact Linda Petrons by emailing linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

FUNdraising ideas for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022

Here’s just a few ways you can get involved and help Greenfingers to continue creating magical gardens in children’s hospices across the nation:

1. Plantathons are perfect for generating some buzz instore whilst simultaneously generating more stock and donating to Greenfingers. Previous events have included 12- and 24-hour Plantathons.
2. Hold a virtual quiz, with a minimum donation for all entrants.
3. Raffles and tombolas are a great way of getting lots of people involved. Gather prizes from around your store, or ask friends and colleagues to donate prizes, before selling raffle tickets ahead of the grand unveiling of the lucky winner!
4. Cake sales and coffee mornings – are simple yet effective FUNdraisers.
5. An online auction is a great way to raise funds and involve your friends and colleagues
6. Team up with friends and colleagues to complete a virtual walk or cycle challenge. Set yourselves a target – 100 miles for example – and work together to achieve it. Walk around your local area, on a treadmill, whatever it takes! Keep in touch via Zoom to keep the group enthusiasm going!

For more FUNdraising ideas or to obtain a copy of the 2022 fundraising pack drop Linda a line - she’d love to hear from you.

The much-loved Garden Re-Leaf Day Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge is making its return this March 18th.

Having last taken place in 2020 just before the pandemic took hold, the return of the ever-popular challenge will be music to the ears of those Garden Re-Leaf supporters that have made the event an essential part of their annual FUNdraising plans.

This year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge will start and end at Dobbies World’s End store, near Aylesbury, with teams and individuals invited to join in the fun. The route will take participants on a stunning tour of the Chiltern Hills, a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Walkers can choose to explore a 10- or 20-mile route, whilst cyclists will embark upon either a 25, 50, 75 or 100mile route (or as many times round the 25mile route as they can muster!) that could take in the 276m elevation that enables the Chilterns to provide stunning views across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

A superb networking opportunity, the Garden Re-Leaf Walk and Cycle Challenge is popular with teams from across the supply chain who want to come together to enjoy some out-of-office team building; something we can all agree has been much missed during lockdown. The event also welcomes individuals from a wide range of suppliers and retailers, who quickly find their ‘team’ along the way. Previous participants have confirmed that the event has seen new friendships and new business relationships forged.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications: “The Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge have become synonymous with Garden Re-Leaf Day, and each year we welcome more and more people to the event. Not being able to run the in-person event in 2021 was so disappointing but our supporters did us proud with all their virtual and distanced events through the month of March – it really was heartening to see. However, we are very much looking forward to seeing everyone at the start line in just a few short weeks’ time, including - we hope - lots of new faces, as well as those long-term supporters that have helped make the Sponsored Walk & Cycle Challenge such a wonderful occasion.”

Those interested in taking on the Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge. can register by visiting https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf. 

If you want to find out more about how to get involved in Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022, whether by putting on events in your garden centre, through sponsored solo activities or simply by donating - contact the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749 or email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

Twenty-one-years after co-founding MorePeople with Guy Moreton (above left), Peter Hunt (above right) has retired from the business. Guy and fellow shareholder Andy Fitzmaurice have purchased Peter’s shares and now begin the exciting next chapter for MorePeople.

Peter retires after a lifetime in the industry. Starting his career at Armitage Bros in the petfood sector, he moved to GW Padley in the late 80s in a finance and accountancy role and then spent a number of years with Geest (now Bakkavor) in the 90s before meeting Guy in 1999 when Peter was a Divisional Finance Director of Redbridge Holdings (now Total Produce). Together, Guy and Peter founded MorePeople in 2000 and went on to make a difference to the lives of thousands of clients and candidates in the recruitment sector and laid the groundwork for the company we have today.

Guy summed up the past 21 years with Peter; “I could not have wished for a better business partner, he has worked tirelessly to help build MorePeople into a market leading recruiter within our sectors and was a constant source of support, advice and friendship.”

We wish him and his wife Luci (another fresh produce lifer) a very happy retirement.

2021 was a fantastic year for the recruitment industry and this rang true at MorePeople. We smashed our targets and got back on track with our growth plans – we added 9 new faces to the team in a range of roles.

Working across the food/horti/agri supply chains, we worked with over 350 different clients, all over the UK, on a variety of roles with salaries ranging from £20,000 to £200,000.

The departure of Peter allowed us to make some very positive structural changes in the business; Guy’s role becomes Executive Chairman and Andy is now the CEO. 

Richard Hanwell – one of the 9 appointments from last year - picks up the role of Managing Director and, after 10 years with the business, Morten Andresen joins Luan Harrison in the role of Associate Director.

As newly appointed CEO, Andy Fitzmaurice states, “The new shareholding and company structure is future-proofed and fit to deliver for everyone who is involved in the business. Each quarter we get better; it’s an exciting journey to be on and there’s a real sense of pride and enthusiasm for what we do.”

Andy Fitzmaurice (above left) and Richard Hanwell (above right).

There are more hiring plans for 2022 – we have started the first week back with two new hires – and there are some very, very exciting plans to be confirmed soon, which will see us move to a new premises in Stamford. The new office will be a massive step towards realising our potential recruiting in sectors that we are knowledgeable and passionate about.

Another retirement this year came with our long-standing Chairman Michael Paske hanging up his boots. Michael became a Non-Exec Director of MorePeople in 2004 and has served not only as the company Chairman but also as a mentor to Guy, Peter and Andy in that time. Michael’s long career in the food and agriculture sectors has seen him as Vice-President at the NFU, founder of Exotic Farm Produce and a range of other directorships. We can’t thank Michael enough for his contribution to MorePeople.

Echoing the incredible growth that is shaping the garden retail sector, Glee 2022 – taking part in late June (28th-30th, NEC Birmingham) – is enjoying pre-pandemic levels of activity, helping the exhibition to fill 80% of its exhibition space with just five months to go until the doors open on this year’s edition of the leading garden retail event.

With four halls of the NEC fit to bursting (that’s one more hall than in 2021!), Glee 2022 – the very first to take place in late June, helping the show to better align with the renewed buying cycle – will be a hotbed of leading brands and emerging brands. Not only will Glee see a host of brands marking their return to the show after a short hiatus – including the likes of UK Garden Buildings, Smart Garden, G Plants, Scheurich, Kadai, Panacea, STV and long-term Spring Fair exhibitors, PMS International - but many brands have already secured vastly increased footprints, enabling them to showcase even more new product ranges, merchandising concepts and POS designs; music to the ears of retailers who are looking to bolster their offering ahead of the 2023 season. Look out for even bigger stands from the likes of Meadow View Stone, Fountasia, Ivyline, Pit Boss and Kelkay.

Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “The current rate of booking we are experiencing is unlike anything we have seen for many years, and what’s even better they are coming from all corners of the show. From big brands with multiple ranges to new innovators with a single product and whole lot of enthusiasm, Glee 2022 will shine a spotlight on the incredible growth our sector has witnessed over the last few years, and how gardening has allowed new innovation to come to market quicker than ever. I urge any garden retailer to mark June 28th – 30th in their diary as they will not want to miss out on meeting with engaged suppliers from across Glee’s eight dedicated show sectors.”

Outdoor living thrives at Glee 2022

One area at Glee 2022 that is far exceeding expectations is Glee Outdoor Entertaining.  Growing faster than any other sector, Glee Outdoor Entertaining is where the new late-June timeline will come into its own, enabling the show organisers to create a true summer festival feel. Look out for live cooking demonstrations in the new outdoor cooking area, as well as a central networking hub including an outdoor bar.

Big names from the outdoor living sector have also made 2022 the year that they return to Glee, as the value of its audience becomes too hard to ignore. Brands such as Landmann, Napoleon Grills, Norfolk Leisure and Dutch-based Madison BV are all confirmed for late June, bringing with them the most unrivalled selection of garden furniture, barbeques, grills and smokers, garden cushions, parasols and outdoor living sundries.

Matthew Mein added: “All of our show sectors are growing, but Glee Outdoor Entertaining is one area where we are seeing the biggest results. We’ve no doubt this is due in part to our new timeline, as it enables suppliers of outdoor living products to showcase their latest wares to not just garden furniture buyers, but also the wider buying teams and owners/operators that have made Glee their go-to exhibition.

Find out more

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2020 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

After two years and a lot of uncertainty in the months running up to the show due to the Covid pandemic, Harrogate Christmas & Gift finally took place – and what an absolute resounding success it was for everyone involved.

Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: “We are absolutely delighted with how successful this year’s show has been and thank everyone who participated for giving us their confidence, voting with their feet and turning up in hoards. Visitor numbers were marginally lower than the 2020 show, but exhibitors have reported full order books and brisk business for the entire four days. In fact, some exhibitors have stated that this was not only their best Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, but their best of all trade shows ever.”

Previous exhibitor Sifcon International (SIL) gave positive feedback with Alan Pimm, managing director, commenting: “I am pleased to say that we had a fantastic show. The stand was continuously busy and the value of orders far exceeded our expectations. We also saw a higher volume of new customers this year and will definitely be returning next year.”

Helen Marshall of Walton & Co reiterated this saying: “The show has been a great success for us and it was lovely to catch up with retailers – not just buyers but business owners too. Expectations were met and exceeded and we had a continuously busy stand from Sunday through to Tuesday. Harrogate Christmas & Gift successfully attracted key UK retailers, particularly garden centres, and resisted bulking numbers up with businesses that are too small or exclusively online. We are huge supporters of bricks and mortar retailers. We thank the organisers for another excellent show and have every reason to book again for 2023.”

Woodlodge was one of a dozen new companies to participate this year and Andrew Mellowes, general manager of the company explained how delighted they were with the experience, commenting: “This was Woodlodge’s debut at Harrogate Christmas & Gift and the show couldn’t have gone any better for us. Snowlodge is our first foray into the festive category and was well received by the buyers who attended the show. The quality of visitors was excellent ranging from our usual garden centres to department stores and independent retailers In addition to securing first time Christmas orders with existing customers we also onboarded well over 100 new customers paving the way for a successful sales season. A great start to 2022.”

Gift and home living company Arora Design also attended the show for the first time and Debbie Waters of the company commented: “We had a fantastic show and all of our new collections were very well received. Harrogate Christmas & Gift delivered on all accounts – services, support staff, buyer attendance and orders taken. We were able to meet with quality buyers from all the channels we supply. We will be back next year, potentially with more space based on this year’s performance.”

Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2023 takes place from 15^th to 18^th January and priority booking for the show will open in March. All previous exhibitors will be contacted and offered the opportunity to rebook their space or request a new location, before space goes onto general sale.

Visit the website at www.harrogatefair.com for more information.

Leading greenhouse company Vitavia is looking forward to 2022 and a year of strong growth as gardeners spend more time and money on their plots.

Here’s what the company has to say:

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all! How an earth are we nearing the end of January 2022 already?!

With restrictions easing we’re hoping you’ve managed to stay safe and well up until now. So many of you have said that your gardens have provided a delicious escape from the ongoing pandemic challenges, so hopefully our greenhouses have played a part in that too.

Alfresco dining was taken to a whole new level last year. We suddenly found ourselves wrapping up and embracing all weathers just so we could see loved ones for a well-deserved bevvie or some delicious pub grub, that we’d missed for so many months! It was fabulous to see so many greenhouses lit up with fairy lights, a bistro set inside, all ready to welcome guests for their long awaited catch up. We saw some restaurants ordering multiple greenhouses for guests to dine in and lots of our lovely customers were spicing up their ‘stay at home’ week with an evening outing to the greenhouse. It’s amazing how warm a greenhouse can feel with a little heater, and a blanket… and possibly a glass of something to warm you up from the inside!

So whether you’re a ‘New Year, New Me’ kind of person, a stickler for a New Year’s resolution, or none of the above, it’s always good to start as you mean to go on isn’t it? So let’s take a moment to think about what jobs can be done in your garden to hopefully hold you in good stead for some successful growing this year.

Pruning

• Prune your wisteria by cutting back summer growth, leaving only a couple of buds.
• Prune your rose brushes, cutting branches back to just above a bud.
• Prune your apple and pear trees back by 10-20% each year, taking good care and not going to vicariously.

Tidying and cleaning

• Although this is an obvious task the benefits of growing plants in a clean environment are invaluable.
• Clean pots, patios, decking, glass

Seeding and planting

• Pot up rooted seedlings, such as Pelargonium
• Sow some bedding plants in heated propagator, ie Lobelia, Verbena and Carnations
• Plant Early Potatoes for cropping in May
• Order seeds and compost ready for spring
• Feed spring flowering bulbs ie. Hyacinth, Crocus and Narcissus
• Store Polyanthus and container-grown Roses inside
• Take Chrysanthemum cuttings

Greenhouse care

• Maintain temperature above 45ºF
• Keep plants well-lit but cover if possibility of frost
• Water plants according to their individual needs
• Try and keep areas as dry as possible to avoid diseases
• Check for slugs and pests

If after all of that, you’re still functioning, you most certainly deserve a delicious hot chocolate whilst you sit back in your greenhouse and admire all your hard work!

Fleuroselect is proud to present the 2023 Gold Medal winners. Each one of these breeding breakthroughs obtained an outstanding score on innovation, beauty and garden performance, convincing our judges to award the coveted Gold Medal. Watch out for these winners!

Helenium autumnale – HayDay Golden Bicolor, Syngenta Flowers

Make way for HayDay Golden Bicolor, the first Helenium autumnale from cuttings that is genetically suited for pot production. The dense branching results in loads of flowers that attract pollinators and wildlife. The brightly coloured golden-yellow blooms with red undersides flower from summer through autumn until the first frost. Being naturally compact, HayDay Golden Bicolor is not only suited for larger beds and landscaping but also for patio containers and smaller borders.

HayDay Golden Bicolor has a nicely controlled and upright growing habit, making this variety perfect for perennial pot production programmes. Thanks to the very long flowering period, retailers will love the extended sales window of this Helenium. Finally, the consumer will adore the warm golden yellow glow in the garden until the very end of autumn.

Helianthus annuus – Lemon Cutie, SeedSense

Meet Lemon Cutie! This Helianthus annuus has it all. Not only is it a dwarf variety with multiple branches, but you have also never seen such stunning and unusual semi-double, lemon-coloured flowers on a sunflower. Lemon Cutie is perfect for urban areas such as small patches along sidewalks, on balconies or in containers and also looks wonderful in larger beds or even in landscaping. It has excellent germination and can be offered in seed packets, sold as plugs or grown in pots.

Growers will love this naturally compact variety which is easy to produce without growth retardants.

The well-branched plants with multiple lemon-coloured heads will be a showstopper on the benches and consumers will marvel over this non-traditional sunflower with unique plant habit and flower shape. Lemon Cutie might be just a small plant, but the many flowers will bring a big smile to your face!

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii – Goldblitz, PanAmerican Seed

PanAmerican Seed are true experts in breeding, and their next Gold Medal for Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii Goldblitz proves just that. This newcomer in the Kieft Brand is a first-year-flowering solution for growers that are unable to reliably finish Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm under their natural growing conditions. Goldblitz plugs do not require special treatment during the production process while delivering the same quality as the traditional Goldsturm. This brand-new Rudbeckia fulgida flowers approximately 14-21 days earlier, is more uniform grown in its first year and has an excellent garden performance.

Goldblitz will not only look at its best in containers or borders later in the season but is also highly suitable for landscaping. The golden yellow flowers with dark centre attract bees and butterflies, and also look wonderful in a vase to brighten up the house. Goldblitz allows the production of a flowering Rudbeckia fulgida in one season and remains an excellent performer that will bring joy to many gardens.  

Verbena bonariensis – Vanity, Van Hemert & Co

Always thought Verbena bonariensis was too tall for your garden? Not anymore! Van Hemert & Co proudly presents the latest Gold Medal winner Vanity. Thanks to its shorter stems, this Verbena bonariensis is clearly compacter than existing varieties. The tight flower clusters have a more intense purple-blue colour and bloom from mid-summer until autumn frost. Vanity offers a long flowering season, attracts bees and butterflies and spreads a subtle fragrance in the early morning and evening.

With its compact growing habit and deep flower colour, Vanity is a welcome addition to the market. This variety is suitable for pot plant production and does not require pinching or the use of PGR. Retailers can offer a continuously flowering Verbena bonariensis in a pot on the bench. Consumers will love to plant these trendy, well-branched garden performers in lower borders or even in mixed containers on the patio.

Catering saw a significant boost during December according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report published this month.

Sales were up 182.55% compared to the same month the previous year (2020).

GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “Catering departments in garden centres across the country looked quite different in December 2021 than they did in 2020. In 2020, many were still either closed or socially distanced and it is not surprising that figures are much higher for 2021 as some rules relaxed slightly and although still cautious, more people were enjoying eating out again.

“Many centres offered Christmas lunches as well as breakfast and teas with Santa and it was great to see things opening up more and events being able to take place. It looks like garden centres customers certainly enjoyed eating out at our member centres in the run up to the big day!”

Seed and bulb sales were also up 37.37% in December 2021.

Iain added: “Positive seed and bulb sales are not unexpected towards the end of the year, as gardeners prepare for the season ahead and we’re looking forward to welcoming and supporting everyone taking up or continuing with some form of gardening this year.

“Christmas sales during the month were up 13.09%, gift sales were up 17.22% and clothing was up 24.1%. Other good sellers included houseplants at 4.9% up, outdoor plants 12.83% up and pets and aquatics sales, which were up 21.51%.

“Furniture and barbecues topping figures compared to the same month in 2020, were down -2.54%. Garden sundries sales were up 1.75%, hard landscaping up 2.08% and food hall and farm shop sales were also up 10.07%.

“Overall sales in December were up for the month by 24.81% compared to December 2020, although some of this increase this will be due to restrictions in place last year, affecting catering, generally and centres in Scotland and Wales, in particular.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

SBM Life Science, the group behind the iconic fertiliser brands, Baby Bio and Phostrogen, has announced significant investment into its marketing strategy ahead of the key spring season this year, to support its new product launches and network of retailers in 2022.

With both brands set to release new products next month, SBM will deliver a host of activity throughout 2022 to increase brand awareness, drive footfall through retailers and boost sales, strengthening their industry-leading positions in the home and garden arena.

Amongst the activity planned, SBM has announced the appointment of a home and garden specialist communications agency, Honest Communications, which has joined the team to manage its PR, influencer marketing and social media platforms.

Further investment includes an extensive digital advertising campaign across Google, YouTube and social media, and print advertising in key lifestyle and trade titles for both brands, whilst Phostrogen will debut its first broadcast campaign, with TV advertisements aired across various lifestyle channels including ITV.

SBM will also launch a new in-store incentive across Phostrogen products from March, offering consumers a variety of exciting redeemable offers once they purchase any Phostrogen product. 

To support retailers, SBM will introduce a range of exciting new in-store point of sale display units to command space, attract interest and catch the eye of consumers, including archways, pallet wraps, hot spots, and gondola ends.

It comes as Baby Bio prepares to introduce an Organic Houseplant Food, while Phostrogen will expand its product range to include a line of new organic fertilisers, including an Organic All Purpose Food, Organic Tomato Food, Organic Lawncare Food, and Organic Ericaceous Food. The launch also coincides with the rebrand of Phostrogen’s popular All Purpose Plant Food, which will unveil a fresh, modern look for the iconic original fertiliser.

Both Baby Bio and Phostrogen have decades of British heritage behind them, with the much-loved brands having helped generations of gardeners and houseplant parents reap the rewards of their horticultural efforts, establishing them as market leaders in the home and garden sector.

James Ramnought, Marketing Director for SBM Life Science commented, “This year is going to be an incredibly exciting one for Baby Bio and Phostrogen, with the launch of our first organic products. Our investment in a holistic marketing approach will bolster the awareness of the popular products these two iconic brands offer, whilst making noise about the new organic products.

“The combination of digital and print advertising, in-store POS, and the appointment of a PR and social media agency will drive our vision for the brands, allowing us to continue to lead the way in the market.”

For more information, please visit https://www.solabiol.com/en

For links to the Top 100 stories click here...

The top 100 most read stories in GTN Xtra during 2021 were:

1.  Large Fire at Longacres Shepperton - UPDATED - GTN Xtra – Issue 15 2021

2.  Tributes for Eddie Topping MBE, Founder, Pioneer, Dad - GTN Xtra – Issue 36 2021

3.  An Open Letter on the use of peat - GTN Xtra - Issue 51 2021

4.  We're Here For You - GTN Xtra - Issue 1 2021

5.  Blue Diamond to open the largest Home and Garden Centre in the UK  - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2021

6.  Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2021

7.  Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour - GTN Xtra – Issue 19 2021

8.  £31m loss reported by Dobbies Garden Centre Group - GTN Xtra - Issue 49 2021

9.  Garden centre owners share their thoughts on being open during Lockdown 3 - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2021

10.  British Garden Centres announce 58th centre, in Harrogate, will open in April - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2021

11.  Antony Harker to launch Altico at Glee - Read GTN's August issue on-line now - GTN Xtra – Issue 33 2021

12.  Nicholas Marshall returns... again - GTN Xtra – Issue 15 2021

13.  Four Oaks trade show director Pat Coutts sadly dies - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2021

14.  Garden centres report busiest ever day as gardens are the focus for family re-unions this week - More comments added - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2021

15.  Nicholas Marshalls Country House Group pulls out of Windlesham - GTN Xtra - Issue 49 2021

16.  Suez Canal blockage causes further delays for garden furniture - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2021

17.  Joules acquires digitally led retailer Garden Trading - GTN Xtra – Issue 6 2021

18.  Easter thank you to growers, manufacturers & distributors from British Garden Centres - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

19.  Elho takes top prize as GIMA Award winners announced - GTN Xtra – Issue 46 2021

20.  Sustainable decking brand invests in technology to aid its stockist partners - GTN Xtra - Issue 26 2021

21.  Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang", has died - GTN Xtra – Issue 33 2021

22.  Westland call for reality to be brought to the peat debate - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2021

23.  Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening - GTN Xtra – Issue 46 2021

24.  Dobbies buy Johnsons of Boston - GTN Xtra – Issue 15 2021

25.  Government publishes plan to ban peat sales by 2024 - GTN Xtra - Issue 20 2021

26.  Signs of growth for after lockdown - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2021

27.  Has the sales volume bubble burst? - GTN Xtra – Issue 16 2021

28.  Dobbies No 71 opens in Boston, Lincolnshire - GTN Xtra - Issue 18 2021

29.  Nicholas Marshall interview and Solex On-Line Preview in GTN July 2021 Issue, live on-line now - GTN Xtra – Issue 27 2021

30.  £1.8m reward for Choice Marketing members - GTN Xtra - Issue 26 2021

31.  Smart, Kaemingk and Allensmore are Choice Marketing Suppliers of the Year - GTN Xtra – Issue 41 2021

32.  Alton's praised for tough stance on facemasks - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2021

33.  Former LOFA secretary Phil Gibbs receives prison sentence for fraud - GTN Xtra – Issue 42 2021

34.  Blue Diamond acquires Mere Park Garden Centre - GTN Xtra - Issue 43 2021

35.  UK’s largest garden centre should get green light, say planning officers - GTN Xtra - Issue 26 2021

36.  GIMA Golf Day Photo Exclusive - GTN Xtra – Issue 24 2021

37.  Cherry Lane acquires Langford Garden Centre - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2021

38.  Who have been the best buyers of the past eighteen months? - GTN Xtra – Issue 28 2021

39.  Industry prepares for a peat-less future - GTN Xtra - Issue 20 2021

40.  Derek Bunker adds his thanks to suppliers for "their efforts throughout this amazing period in garden centre history" - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

41.  Shed prices set to soar - GTN Xtra – Issue 23 2021

42.  David Isaac says farewell to Johnsons of Boston - GTN Xtra – Issue 16 2021

43.  Europlants founder Renato Canale dies, aged 78 - GTN Xtra – Issue 21 2021

44.  East Yorkshire garden centre sells for £1.5m  - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

45.  Petition to get Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales open again as soon as possible gains momentum, but they still need our help - GTN Xtra – Issue 6 2021

46.  BGC's Harrogate centre opens - Exclusive photo tour - GTN Xtra - Issue 22 2021

47.  Tong gets go-ahead to build £14m garden centre - GTN Xtra – Issue 23 2021

48.  57 garden centres vie for Christmas Greatness in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards - GTN Xtra – Issue 48 2021

49.  Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 FUNdraising goes past £35k and is still growing... - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2021

50.  With eight weeks to go until Glee 2021, show organisers unveil a new date for next year’s event - GTN Xtra – Issue 28 2021

51.  Online petition launched to get Welsh garden centres re-opened – sign it NOW! - GTN Xtra – Issue 5 2021

52.  Farewell to the Eddie Topping, the Preston pioneer - UPDATED - GTN Xtra - Issue 37 2021

53.  GCA Christmas competition winners announced - GTN Xtra - Issue 49 2021

54.  Martin Stewart leads industry tributes at Memorial Service for Eddie Topping - GTN Xtra – Issue 40 2021

55.  Joe Swift opens The Plant Room by Camden Garden Centre in Richmond - GTN Xtra – Issue 45 2021

56.  GIMA Charity Golf Day welcomes the industry back with a day of sunshine and friendly competition - GTN Xtra – Issue 24 2021

57.  Christmas Future Trends and GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Winners to be announced during Glee's on-line Festive Focus Day - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2021

58.  Alan Roper wins Director of the Year Award - GTN Xtra – Issue 42 2021

59.  After a fantastic three days at the NEC, the return to Glee "has been really special" - GTN Xtra – Issue 38 2021

60.  Boyd's 100km in a day and AMES Amble add to the Garden Re-Leaf Day FUNdraising for Greenfingers - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2021

61.  Online garden products retailer sold to private equity firm - GTN Xtra – Issue 7 2021

62.  little dobbies opens its doors in Bristol - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2021

63.  AMES UK invest more than £1m in infrastructure and people in response to increasing market demand - GTN Xtra – Issue 6 2021

64.  Garden Centres re-open in Scotland... and it snows! - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

65.  Sue Allen and Tammy Woodhouse to Brave the Shave on Garden Re-Leaf Day - GTN Xtra – Issue 8 2021

66.  Little Dobbies brings Garden Centre Christmas and houseplants to Richmond High Street - GTN Xtra – Issue 45 2021

67.  Eddie Topping retires - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2021

68.  LOFA reports increased freight rates and container crisis - GTN Xtra - Issue 25 2021

69.  Excited to be back at Glee - GTN September, Glee Preview Issue, on-line here - GTN Xtra – Issue 36 2021

70.  Private equity group acquires leading garden product firm - GTN Xtra – Issue 23 2021

71.  Pearson Memorial medal awarded to Adam Wigglesworth of Aylett Nurseries - GTN Xtra – Issue 6 2021

72.  Turbo charged gardening as February breaks all records - GTN Xtra - Issue 10 2021

73.  Record end to a record year, up 28% on 2020, up 17% on 2019 - GTN Xtra – Issue 50 2021

74.  Industry taskforce to produce roadmap for a peat-free future - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2021

75.  AMES UK reports record revenues in 2020 - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2021

76.  Wildlife Trusts call for immediate end to peat sales - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

77.  Hillmount boss warns of disarray for gardeners in Northern Ireland as spring approaches - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2021

78.  Christmas Future Trends at Glee's Festive Focus Day - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2021

79.  Future proofing your garden centre for maximum flexibility and profitability - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2021

80.  No bubble burst yet for garden centre sales volumes - GTN Xtra - Issue 17 2021

81.  Garden Kitchen by Pugh's is a unique concept - GTN Xtra – Issue 36 2021

82.  Dobbies strengthens leadership team - GTN Xtra – Issue 46 2021

83.  Hetland Garden Centre sold to Caulders - GTN Xtra – Issue 38 2021

84.  Immediate ban on peat use unrealistic, says HTA - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

85.  The COVID year in numbers - GTN Xtra - Issue 1 2021

86.  Fordingbridge undertakes major work at Norfolk centre - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2021

87.  Lull in sales before mid-Summer - GTN Xtra - Issue 20 2021

88.  New brands confirmed for Glee 2021 - GTN Xtra - Issue 30 2021

89.  The new revolutionary smokeless fire pit - GTN Xtra – Issue 42 2021

90.  Pershore School Horticultural Unit, Pershore High School, Worcestershire has unwanted visitors. - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2021

91.  Choice Marketing readies ‘Meet the Furniture Buyer’ event - GTN Xtra - Issue 25 2021

92.  The BBQ game changer! - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2021

93.  Sales up by 49% compared to previous nine years, despite being closed for Easter Sunday - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2021

94.  Monkton Elm and Old Railway Line scoop top Wales & West honours in GCA Awards - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2021

95.  Expansion for family-owned garden lifestyle business - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2021

96.  Moving on up… slowly - GTN Xtra – Issue 5 2021

97.  One good week and gardening sales get going - GTN Xtra – Issue 7 2021

98.  Glee to return in September 2021 - GTN Xtra – Issue 16 2021

99.  Ho, Ho, Ho! GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back…for real! - GTN Xtra – Issue 44 2021

100.  Dobbies reports 51% increase in sales - GTN Xtra - Issue 9 2021

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Hands-on winter gardening saw a boost last week with three lines of gardening gloves featurig in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 along with plant food and garden lighting lines.

Highlights of the week were:

• Smart Garden Briers All Seasons Gardener Gloves Aubergine was the highest re-entry in the chart at No 17.
• Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1L + 30% Free remains at No 1.
• Growth Technology Orchid Myst 300ml moves 26 places up the chart to No 19.
• Garland’s Spiral Tree Guard 61cm is a new entry at No 18.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Grow your own appears to be heading for a busy year if volume sales of Veg-2-Gro lines in the EPOS data supplied every week to GTN Bestsellers is anything to go by.  

With one week to go in January, Top 50 volume sales have already beaten Janury 2018 levels and are only just shy of 2019 and 2020 levels. It will be a record January for sales of seed potatoes, onion sets and veg seeds!

Highlights of the week were:

• Taylors Onion Sets Sturon were the highest chart climber, up 32 places to No 4.
• Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Pentland Javelin re-entered the GTN Chart at No 11.
• Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Maris Bard was the highest new chart entry at No 39.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Early Bird growing media offers may have slowed last week, but volumes for the month to date are already 15% higher than the whole month in 2018 and 2019. The growth in core growing activity using bagged growing media is showing no sign of slowing yet.

Highlights of the week were:

• Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Peat Free All Purpose 40 litre stays at No 1 in the GTN Chart.
• Godwins Blended Horse Manure 40 litres was the highest chart climber, up 21 places to No 25.
• Westland The Gardener's Soil Conditioner 50 litres saw a 250% increase to re-enter at No 24.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Farmer and television presenter Jimmy Doherty has accepted an exciting new role as the Chancellor of Writtle University College in Essex. He will take over from the outgoing Chancellor, Baroness Jenkin of Kennington.

The Chancellorship is an unfunded honorary role with the holder acting as the ceremonial head of the institution, presiding at major events in the University College year such as graduations and prizegivings. 

Jimmy is a long-standing advocate of putting science into practice, he gained a degree in animal biology and a PhD in ecological entomology before launching his own farming career. 

In 2003, Jimmy created The Essex Pig Company with the aim of using traditional, free-range meat production practices to rear endangered British breeds and, in 2016, became the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s youngest president to date. 

He has worked with the BBC and Channel 4 to educate the public on food production, animals and the agriculture sector. Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk features over 80 species and breeds from crocodiles, camels and capybara to pigs, and guinea pigs 

Jimmy said: “I am delighted to join Writtle in this role – we share the same passion for developing opportunities for young people to enter the industry and I look forward to work with the University College, not only in the ceremonial aspects of the role, but also in developing exciting opportunities to extend their learning through research, work experience and community projects."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Middleton said; “We would like to thank our Founding Chancellor Baroness Jenkin of Kennington for her outstanding support over the last five years, at a pivotal time in the University College’s history. 

“We’re delighted to announce that Jimmy Doherty will be our next Chancellor. Jimmy embodies Writtle University College’s values and has a long-standing commitment to conservation, agriculture and education. We look forward to working together to ‘put science into practice’.” 

Writtle University College shares Jimmy’s commitment to conservation and animal welfare. Since its founding in 1893, the University College has grown from its land-based roots to offering further and higher education courses in animal science and management, sport science, floristry and equine courses, in addition to agriculture and horticulture programmes of study. 

The University College’s countryside campus estate is just two miles from the city of Chelmsford. Learning spaces include state-of-the-art animal physiotherapy equipment and a welfare-focused unit that cares for species ranging from rabbits and reptiles to alpacas, emus and wallabies. 

The estate is also home to a specialist equine campus and the UK’s only on-campus horse stud, as well as a working farm, extensive sports facilities, laboratories and research greenhouses. 

The University College is rated good by Ofsted and, in 2021, received the highest student satisfaction scores in East Anglia in the National Student Survey (NSS 2021 Taught Data). 

For more information visit writtle.ac.uk. 

RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2022 kicks off the Royal Horticultural Society’s show season with its greenest ever show celebrating the wonderful worlds of gardens, plants, flowers and food.

Hosted at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, from May 05-08, and set against the backdrop of the picturesque Malvern Hills, the show is springing back after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Shows Manager, Jane Edwards, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the RHS show season with a true celebration of horticulture and our greenest show ever.  We have made a pledge to deliver an event that champions sustainable practices across all areas and inspires our show goers with a host of planet-friendly gardening ideas to adopt at home.  Plants, gardens and green spaces, whatever their size, have been vitally important during the pandemic, and so we wanted to put on a festival that will bring more greenery and gardening into our lives.  The brand new RHS feature garden, the Vitamin G garden, does exactly this, offering practical ways to benefit from a daily dose of Vitamin G (gardening). 

A new Nourish area explores how plants and food support our physical, mental and social wellbeing and the new Floral Green, located in front of the Floral Marquee, champions the burgeoning British Flower Growing and Cut Flower industry.”

We will also be marking  Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee with a new permanent garden celebrating her reign. We couldn’t be happier to be back, we’re counting down the days until we can welcome everyone again.”

NEW FOR 2022

SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE

RHS Malvern Spring Festival will be the greenest show held at the Three Counties Showground.  In line with the RHS Sustainability Pledge that was released in 2021, RHS Malvern has undertaken its own stretching targets to continuously improve its impact on the environment and empower its visitors to make more planet friendly choices.

More information will be released in due course but below are some of the sustainable practices that are being implemented:

• New free water refill stations have been installed across the showground to minimise usage of plastic bottles. Visitors will be encouraged to bring their own bottles
• All waste will be removed from site, sorted and either recycled or incinerated and converted into refuse derived 
• All compost for show gardens and feature gardens is sourced locally from Worcester County Council and derives from garden waste converted into compost
• Plastic bags have been replaced with biodegradable, paper or tote bags for use in the Floral Marquee, Plant Village and Plant Pavilions and visitors are being encouraged to bring their own bags for life

RHS FEATURE GARDEN – THE VITAMIN G GARDEN

Centred around evidence-based research, conducted by the RHS Head of Science, Dr Alistair Griffiths, the Vitamin G garden will demonstrate how visitors can incorporate a daily dose of Vitamin G (Gardening) into their everyday lives and highlight what those benefits can bring.

FLORAL GREEN

Located in front of the famous Floral Marquee, the new Floral Green area will play host to the British Floristry Theatre.  A brand-new British Floristry theatre that champions the British Flower Growing and Cut Flower industry will feature a spectacular centre piece of floral crowns to wow the crowds alongside a theatre with a timetable of inspirational talks and demonstrations championing seasonal floristry and buying British.

AFFORDABLE GARDENS

Comprising of three typically sized gardens that are designed to a strict transparent budget starting at just £500.  Seeking to inspire the visitor to have a go, these spaces will be championing real gardens for real people.

NOURISH 

Brand new for 2022, the Nourish area is a dedicated zone that interprets and explores the role of horticulture and food in our health and wellbeing.  The positive role that they can have in helping combat the stresses we face in our ever-busy digital age. A theatre will feature talks and demonstrations to inspire visitors to make positive choices.

MAKING A WELCOME RETURN 

SHOW GARDENS 

This year’s Show Gardens, shortly to be announced, have a simple theme – Celebration. Always a number one destination at the show, garden designers will inspire visitors with a host of take home ideas and transportational spaces.

SHIPPING CONTAINER GARDENS

The popular Shipping Container gardens return for 2022, this category offers creative solutions for making the most of smaller spaces.  

FLORAL MARQUEE

The enormously popular Floral Marquee will be filled with specialist nurseries and packed with award-winning displays where visitors can browse and buy from the very best in the business. 

THE SCHOOL GARDENS CHALLENGE

RHS Malvern Spring Festival is one of the only RHS Shows in the UK to have a collection of show gardens designed and built entirely by young people. Led by former BBC Blue Peter Gardener, Chris Collins, The School Garden Challenge inspires youngsters across the country to design and build their own special themed gardens – this year the theme explores the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to honour her Jubilee year. 

PLANT VILLAGE & PLANT PAVILIONS

This exciting open-air shopping experience plays host to specialist nurseries, each showcasing a wonderful array of top quality plants. As one of the main destinations at the show, this is a plant lovers’ paradise, especially during the famous sell-off on Sunday.

FESTIVAL THEATRE 

Festival favourite, Chelsea garden designer and BBC presenter, James Alexander-Sinclair, returns to host a lively line up of leading experts and familiar faces. Visitors may take a seat and enjoy demonstrations, talks and exciting features as personalities share their knowledge and passion for all things gardening and food. Confirmed experts to be announced soon. 

GROW AREA 

The Grow & Show pavilion will offer gardeners an opportunity to show-off their best flowers, bulbs, alpines, vegetables, pot plants, ever-popular succulents and photography. First time gardeners will have access to National Plant Societies in a marquee brimming with knowledge and advice. The National Allotment Society will be bringing a feature garden which will be fit to bursting with take home ideas on how to get the best from your plot.

FOOD & DRINK PAVILION

A foodie hotspot, the Food & Drink Pavilion is a magnificent celebration of British tastes with bountiful offerings from the country’s best-loved artisan producers. Expect the freshest field produce, big cheeses, bread of heaven, specialty gins, decadent bakes and more. 

FOOD & DRINK THEATRE

Hosted by award-winning food writer Mark Diacono, with support from Chef, Valentine Warner, this animated live kitchen presents a line-up of delicious cookery demonstrations from culinary experts and the country’s top chefs. 

RHS Malvern Spring Festival takes place from Thursday 05 May until Sunday 08 May 2022. Tickets are now on sale. Free entry for children under the age of 16 is available throughout the festival. For more information on ticket prices, please call 0344 338 5400  or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk.

Four Oaks has announced the death of owner Richard Harding age 77. He passed away peacefully at home. 

Richard had retired from the running of the business some years prior due to ill health, but still lived at Four Oaks Nurseries, Cheshire. He is succeeded by two children, Andrew and Annabel, and a grandchild Yasmin.

Richard was a successful businessman throughout his life. He came out of retirement in Mallorca to enter the horticultural world, with his purchase of Channel Island Plants and then the Four Oaks group of businesses in 2002, investing heavily to secure the future of the site and its team.  

A gregarious man, Richard became well known to customers of the Four Oaks Cash and Carry, as a specialist in Indian antiques that he imported for restoration and resale at Four Oaks Direct, and at the annual Four Oaks Trade Show where he very much enjoyed socialising during his healthier years. 

Richard stated in a magazine interview in 2004: “I get a kick out of seeing the business becoming successful.” His Four Oaks legacy is exactly that, with a thriving Cash & Carry looking to expand, Four Oaks Direct retail outlet on-site which recently expanded to a presence at Lowe’s in Middlewich and the 50th anniversary trade show taking place on 6 and 7 September 2022. 

Our sincere condolences go out to Richard’s family and friends. 

Details of his funeral will be released when available.  

The former Cherry Tree Café on the A158 at Sudbrooke near Lincoln has been given a new lease of life as it has been transformed into a new Garden Centre and Coffee Shop.  

The new venture, which opened on Saturday (January 22) is offering a range of gardening products and giftware.  The Centre will also include a new coffee shop offering 200 Degrees coffee as well as a range of other drinks, cakes and light meals.

Lincoln couple Mike and Heather Frecklington are behind the new venture, building on Mike’s 25 years’ experience of managing garden centres.  

Mike said: “I have been involved in garden centres since my first weekend job at age 16. I have managed garden centres around the country including a number in Lincolnshire and we’re excited to bring this experience to our own venture”.

Keen to recognise its heritage, the Garden Centre has the Cherry Tree name, refreshing and rebranding the site as the Cherry Tree Garden Centre and Coffee Shop.  

“We have lived close to Sudbrooke for much of our lives and it is a fantastic building with a lot of local support and loyal customers – we have been delighted with the amount of support we’ve had so far from local people who are excited to see the building back in use.  The completion of the Eastern Bypass has meant the Centre much more accessible to many more people and we are looking forward to welcoming people from across Lincoln and beyond!”

The Centre will offer products such as wild bird care, house plants, outdoor plants, composts, solar lighting and garden décor, whilst the coffee shop will be serving barista coffees and other hot and cold drinks, breakfasts, light lunches and cakes.

“The garden side is small at the moment but will are looking to expand quickly as the weather warms up,” said Mike.

Colin Squire shares his thoughts on the sad passing of Peter Seabrook.

"We were so sorry to hear of the sudden death of Peter Seabrook. He was such a special man, full of such energy and enthusiasm and I will miss him very much, personally and as a fine ambassador for our industry. I find it very hard to believe he will no longer be with us with his ideas, his smile and his friendship.

"I have known Peter since the early 1960s. I first met him at a nurseryman’s conference at Pershore and I spoke with him about my wish to open a garden centre, Peter was extremely helpful with suggestions and people to contact. When the HTA retail group became the Garden Centre Association in 1966 Peter and I were among the founding members and the first chairman was Charles Nottcutt. For a period, Peter was an inspector for the GCA. I think it would be fair to say that Peter played a hugely significant role in the success of our industry, through GCA, through his journalism and his sheer enthusiasm for plants and gardening.

"My most recent contact with Peter was at BBC Gardeners World Live last summer in Birmingham, where he designed a beautiful rose garden. I subsequently had a brief chat with him at Chelsea in the autumn. Over the years Peter helped many of us in the garden centre industry to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show through his imaginative Sunflower Street.

"Peter believed gardening was for everyone and his columns in The Sun made gardening approachable, understandable and fun for millions of people. His journalism also promoted so many exciting new plants which supported British growers and retailers.

"Peter’s boundless enthusiasm for plants, gardening and people will be sadly missed by so many of us. Three generations of the Squire family were privileged to know Peter. My late father D.J. Squire, myself and my daughter all shared a deep respect and affection for him. So many colleagues at Squire’s have all told me in the last few days how highly they regarded Peter. He was truly loved and respected by so many in our industry and beyond."

DJ Squire & Peter Seabrook in the 1970s.

Hartman continues to invest in people in a quest to provide unrivalled support to its customers, maintain its growth and deliver across the business, throughout the forthcoming demanding season and beyond. 

Increasing its headcount by over 40%, the manufacturer has invested in personnel across all areas of the business, including Marketing, Customer Services, Supply Chain, Accounts and Warehouse. The most senior appointment at Hartman is Head of Sales – David Cotgrave. 

Cotgrave joins the company with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Previously working for a multi-site and diverse confectionary manufacturer, David has excellent experience with multi-channel customer management, new business development, as well as the delivery of new product development for seasonal markets. Passionate about customer experience, Cotgrave is looking forward to working with Paul Facey – Commercial Director in the deliverance of service levels and future NPD.

David Cotgrave comments – “I am delighted to be part of the Hartman UK operation and very much looking forward to working with Paul and the wider team in this exciting industry.  

"Our gardens and outdoor living areas have become more important to us over the last few years, they provide a great space for us to enjoy more time with family and friends and it thrills us that Hartman are a part of that experience.  

"We are facing some challenges with global supply chain, in particular sea freight. But, as a team, we are are working tirelessly to resolve the issues. It is our priority to try and minimise any impact on our customers whilst still being focused on our goals for 2022.”

The Garden furniture manufacturer has recently moved to a new UK headquarters in Telford, increasing and centralising its warehousing and logistics, reducing carbon emissions and increasing business efficiencies. The new premises offer increased office space as well as a versatile showroom and marketing suite where its 2023 collection will be showcased. 

Paul Facey – Hartman Commercial Director comments “It is a very exciting year ahead for us here at Hartman but it does not come without its challenges. The employment of David, as well as all the other appointments throughout the year, offers fantastic opportunities and I look forward to working towards our collective goals together.”

Visit www.hartmanuk.com to view Hartman’s new 2022 collection.

The team at Tong Garden Centre in West Yorkshire has invested significantly to treble the area of the kitchen that prepares dishes for its in house restaurants.

The food preparation area that services Tong Garden Centre's Blooms Kitchen and Mezzanine restaurants has been extended by 110m2 to cater for the increased demand for its home prepared dishes and afternoon teas.

"The catering team prepare an average of 23,000 dishes a month, including freshly made sandwiches, quiches and the meat and potato pie that is a firm favourite with customers. The expansion of the prep kitchen means that the team can prepare more meals and can satisfy the growing demand for afternoon teas whilst developing new dishes to delight customers in our Blooms and Mezzanine restaurants," said Cath Westmoreland, Tong's catering manager.

One of the 16 strong catering team to benefit from the new food preparation area is Kitchen Assistant, Vanessa Wright: "We love working in the spacious new prep kitchen. The workflow has really improved and there's plenty of room to prep our delicious afternoon teas and other homemade dishes."

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres that seats 480 across the two restaurants, has 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for last week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.