Happy Christmas to all our readers!  Thanks for all the great feedback we've had about GTN Xtra and GTN magazine throughout the year, we really appreciate it and we've thoroughly enjoyed bringing you all the news during 2021.

What a year it has been, with the GTN Bestsellers All Products Sold Index reporting the year as being 27% up on last year, when centres were closed for seven weeks, but most importantly a whopping 16% up on 2019.  Garden centres really have been the retailers of choice for so many people in the past 12 months.

Let's hope it remains that way for 2022.

Watch out for our Top 100 product charts for 2021 for Christmas and Garden products, to be published early in the New Year.  Subscribers to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter will see them first, so to make sure you stay ahead of the competition buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers now using this link.

Last weeks lead story in GTN Xtra was shared on twitter by one of our readers, Doug Stewart, and that stirred up something of a twitter storm with 100's of replies and re-tweets, including responses from the RHS and Monty Don.

See all of the responses and further debate @Dougthegardener using this link

Following the publication of the open letter on peat last weekend, GTN has received the following information from BeadaMoss, a company that grows sphagnum moss for use in peat bog restoration:

The Editor

Garden Trade News

21^st December 2021

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in connection with the open letter you published on the use of peat. Unfortunately, the fourth point listed is misleading where it is stated that “Newly planted sphagnum grows rapidly, laying down 5 to 7 cms per year, which makes peat a sustainable and renewable resource (e.g. BeadaMoss®)”.

This rapid growth is only seen when Sphagnum is farmed, rather than in restoration. The 5 to 7 cms quoted relates to fresh Sphagnum growth and not peat formation (peat is partly decomposed Sphagnum). Peat formation is very slow at only approximately 1mm per year.

Restoring cut-over peatbogs is vital for climate change and should include planting sustainable Sphagnum to ensure future carbon sequestration.

As a company BeadaMoss® we support developing sustainable alternatives to peat which will give our UK horticulture industry the quality growing media needed.

I hope this clarifies the facts for your readership. Regards

Barbara Wright

In response, Peter Seabrook replies:

Dear Barbara,

Thank you very much for this letter it is most helpful and I will adjust comments accordingly.  The reseeded, cut away bogs I have visited in Lithuania and on the German/Dutch border were developing decomposed sphagnum at a rate faster than 1 mm a year, it was thought at the time of my visit that greater quantities of nitrates in the atmosphere were contributing to both the speed of sphagnum growth and the laying down of harvestable peats.

Please keep in touch and correct as soon as possible any misleading comments I may make.  With renewed thanks and my compliments of the Season to you both, Peter.

GTN Xtra now published a revised version of the open letter, supplied by Peter Seabrook bearing in mind the correction from BeadaMoss

An Open Letter on the use of peat.      

The undersigned feel there should be a much more open debate on the peat in horticulture issue with both for and against statements up for discussion.   It should be noted at

the outset we all believe Sphagnum moss peat should not be used for soil improvement.

• It is universally agreed peat should not be used for soil improvement, there are plenty of alternatives for this use, including garden compost, well-rotted manures and leaf-mould.
• Sphagnum Moss Peat from Raised Bogs has been and remains the best constituent for seed, cuttings and potting composts.  Peat to case spawned mushroom growing media currently has no alternative.
• Moss peat use in seed and potting composts is currently, by all available measures, an environmentally friendly growing media and in most uses, results in the absorption of CO2, plus the sequestration of carbon in woody growth and the soil.
• Cut-away raised peat bogs can be restored, where water levels are raised and harvested areas re-seeded with the correct species of sphagnum. Newly planted sphagnum grows rapidly, laying down green moss at 5 to 7 cms per year, which make peat a sustainable and renewable resource.  (e.g. Beadamoss on Farming sphagnum; A B Rekyva, Lithuania)
•  Restoring cut-away bogs and the rapid growth of seeded sphagnum absorbs carbon dioxide in great quantity.
• Most current peat-free composts need much higher rates of base fertilizer (up to four times more) to replace plant foods absorbed by breaking down fibres.  They also need more regular watering (at least double), which in turn leads to nitrates being lost in drainage water.  Peat has excellent water retention qualities and holds onto base fertilizers to feed plants.
• The growth of some plants is not as good in many of the peat-free composts currently available and this includes all the ericaceous subjects, namely azaleas, camelia, heathers and rhododendrons.
• Air dried peat can be compressed and is light in weight, so uses thinner polythene in wrappers and less fossil fuel to transport.
• Sphagnum moss peat is sterile, clean to handle, pest and pollutant free.  Unlike some of the peat free alternatives, where there is a risk of introducing weedkillers and plant diseases.
• Peat free composts are made up to widely differing recipes, so it is very difficult for home gardeners to adapt their watering and feeding practices when the compost mixes are no longer standard.  Where they experience poor growth and failures, we risk losing the attraction for people to stay at home gardening and growing some of their own food.

           Signed:-     

Sir Brian H  Donohoe Ret'd MP Secretary of the Gardening and Horticultural Group 1992—2015

Peter Seabrook, International TV Gardening Presenter/Gardening Editor, The Sun.

Robert Hillier, Director Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres.

Jim McColl, Presenter BBC TV The Beechgrove Gardening Progammes.

Adrian Bloom, Chair Blooms Nurseries Ltd.

Jason Bloom, Managing Director Blooms Nurseries.

Bunny Guinness, Garden Designer and Broadcaster.

Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director, E. W. King & Co Ltd.

Garry Coward Williams, Editor, Amateur Gardening Magazine.

Robert Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses (fears unfair European Competition).

Paul Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses.

Alan Sargent, Founder Association of Professional Landscapers.

Paul Cooling, Chair Coolings Garden Centres. (Currently not enough Peat Free alternatives).

Neil and Nicci Gow, Experienced and long-term Garden Retailers.

Steve McCurdy, Managing Director, Majestic Trees Ltd.

Kenneth Cox, Director Glendoick Nursery and Garden Centre, Ericaceous Plat Exporter.

Christine Walkden, Gardening Broadcaster and Lecturer.

Steve and Val Bradley, Authors, Social Media, National gardening Columnists.

Graham Richardson, Group Managing Director Johnsons of Wixley and six fellow directors:-

John, Andrew, Iain, Robert, Eleanor and Jonathon Whitemore.

Douglas Wilson, Director/Partner, Trioscape Garden Centre and Nursery.

Jo Davey, Horticultural Marketing Research and Development Manager.

Michael Smith, Director Grange, Nurseries and MeadowCroft Garden Centre.

Simon Crawford, Director, Burpee Europe.

Tim Kerley, Director, Kerley & Co, Plant Breeders.

Derek Jarman, Director Hayloft Nurseries Ltd.

Michael Oliver, Former UK Sales Manager Bord na Mona.

We all love a Christmas jumper but perhaps none more than British Garden Centre’s very own Boyd Douglas-Davies. Boyd is currently undertaking the challenge of wearing 25 Christmas jumpers over the course of 25 days to raise funds for the Greenfingers charity.

Having inherited his jumpers from last year’s jumper wearer – Natalie Porter, Director at Happy Plants – Boyd is enjoying adding a touch of festive cheer to his daily outfit, even if they are a little snug! Documenting his journey on his social media channels and reaching out to his extensive industry network has so far helped Boyd raise over £6,000 for Greenfingers, money which will help the charity to continue to build much needed therapeutic garden spaces at children’s hospices throughout the country. However, with only a few days of the most ‘jumperful’ challenge to go, Boyd is asking Greenfingers supporters to dig deep one last time.

Boyd said: “I'd love you to chip in and push me along with whatever you can afford.... £7 for 7 days of shockers, double up and make it £14 or go the whole festive hog with a donation of £25. It really doesn't matter how much as every penny makes a difference. The Greenfingers Charity will put it to good use next year creating another magical garden for children in a UK hospice. For whatever you can give, thank you very, very much.”

Greenfingers Director of Fundraising & Communications, Linda Petrons added: “Boyd has been a fantastic supporter of Greenfingers for many, many years, always going above and beyond to push himself to the limits. Whilst not the most physical challenge, this super fun jumper challenge is bringing a smile to the face of many, whilst making a difference to our 2021 fundraising total. As Boyd mentioned every penny helps, and we are endlessly grateful to all of those that have supported Boyd as he dons jumper after glorious festive jumper.”

To show your support for Boyd as his ‘jumperful’ challenge draws to a close simply visit his dedicated JustGiving page to donate. 

To further boost the fundraising total a special festive jumper auction will be taking place at www.themostjumperful.co.uk where five jumpers featured in Boyd’s challenge will be up for grabs.

The fun doesn’t stop there, however. At midday on the 20th, a shortlist of 10 people was revealed, with each ‘at risk’ of being the 2022 jumper wearer. The shortlist then has the opportunity to buy their immunity with sealed bids, with the five highest bidders informed at midday on Christmas Eve, whilst the grand unveiling of the 2022 jumper wearer will take place at 4pm on Christmas Eve!

Here's the shortlist:

James Barnes
Mark Portman
Paul North
Tamsin Westhorpe
Simon McArdle
Adam Taylor
Caroline Owen
Will Blake
Abigail Stocker
Andrew Fitzmaurice

Find out more

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity, and how to get involved in a range of fundraising events please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Glee 2022 is now just over six months away and is set to be the biggest edition of the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition for several years.

Taking place in a fresh layout and for the first time ever in late June (28th – 30th June, NEC Birmingham), when it will align with key buying cycles and extended lead times, as well as providing an essential mid-season touchpoint for the industry, Glee 2022 marks an exciting new chapter for the event that is positively supported from all corners of the garden retail sector.

The show will once again be home to many of the biggest industry brands alongside exciting new and emerging companies. With over 75% of the floorplan already booked by existing, new and lapsed brands – including Smart Garden Products, AMES, STV, APAC Group, Scheurich, PMS, Firmans Direct and Madison BV – confirming their attendance, Glee 2022 is already shaping up to be bigger than last year’s edition. In fact, the 2021 show footprint has already been matched by 2022 exhibitors as they look to expand their stand size to ensure they have sufficient space to showcase their full 2023 offering.

With the 2022 show filling up so rapidly, Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein, is urging interested suppliers to secure their exhibition stand now to avoid missing out. He said: “Following the success of the 2021 event, a new show dateline designed to meet the ever-growing needs of the garden retail sector, and a buoyant market which is still riding high on the increased popularity of gardening during the pandemic, Glee 2022 is on track to be our biggest and most vibrant event for some time. We are urging companies to get in touch now to discuss their exhibition needs as space is quickly running out.

“We will, of course, work with suppliers to ensure they don’t miss out and have reserved additional space at the NEC should it be necessary to further expand the show into additional halls. It’s an exciting prospect for the show but - more importantly – for the garden retail sector, as it demonstrates the resilience and passion that is driving the growth of our market. We cannot wait to be onsite come June and look forward to welcoming UK and international retailers and suppliers to the 2022 event.” 

Glee’s role has always been to facilitate the growth of the garden centre trade and green markets and the 2022 event - strategically positioned between the spring and early summer peak and the school holiday rush - is poised to brilliantly fulfil that role. The event is well placed to enable buyers from across the garden retail spectrum to meet with exciting new innovators and existing suppliers, source new products and place orders for the 2023 season. Whilst onsite at the show they can also glean invaluable information about future trends, pick up advice about all aspects of the business and understand the issues that are shaping our industry today.

The timing of the 2022 event is also set to benefit from a unique festival feel as the longer (and hopefully warmer!) summer nights will provide more access to the outdoors where cooking demonstrations will provide the backdrop for more networking and conversation mid-season. The festival theme will also continue indoors as Glee’s newest show feature – the Talent Store – will provide a central hub for Glee’s extensive education and seminar programme. The Talent Store itself will be a truly different offering for Glee.

Further details about how to take part in the Glee Talent Store will be made available shortly.

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.

This Christmas, three local communities will enjoy a very special festive season as Dobbies reveals the winners of its Not Your Average Community campaign. 

The competition invited community groups, clubs, charities and neighbourhoods to apply and tell the Dobbies’ team about the work they are doing in their local areas and what they would do with the prize -  with three winning groups each receiving £1,000 to spend on Christmas trees, lights and decorations

Dobbies were inundated with entries from all over the UK and heard about the extraordinary work being carried out by volunteers and community works in their local area.

Now, after much deliberation, they have chosen the three winning entries.

Young Lives vs Cancer at Ciaran’s House from Edinburgh (pictured below), is a house offering free accommodation to families whose children are receiving cancer treatment in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. Parents and siblings can stay opposite the hospital for as long as they need. They wanted to make the house as festive as possible with trees, lights, wreaths and decorations for families to use in their rooms.

Sutton-based project, One Step at a Time, is small charity supporting families of children with special needs. They arrange accessible outings and coffee mornings for parents providing emotional support and somewhere to turn to in times of need. They are fully self-funded and used the prize to decorate their hall for Christmas with trees and lights.

St Leonard’s Daycare in Huntingdon (pictured below) is a charity-run day care, holiday and after school club for children aged 2 to 11. This rural village group rely heavily on donations. They wanted to spread some Christmas cheer to all their families and the wider community, with a new tree and indoor and outdoor decorations.

A member of the local Dobbies’ team met with representatives from each charity to help them select the best products for their requirements, as well as treating them to Christmas Afternoon Tea in the restaurant. 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “A huge congratulations to Young Lives vs Cancer at Ciaran’s House, One Step at a Time and St Leonard’s Daycare for winning our Not Your Average Community campaign this year. These projects are a true inspiration for their local communities. With Christmas just around the corner, we’re looking forward to seeing them spread some festive joy in their local areas. 

“A huge thank you to everyone who entered our Not Your Average Community campaign. It was wonderful to see so many great projects taking place across the UK.”

For more information on Not your Average Community: https://www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-community

Consultant, public speaker and author Linbert Spencer OBE will be presenting at the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference in Blackburn, taking place on January 23-26.

Garden centre owners, managers and their teams will hear from Linbert on Monday, January 24 and discover how to leverage diversity to enhance their organisation’s corporate culture and business outcomes.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explains: “Linbert has been helping organisations and individuals to transform themselves for more than 30 years. He specialises in inclusion, leadership, performance management, personal development and coaching, which will be a perfect fit for our Monday presentations, where speakers are focused on the operational side of our members’ businesses.

“He is also a prolific public speaker, who will really engage with our attendees, and has led workshops in more than 20 countries, as well as across the UK. His level of expertise has been passed on through his books ‘The Diversity Pocket Book’ and ‘How to Build a Multi-Ethnic Church’ and he has co-authored ‘Introducing the Business of Inclusion’ with Paul Anderson-Walsh.”

A former professional actor, international athlete and television presenter, he established Linbert Spencer Consultancy in 1990, co-founded The Windsor Fellowship in 1986 and The Centre for Inclusive Leadership in 2017 and has held CEO positions in many other organisations too.

He has also appeared in many documentaries and programmes for both television and radio including two appearances on BBC One’s Question Time.

Linbert holds various Trustee positions, including Trustee of the HEART Academies Multi-Academy Trust and of the Harpur Trust, a grant making Trust with responsibility for four independent schools in Bedford.

Iain adds: “We are very much looking forward to Linbert taking to the stage and sharing his wealth of knowledge.

“Our industry is very diverse and it will be fascinating to hear how garden centres and their teams can best support their business strategies and relationships externally, with the wider public, while also gaining confidence internally too.”

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

The GCA’s annual conference will be held at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Blackburn, Lancashire from January 23 until 26, 2022 and places can be booked via www.gca.org.uk.

The conference pages on the website will be updated with speaker announcements and full listings as the programme develops and exact timings are confirmed. There is also a dedicated email for any queries members, and those wishing to book for the event, may have: conference@gca.org.uk.

Linbert Spencer OBE will be speaking to attendees on Monday, January 24.

The team at a Tong Garden Centre has sourced spirits for its Hearty's Food Hall brand from artisan producers in East and North Yorkshire.

Buyers at the garden centre selected two family-owned businesses to produce premium spirits for the Hearty's signature gin range. The range comprises premium and fruit flavoured gins from young business, Hooting Owl Distillery near Pocklington in East Yorkshire and fruit gins and gin gifts from established artisan producer, Raisthorpe Manor near Malton. Two of Hooting Owl Distillery's premium gins and two flavoured ones plus six Raisthorpe products will make up the initial Hearty's ‘lovingly made' gin range.

Tong's Head of Food, Sarah Dwyer is excited about the new addition to the Hearty's range: "Hooting Owl gin tastes amazing and the story of how they found a recipe for gin when renovating their former coaching house and the provenance of their ingredients made it a natural choice.

"The team at Raisthorpe craft delicious gins and liqueurs using old family recipes and the finest ingredients, often foraged from the local hedgerows. We're thrilled that they will be making a range of products for us, including their award-winning gins and innovative gin liqueur stackers that make great gifts."

The former Food Hall at Tong Garden Centre was rebranded ‘Hearty's' earlier this year and and the Hearty's branded range of all Yorkshire products also includes beer, sweets, jam and biscuits.

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

In this New Product and GIMA Awards Special issue of GTN:

• New lines and bestsellers from G Plants.
• Thinking outside of the box 1 – Little Dobbies.
• Blue Diamond ambitions for 2023.
• Thinking outside of the box 2 – The Plant Room.
• A Boost for peat free growing.
• Thinking outside of the box 3 – Hillmount come to Cheshire.
• Poinsettias on social media.
• Illumination Street celebrates the magic of Christmas.
• 2021 GIMA Awards Roll of Honour - 12 Page Special.
• New Product Directory for 2022 - All 283 products entered in the Glee 2021 New Product Showcase.
• HTA Column – A fresh beginning for 2022.    

Christmas is a magical time of year for many, but not everyone has the pleasure of enjoying the festivities. Seven young people aged 13 to 24 are diagnosed with cancer every day, and thanks to the wonderful work Teenage Cancer Trust does, the quality of life and chances of survival are increased through specialised nursing care and support for young people during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. 

Dobbies has supported Teenage Cancer Trust since 2014 and is pleased to announce that in 2021 the team has raised a grand total of £100,000 for the charity, with more donations expected over the festive season.

Team members at Dobbies’ stores across the UK have been busy doing their part to help this incredible charity. This has included donning their trainers to stack up the miles during the 100 Miles in August challenge, regional events across the country, including Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night, as well as donations from online bookings for Santa’s Grotto, Santa Paws and Santa’s Breakfast. 

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager said: “It has been a big team effort to reach the £100k mark for Teenage Cancer Trust this year. This life-changing charity means so much to many of us here at Dobbies, and we are so honoured to play our part in supporting young people who have been diagnosed with cancer. 

“A huge thanks to our customers and team members who have helped us with another great year of fundraising and we hope to secure more donations over the festive season.”

Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationship Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the continued support of Dobbies, their wonderful team and supportive customers. To have raised £100,000 in a year that has still been far from normal is incredible and just shows the dedication and commitment of everyone involved.

“As a charity we simply couldn’t do what we do without our supporters and we are truly grateful for them sticking with us and helping us to be there for those that need us.”

To make an online donation to TCT: https://www.dobbies.com/fundraising-and-partnerships

Leading bird feed manufacturer Johnston & Jeff is stripping more plastic from its packaging to help make its products among the most sustainable on the market. 

Hot on the heels of launching paper sacks for its 12.75kg Selected Wild Bird Food, and No Mess, No Grow Wild Bird Food, the Yorkshire manufacturer has now launched its fully recyclable Eco-Boxes.

And along with the new boxes comes a new insect-based mix – Bugs, Grubs & Worms. 

The boxes are used to supply 1.5kg measures of Dried Calciworms, Dried Mealworms and Bugs, Grubs & Worms. 

Maddy Johnston, Marketing and Media Manager at Johnston & Jeff, said the move was another step towards greater sustainability in everything the business does. 

Maddy said: “Quality is our watchword and we have always ensured our products are of the highest standard and quality we can produce. That is something we work hard to continuously build on; it is a journey that never ends. 

“We have now brought the same ethos into our packaging. Becoming more sustainable and creating more sustainable products is the biggest challenge businesses face and we want to do everything we can to meet that.

“Caring for wildlife isn’t just about providing great food, it is about caring for and protecting the environment they live in too. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring we get this journey right and we feel taking plastic out of as much of our packaging as possible is a great place to start. 

“Our new paper sacks are far more sustainable than the plastic sacks they replace, and our Eco-Boxes contain no plastic. 

“But we’re not stopping there. We have further big plans to continue reducing our carbon footprint and introduce more widely recyclable packaging to ensure we are as sustainable as possible.”

The launch of the Eco-Boxes coincides with the launch of Bugs, Grubs & Worms, Johnston & Jeff’s latest wild bird insect mix. 

The new mix is a blend of Dried Mealworms, Dried Crickets and Dried Silkworm Pupae, which provides high quality protein and essential nutrients needed for the renewal of cells and tissues.

Maddy said: “The Dried Mealworms provide a great source of insectivorous protein. Dried Crickets are low in fat and calories but high in essential nutrients such as calcium and iron and the Silkworm Pupae, which is also low in fat, is packed with vitamins and minerals and other essential fatty acids.

“It makes a fantastic addition to wild birds’ diets and is very beneficial in times of high stress for birds, such as winter, the nesting period and during the food gap, although it can be fed all year round. And as it comes in our new Eco-Box, it is great for the environment as well.”

Bugs, Grubs & Worms can be fed from a bird table, a suitable hanging feeder or a ground feeder.

For more information on Bugs, Grubs & Worms, go to https://johnstonandjeff.co.uk/portfolio-items/bugs-grubs-worms.

Picture caption: Johnston & Jeff’s new sustainable eco-boxes. 

GTN's Greatest Awards team of experts are out in force this week and the following two weeks visiting the teams at the 57 Garden Centres nominated in this year's Greatest Christmas Awards.

The judges will be meeting the teams at the centres, listed below, to find out just what makes them so great across 14 Christmas Award categories ranging from The Greatest Christmas Houseplant team to The Greatest Christmas Sizzle team for seasonal sales of BBQ's and the like.  And with the recent changes in FaceMask wearing there's also an award for The Greatest COVID Safe Christmas Team.

Huge thanks goes to our sponsors: Woodlodge, Elho, DCUK, Solex and Global Journey for making the face to face visits possible this year.

Here's the list of the 57 nominated centres:

ACW Garden Centre, Albrighton – BGC, Altons, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree Garden Centre, Bents, Blue Diamond Cadbury, Blue Diamond Derby, Blue Diamond Newbridge, Bosworths, Braintree – BGC, Bridgnorth – BGC, Brigg Garden Centre – BGC, Brookside Garden Centre - Kent, Burford House – BGC, Cherry Lane Podington, Coolings Green & Pleasant, Coolings Main Road, Downtown Garden Centre, Fron Goch, Garsons, Gates Garden Centre, Glendoick Garden Centre, Gouldings, Groves Bridport, Hetland, Hillmount Ards, Hillmount Belfast, Hillmount Cheshire, Hilmount Bangor, Lakeside Plant Centre, Little Dobbies Richmond, Millbrook Gravesend, Newquay Garden Centre, Pengelly Garden Centre, Perrywood Sudbury, Perrywood Tiptree, Planters Bretby, Planters Tamworth, Pughs Radyr, Pughs Wenvoe, Rosebourne – Aldermaston, Rosebourne – Weyhill, Sapcote Garden Centre, Silverbirch, Squires Badshot Lea, Studley – BGC, Tates South Downs, Thatcham – BGC, The Old Railway Line, Waresley Park Carden Centre, Webbs Wychbold, Woodbank Garden Centre, Woodlands Garden Centre, Woodthorpe – BGC, Woseley – BGC

And here's the list of categories they are vying to be The Greatest in:

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team    
• The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team      
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team        
• The Greatest Christmas Pets Team          
• The Greatest Christmas Community or Charity Initiative
• The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea       
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video     
• The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team     
• The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Team              
• The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team        

After all the judging visits, GTN's team of experts will be meeting up early in the new year to decide upon the winners and they will be announced and presented on The Stage at Spring Fair on Monday 7th February at 5:00pm.  See you there!

To whet your appetite for the galleries of garden centre Christmas photos we'll be bringing you in GTN Xtra and GTN magazine over the coming weeks and months, here are photos frm one of our early judging visits to Burford House - BGC.

This is a B2B sales role please do not apply if you do not have the relevant experience.

Firmans Direct are looking for experienced Sales Agents to promote their superb range of garden furniture to garden centres and independent retailers across the UK.

Vacant Territories

• South East
• South West
• East Anglia
• South Wales
• Scotland
• Ireland

What do we do?

Firmans Direct Ltd is a UK based company specialising in Garden Furniture.  We have been selling business to business for over 40 years and have a multi-national customer base.  Supplying high quality furniture direct from our manufacturing sites to both large chain retailers & independents stores, we are keen to reach out to new customers. We provide all our Sales Agents with the best support and opportunity to succeed with us.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for Field Sales Agents who have a great personality, fantastic customer interaction skills and proven sales experience.  Our ideal candidates will have sales experience in a B2B environment, good communication skills, conversant with Microsoft office and Microsoft Outlook and PowerPoint presentations.   Be persistent and engage with customers to build long lasting business relationships.

What do we offer?

Our Agents handle a designated area and have full access to sell all Firman’s products across all sectors of the furniture industry and garden centre market within this territory. Full product training is given in house, and field based training will help smooth the successful applicant into the Firman product ranges.

What’s included:

• Generous commission scheme
• Own dedicated sales area
• Full product training
• Field support
• Backup of a full office team
• Full marketing Samples

If you want to be a part of the Firmans Team, please email your CV now!

paul.collins@firmansdirect.com 

Following a period of unprecedented growth Meadow View Stone are looking to appoint two territory sales agents for the following areas: 

• Sales Agent for North Yorkshire & North East
• Sales Agent for Scotland

Successful candidates will have a proven track record of account acquisitions and have the ability to develop and grow existing accounts whilst maintaining and merchandising stock within the Garden Centre sector.

This person will also have good relationships with major buying groups, have the ability to monitor competitor activity and put forward effective and innovative ways of maximizing sales.

It is essential that you have had good exposure to independent garden centre business in the area in question and a background selling within a core gardening category would be preferred, but is not essential. 

Candidates can live anywhere in the respective regions or within the immediate vicinity.

Essential skills required are: 

• A skilled negotiator, immaculate presentation and a strong commercial acumen.
• Computer literate and a self-starter with the tenacity, motivation and determination to track down new business.
• Experience selling into the Garden Centre market is essential with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. 

If you would like to apply for this exciting position, please send your CV to Sarah Hill – MD at sarah@meadowviewstone.co.uk.

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The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 12th January with future insights and trends agency, Scarlet Opus, on what kinds of merchandising and POS stand the best chance of engaging with consumers today ... and why.

The 30-minute webinar will be presented by popular speaker Phil Pond who will reference the key issues, opportunities and trends that will provide the shopping experience consumers are seeking and how best to utilise these in presenting products to those consumers, in-store, online or in print.  

Specifically, Phil will share:

• The detail about which styles of POS and merchandising will make the consumer's purchasing-decision easier
• How best to support retailers and create with them partnerships that are genuinely mutually beneficial
• How merchandising and POS which engages consumers can create thousands of ‘brand champions’
• Why 'merchandising' product (as opposed to 'displaying' product) will create higher sales at higher margins  

Following the presentation delegates will have the opportunity to ask Phil any question that is trend-related, whether about consumer behaviour, design or sector.

For more information and to register for the event, contact Zara in Member Services on zm@bheta.co.uk.

Chief Operating Officer of BHETA, Will Jones commented, “This will be a really good opportunity for BHETA members to explore the best ways to acknowledge and utilise current trends in their point of sale and retail support materials.  I’m expecting a great turn out for what will be a really practical session.”

More details of BHETA’s events programme can be found on the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk.  

The Royal Horticultural Society is reporting exceptional displays at gardens across the UK, as plants that generally flower in distinct seasons are currently in bloom at the same time.  

However, this crescendo of colour is likely to last just a couple of weeks, making the festive period the perfect time to get outdoors and experience this rare, short-lived spectacle with loved ones.

Staff at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate, and RHS Wisley in Surrey have noted the unusual appearance of both summer and Christmas roses (Hellebore) flowering simultaneously, while autumn-flowering plants such as nerines (which typically flower in September) and winter flowering mahonia are also in bloom.

Meanwhile at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones says the atypical flowering of plants in the Paradise Garden, including Rhaphiolepis x delacourii ‘Coates Crimson’ (Indian hawthorn) and Knautia macedonica (Scabious), has resulted in a remarkably impressive display of colour for this time of year.

Leaf cover also appears to be more dense than usual, with Curator Matthew Pottage highlighting large oaks at RHS Wisley which are still in full gold leaf, and liquidambars at each of the five RHS gardens continue to be ablaze with colour.

RHS Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter explains, “After a good growing season like the one we experienced this summer, plants are flush with resources and as a result sometimes chance an extra flower or two later in the year. Similarly, without a prolonged cold period leaves are able to cling on for longer. However, they will only do this if the weather stays mild, so the notable lack of autumn frost has been critical to this year’s unusual display.

“The changing climate will undoubtedly continue to disrupt the traditional British growing season in the coming years, and we can expect to see plants flowering later and for longer periods more regularly. However, given the precise conditions required to cause the simultaneous appearance of summer and winter-flowering plants, this year’s spectacle may be a one-off phenomenon.”

The mild autumn also appears to have impacted wildlife at the RHS gardens, with no sign yet of migratory birds. The absence of birds searching for food means bushes are still bedecked with berries, bringing further bursts of colour to the gardens and the possibility of a spectacular influx of birds in the coming weeks. However, with food sources scarce in a cold snap, the bounty of fruit could be stripped within days and garden visitors should enjoy it while they can.

More information about each of the RHS gardens can be found at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/

The undersigned feel there should be a much more open debate on the peat in horticulture issue with both for and against statements up for discussion.   It should be noted at the outset we all believe Sphagnum moss peat should not be used for soil improvement.

• It is universally agreed peat should not be used for soil improvement, there are plenty of alternatives for this use, including garden compost, well-rotted manures and leaf-mould.
• Sphagnum Moss Peat from Raised Bogs has been and remains the best constituent for seed, cuttings and potting composts.  Peat to case spawned mushroom growing media currently has no alternative.
• Moss peat use in seed and potting composts is currently, by all available measures, an environmentally friendly growing media and in most uses, results in the absorption of CO2, plus the sequestration of carbon in woody growth and the soil.
• Cut-away raised peat bogs can be restored, where water levels are raised and harvested areas re-seeded with the correct species of sphagnum. Newly planted sphagnum grows rapidly, laying down 5 to 7 cms per year, which make peat a sustainable and renewable resource.  (e.g. Beadamoss)
•  Restoring cut-away bogs and the rapid growth of seeded sphagnum absorbs carbon dioxide in great quantity.
• Most current peat-free composts need much higher rates of base fertilizer (up to four times more) to replace plant foods absorbed by breaking down fibres.  They also need more regular watering (at least double), which in turn leads to nitrates being lost in drainage water.  Peat has excellent water retention qualities and holds onto base fertilizers to feed plants.
• The growth of some plants is not as good in many of the peat-free composts currently available and this includes all the ericaceous subjects, namely azaleas, camelia, heathers and rhododendrons.
• Air dried peat can be compressed and is light in weight, so uses thinner polythene in wrappers and less fossil fuel to transport.
• Sphagnum moss peat is sterile, clean to handle, pest and pollutant free.  Unlike some of the peat free alternatives, where there is a risk of introducing weedkillers and plant diseases.
• Peat free composts are made up to widely differing recipes, so it is very difficult for home gardeners to adapt their watering and feeding practices when the compost mixes are no longer standard.  Where they experience poor growth and failures, we risk losing the attraction for people to stay at home gardening and growing some of their own food.

           Signed:-     

Sir Brian H  Donohoe Ret'd MP Secretary of the Gardening and Horticultural Group 1992—2015

Peter Seabrook, International TV Gardening Presenter/Gardening Editor, The Sun.

Robert Hillier, Director Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres.

Jim McColl, Presenter BBC TV The Beechgrove Gardening Progammes.

Adrian Bloom, Chair Blooms Nurseries Ltd.

Jason Bloom, Managing Director Blooms Nurseries.

Bunny Guinness, Garden Designer and Broadcaster.

Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director, E. W. King & Co Ltd.

Garry Coward Williams, Editor, Amateur Gardening Magazine.

Robert Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses (fears unfair European Competition).

Paul Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses.

Alan Sargent, Founder Association of Professional Landscapers.

Paul Cooling, Chair Coolings Garden Centres. (Currently not enough Peat Free alternatives).

Neil and Nicci Gow, Experienced and long-term Garden Retailers.

Steve McCurdy, Managing Director, Majestic Trees Ltd.

Kenneth Cox, Director Glendoick Nursery and Garden Centre, Ericaceous Plat Exporter.

Christine Walkden, Gardening Broadcaster and Lecturer.

Steve and Val Bradley, Authors, Social Media, National gardening Columnists.

Graham Richardson, Group Managing Director Johnsons of Wixley and six fellow directors:-

John, Andrew, Iain, Robert, Eleanor and Jonathon Whitemore.

Douglas Wilson, Director/Partner, Trioscape Garden Centre and Nursery.

Jo Davey, Horticultural Marketing Research and Development Manager.

Michael Smith, Director Grange, Nurseries and MeadowCroft Garden Centre.

Simon Crawford, Director, Burpee Europe.

Tim Kerley, Director, Kerley & Co, Plant Breeders.

Derek Jarman, Director Hayloft Nurseries Ltd.

Plans to ban the use of peat in horticulture in England and Wales by the end of this Parliament were set out by the Government yesterday (Saturday 18 December) in an effort to protect precious peatland habitats and meet net zero targets.

Peatlands are the UK’s largest carbon store and are routinely dug up in the UK for horticultural purposes, such as for growing media. Bagged retail growing media accounts for 70% of the peat sold in the UK. When this extraction takes place, the carbon stored inside the bog is released as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.

Peat extraction also degrades the state of the wider peatland landscape, damaging habitats for rare species of flora and fauna, and negatively impacting peat’s ability to prevent flooding and filter water.

In a consultation published yesterday, the Government set out measures to phase out the sale of peat and peat-containing products in the amateur sector by the end of this Parliament. Organisations with an interest in peatland protection, horticultural businesses and associations, and those who import and export peat products, are being asked for their views on new measures to end the use of peat products in horticulture.

The 12-week consultation is also seeking views on:

Introducing point-of-sale measures for bagged growing media, such as a point-of-sale charge for the purchase of any growing media bag containing peat; and mandatory labelling and point-of-sale material containing detail of the environmental reasons for eschewing products containing peat.

Mandatory reporting of the volume of peat sold for all sellers of peat and peat containing products.

Potential exemptions, including for scientific purposes and a maximum amount of peat allowed in certain products, which will need to be strictly defined and enforced to prevent exploitation.

Sustainable alternatives to peat which are of comparable quality to peat-based products are currently available. These are often made up of peat-free materials derived from more sustainable sources, for example wood fibre and bark, green compost, wool, coir and other materials.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: "Our peatlands are an incredibly valuable natural resource. They play a crucial role in locking up carbon, provide habitats for wildlife and help with flood mitigation.

"The amateur gardening sector has made huge strides in reducing peat use and there are now more sustainable and good quality peat-free alternatives available than at any other time, so I am confident now is the right time to make the shift permanent.

"Today’s consultation directly contributes towards the Government’s net zero carbon emissions target. The protection of our peatlands will also help us deliver on commitments in the 25 Year Environment Plan whilst also preserving these landscapes for future generations."

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: "Our peatlands exemplify the multiple benefits society can reap from healthy natural systems. Healthy peatlands are among our most precious habitats, offering a home to some our scarcest plants and animals. They comprise diverse landscapes too, located not only in our remote uplands but also in lowland areas, such as fens.

"Peatlands are also among our most beautiful landscapes, including in the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that we hope even more people will enjoy during the years ahead. By restoring peatlands, we can protect and increase all of these valuable benefits.

"We are proud to be able to deliver the next round of funding for the Discovery Grants, which will unlock barriers faced for smaller, up and coming projects and will make a major difference to protecting these precious habitats. This will contribute to building a wider Nature Recovery Network across the entire country."

Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: "The protection of our peatlands is an important element of our Net Zero plans. They are a valued and precious part of our landscape, and play a vital role in capturing carbon. With many alternatives to peat available for amateur gardeners, it is a good time to look at making the shift from using peat in our gardens and to launch this consultation. We are already supporting projects to restore and protect our peatlands in Wales through our five year National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP), which I launched in November of last year. In the first year alone of the NPAP, we have invested over £1.5m in capital funding ensuring over 650ha of peatlands are on a restoration pathway."

The Government has also awarded funding of over £4 million to help groups develop new projects seeking to restore peatland systems to a natural and healthy state at a landscape scale. The funding will be delivered by Natural England and will help unlock barriers to peatland restoration, enabling projects that would struggle to gain funding to be in a position to apply for future rounds of peat restoration funding. Grants have been awarded to 10 projects from across the country including in the Fens, Dorset, Somerset and Yorkshire.

Some of these projects are:

Working closely with landowners across three Internal Drainage Boards, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) aims to use the funding to unlock barriers to restoration and develop proposals for a further Nature for Climate Peatland Grant for 500-1,500 ha of agriculturally-managed lowland fen peatland within a total area of 11,220 hectares in Cambridgeshire.

The Broads Authority in Norfolk is working on the Broads Peatland Partnership to develop a whole new approach to peat management and carbon storage in The Broads; rewetting degraded peat, adopting paludiculture* and delivering additional ecosystem benefits.

The Moors for the Future Partnership aims to develop restoration plans for 63 individual sites across the Dark Peak, Southern Pennines, West Pennines and South West Peak Staffordshire Moorlands, covering 37,614 ha of upland catchment habitat. The work will include addressing knowledge gaps in the peat resource and extensive stakeholder engagement to contribute to restoration project planning and development.

With only 13% of peatland in a near-natural state in England, Government announced the England Peat Action Plan earlier this year, setting out plans to restore, sustainably manage and protect peatlands. This will enable the restoration of at least 35,000 hectares of peatland by 2025, supported by the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. The Government has also invested £2.7 million in the Great North Bog, a large-scale peatland restoration initiative across our sweeping expanse of blanket bog in the north of England.

The announcement is part of the Government’s commitments to tackle the twin threat of biodiversity and climate change. The Environment Act will deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth and drive forward action to protect nature and improve biodiversity, including through a target for species abundance for 2030, aiming to halt the decline of nature.

Further information:

The consultation closes on 18th March and can be found online at this link

Paludiculture is the practice of farming on wet land, such as rewetted bogs and fens. It offers many benefits such as climate change mitigation through avoiding Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions and provision of cool humid air

A Lurgan-based garden centre has announced a six-figure investment in the acquisition and redevelopment of a garden nursery as it responds to supply chain disruption impacting overseas imports.

With funding support from Ulster Bank, Wilderness Flower & Garden Centre, based on Flush Place, Lurgan, has acquired the expansive Hoophill Nurseries, situated on a six-acre plot on the outskirts of the County Armagh town just a few miles from its main trading premises.

Featuring approximately three acres of glass growing houses, the nursey will supply the garden centre with its own ranges while owner Kyle Archer says the business will also begin trading wholesale, acting as a locally-based supplier for other florists throughout Northern Ireland seeking a reliable and consistent supply of garden products.

“We have significant scope to increase our sales volumes, but Brexit-related supply chain issues mean we’re contending with inconsistent and unreliable lead times,” he explains.

“This acquisition will help us to ensure a consistent supply for our own business while providing us with the capacity to take on a leading role in the local market as we scale up our operation over the next two years and begin selling surplus stock at the wholesale level.”

The site also features a large warehouse which is currently under renovation and will see the development of modern office facilities from which to grow the wholesale side of the business.

When fully operational, the nursery will enable Wilderness Flower & Garden Centre to significantly reduce costs and expand its product range with new plant varieties.

“Currently, we import around 50% of our stock. Owning this supply line will minimise the need for importing products which translates to higher margins and major annual savings, particularly from transportation costs.”

Ulster Bank business development manager Paul Reid says the investment is welcomed news for the local industry.

“Kyle and the team at Wilderness Flower & Garden Centre are seizing the reigns with this investment, which we’re pleased to be able to support. The challenges facing the business are considerable and restricting growth, but with the additional space to grow their own products they can maximise profitability while also taking on an important supporting role for other local businesses responding to similar supply chain issues.”

In 2013, the business, which specialises in fresh cut flowers, nursery plants, gifts and occasions, invested in its current purpose-built premises as it expanded its operations, also with Ulster Bank support.

The Woodmansterne card factory in in Watford, Hertfordshire, is set to be featured in BBC2’s hit series Inside the Factory Christmas Special. The show scheduled to be shown at 9pm on Wednesday December 22 will see presenter Gregg Wallace visit the company’s premises.

Managing director Seth Woodmansterne said: “We are delighted that the BBC were so excited to capture the work and wonder that goes into making Christmas cards. Visitors to our factory are always surprised at the range of processes and the level of intricacy, detail, and care that we apply when manufacturing our cards. It was lovely to share this with Gregg and viewers! 

“Of course, distilling this into a short programme with an easy-to-understand story can lead to some interesting versions of reality; my knuckles have just about recovered from opening 20 times the side curtain of a paper delivery lorry for one scene – not a regular part of my day job! I’m really proud that the industry is being represented at Christmas (especially in these unusual times) and that the value of people connecting in meaningful ways with loved ones has been reinforced.”

So how did filming at the Woodmansterne card factory come about? Head of marketing Kate Leach said: “It all started with a phone call in autumn 2019 asking for information on our Caltime brand and ended up with us featuring in the short historical segment of the 2019 Christmas special, showcasing the production of our advent calendars. 

“The team had a whale of a time and loved the factory, so we agreed to keep in touch with the prospect of future filming. Following many texts and calls between the producer and I over the months (and a short lived plan for 2020 filming!) we were finally able to invite the Voltage TV film crew back to site in early 2021 and the show was commissioned by the BBC in May ready for filming in June. 

“I must admit to being overjoyed at having secured such a great showcase for our greeting cards on BBC2 primetime.”

Senior designer Amy Eastland added: “I was delighted…if not a little terrified when I learned that my card had been selected for Inside the factory, and as a result I would be responsible for walking Gregg through the design process. 

“To say it was nerve-racking would be an understatement (I’m far more comfortable behind a computer screen) but Gregg totally put me at ease with many a Deer related joke and the filming flew. I look forward to seeing Christmas cards front and centre on the BBC just before the big day.” 

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 Christmas Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Birdcare and Wildlife Bestsellers chart for last week are here

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