In This Issue
Who are the best buyers in the garden market?
Alan Down appointed as HTA Vice-President
Frosts in discussion with Notcutts about prospective sale of Brampton garden centre
Mixed-use garden centre in Lichfield hits the market
Blue Diamond reports £39.5m profits as turnover grows to £255m
Thank goodness for gardening
A closer look at Meadow View Stone – The award-winning supplier for 2021
Hozelock's Watering Wisdom campaign
Garden accessories with that clever clip!
May your garden grow with greenhouse-raised plants
Zonal Geraniums back at top of plant sales
Dobbies granted planning permission for new Reading store
The horticultural industry’s tribute to Peter Seabrook – ‘In haste’
British Garden Centres helping Greenfingers at Chelsea
Elho opens second distribution facility
We Need More Flowers - 2022 TV Campaign launch
Giving at Glee 2022 – new 'protect the planet' initiatives
Hillier becomes Government accredited training provider
Increase customers’ engagement with pelargoniums
Durstons Garden Products committed to sustainable future
Children's hospice is garden centre's chosen charity
Deco-Pak proud to support British and local industry
Shaping a New Future at Coolings, New Products, Easter GTN Bestsellers and more in GTN's March/April issue on-line here
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Tomato feed leads the way
Phenomenal veg sales gives Gardeners Delight
Still a quarter more home growing going on
Springwatch boost ahead
Horticulture students grow plants for primary schools
Ann Jennen takes on Secretary General role at Fleuroselect
Tubex marks 35 years of production at flagship tree shelter facility
The best of last week's
Award-winning Harmony Gardens brand goes from strength to strength
Jubilee plant sales success and Peat Free clarity at Ayletts
Longacres on a Bank Holiday Sunday
Bridgemere Show Gardens – restored and reinvigorated by Blue Diamond Group
Evergreen Garden Care gives update on slug pellets
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
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Who are the best buyers in the garden market?
Nominations are now open for the 2022 Glee Buyers Power List Awards, the winners will be celebrated at Glee in June

When the industry gets together at the NEC in June this year Glee will once again be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List...


When the industry gets together at the NEC in June this year Glee will once again be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.

 

To acknowledge the continued pressure buyers are still experiencing and the high levels of professionalism across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are twelve Glee Buyers Power List categories this year and nominations can be made in any of the categories for buyers from independent garden centres and retailers, buyers of high street and DIY retailers and buyers from on-line retailers.

 

 

Nominations are now being sought from growers, suppliers, agents, wholesalers and retailers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:

  1. Plants buyer/buying team of the Year
  2. Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year
  3. Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year
  4. Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year
  5. Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year
  6. Pet buyer/buying team of the Year
  7. Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year
  8. Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year
  9. Online buyer/ buying team of the year
  10. Overall Multiple Retailer Buying Team of the Year – (hardware, DIY, high street)
  11. Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more
  12. Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Nominations close on Friday 10th June 2022 after which voting will commence to decide the winners of the Glee Buyers Power List for 2022.  Nominations can be made using this form or by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.  All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence.

 

The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015.  Last year’s winners included:

 

Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries, Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre, Darran Oakley – Squires, Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres, Emma Davis – British Garden Centres, Chessington Garden Centre, Claire Bryce - Barton Grange, Longacres, Chris Slack – Frosts, British Garden Centres, Aylett Nurseries.

 

 

The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2022 will be announced live at Glee 2022 on Tuesday 28th June 2022 at 5:00pm, just before the Glee party!

 

 

Nomination Form:

 

I nominate the following buyers/buying teams for the Glee Buyers Power List 2022:

 

Plants buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Pet buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

On-Line buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Overall Multiple Retailer Buying Team of the Year – (hardware, DIY, high street)

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Nominated by:…………………………………………………….of:………………………………………………………………

 

e-mail address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence

 

 

Send your completed nomination form to Glee Buyers Power List c/o GTN, Potting Shed Press, Dairy Drove, Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0TX or e-mail your nominations to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk by 10th June 2022 or vote on line using the On-LIne Glee Buyers Power List 2022 form 

 
Alan Down appointed as HTA Vice-President

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the appointment of Alan Down as vice-president. Alan, who is hugely experienced in commercial horticulture, has worked in the industry for over 50 years and will support the current HTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies.


The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the appointment of Alan Down as vice-president.

 

Alan, who is hugely experienced in commercial horticulture, has worked in the industry for over 50 years and will support the current HTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies.

 

A well-respected figure in the horticulture industry, Alan is a regular guest gardening expert for Radio BBC Bristol as well as a freelance writer. Alan studied at Cannington and Pershore College of Horticulture. He began working in the glasshouse industry in late teens, progressing to orchard fruit growing including a period as practical fruit instructor at Pershore College.

 

After working in the Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock sector in North Germany, Alan went on to develop and manage Hillier Nurseries fledgling container grown and seed propagation nurseries for nine years.

 

Over the next 35 years, Alan built up Cleeve Nursery and Garden Centre, near Bristol, to become a recognised brand across the UK. His wife Felicity co-presented the long-standing ‘Garden Calendar’ with Alan, which was filmed from their own garden for regional southern television.

 

Alan Down comments: “Having been involved with the HTA for much of my life, I’m delighted to be joining its board at such an exciting time for horticulture and the association. Horticulture will play a growing part in people’s lives in the coming years, and in helping address the environmental challenges we all face. I’m looking forward to helping guide the association as it develops to help its members to flourish in these exciting times.”  

 

Boyd Douglas-Davies comments: “Following the challenges the sector has faced over the last three years, Alan is joining the HTA Board at a critical time and will be taking on the role of President this September. He is a wonderful nurseryman who brings a wealth of experience to the benefit of all members. He is an immensely respected journalist, which will stand us in good stead to communicate the achievements of the HTA and its members to a wide audience. I have enjoyed every minute of my presidency and I look forward to handing the chain of office to Alan.”

 

Subject to approval at the HTA’s Annual General Meeting later this year in September, Alan will succeed Boyd as president, who will step down after his three-year tenure in the role.

 

Alan’s previous roles:

  • Governor and then chair of Cannington College during the 1990s
  • Chair of the regional branch of the HTA, Alan has been involved in the Retail Business Improvement Scheme from its inception, a member of Marketing Committee and later the Retail Management Committee
Frosts in discussion with Notcutts about prospective sale of Brampton garden centre

Frosts are currently in discussions with Notcutts about the potential sale of their garden centre in Brampton. The two parties have entered into an exclusive dialogue about Notcutts becoming future prospective owners of the centre...


 

Frosts are currently in discussions with Notcutts about the potential sale of their garden centre in Brampton.

 

Frosts believe that Notcutts share a similar set of values in the way they operate their garden centres and the two parties have now therefore entered into an exclusive dialogue about Notcutts becoming future prospective owners of Brampton.

 

While these discussions are continuing neither party will be making any further comment.

Mixed-use garden centre in Lichfield hits the market

Savills, on behalf of a private client, has launched the sale of The Plant Plot Garden Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire, for an undisclosed amount...


 

Savills, on behalf of a private client, has launched the sale of The Plant Plot Garden Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire, for an undisclosed amount.

 

The current owners have invested in the property and have created a garden centre and retail destination, which attracts approximately 80,000 visitors a year and generates income from both the core garden centre business and the garden village that occupies the site. The let units provide a secure income stream to support the operation and development of the facilities on site.

 

The overall site extends 3.74 acres (1.51 ha) and, in addition to the garden centre, the site offers a tenanted farm shop, a separate recently built extensive café and function facility, gym, car wash and ‘The Garden Village’, which is home to 37 small businesses in timber cabin concessions. A substantial 4/5 bedroom Victorian house and a nursery area occupying approximately 0.46 hectares are also available to purchase.

 

The Plant Plot Garden Centre has 230 metres of road frontage and is located on the A51 Stafford Road on the outskirts of Lichfield, close to several large population areas and motorways, the nearest being the M6 Toll Road which is approximately six miles away.

 

Kay Griffiths, Associate Director in the Leisure and Trade Related team at Savills Oxford, says: “This is a thriving garden centre and retail business offering diverse income streams and can be purchased as a whole or in separate lots. It offers a purchaser an opportunity to take a hands on approach continuing to expand the range and scale of facilities offered or to increase the rental income by letting the garden centre which is currently owner operated.”

 

David Rusholme, Owner of the Plant Plot, comments: “It has been a privilege to expand the Plant Plot as a family owned thriving independent business, which is well known and respected in the Lichfield area. I look forward to handing over this special place to new owners that, I am sure, will take it to the next level. As Lichfield continues to expand with a significant amount of new housing being constructed over the next few years there is great potential to expand the customer base to a new generation of gardeners.”

Blue Diamond reports £39.5m profits as turnover grows to £255m

 

Blue Diamond Garden Centres have released their Report and Accounts for 2021.  The financial headlines are that profit before tax was up 68% to £39.5m on sales up 27% to £255m.

 

"There is no question in my mind that this inflated average spend will deflate in 2022 as people return to their unencumbered routines, such as holidays," says Managing Director Alan Roper...

 

 


Blue Diamond garden centres have released their Report and Accounts for 2021.  The financial headlines are that profit before tax was up 68% to £39.5m on sales up 27% to £255m.

 

Managing Director Alan Roper says in the report:  "Perspective and context are important when evaluating our sales performance in 2021. One needs to understand the factors that powered the sales growth in order to challenge the sustainability of the recent sales boom. Therefore, what follows is an analysis of our like-for-like sales (LFL) performance - I have stripped out all our Wyevale acquisitions from the analysis.

 

"From 2017 to 2019 average spend grew by approximately 3% a year. The average basket spend was £23.71 in 2017 and by 2019 the figure was £25.80, an increase of 9%. In 2021 the average spend had ballooned to £34.50, an increase of 33.7% over 2 years. This inflated spend was driven by consumers directing disposable income to their homes and gardens because Covid rules were restricting time spent on over activities, such as holidays. The net impact is that Covid probably generated an extra £22m of garden centre turnover in 2021. The year ended with Garden Centre turnover up by £49m (27%). Without Covid sales probably would have been up around 13%.

 

"There is no question in my mind that this inflated average spend will deflate in 2022 as people return to their unencumbered routines, such as holidays."

 

Simon Burke, Chairman of Blue Diamond had two key messages for shareholders this year:

  • In 2021 we achieved an extraordinary result, but this was still significantly affected by the pandemic in terms of closures, trading and government financial support;
  • Although we expect a fall in profit in 2022, we will nevertheless emerge from the pandemic period stronger, more profitable and with a much better balance sheet than we had in 2019.

"The market in potential acquisitions has been particularly active in the past 9 months, and we have reviewed numerous centres that were for sale. We continue to be highly selective, and since the year-end have concluded just one purchase, this being the Blackdown centre just outside Taunton. We plan a major redevelopment of this freehold centre in the summer.

 

"We are also considering several other opportunities and I expect that we will conclude more acquisitions during 2022. We will keep our focus on quality sites that serve catchments for which the Blue Diamond offer is well suited. We will also be mindful of managing debt within conservative limits."

 

Blue Diamond year end net debt in 2021 was just £5.8m which is 0.1 times EBITDA and a gearing ratio of 4%.

 

Alan Roper also commented on capital investment and thier new warehouse development: "Our capital investment programme, which was suspended in 2020, was resumed in 2021 with £11.9m being deployed predominantly across the Wyevales to bring the quality of the stores to the Blue Diamond standard. In addition, we increased the retail footprint of our Newbridge Centre by 2,700 sq m.

 

"The exponential growth has presented considerable challenges in managing our supply chain and we outgrew our third-party

central distribution company. Therefore, I decided that securing our own central warehouse facility was our best option as it suits our entrepreneurial, operational style. The site is located near our centre at East Bridgford and was established last March. In a very short time, it has developed into a well-managed facility."

 

 

Located in Newton, 2.5 miles from East Bridgford garden centre, the warehouse has proved to be an invaluable asset for Blue Diamond. It benefits from a central position in the country and has good access to the main transport network. It forms the new hub for all shopfloor stock and handles direct import goods from the far east, including furniture, seasonal goods, fashion, and selected gardening products.

 

Secured by the Blue Diamond Group in March 2021, it was formerly used by John Deere to store large agricultural vehicles and machinery parts.

Prior to that, both buildings were originally hangars forming part of RAF Newton. During WW2, RAF Newton was initially a base for bombers such as the Vickers Wellington. It then became a flying training school, providing basic and advanced training for Polish airmen serving with the RAF.

 

 

Read the full Blue Diamond Report and accounts for 2021 using this link

Thank goodness for gardening
Exclusive GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data analysis

Total volume sales slowed slightly last week in garden centres providing Epos data for GTN Bestsellers, down 1.3% week on week to be 7% down on last year but 14% up on 2019.


 

Total volume sales slowed slightly last week in garden centres providing Epos data for GTN Bestsellers, down 1.3% week on week to be 7% down on last year but 14% up on 2019.

 

Judging by the week-on-week performance of the GTN Top 50 charts for Garden Products, Growing Media, Veg-2-Gro and All Plants, the drop would appear to be non-core gardening related as all those areas increased sales week on week. Thank goodness for more gardening activity going on!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 18.

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 20%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – down 1%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 23%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 14%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 18

  • All Plants with Barcode index – down 3%
  • All Items with Barcode index – down 7%

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.

A closer look at Meadow View Stone – The award-winning supplier for 2021
GTN Xtra Promotion

Having been awarded the prestigious title of “GCA Supplier of the Year” back in November 2021 we caught up with the Meadow View team to find out what the winning formula was that led customers to vote for them...


 

Having been awarded the prestigious title of “GCA Supplier of the Year” back in November 2021 we caught up with the Meadow View team to find out what the winning formula was that led customers to vote for them.

 
Stock availability
Meadow View have some distinct advantages over their competitors when it comes to stock availability: -

  • They are fully in control of their supply chain, dealing directly with overseas suppliers and procuring their own bulk shipping; with over 50 ships annually importing products into the UK.  
  • Holding an impressive £7 million of stock at multiple locations, four dockside and a further four production sites, gives the business complete flexibility to supply their customers.

At a time when many customers were witnessing “out of stocks” across many key products and product categories, the company was ramping up its shipments to react quickly and dynamically to the surges in demand.   Even at the height of Covid, the company still maintained an OTIF (On Time in Full) score of 85%

Okells Garden Centre commented: “Consistent service throughout this challenging year. Very impressive support and supply.”

 

Quality Products
Meadow View is committed to new product development, continuously monitoring and reacting to new trends in the industry which their new product lines reflect.  The business boasts an impressive 28% of its range as being exclusive, with many of these products selling in volume (24% of total volume sold). Most also achieve higher RRP’s than UK sourced products, so contribute considerably to an uplift in sales, usually in the region of 30-50%.  The high sales of these exclusive products are further aided by the products being supplied washed, which fully showcases their unique aesthetics and quality.  

Hambrooks Garden Centre gave the following statement accompanying their vote: “Excellent range of products, fantastic service, phenomenal prices and speedy delivery.” 

Customer Service
With over 150 years’ experience in the decorative aggregate sector, the business has proven expertise, a thorough understanding of their products and the best ways to merchandise to grow sales.  Stacking up an impressive 138 years of industry expertise across their in-house and external sales teams, all staff are fully versed on the best lines to stock and the creative ways to promote and merchandise to maximise sales.

 

An exceptional support network of logistic partners, who delivery on time and in full are managed by a small yet extremely efficient in-house sales team, who offer outstanding customer service.  

Planters Garden Centre stated: “The service we received from Meadowview during the last 12 months was absolutely outstanding, which resulted in a sales increase of 59% at Bretby. The communication with the Meadowview team during the last unprecedented year was second to none and I cannot speak highly enough of the team.” 


Merchandising
Modern POS and stimulating product displays, which are both informative and inspiring have received great feedback from customers.  Not only by the way it transforms the visual appearance of the centres but also how it aids sales. Ruxley Manor gave Meadow View their vote and commented “Excellent merchandising and clear POS leading to increasing sales on every line.”

 

Sarah Hill stated: “I am enormously proud of all my team in what we have achieved these past 18 months.  Everyone has been 100% committed and instrumental in supporting the unprecedented growth we have witnessed.  The wonderful endorsements we have received from such a large amount of our customer base is testament to their efforts.

 

"I would also like to thank all the customers who took the time to vote for us and leave such kind comments - the pressure is now on to see if we can retain our title in 2022, whilst upholding the excellent standards we have achieved thus far!”

For more information visit www.meadowviewstone.co.uk

Hozelock's Watering Wisdom campaign
GTN Xtra Promotion

To help gardeners understand the simple steps they can take when watering, Hozelock is launching its Watering Wisdom campaign. The campaign, which is in its second year, will be supported with digital and traditional PR activity, providing gardeners with various touch points to find the information...


 

With the warmer weather and longer days, people are spending increasingly more time outdoors and are looking for ways to ensure their garden flourishes throughout the season; with watering a key task for gardens of all sizes and gardeners of all abilities. 

 

Whilst budding gardeners are undoubtedly drawn towards price, ease of use and innovation when choosing products, sustainability is also something homeowners are becoming increasingly interested in as they look towards reducing their water consumption in all areas of the home. 

 

To help gardeners understand the simple steps they can take when watering, Hozelock is launching its Watering Wisdom campaign. The campaign, which is in its second year, will be supported with digital and traditional PR activity, providing gardeners with various touch points to find the information. 

 

Sarah Dixon, UK and International Marketing Manager at Hozelock, comments: “In the last three years there has been a big move towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle to protect the environment. However, with the cost of living increasing significantly at an alarming rate, many of us are also looking for quick and effective ways to reduce consumption in the home, for both energy and water usage. We are increasingly seeing this theme move into the garden, with customers searching for advice and guidance on which products will help them reduce their water usage.

 

“For garden centres there is a great opportunity to inform customers on product benefits beyond just innovation and technology and promote those which offer water saving benefits as an essential part of a gardeners tool kit.”

Garden accessories with that clever clip!
GTN Xtra Promotion

Following the success of their award-winning ClipGlove brand, Treadstone Products have experienced a fantastic response to the ClipGlove Accessories range...


 

Following the success of their award-winning ClipGlove brand, Treadstone Products have experienced a fantastic response to the ClipGlove Accessories range.

 

The range was launched for the 2022 gardening season and is designed to make gardening and DIY tasks as efficient as possible by providing quality solutions to keep gardeners safe, prepared, and comfortable.

 

With unprecedented levels of comfort, dexterity, and protection, ClipGlove has continued to grow since its launch in 2019. The range’s foundations are built on functionality with each pair of gloves being held together with a carabiner clip, that enables gardeners to clip the gloves onto a convenient place during and after use. Picking up two GIMA awards and three BBC Gardener’s World ‘Best Buy’ awards along the wayTreadstone has grown the ClipGlove range to be listed in hundreds of Garden Centres in the UK.

 

Same Clip, Same Quality

 

Now ‘the glove you’ll always be able to keep safe’ has a handy accessory offering from £12.99 RRP, providing the perfect partners to the ClipGlove range. Every item includes that signature carabiner clip and the same ‘quality without compromise’ promise. The range features Aprons and Bags ideal for use whilst gardening but also great for DIY and crafts. The accessories also match the colour profiles of the glove range with Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy designs available.

 

The Aprons come in two formats, with both options featuring a double-sided durable 600D polyester fabric. The Long Apron (RRP £17.99) in Pink/Blue, full length to protect all of the users’ clothes. This features one breast pocket and two front pockets, great for storing tools and seed packets. The Short Tool Apron (RRP £19.99) supplies ample storage and extra comfort with the multi-pocket design and padded adjustable shoulder straps.

 

For those quicker jobs the Tool Belt (RRP £12.99) provides a handy place to store away tools and accessories, available in Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy. With a robust build and a useful pen pocket, the belt is ideal for keeping secateurs, plant ties and labels just where they are needed!

 

When a more involved gardening or DIY session is required, there are two bag options available, in the Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy colourways. The Multi-Pocket Tool Bag (RRP £19.99) is spacious and has exterior multi pockets to keep hand tools and garden nick-nacks organised. The bag can also be closed with the press stud closure fixings and the elastic cord around the top of the bag helps keep tools in place. 

 

For a larger garden or DIY bag, look no further than the Folding Rigid Tool Bag (RRP £39.99). Featuring the same 600D durable polyester, the rigid bag has reinforcement inserts which are attached and detached via velcro inside the bag. The central comfortable tubular handle keeps the bag open and always accessible. With a strong and sturdy build, with multiple pockets, this is the ultimate gardening bag.

 

Gardening can take its toll on the knees, which is where the ClipGlove Folding Kneeler (£19.99) comes into its own. This has a waterproof easy-clean base and durable polyester fabric. The multi-layered foam core has a memory foam top layer for optimum comfort. Also available in Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy designs, the kneeler can be folded up and stored away after use.

 

Award winning merchandising options

 

ClipGloves’ glove merchandising is award-winning and offers vital point of sale support for end users while they shop in store. To complement this, the Gardening Accessories range has a matching display option in the form of the ‘Bags & More’ merchandiser. This also allows space for all the accessories range as well as some key glove products. Like all Treadstone merchandising options, this display stand is high impact and space-efficient.

 

The ClipGlove accessories range is the natural evolution of the ClipGlove brand with quality user-friendly designs, making gardening more efficient for the end user. This latest addition is one of many inspirational products from the innovative Treadstone team, available for Garden Centres to stock now.

DARE TO SELL DIFFERENT and contact us for more information and pricing – sales@treadstoneproducts.com.

May your garden grow with greenhouse-raised plants
GTN Xtra Promotion

Vitavia Greenhouses is urging gardeners to share pictures of what they’ve grown in their greenhouses this year...


 

Vitavia Greenhouses is urging gardeners to share pictures of what they’ve grown in their greenhouses this year.

 

The company’s Andrea Wells said: “After a disappointingly chilly April, I am sure you are as excited as we are about the pending heat wave that is due to hit the UK. In true British style we will probably all venture straight to the beach and all return resembling a perfectly ripened tomato! 

 

“Our gardens will certainly be grateful of some sunshine too, although we need to make sure temperatures within the greenhouse are kept below 80f when sunny. Use shading where possible, especially on south facing glass and open all ventilators and doors when necessary. When you’re feeling a little parched, always think of your plants too and water and feed them accordingly. 

 

“Fingers crossed the sunshine continues and you have dusted off your BBQ ready for summer dining over the coming months. Your tummies are bound to be getting excited at the impending fresh salads that will be consumed soon. LETTUCE remind you that now is the time to harvest, carrots, French beans, beetroot, and radishes, not forgetting tomatoes and cucumber to complete the perfect British salad. We’d love to see what you’ve grown in your greenhouse this year, so do please share your photos with us. 

 

“Your garden should also be in full flower this time of year, so make sure you move plants for the garden out of the greenhouse. Hanging baskets are also nearly ready to go outside, so prep them and any tubs you have to be put out in June. 

 

“As Audrey Hepburn says: ‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.’”

 

For more information about Vitavia greenhouses visit https://www.vitavia.co.uk

 
Zonal Geraniums back at top of plant sales

The first week of May 2022 in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database saw volume sales of plants down 3% on the same week in 2021 but 10% higher than 2019...


 

The first week of May 2022 in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database saw volume sales of plants down 3% on the same week in 2021 but 10% higher than 2019.

 

Last year, plant sales dipped during the second week of May going against the trend of the three years pre-pandemic. It will be interesting to report on 2022 to see if we get back to a more normal pattern.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • A nine percent increase in Zonal Geranium sales week on week moved them above tomato plants to be once again the most popular plant bought in garden centres.
  • Dahlia sales soared to climb 22 places up the GTN chart to No 25.
  • Hostas were the highest chart re-entry at No 42 after dipping out of the Top 50 last week.

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.

Dobbies granted planning permission for new Reading store

Dobbies has been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000 sq ft store in Reading. The retailer currently has a store at Hyde End Road, Shinfield, and the new store will be built on the land behind the existing store...


 

Dobbies has been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000 sq ft store in Reading. The retailer currently has a store at Hyde End Road, Shinfield, and the new store will be built on the land behind the existing store.

 

The current store will remain trading for the majority of the build. The existing site will become a car park with EV charging facilities and the entrance from Hyde End Road will be improved for access.

 

The new store will offer an outstanding garden centre experience for customers, with a comprehensive range of plants and gardening products, as well as carefully curated home, pet and gifting ranges. There will also be a foodhall with butcher and 10,000 sq ft restaurant with soft play.

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Reading is already a popular store and we are delighted to be able to offer our customers an even better experience in our new store.”

 

Construction works will start later this year, with the new store expected to open in Autumn 2023.

The horticultural industry’s tribute to Peter Seabrook – ‘In haste’

The whole horticultural industry owes gratitude to Peter Seabrook MBE, for the influence he had on our industry in over 70 years of his dedicated input. That industry which Peter supported with his whole heart is coming together at Gardeners World Live 2022 this June. The horticultural industry’s ‘thank you’ to Peter will be one of the main attractions in the Floral Marquee at the show at the NEC between the 16th and 19th June.


 

The whole horticultural industry owes gratitude to Peter Seabrook MBE, for the influence he had on our industry in over 70 years of his dedicated input. 

 

That industry which Peter supported with his whole heart is coming together at Gardeners World Live 2022 this June. The horticultural industry’s ‘thank you’ to Peter will be one of the main attractions in the Floral Marquee at the show at the NEC between the 16th and 19th June.

 

The concept of Peter’s display, much of which was already being planned by him before he died suddenly in January of this year, was to celebrate 100 years of the BBC (centenary year 2022), 60 years of BBC TV gardening coverage and 50 years of Peter’s TV Gardening in the UK on the BBC - Pebble Mill and Gardeners World. 

 

Peter channelled his seemingly boundless energy everyday into encouraging young people in gardening, new plants, learning and enthusing others to share his passion. 

 

In true ‘Peter style’ the industry has come together to create the feature which is made up of four main elements, all of which relate to those passions in his life: 

 

1.  The Dig This Vegetable Plot – in 1975 when Peter became involved with BBC Pebble Mill at One TV programme one of his creations was the 10ft x 12ft plot to grow veg.  His ‘Dig This’ section of the programme was a highlight feature from which he wrote his Vegetable Guide, published in 1976, which sold almost 1m copies.

 

Four years ago, visiting the horticultural unit at Pershore High School, Worcestershire, Peter saw students enthusiastically tending their 3m x 3m plots – he hatched the plan to show a school allotment as part of one of his gardening show displays. Like his ‘Dig This’ plot the student’s plots teach them the variety of veg and fruit they can grow in a limited space, the seasonality of produce and the effect of successional sowing. As well as saving food costs and miles, the benefits to people of all ages from the activity of gardening, working with nature and being in the outdoors have never been more relevant than today. Perhaps Peter was ahead of the game once more?

 

2. The Rose Border – One of Peter’s favourite plants was the rose, but which one? “Any one he would say and the stronger the scent the better”

 

The Precious series of roses from Whartons are super-healthy, repeat flowering, providing colour from May to November. Floribunda flowers on a dome shaped bush, with not many other flowering shrubs can compare with them for longevity of flower with relatively little maintenance. The border, edged with Verbena ‘Seabrook’s Lavender’ and new in 2021, Verbena ‘Margaret’s Memory’ (named after Peters wife, with Royalty proceeds going to The Alzheimer’s Society) adds an additional flowing edging of colour through the summer.  

 

3. Peter was a founding Trustee of the David Colegrave Foundation, a charity that supports students of horticulture. As part of their ‘thank you’ to Peter for all the work he did over the 30 years for the charity, they have taken on The Pelargonium Wall he had planned to create at this year’s show. In Peter’s eyes geraniums always had an important place in the garden. Recent genetic developments by breeders across the world intrigued him and to show their versatility, variety and downright good value Peter conceived a wall of Pelargoniums to display their merits to show visitors. 

 

4. Floral Fantasia – a ‘trial ground’ currently based at RHS Hyde Hall near Peter’s home town of Chelmsford, his concept was to create a pathway from breeder to consumer for new plants. This was a more recent vision Peter had, and something he had devoted a lot of his energy to during lock down while he also grieved the death of his wife of 60 years, Margaret who died recently. So far approaching 20 breeders and nurseries have put forward nearly 50 new varieties of plants for the display at  Gardeners World. This includes some new Dianthus from Volmary that are so new they have yet to be named! A new Forsythia from Hilliers, the Bubbles series   of Petunia from Kerley & Co. Calibrachoa Cabaret Good Night Kiss from Ball     Colegrave, a new Nemesia from Bransford Webbs, Helenium autumnale Hayday Gold will also being showing its sunny face, introduced by Syngenta. Raymond Evison Clematis from the Channel Islands will be showing Clematis Issey.

 

Pot after pot of new plant varieties from colourful summer bedding to shrubs will highlight the work Peter carried on through over 60 years in the trade of finding, growing and promoting new plant varieties. Floral Fantasia feature at the RHS garden is a unique industry collaboration and the display promoting it to the public at Gardeners World Live will be one of its first exposures to the consumer.

 

It is hoped that the new Sweet Pea Peter Seabrook will also be on show and the new climbing rose announced in April by Whartons Nurseries Peter’s Persica.

 

“What better way to honour over 70 years of his work in the garden industry than for that industry to come together in ‘thanks’ for his tireless work on our behalf,” said Neil Gow who with Val Christman is co-ordinating the display. 

 

Neil added: “We all have our own memories and recollections of working with Peter and the impact he had on our lives and our industry over many years and it is an honour to be involved with this display. We thank his family, Alison and Roger, for their help and support and also the team at Gardeners World Live for making it possible.” 

 

Peter would be right behind the efforts of the industry to put on the display at Gardeners World Live, which Peter always described as one of his favourite events of the year. 

 

A reception is being held for invited guests as part of the Press Preview in the Floral Marquee on the 15th June, when a glass will be raised to honour Peter and for the industry to ‘thank’ probably the greatest ambassador we will ever have.

 

Peter would only have one regret – that he is not there himself to talk to show visitors and impart some of his gardening wisdom – a regret we all share.

 

 As Peter himself would sign off his correspondence – ‘Kind regards’

 
British Garden Centres helping Greenfingers at Chelsea

Greenfingers and the British Garden Centres Group have announced that they will be attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as Exhibitors. The show will be running from May 24th-28th and is always set to attract thousands of visitors including the Royal Family...


Greenfingers and the British Garden Centres Group have announced that they will be attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as Exhibitors. The show will be running from May 24th-28th and is always set to attract thousands of visitors including the Royal Family. 

 

British Garden Centres have 61 centres in the UK, recently launching the 61st in Hatton, Warwick.  The group has always supported Greenfingers and fundraised money for them through events such as Garden Re-Leaf Day. It’s great to see this business getting involved in the national event. 

 

Boyd Douglas-Davies, Director at British Garden Centres said: “We are so pleased we are able to support Greenfingers by enabling them to have a presence at RHS Chelsea this year. The event is the perfect place to shout from the rooftops regarding the work the charity undertakes, with an attending audience that is already engaged with the mental and physical benefits of gardening. We’ve no doubt that the show will see legions of new supporters inspired by the work of the charity and in turn dig deep to support it”. 

 

Sue Allen, Chairman at the Greenfingers charity added: “Our sincerest thanks to British Garden Centres for their support in helping us gain a presence at RHS Chelsea. We are looking forward to getting on-site and start telling all the wonderful visitors more about the work we do and hope that many of them will consider making Greenfingers their charity of choice”. 

 

Their exhibit will be located on Eastern Avenue (stand EA453), which is the thriving shopping and information hub of the show. Greenfingers and the British Garden Centres teams are hoping to spread the word and encourage more people to get involved and support the charity. 

 

Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK. The charity is committed to creating, beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with family, friends, and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation. To date, Greenfingers Charity has created over 60 inspiring gardens in children’s hospices around the country and has a further waiting list of hospices that need help.

Elho opens second distribution facility

Sustainable plant pot manufacturer, elho, has opened the doors of its second distribution centre in Tilburg, Holland...


 

Sustainable plant pot manufacturer, elho, has opened the doors of its second distribution centre in Tilburg, Holland.

 

The new facility is part of the company’s aim to better meet the demands of its customers and scale up its mission of providing its products in the most supportive and innovative way while caring for the planet at the same time.

 

The Certified B Corporation* is dedicated to encouraging as many people as possible to connect with nature and introduce it into their lives. The new distribution centre will help maintain elho’s high service levels to make sure even more customers can pursue their horticultural adventures, with 28 extra loading docks, 3,000 order picking stations and 53,000 palette positions, helping to keep up with the high demand.

 

 

Located close to elho’s existing facility, the new distribution centre - which is almost three times larger than its primary site - will also provide extra storage capacity while improving the company’s carbon footprint as transportation between warehouses has significantly reduced.

 

The new logistics building has also been praised for its sustainable efforts. Thanks to the use of its eco-friendly materials, including concrete floors, LED lights, steel panels, sandwich panels and solar panels that has the largest energy storage system in the Netherlands, it was awarded the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Gold certification. Those that were part of building the new facility were also recognised with the WELL Building Gold certification.

 

Relocating elho’s logistics into its new location will also enable the expansion of its production. Elho currently has 21 machines, but has plans to introduce another 19 by the end of 2025. The machines are designed to emit the lowest amount of energy and ensures the quality and efficiency of production with recycled materials can be improved. The expansion will also allow elho’s technical center to expand and establish a Technical Knowledge Lab in order to stay on top of the challenges posed by synthetics and regranulates.

 

Elho’s marketing manager, Patty Willems, commented: “We’re so excited to open our second logistics distribution facility here in Tilburg. Not only will this allow us to continue delivering our eco-friendly products to our customer all over the world. We are also able to expand other areas of the business to achieve maximum efficiency and help more people introduce nature into their lives.”

 

To find out more about elho, its products and its commitment to sustainability, please visit www.elho.com.

We Need More Flowers - 2022 TV Campaign launch

 

The successful ‘We Need More Flowers’ campaign from Flower Council Holland will launch in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. In France, the campaign will start on 30 May. The campaign encourages everyone to live life to the fullest, with flowers.


 

The successful ‘We Need More Flowers’ campaign from Flower Council Holland will launch in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. In France, the campaign will start on 30 May. The campaign encourages everyone to live life to the fullest, with flowers.

 

Television main medium

This international campaign will be supported for three weeks through extensive media efforts. This year, a 20-second commercial will be broadcasted on television and on demand streaming channels. The commercial will also be shown online and via social media channels, and can also be viewed on Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk and its sister websites in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. View the commercial below.

 

 

More information

For more information about the We Need More Flowers campaign, please contact Daan Langstraat, Campaign Manager, via dlangstraat@bloemenbureauholland.nl.

Giving at Glee 2022 – new 'protect the planet' initiatives

This year’s edition of Glee – taking place on June 28-30 June at NEC Birmingham – will welcome a number of new initiatives, all designed to help the show’s exhibitors and visitors to 'give back' and protect the planet, reduce waste and raise vital funds for the industry’s charity, Greenfingers...


 

This year’s edition of Glee – taking place on June 28-30 June at NEC Birmingham – will welcome a number of new initiatives, all designed to help the show’s exhibitors and visitors to 'give back' and protect the planet, reduce waste and raise vital funds for the industry’s charity, Greenfingers.  

 

Grow My Tree

With sustainability no longer an option but an imperative, this year Glee is on a mission to help everyone at the exhibition to fight climate change by planting trees with its official climate partner Grow My Tree.

 

Every attendee at Glee 2022 will be able to plant a tree free of charge.  Grow My Tree will work in partnership with one of its local operators within the global south (Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania), where the environmental, social and economic leverage is greatest, and the impact of each tree planted will take effect quickest. A code to access this ‘free tree’ offer will be provided to all attendees post-event.

 

Exhibitors will also be offered the opportunity to purchase up to 440 trees at a discounted rate, helping to offset almost 100% of their annual CO2 emissions* with every tree absorbing upwards of 22kg of CO2 per year. Further details on how to purchase these trees can be found in the E-Zone.

 

Show your love for Greenfingers

Time to dig out your boldest floral shirt, dainty flowery dress and everything in-between as Floral Thursday is back and ready to raise funds for the Greenfingers charity.

 

Taking place on Thursday June 30 – the final day of Glee 2022 – Floral Thursday is a special fundraising activity where it is hoped that the thousands of visitors and exhibitors at Glee will come together to show their flower power in aid of Greenfingers’ ongoing fundraising activities. Anyone that has reached for the floral clothing – from ties to socks to shirts and suits – will be invited to purchase a raffle ticket which will enter them into a prize draw to win fabulous prizes whilst, more importantly, helping to top up the annual fundraising total of the children’s hospice garden charity.

 

Last year, at Glee 2021, Floral Thursday raised over £2,000, and an even larger total is hoped for this year.

 

Further supporting the Greenfingers charity, entries into the Glee New Products Showcase in 2022 can help to raise much needed funds. Any brand that enters the awards can donate their product sample, where it will be auctioned by Greenfingers’ Bedford-based auction partners, W&H Peacock. Similar auctions have raised thousands for the charity, funds which help Greenfingers to continue to build therapeutic gardens in children’s hospices throughout the country.

 

Taking steps to reduce waste onsite

Becoming more sustainable is a key part of the development of Glee, which is why the organisers will be working closely with the NEC and all of their suppliers to ensure that steps are taken to reduce the potentially negative environmental impact that each event cycle can have. Guided by the ‘NEC Sustain’ Policy – an all-encompassing sustainability programme that focuses on the different elements that make up the reality of an exhibition including energy, waste and food – Glee will look to minimise everything from a reliance on plastic to introducing more water fountains, and even sourcing catering from local suppliers to minimise food miles.

 

Glee will also be working with Event Cycle to help exhibitors remove and repurpose any items that otherwise would have been thrown away. Event Cycle help reduce waste from events and create a positive social impact in the process.

 

Item donated by exhibitors are given to charity and community groups, as well as back into the events industry. Exhibitors can find out more about this initiative by visiting the Exhibitor Manual.

 

Introducing onsite welfare rooms

New for 2022, anyone present at Glee will be able to access a dedicated onsite welfare room. It will provide a quiet place to take a break or give additional support to anyone that needs it, no matter the reason.

 

Have you registered yet?

Register now and get planning for Glee 2022. With e-tickets available to access via email or your mobile device, accessing Glee could not be easier or quicker.

 

Find out more

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2022 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

 
Hillier becomes Government accredited training provider

Hillier has become a Government accredited training provider, helping to further its mission to inspire the future of horticulture...


Hillier has become a Government accredited training provider, helping to further its mission to inspire the future of horticulture.

 

The company has had its application to become a registered training provider for apprenticeships approved by the Government, and as such will be launching a new bespoke Hillier apprenticeship scheme in the near future.

 

Using the Government set standards, Hillier is creating bespoke curriculums that provide apprentices with all the knowledge and skills required to meet their full potential.  

 

With more than 750 employees, and as one of the leading names in horticulture, Hillier is well-positioned to continually progress the future of the industry. As such, and to support the delivery of the new apprenticeship scheme, Hillier has created a new Learning and Development department, creating the role of Head of Learning and Development which has been filled by Emma Fell. 

 

As part of this initiative, Hillier has launched a new Online Learning Hub for employees – a platform that Emma has created and overseen the development of, to offer bespoke training to all employees. It is an internal communication hub with information, training videos, FAQs and Quick Start Guides as a means of offering CPD, training and online courses.

 

As well as continued development, the platform aids the onboarding of new team members, with one of the first courses being an Introduction to the Hillier business, celebrating the history and heritage of Hillier Nurseries, a focus on different areas of the business, and the Hillier mission, vision and values to help them quickly and easily gain insight and understanding into what drives the company forward. 

 

Other initiatives that are part of the new learning and development strategy include a new induction process whereby each Monday, every new employee is invited to the new Learning and Development Hub at Hillier head office at Ampfield House for training and presentations from the senior leadership team. 

 

Director of Retail & Wholesale for Hillier Nurseries, Chris Francis says: “We want to demonstrate from the offset that Hillier is a family business and that the Hillier culture is for everyone to support each other, no matter what their position. With the new induction days, we aim to make everyone feel welcomed, important and valued from day one. It’s something quite special that we have more than 750 employees and yet maintain a family feel.

 

“The hub and the new apprenticeship programme are just the beginning, we’ve got big plans for the future too! Our ambition is to open up career paths and development plans to offer bespoke qualifications with value led training courses, that are designed by Hillier, for all employees. We are very excited about receiving the accreditation and are looking forward to signing up our apprentices.” 

 

For further information, visit www.hillier.co.uk, find Hillier Garden Centres on Facebook, or @Hilliergardencentres on Instagram.

Increase customers’ engagement with pelargoniums

The key sales period for pelargoniums may be in full flow but that doesn’t mean retailers should sit back and relax! The experts at Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) – Europe’s leading marketing initiative for these classic summer plants – share five top tips on how retailers can still maximise the sales potential...


 

The key sales period for pelargoniums may be in full flow but that doesn’t mean retailers should sit back and relax!

 

The experts at Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) – Europe’s leading marketing initiative for these classic summer plants – share five top tips on how retailers can still maximise the sales potential of pelargoniums through social media, direct marketing and easy to achieve updates to point of sale instore to drive sales throughout the summer.

 

  1. Capture your customers’ attention with social media

As we spend more time at home than normal the internet and, more specifically, social media, has become our shop window. Much of our buying is done via these channels or is at least influenced by the content which fills our timelines. Any retailer who has a strong presence on social media will be able to engage with new and potential customers before they even set foot in the store.

 

In the case of pelargoniums, PfE has created a wealth of material which retailers are able to optimise via their social media channels. This content not only reduces the time a retailer has to dedicate to social media, but it is designed to inspire consumers, with the aim of encouraging them into store to make purchases of pelargoniums and associated sundries.

 

Available for direct download from www.pelargonium-trade.com, content for social media use includes stunning aspirational lifestyle imagery where retailers can ‘sell the look’ as well as downloadable social media banners and posts, which have been optimised for use across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Retailers need only upload and let the imagery and supporting text do the hard work for them.

 

PfE’s consumer site www.pelargoniumforeurope.com also lends itself well to providing retailers with inspirational written content, perfect for use on Facebook or their own website. From step-by-step craft projects to an in-depth look at the history and care of pelargoniums, this resource can enable retailers to build a profile as experts in all things pelargoniums, reinvigorating the consumers’ confidence in them.

 

  1. Competitions, giveaways and workshops

One of the easiest ways to increase engagement with your customers both online and in store is with competitions and giveaways. Drawing customers’ attention with a competition is a great way of opening up a conversation regarding specific product groups. A simple mechanism for entering will inspire more participants whilst also providing an opportunity to showcase a key fact; a fact that may surprise entrants and therefore help encourage them to make a purchase. In the case of pelargoniums this could relate to their ease of care, resilience or the many different varieties available.

 

Invite winners into the store to collect or, even better, select a prize for themselves. This could result in more sales being made and a relationship forged with a new, potentially long-term customer.

 

Workshops are also a great way of inviting customers into the store before the end of the sales season. Consider a summer workshop on ‘the new generation of pelargoniums’ and utilise different colours and types of pelargoniums to create something that defies expectations, or even a craft workshop for wedding flowers or al fresco dining décor. These workshops are reliant on staff availability but can deliver a strong influx of customers wanting to secure plants. Communicate workshops through social media and also with direct marketing to your retail database.

  1. Make noise in the retail setting

With so much choice available to them, it is sometime hard for consumers to know what to buy. With PfE’s dedicated point of sale tools, including banners, posters, flags and flyers, it makes it easier than ever to direct their attention to this key summer seller. They’re quick and easy to download and print so you can have yours in a matter of days.

 

The inclusion of dedicated signage promoting pelargoniums also supports the psychology of shopping in that consumers are more likely to engage with a brand that is visible throughout the store. The investment in merchandising support and prominent positioning throughout the shop floor or plant area, promotes a brand or product that can be trusted and is confident that it will deliver on what it promises.

 

  1. What am I buying?

Many consumers like to know what they are buying before committing to a purchase. In the case of pelargoniums this might relate to the ultimate size of the plant, quick information on care and watering, and flowering time. Whilst much of this information will be present on the plant label, retailers can help increase impulse sales by making this basic information even clearer so that the customer attention is drawn from across the shop floor. A chalk board, for example, is a quick, simple and cheap way to communicate these key details, whilst providing consumers with the confidence to purchase.

 

     

  1. Keep displays fresh

The display you set up at the start of the season does not need to be the one that you finish the season with.  As pelargoniums have such a vast array of colours and types - such as zonal, ivy leaved, regal, scented leaf and angel - keep your display fresh by mixing up colours and cross merchandising pelargoniums alongside planters, complementary plants and even gardening gloves to increase the average basket spend. In doing so, retailers can entice customers who might not have previously noticed the pelargonium stock, whilst also encouraging repeat sales amongst existing customers. If you do refresh your displays don’t forget to add a photo to social media to entice customers to come and see for themselves!

 

For more information and images of geraniums visit: www.pelargoniumforeurope.com

 

Pelargonium for Europe

Pelargonium for Europe is the marketing initiative of European geranium breeders Dümmen Orange, Elsner PAC, Florensis / P. van der Haak Handelskwekerij, Geranien Endisch, Selecta One and Syngenta Flowers. The initiative was founded in 2016 with the aim of promoting and securing long-term geranium sales in Europe. Its activities began in 2017 and in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, activities are supported by the EU as part of the “Europe in Bloom” campaign. 

 

Durstons Garden Products committed to sustainable future

As demand for greener products, less waste and the protection of important natural resources increases, Durstons Garden Products reaffirm their commitment to a more sustainable tomorrow and a peat-free future...


 

As demand for greener products, less waste and the protection of important natural resources increases, Durstons Garden Products reaffirm their commitment to a more sustainable tomorrow and a peat-free future.

 

On the first step of their journey, the family-run business reduced peat across their entire range, launched a brand-new peat-free growing offer, and revamped all packaging, so that it includes more recycled material and is fully recyclable at the end of its life.

 

In the face of a climate crisis, consumers have never been more concerned about the impact they and the products they use have on the environment. Garden retailers have also made their own commitments to operating more sustainably and providing greener alternatives, which is why Durstons aretaking action to ensure their ranges meet expectations and that customers have the choice and support they need.

 

Peat-free pledge

Despite protestations from some notable figures in the horticulture industry, the team at Durstons believes a peat-free future is closer than ever, and is working round the clock to ensure that the business is ready. Whilst some have dithered on the issue or are against the phasing out of peat altogether, Durstons have made a steadfast commitment to eradicating peat from their products going forward and to protecting the non-renewable resource. Durstons’ offering is constantly evolving, and, to date, the manufacturer has reduced the amount of peat used across its entire range. They have also launched a new multi-purpose peat-free compost produced entirely from renewable sources.


The compost provides excellent nutrient content and delivers consistently great results. Good drainage and aeration, plus a wetting agent, helps nurture healthy root systems and keep plants thriving.

 

To support consumers who want even more of a natural gardening experience, there is Durstons Organic Multi-Purpose Compost Peat Free, which creates ideal growing conditions thanks to its perfect blend of the highest quality organic and peat-free growing media, combined with a wetting agent to balance water absorption.


The latest exciting addition to its expanding portfolio, just in time for Glee 2022 (June 28th-30th), is a brand-new peat-free grow bag. Dubbed Peat Free Grow in the Bag, the extra-large pack is the same size as Durstons’ Vegetable Planter and is perfect for growing a wide range of fruit, vegetables and salad crops.

 

According to the UK Government, two thirds of the peat sold in the UK is imported from the rest of Europe but, as consumers now question the green credentials and provenance of the products they buy, British manufacturer Durstons understand how important it is that UK retailers are able to source quality peat-free growing media from local suppliers.

 

In response, Durstons are currently working in line with Government guidelines and goals around peat reduction but are accelerating changes within the business and have even more exciting updates in the pipeline.

 

Cutting through the confusion

Growing media is often an overwhelming category for the average garden centre customer. Even well-practised gardeners can make mistakes when it comes to choosing the right product for the job. With the phasing out of peat high on the horticulture industry’s agenda, understanding how gardeners use these products is crucial.

 

A recent Government report suggested that consumers continue to misuse bagged peat-based products, citing an example of using them to improve the quality of garden soil, when other products, such as green compost would be much more appropriate and beneficial. As a result, Durstons welcomed a series of projects launched by the Growing Media Taskforce to improve customer knowledge about peat-free gardening. 

 

Equally, the family firm doesn’t want to complicate things further for end-users, which is why Durstons’ peat-free compost is multi-purpose and offers benefits for a wide range of gardening uses. The company also made the decision to revamp all packaging, so that key messaging and applications were strongly emphasised, helping end-users make a more informed choice.

 

The bag for Durstons Multi-Purpose Peat-Free Compost clearly highlights that it is ideal for sowing, planting, baskets and tubs. Also in a prominent position on pack is the fact that this product is produced in the UK and the packaging is recyclable, making it even easier for eco-conscious gardeners to find the right products for their needs.

 

Finally, to help consumers zone in on peat-free products within a garden retailer’s offer more quickly, Durstons have opted to colour-code their ranges as part of the packaging re-design. Their peat-free composts and grow bag now all feature a green colourway, making the peat-free family easily recognisable when on display.

 

No compromise on quality

One of the biggest challenges with reduced-peat products is performance and convincing gardeners that they can still grow successfully with greener alternatives. Having reduced peat levels across its entire range, Durstons have worked hard to develop their unique GRO BOOST additive, which provides plants with a long-lasting nutrient boost throughout the growth cycle.

 

The specially formulated blend of organic materials from renewable sources helps maintains outstanding growing performance, reducing users’ reliance on peat. ‘Added GRO BOOST’ is always clearly highlighted on pack to help it jump out on shelf and give gardeners the confidence that they are selecting a product that will deliver outstanding results, regardless of the reduced peat content.

 

As part of the journey, Durstons have made significant investments in improving the quality of their peat-free compost with the introduction of two new state-of-the-art Komptech screens at their manufacturing site in Sharpham. The machines sieve peat-free material, so that only the optimum particle size passes through and is bagged. The end result is a quality peat-free compost that is free of any oversized material and helps growers achieve brilliant results.

 

Sustainable supply

With so much plastic waste still being sent to landfill, Durstons no longer wanted to be part of the problem and were one of the first growing media brands to introduce 100%-recyclable packaging. The Somerset-based manufacturer has also incorporated 30% recycled material into the make-up of their compost bags.

 

Durstons are taking responsibility for their own role in the supply chain and continue to make changes that ensure they operates as sustainably as possible. The business also undertakes a comprehensive after-use programme on all of its peat bogs at the end of their life cycle, so that any area Durstons have farmed will be fully regenerated and a wealth of natural wildlife habitats created.

 

Dan Durston says: “Durstons have a long-term vision for incorporating sustainability; and a peat-free future is very much at the heart of this. We are investing time and money in expanding our peat-free offer, whilst ensuring we maintain quality and continue to offer our customers innovative products, rather than oversaturating the market with ‘me too’ ranges.”

 

He continues: “We know that a move away from peat is a contentious issue and many people have strong opinions on the subject, but we echo Monty Don’s sentiment that ‘it is far better to be part of the solution than part of the problem’. We welcome the changes that are taking place and stand with organisations – such as the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), Garden Centre Association (GCA) and Growing Media Association (GMA) – in seeking a greener way to garden, and preserving the UK’s peatlands, along with vital eco-systems and habitats.

 

“This is just the first step on a longer journey for us, during which we are excited to bring more peat-free options to market, so join us for the ride! Come and see us on stand at Glee in June (Hall 20, stand C02) to talk about peat-free gardening and find out more about our plans for the future.”

 

Find out more

Durstons have been established for over 150 years.  Find out more at www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or call 01458 442688.

Children's hospice is garden centre's chosen charity

Tong Garden Centre in Bradford has announced that ‘Forget Me Not Children's Hospice' will be its Charity of the Year for 2022, following a suggestion from a team member who has first-hand experience of the charity...


 

Tong Garden Centre in Bradford has announced that ‘Forget Me Not Children's Hospice' will be its Charity of the Year for 2022, following a suggestion from a team member who has first-hand experience of the charity.

 

Through a series of fund-raising events and collection boxes at the tills, the team at Tong hopes to raise £10,000 for the charity that delivers CQC rated outstanding care to children with life shortening conditions and their families.

 

The Charity of the Year fundraising is managed by a committee led by the People and Culture team at the Tong Lane site. Tong's People and Culture Business Partner - Sustainability Lead, Steph Bates said: "Forget Me Not Children's Hospice was nominated by Michael Bowers from our warehouse team after the hospice gave Michael and his family a chance to make memories with their beautiful son, Teddy.

 

Teddy Bear Bowers was born on August 2nd, 2019. Four days after birth, he was diagnosed with inoperable Atrioventricular Septal Defect and Teddy was transferred to Forget Me Not Children's Hospice which gave Teddy onsite medical care and a place for Teddy and his family to enjoy their last few days together. Teddy sadly passed away on August 10th.

 

Mr. Bowers and partner, Xena Maud, from Bierley were able to invite family to share the precious time. "Forget Me Not made our time as comfortable as possible.  It felt like we were on holiday. We never ever forgot why we were there, but we didn't have to think about medical jargon or medical care, and we could just focus on enjoying Teddy. We will never forget the memories we could create because of Forget Me Not and we hope that Tong's fundraising can help other families to receive the same level of care that FMN gave us," said Mr. Bowers

 

Plans to raise the funds include a sponsored walk that is the equivalent of Tong to Paris, raffles, silent auctions and team competitions like an Earth Day inspired baking challenge.

 

Gemma Redford from Forget Me Not Children's Hospice is delighted with Tong's support: "Thanks so much to everyone at Tong Garden Centre for choosing Forget Me Not as your charity of the year - it means the world to us and the families we care for to have your support. Every year we need over £4million to run our hospice and without people and businesses like the garden centre raising money we simply wouldn't be here to provide the vital support that families like Teddy's need.

 

With everything Tong Garden Centre has planned in 2022, it's going to be an amazing year of fundraising!"

 

To contribute to Tong's fundraising, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tgc2022

 
Deco-Pak proud to support British and local industry

As a Yorkshire-based, family-run business, Deco-Pak values the importance of supporting local industry within the UK and ensuring that retailers have quality products, delivered on time, that also satisfy their own customers’ appetite for more sustainable alternatives...


 

As a Yorkshire-based, family-run business, Deco-Pak values the importance of supporting local industry within the UK and ensuring that retailers have quality products, delivered on time, that also satisfy their own customers’ appetite for more sustainable alternatives. 

 

Supporting the economy

Shouting about your British credentials is about far more than national pride. It is also about supporting local livelihoods – particularly after a very difficult couple of years during the pandemic – and the wider economy. Deco-Pak sources 95% of its aggregate products in the UK and places great importance on helping British industries and businesses to thrive. This commitment helps Deco-Pak to source quality material for its products but also supports businesses and communities throughout the UK that play a vital role in our economy.

 

Aggregates account for roughly 85% of the non-energy minerals extracted in the UK and are absolutely critical for the UK economy. To put a value on that; the quarrying industry is worth a whopping £3.1billion per year! And, this revenue is expected to increase further over the next five years, thanks to an increase in construction demand and a boost in confidence to undertake construction projects.

 

To put this in further context; there are 1,300 quarries in Britain, 28 marine aggregate dredgers mining the sea bed, plus aggregates produced via recycling processes, which produce around 300 million tonnes every year. The industry also provides employment for an estimated 88,000 people, according to The Quarry Products Association.

 

Not only does Deco-Pak strive to support the British aggregates industry and those whose livelihoods depend on it but the West Yorkshire-based business also sources all of its sand from within a 45 mile radius and has all of its POS and promotional material printed within a five mile radius.

 

Reliable service

Another reason that Deco-Pak values buying British is the dependability it affords and the straightforward supply chain, which means retail customers aren’t going to be left wanting because of hold-ups with imported goods.

 

Garden industry suppliers have been battling with unprecedented supply chain issues for some time now, with major delays, lack of shipping containers, goods being stuck at ports and skyrocketing freight costs, and so on. As the disruption around importing looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, retailers are under increased pressure from suppliers to get orders in earlier and earlier just to guarantee stock for the next season.

 

Thankfully, by sourcing from UK quarries and businesses, Deco-Pak can avoid all of this chaos and get products to its stockists on time and exactly when they need them. Shorter lead times also allow for greater flexibility, so any spike in demand can be met, allowing retailers to capitalise on opportunities.

 

Greater sustainability

Increasingly, consumers are questioning the provenance of the products they buy and the sustainability of what’s in the bag. Ranges that are made or sourced in Britain are winning out, as shoppers, concerned about the climate crisis, lean towards products with fewer miles on the clock and lower carbon footprints.

 

Deco-Pak is  keen to operate in a sustainable way by sourcing more efficiently from UK quarries and also recognises its own customers’ need to curate a more environmentally-friendly offer.

 

Additionally, the modern quarrying methods and equipment used now are far more eco-friendly, with the UK leading the world in environmental standards; another reason Deco-Pak is proud to support the British aggregates industry.

 

In addition, Deco-Pak’s EcoStone range transforms waste materials, once destined for landfill, into decorative aggregates. Glasglo are translucent tumbled glass stones, pot topper stones and cobbles made from recycled televisions; EcoStone Rubber Chippings give new life to former tyres, recycled into chippings that provide safe play areas and act as a weed-suppressing mulch, while EcoStone Sea Shells – sourced from a whelk processing factory – transform pots and terrariums when used as a dressing, and provide natural slug control in borders, too.

 

Find out more

To find out more about Deco-Pak’s leading product portfolio please visit www.deco-pak.co.uk or call 01422 204 394.

 

Shaping a New Future at Coolings, New Products, Easter GTN Bestsellers and more in GTN's March/April issue on-line here

In the March/April 2022 issue of GTN:

  • Shaping a new future at Coolings
  • Blue Diamond Awards
  • Garden Centres Aid for Ukraine
  • Primeur – Ready for 2022
  • Latest trends and products from the Garden Press Event
  • LOFA’s Plant a Tree Campaign
  • Greetings from Woodmansterne – GTN meets the suppliers
  • Easter Trading records broken – GTN Bestsellers Exclusive
  • GTN Bestsellers – Subscribe Now!
  • YPHA member opens Dor’s Garden in Ross On Wye
  • Glee 2022 Update
  • Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022
  • LOFA Column – Working Together
  • HTA Column – Reasons to be Cheerful
  • GIMA Column – Sourcing New Products

In the March/April issue of GTN: Shaping a new future at Coolings - Paul Cooling explains all about the Employee Ownership Trust, Blue Diamond Awards – GTN Photo Exclusive, Garden Centres Aid for Ukraine, Primeur – Ready for 2022, Latest trends and products from the Garden Press Event, LOFA’s Plant a Tree Campaign, Greetings from Woodmansterne – GTN meets the suppliers, Easter Trading records broken – GTN Bestsellers Exclusive, GTN Bestsellers – Subscribe Now!, YPHA member opens Dor’s Garden in Ross On Wye, Glee 2022 Update, Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022, LOFA Column – Working Together, HTA Column – Reasons to be Cheerful, GIMA Column – Sourcing New Products

 

 

 
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Tomato feed leads the way

The volume sales of the Top 50 Garden Products, that’s excluding Growing Media, in the GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data grew by 6% week on week during the first week of May but remained below 2019 levels for the second consecutive week...


 

The volume sales of the Top 50 Garden Products, that’s excluding Growing Media, in the GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data grew by 6% week on week during the first week of May but remained below 2019 levels for the second consecutive week.

 

Plant feeds are selling well but there is a distinct lack of bestselling garden lighting in the chart at the moment and fewer pot lines. 

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1L + 30% Free stays at No 1 with Westland’s Big Tom Concentrated Tomato Food 1.9L moving up two places to No 7.
  • The highest placed pot line this week is Smart Garden’s Fence & Balcony Hanging Pot, a re-entry at No 20.
  • Westland Gro-Sure Natural Power Bug Stop Ready To Use 800ml is a new entry at No 44.

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.

 
Phenomenal veg sales gives Gardeners Delight

Veg-2-Gro plant sales are at phenomenal levels, setting new highs for the first week of May and increasing week on week by 5%...


 

Veg-2-Gro plant sales are at phenomenal levels, setting new highs for the first week of May and increasing week on week by 5%.

 

Year to date Top 50 Veg-2-Gro sales volmes currently sit at 10% up on 2021 and 33% up on 2019.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Gardeners Delight has moved up to the No 1 spot for the first time this year.
  • Cheers Tomato Ailsa Craig 9cm is the highest re-entry of the week at No 21.
  • Quantil Bean Broad 10cm is the only Top 50 new entry, in at No 47.

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.

 
Still a quarter more home growing going on

Top 50 Growing Media sales volumes are now 2% up on 2021 and 24% up on 2019. It would appear there is still a quarter core growing going on than before the pandemic and that isn’t dropping away yet.


 

Growing Media volume sales stayed just about static week on week as we move into May and static year on year too.

 

That means the Top 50 Growing Media sales volumes are now 2% up on 2021 and 24% up on 2019.  

 

It would appear there is still a quarter core growing going on than before the pandemic and that isn’t dropping away yet.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Westland Bio Life Soil Improver 50 litres climbs 11 places up the GTN Growing Media chart to be the bestselling soil improver product at No 26 overall.
  • Bathgate Multi-Purpose John Innes 50 litres re-entered at No 50.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Peat Free Rose Compost 40 litres is a new entry at No 46.

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.

 
Springwatch boost ahead

Wild Bird Care sales for the first week of May 2022 matched the levels recorded in 2019 but remained down on 2019’s pre-pandemic levels...


 

Wild Bird Care sales for the first week of May 2022 matched the levels recorded in 2019 but remained down on 2019’s pre-pandemic levels.

 

Year to date Top 50 volumes are now 5% up on last year but 9% down on 2019.

 

The new series of BBC’s Springwatch will start on Monday 30th May, so there is a great opportunity for garden centres to make sure any fledgling new gardeners choose them as the place to buy quality wild bird care and wild life products.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Marriages Honeyfields Calciworms 1kg climb furthest up the chart, up 24 places to No 7.
  • CJ Wildbird Foods National Trust Vierno Drinker Water Dish is the highest re-entry of the week at No 31.
  • Jacobi Jayne Flutter Butter Pod Original is a new entry at No 41.

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.

 
Horticulture students grow plants for primary schools

Level Three Horticulture students at Writtle University College in Essex are taking part in a county-wide campaign...


 

Level Three Horticulture students at Writtle University College in Essex are taking part in a county-wide campaign. 

 

By growing and donating plants, the students have helped 60 Essex primary schools to teach children in years four, five and six how their food travels from farm to fork. 

 

The initiative is part of the Essex Food and Farming Day which has been organised by the Essex Agricultural Society since 2007. 

 

Participating schools received the plants as part of a free goody pack which also included a VegTrug Planter and gifts from local companies. Pupils and teachers have access to an innovative online portal, which features growing tips and videos from farmers and food-related companies from across Essex.

 

Lucy, a student at Writtle University College, said: "I think it's great that primary school children are given the opportunity to learn horticulture at such a young age as it's a useful skill."

 

Writtle University College lecturer Sandie Cain added: "We're delighted to be supporting the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day. Our students enjoy helping their local community and have been using our campus greenhouses to grow sow basil, tomatoes and other crops. We hope that the pupils enjoy learning about food, farming and the environment."

 

Over 3,000 children took part in this year’s event. Their online portal is offering pupils and teachers an insight into crops, food, machinery, livestock and the environment. They also have access to recipes, to make the most of the Marriages flour and Tiptree jam in their parcels.

 

The Essex Agricultural Society's chairman of Essex Schools Food & Farming Day, Annabelle Rout, said:  "I always really look forward to the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day 2022, it is so important to educate children about where their food comes from and how farmers grow the food we eat."

 

For more information go to www.essexag.co.uk.

 
Ann Jennen takes on Secretary General role at Fleuroselect

Sally van der Horst, who recently celebrated 30 years at Fleuroselect, has handed over her function as Secretary General to Ann Jennen...


 

 

Sally van der Horst, who recently celebrated 30 years at Fleuroselect, has handed over her function as Secretary General to Ann Jennen.

 

While Sally continues to play a pivotal role in the Secretariat administration, and Ann remains overall responsible for marketing and communications, this shift in responsibilities comes at an opportune time.

Sally: “After 30 years at the organisation, I am taking a step back to reorganise my work-life balance on the way to my retirement. While remaining actively involved in the organisation, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family. Ann and I have been working together at Fleuroselect for ten years and have developed an excellent working relationship. I am confident that she will excel as the next Secretary General and I am looking forward to supporting her and the organisation with my expertise in a part-time capacity.”

Ann joined Fleuroselect in 2012 as Marketing and Communications Manager. Previously, she held positions at L'Oréal and Hill+Knowlton. In addition to her mother tongue, Dutch, she is fluent in German, English and French.

Ann: “I am honoured to be offered the Secretary General role by our Board of Directors. I realise that the bar has been set very high and I am very grateful to Sally and our members for all the valuable insights they have provided me with over the past 10 years. Combined with my professional marketing background and sound international network, I feel that I have the necessary assets to successfully lead the Secretariat. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the team, our Board of Directors and our members to further connect, promote and empower the ornamental plant breeding industry.”

Karol Pawlak, Fleuroselect President: “We are grateful for the years in which Sally has successfully managed the Secretariat. We fully understand and support her wish to reorganise her priorities in life. Sally and Ann have been an exceptional tandem for the past 10 years. The Board of Directors agreed unanimously to invite Ann to step up. With her sound marketing expertise and excellent networking skills, she has all it takes to successfully lead the organisation towards a sustainable and floriferous future.”

The Fleuroselect Secretariat operates from the organisational headquarters in Voorhout, The Netherlands. Here, Ellen Hazenoot (Marketing & Events Coordinator) and Nadia van Dam (Content Marketing Specialist) work closely together with Ann and Sally.

 
Tubex marks 35 years of production at flagship tree shelter facility

Tubex, the UK’s leading manufacturer of tree shelters, is celebrating 35 years of production at its site in Aberdare, Wales...


 

Tubex, the UK’s leading manufacturer of tree shelters, is celebrating 35 years of production at its site in Aberdare, Wales. 

 

To mark this milestone, key stakeholders and influencers from the forestry sector visited Aberdare in May to see Tubex’s tree shelter manufacturing processes first-hand. 

 

The anniversary comes at a time of significant growth for Tubex, a brand of Berry Global, given growing awareness of the need for widespread tree planting nationwide. 

 

 

Tubex has received investment [from Berry] to boost its ability to better support customers through increased stock, capacity, automation and sustainability.

 

In particular, Tubex’s Aberdare site is leading the drive towards full circularity in tree shelter manufacture, by achieving up to 35% recycled content in its core range – with a clear pathway towards 100% within the coming years – and 100% already on other products. 

 

This is supported by Tubex’s Collection and Recycling Scheme, which ensures responsible disposal of tree shelters, and closes the loop to increase the usage of recycled materials.

 

 

Dean Latten, Site Director at Tubex, has worked at the Aberdare facility for 20 years and witnessed the company’s growth.

 

“35 years of production is a massive achievement for any business – and to celebrate it at a time when demand for tree shelters is continuing to rise is a real source of pride to the Tubex team.  It was fantastic to welcome so many influential figures to Aberdare to demonstrate the work we’re doing to support sustainability through the manufacture, collection and recycling of our products.”

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Award-winning Harmony Gardens brand goes from strength to strength
GTN Xtra Promotion

Southern Trident’s Harmony Gardens brand of growing media products was launched at Glee last year to glowing acclaim – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost won the Best New Growing Media Product and the Glee Sustainability Award. Since then, it has been much loved by stockists and consumers alike...


 

Southern Trident’s Harmony Gardens brand of growing media products was launched at Glee last year to glowing acclaim – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost won the Best New Growing Media Product and the Glee Sustainability Award. Since then, it has been much loved by stockists and consumers alike.

 

The range, which currently includes Multipurpose Compost, Growbag, Top Soil and Soil Improver, is 100% peat free, only contains environmentally-responsible sourced recycled raw materials and by-products from other industries.

 

The coir used has Soil Association accreditation, and Harmony Gardens is the world’s first carbon neutral growing media brand. That’s definitely something to shout about to your customers when you stock the Harmony Gardens range.

 

We are extremely excited to announce that at this year’s Glee we will be doubling the range of products, to provide a complete growing media portfolio. We can’t wait to show you our Fruit & Vegetable Compost, Farmyard Manure, Chipped Bark and Ericaceous Compost – always every compost producer’s trickiest type of peat-free compost to formulate – but we’ve done it! All carbon neutral and ideal to bolster any eco-friendly portfolio.

 

The attractive packaging creates stand-out displays for stockists and contains clear messaging and customer friendly information; Peat Free, Carbon Neutral, Soil Association and Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media (RSSGM), of which Southern Trident is a founding member. Unlike most other suppliers, we clearly explain exactly which peat-free constituents it contains and their benefits, where and how to use the product and, in the case of composts, how many containers it will fill.

 

 

As part of our sustainable Green Today, Greener Tomorrow philosophy, bags are made from at least 30% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable where local authority facilities exist to accommodate recyclable plastics.

 

The newly launched, Harmony Gardens website – harmonygardens.uk – contains details of the range, has a stockist locator so consumers can find their local garden centre supplier and fully explains our carbon neutral and peat-free status.

 

To find out more, visit the website, harmonygardens.uk, contact us at sales@southerntrident.com, call us on 020 3633 7786 and come and see us at Glee stand 6H52-J53.

 

You can also see how we promote the benefits of Southern Trident’s complete 100% peat-free portfolio, which includes Coco & Coir, on social media:

facebook.com/cocoandcoir

instagram.com/cocoandcoir

twitter.com/cocoandcoir

linkedin.com/company/southerntrident

 
Jubilee plant sales success and Peat Free clarity at Ayletts

Jubilee plant sales were flying through the tills last weekend at Aylett Nurseries as GTN Xtra visited the centre to see how they have developed their peat vs peat free communications to customers...


Read more and see GTN Xtra's photo tour

Jubilee plant sales were flying through the tills last weekend at Aylett Nurseries as GTN Xtra visited the centre to see how they have developed their peat vs peat free communications to customers.

 

Their display of red, white and blue container plants were selling fast in the covered planteria ahead of more Jubilee plant sales displays being created during this week.  As the Jubilee weekend is a great opportunity to build on sales of plants and garden leisure items we'd love to see photos of your displays and we'll include them in a special Platinum Jubilee display GTN Xtra photo gallery. Please send you photos, or social media links to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.

 

This year Ayletts have ramped their peatometer up a notch to feature on every growing media product sold, not just in the growing media sales area but also everywhere growing media is merchandised around the St Albans centre.  See our photo tour below.

 

If you're proud of your peat vs peat free signage and customer communications too, please let us know: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.

 

 

 
Longacres on a Bank Holiday Sunday

Longacres in Bagshot may not have had a record May Bank Holiday this year, but it was certainly busy with trolley loads of plants and products keeping all of the tills busy on Bank Holiday Sunday when GTN Xtra called in...


See GTN Xtra's photo tour of Longacres Bagshot

Longacres in Bagshot may not have had a record May Bank Hholiday this year, but it was certainly busy with trolley loads of plants and products keeping all of the tills busy on Bank Holiday Sunday when GTN Xtra called in. 

 

See our photo tour below.

 
Bridgemere Show Gardens – restored and reinvigorated by Blue Diamond Group

Bridgemere Show Gardens, now owned by the Blue Diamond Group, are once again restored to their former glory following an extensive restoration and rejuvenation and are to be re-launched on May 20 at 1pm...


 

Bridgemere Show Gardens, now owned by the Blue Diamond Group, are once again restored to their former glory following an extensive restoration and rejuvenation and are to be re-launched on the May 20 at 1pm. 

 

These Gardens include 3 RHS Chelsea Medal winning show gardens.                                                                                     

Formally known as ‘The Garden Kingdom’, and founded by John Ravenscroft in the 1980s to inspire amateur gardeners, these Show Gardens were once a popular visitor destination, attracting people from all over the UK and overseas.  It is one of the only places in the UK where you can see a collection of RHS award-winning gardens from past, to the present day.  

 

The Blue Diamond Group have resurrected the Gardens to their former glory.                                                                                                                                                        Sadly, the Gardens fell into disrepair when John retired in 2006 and it was only when the Blue Diamond Group bought Bridgemere Garden Centre, the Gardens and the adjoining nursery in October 2019, that work has been undertaken in the Gardens to resurrect and restore them to their former glory.

 

Bridgemere Show Gardens is located within Bridgemere Garden Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire.                 

It is a 6-acre garden and in total, home to 13 individual gardens, including seven RHS gold and silver medal award- winning show garden which are recreations from RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court and RHS Tatton Flower Shows. Many of the plants in the Show Gardens are grown in our nursery and are available to buy from our Garden Centre. 

 

 

The Bridgemere Show Gardens also include other medal winning show garden recreations from the Garden Festivals in Hanley and Liverpool as well as the garden in which the 1993 television series 'Gardener's Diary' was filmed. (Between 1993 and 1997, the TV series, ‘A Gardener’s Diary,’ was filmed from these Gardens and aired on Grampian, Border, West Country, Carlton and RTE Dublin TV).

 

For more information about Bridgemere Show Gardens, including opening times and admission charges, (20% of admission charges are donated to Alzheimer’s Society), visit www.bridgemeregardens.co.uk

 
Evergreen Garden Care gives update on slug pellets

Recently the story of slug pellets being banned in the UK has been doing the rounds. While there certainly is a story around slug pellets, it’s not quite so simple. In fact, there is only one specific ingredient that used to be quite common in slug pellets, known as metaldehyde, an active ingredient Evergreen Garden Care stopped using in 2015 which has been made illegal...


Recently the story of slug pellets being banned in the UK has been doing the rounds. While there certainly is a story around slug pellets, it’s not quite so simple. In fact, there is only one specific ingredient that used to be quite common in slug pellets, known as metaldehyde, an active ingredient Evergreen Garden Care stopped using in 2015 which has been made illegal.

 

It’s estimated that the average British garden can contain as many as 20,000 slugs, which is around 200 per m2. Sadly, slugs like to feed on some of our favourite plants – particularly vegetables that we spend a long time growing, including lettuces, cabbages and young brassicas, like broccoli and cauliflower. In fact, according to the slug’s tastebuds, the younger the plant the better as it’s sweeter and tastier.

 

Finding the best way of combating slugs and snails without the use of harsh chemicals has always been a challenge to the home gardener. With many homemade solutions being tried, such as crushed eggshells, beer traps, wool pellets, and coffee grounds all with varying degrees of success.

 

FAQ on slug pellets and Evergreen Garden Care products

 

Are all slug pellets now illegal in the UK?

No. Slug pellets are still legal, it is just one specific ingredient that is common in slug pellets that has been made illegal.

 

What is the name of the ingredient that is now illegal?

The ingredient that was used in slug pellets that is now illegal is called metaldehyde.

 

Does Evergreen Garden Care produce any products that contain metaldehyde?

No. We stopped selling products containing metaldehyde in 2015.

 

Is ferric phosphate legal for use in slug pellets?

Yes. Ferric phosphate is a naturally occurring active ingredient that helps to control slugs.

 

Is there a product that can protect plants from being attacked by slugs?

Yes. Miracle-Gro Nourish & Protect for Flowers, Fruit & Veg creates a physical barrier to protect your plants from slugs and snails as soon as you plant them out. It also contains a slow-release feed.

 

Is there a legal slug pellet that I can use to control an existing slug problem?

Yes. SlugClear™ pellets are legal and produced from ferric Phosphate a natural occurring ingredient and help tackle slug problems in the garden.

 

Are Slug Clear pellets organic?

Yes. Slug Clear pellets are certified by OF&G and approved for use in organic systems.

 

Is Miracle-Gro Nourish & Protect Flowers, Fruit & Veg slug prevention organic?

Yes. Miracle-Gro Nourish & Protect Flowers, Fruit & Veg is certified organic by OF&G and approved for use in organic systems.

 

Slug Control – Which products to recommend? 

Clear™ offers the SlugClear™ pellets, which contain Ferric Phosphate and are approved for use in organic gardening to deal with Slugs and snails in garden. The slug pellets protects gardens for up to two weeks and are ideal for salads, strawberries, brassicas and ornamentals.

 

Ferric phosphate occurs naturally in soil and is just concentrated in the pellets to become an effective control methods. The pellets can be sprinkled evenly and thinly over the soil around the plants to be protected allowing coverage for up to two weeks.

 

SlugClear™ Barrier is ideal for protecting vegetables, fruit and ornamental crops from slugs and snails. It blends in with the soil which keeps garden looking their best, with the additional benefit of it being safe for pets, children and wildlife. It can be used from March to October and is rain resistant and long lasting.

 

Slug Prevention

New for 2022, Miracle-Gro has launched the new Nourish & Protect range, which includes a slug prevention combined with a slow-release plant food that will create a physical barrier against slugs while feeding plants.

 

Perfect for adding when first planting seedlings, the Miracle-Gro Nourish & Protect Flowers, Fruit & Veg in a certified organic granular product made from natural lava rock which slugs will not cross to get to plants. Over time, as watering plants, the plant food infused granules will release all the nutrients to plants needed throughout the season.

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

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


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

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care 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.