In This Issue
Retailer survey pays off for Meadow View
You will be dy(e)ing to stock this product!
GTN Bestsellers charts reveal upsurge in buying activity
Industry Chelsea garden gathers momentum
Adam Frost to design Greenfingers garden at Luton
GrowQuip 2016 – the major new international conference, dinner and exhibition - gets positive reaction
Hewitt, Bunker and Lawler to speak at GIMA conference
High profile display drives up sales of pots at Squires
Taking the garden industry forward with technology
Thompson & Morgan tomato trials reveal sweet secret
Deco-Pak’s Heritage Wildlife Collection proves to be big hit
Johnsons introduces tomorrow’s lawn seed, today
Getting ready for Garden Re-Leaf Day...March 18
Three weeks to go, only 6 pounds still to loose, but many more £'s to raise
Klondyke's CEO in 24-hour Plant-athon for Greenfingers
46 sign up for Garden Re-Leaf Day walk
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Garden Centre Supervisor
Assistant Shop Manager
Garden Centre Manager/General Manager (Prestigious Site)
Customer Service Assistant
Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Assistant Garden Centre Manager
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Horticultural Content Team Lead - Picture Library & Copywriting
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Charlie Dimmock set to launch gardening range in Poundland
Police chase after caravans stolen from Planters Garden Centre
Squire's HQ staff raised £850 for Farnham charity
Stewart sign up 100 schools to GYO campaign
Monitor box moth with pheromone traps, urge Agralan
Innovative Buttacup wins Runner-Up Award at The Garden Press Event
Seed sowing product sales on the rise
Onion sets, seed potatoes and packs of seed are strong sellers
Demand for growing media keeps growing
Plantarium expands
Pictures from The Greatest Christmas Gold-winning Teams
Christmas at Munro's Nurseries
Jackson's Boutique Christmas Picture Tour
Burleydam Christmas 2015
Castle Gardens Christmas 2015 Photo Gallery
Photos of Perrywood's Christmas 2015
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2016 winners
Baby flown to hospital after incident at garden centre
Cheeky Monkey makes a big impact at Ice Cream Expo
Situations Vacant
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Competitive salary
 
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Garden Centre Supervisor
Competitive salary
 
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Assistant Shop Manager
Competitive salary
 
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Garden Centre Manager/General Manager (Prestigious Site)
Salary: Excellent
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Customer Service Assistant
Langlands Garden Centre - Leeds
 
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Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
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Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
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Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
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Assistant Garden Centre Manager
Salary: £23,000 - £25,000
Read more»
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Twickenham TW2 5PA
 
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Horticultural Content Team Lead - Picture Library & Copywriting
Salary: Dependent on experience
Read more»
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700
Retailer survey pays off for Meadow View


Meadow View Stone, quality suppliers to the UK’s garden centres for over 20 years, have undertaken a survey to their customer base to ascertain “what was working and what was needed” to progress the sales of decorative aggregates, paving and associated products within garden centres...



We are being told that in today’s consumer lead society that customer satisfaction is key, we have to consider the requirements of the consumer before anything else and ensure we evolve to meet those needs.

Meadow View Stone, quality suppliers to the UK’s Garden Centres for over 20 years, have sent out a survey to their customer base to ascertain what was needed in order to progress sales of Decorative Aggregates, Paving and associated products within Garden Centres. 

Sarah Hill Marketing Director for Meadow View Stone said: “We really wanted to re-engage with garden centres to better understand what was and wasn’t working, and more importantly how we could improve in these areas to generate further sales of our products in store.”
 
The survey they produced covered all elements of their service. “It was important for us to get a good overview of how the business was performing as a whole,” Simon Routeledge Meadow View Sales Director commented. “We felt this survey was vital for relations, as it allows the Customer a voice and an avenue to speak directly to us about products and the performance of Meadow View’s Sales force.”

As an added incentive Meadow View offered a 10% discount from their next order to customers for their returned surveys, along with the chance to win an iPad mini chosen at random from a hat, for one winning entrant. The survey produced a good response with some interesting reading and the winning survey chosen at random was from ‘Almondsbury Garden Centre’ based in Bristol.

Simon Routelege and South West Regional Sales Agent Gary Pearce presented the iPad to Leister Simpson the owner of the centre, who remarked: "I am absolutely delighted to be successful in winning the draw for the IPad…. as will be my Wife!"  He added, "I am always glad to offer feedback to our suppliers with surveys like the one Meadow View requested, and pleased my opinions count.”

Meadow View have been supplying Almondsbury for over 6 years and Leicester is happy with the product choice on offer, with the Flamingo and Sea Shore aggregates being firm favourites amongst his customers.  Additionally he feels the product support on offer is very effective “The consumer friendly POS really helps to drive sales, especially on the display crates."

Having spent the morning at Almondsbury with Leister, Gary remarked: "it’s always good to receive confirmation that customers like our premium products and delivery times whilst receiving first-hand confirmation that we offer a great service".

Finally when asked what the future holds for himself and Meadowview, Leister said: "Almondsbury continue to list new products from the ever expanding Meadow View range, we like their new Water features, planters and Birdbaths range we saw launched at Glee this year, and these will soon be in our store ready for the Spring."

Some very encouraging statistics from the recent survey were

  • Quality of Products received an average of 9.5 out of 10
  • Extent of Range on average scored  8 out of 10
  • Effectiveness of POS and Packaging received an average of 7.5 out of 10.
Sarah Hill stated: ”Listening and learning from our retailers, with good or bad criticism provides vital first-hand experience of how our products and marketing support are perceived by customers. This enables us to shape and tailor it to appeal to a diverse and competitive customer base."

The results of the survey were incredibly beneficial to Meadow View, who are re-designing their POS. They have taken into account some of the recommendations from customers, with a view to launching in March 2016.

Pictured: Gary Pearce presents Almondsbury's Leister Simpson with his iPad.

 
You will be dy(e)ing to stock this product!
A new product for all gardeners was launched at the Garden Press Event last week. Every garden centre will be more than keen to stock the Indigo Garden Spray Dye™ that makes garden spray visible!

A new product for all gardeners was launched at the Garden Press Event last week. Every garden centre will be more than keen to stock the Indigo Garden Spray Dye™ that makes garden spray visible!

An X-ray for garden spraying

Indigo Garden Spray Dye™ is a powerful granule which when mixed into a spray solution, makes garden spray visible. Gardeners can then see exactly where they have or have not sprayed!

Indigo will save time and money and can be used on lawns, gravel driveways and vegetation areas as part of an all-liquid treatment programme.

Your Next Best Seller

An effective POS design has been produced to enhance sales across the garden retail sector.

Indigo Garden Spray Dye™has been packaged in a really impressive cardboard outer with twelve individual products in a CDU (Counter Display Unit). Indigo Garden Spray Dye™ is available in a 80 gram pack which provides 80 litres of spray solution. RRP £19.99 per pack.

Lawn Company continue to expand

This is just the latest in a long line of market leading products from the Lawn Company. One of their very best lines, CastClear® continues to thrive and enjoys extensive promotion for its current stockists. This is the only effective retail lawn worm cast deterrent and has seen sales expand throughout the U.K.

Contact Managing Director, Mike Seaton on 0871 234 3480

Email Sales@SprayDye.co.uk Web: www.SprayDye.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers charts reveal upsurge in buying activity
It feels that the season has officially started with the sun shining on plant buyers galore at the Europlants Open Days this week. The GTN Bestsellers charts certainly indicate that activity is really under way with plenty of growing from seed products being sold...



Europlants were celebrating 25 years in business and guests paid tribute to Renato and his team while also celebrating the life of Brigitte Canale who sadly died earlier this year.

Read more and see pictures from Europlants Open Days


The season has officially started! Well it feels that way today with the sun shining on plant buyers galore at the Europlants Open Days for 2016.

Europlants were celebrating 25 years in business and guests paid tribute to Renato and his team while also celebrating the life of Brigitte Canale who sadly died earlier this year.  See our picture gallery below.



The GTN Bestsellers charts certainly indicate that growing activity is really under way with plenty of growing from seed products being sold.

Creative Products Easy Seeder is re-entry at No 5 in the Garden Products chart, Westland Tomato Planters (60 litres) re-enter the Growing Media chart at No 22 and Suttons Beetroot Boltardy seeds jump 24 places to No 8 in the Veg-2-Gro chart.

Let’s hope we have more warmish sunny spring days in the run up to Mother’s Day and Easter. Have you got your Garden Re-Leaf Day activities planned yet? Garden Re-Leaf Day is 18th March.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
  • Garden Products - down 2%
  • Veg-2-Gro - down 9%
  • Growing Media - up 31%
  • All Items Index - up 9%
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Industry Chelsea garden gathers momentum
Plans for a horticultural industry garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 are gathering momentum with nearly 60 companies signing up to contribute to what will be an industry first.

An artist’s impression of the GCA Hanging Basket Garden, one of four gardens that will make up The Sun Flower Square at RHS Chelsea 2016.


Plans for a horticultural industry garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 are gathering momentum with nearly 60 companies signing up to contribute to what will be an industry first.

The Sun Flower Square is being championed by The Sun’s Gardening Editor Peter Seabrook in association with the HTA and GCA and their members, schools and horticultural colleges and has received fantastic support from the industry so far.

The floral exhibit in the Grand Pavilion which feature four model garden displays, each 4m x 4m square, the same size as the average front garden in Britain.  Each garden will have its own theme:

Love the Plot You’ve Got – Room Outside

Based on the successful Love the Plot You’ve Got gardening campaign and designed by Lovania,  industry members of the Horticultural Trades Association will demonstrate how a hard landscaped front garden can be greened and decorated with woody plants and hardy perennials to form an inspiring outdoor space.  The gardens will include trees, shrubs, conifers, herbaceous plants, roses and alpines.  The choice of plants will give a year round effect and a colourful display of flowers and foliage in May.
 
GCA Golden Jubilee Hanging Basket Garden

Members of the Garden Centre Association, who are celebrating their Golden Jubilee this year, will present a hanging garden with a massed display of hanging baskets (ideally 14 inch diameter) hanging from pergolas above ground filling patio pots holding some of the baskets.  The effect will be to fill the cube of space with colour, achieved by featuring popular summer bedding flowers and foliage available to home owners in May.  

Garden centres that are contributing include Squire’s, Coolings, Perrywood, Cowell’s, Van Hage, Gordale, Old Railway Line, Sunshine, Ruxley Manor, Millbrook, Brookhouse (Barton Grange), Alton, Thurrock, Wembley and Meadow Croft.  Pots are kindly being provided by Apta.

The Seed Garden

Major seed brands come together to present a living catalogue of the flowers, fruits and vegetables they offer as both seeds and young plants. All the plant material will be container grown and mature so it can be uplifted after the show for display in a public garden.  Brands that have signed up to display include Suttons, Dobies, Marshalls, Unwins, Robinsons, Mr Fothergill’s, E. W, King, DT Brown, Woolmans, Thompson & Morgan, Van Meuwen and Johnsons.

A number of 2016 Novelties are being grown including the FleuroSelect Gold Medal winners for this year.

The Rising Stars Grow your Own Exhibit

Supported by Westland Horticulture and their Rising Stars scheme, home grown is the theme of this garden.  Assisted by schools and colleges, this garden will demonstrate the wide range of crops which can be produced where there is no available soil.  Plants will be grown on the backing wall in hanging baskets, satchels and patio pots.  

Kernock Plants will also be supplying an InstaPlant Living Wall to commemorate the Queen’s 90th Birthday.  Writtle College is growing their new Osteospermum ‘Little Writtle’ and plan to stage plants in a school desk.  Thompson & Morgan are delivering plantlets of Gerbera Sweet Series (from Florist) and Tree lily bulbs for schools to grow.

Pinetops Nurseries are working with school children to grow their new face up, bicolored Asiatic lily and Hills Nurseries are doing the same with Chrysanthemum Princess Charlotte.

Speaking about the initiative, Peter Seabrook said:  “We are delighted by the industry support we have received so far.  All of the plants will be grown in pots, hanging baskets and raised beds to demonstrate how easy it is to transform an outdoor space.

“We will have wide range of ornamental trees, conifers, shrubs, herbaceous, bedding and alpine plants, and of course pots, paving, hanging baskets, furniture – everything you would expect to find in a front garden.  We will even have some novelties on display - it is an exhibit that you will not want to miss.”

It is not too late to contribute to The Sun Flower Square gardens.  If you would like to register your interest, please contact Cassie King at the HTA, who is coordinating the project on behalf of Peter Seabrook at cassie.king@hta.org.uk

Pictured above: An artist’s impression of the GCA Hanging Basket Garden, one of four gardens that will make up The Sun Flower Square at RHS Chelsea 2016.
Below: Schoolchildren potting Chrysanthemum ‘Princess Charlotte’ for the Schools Garden on The Sun Flower Square.


 
Adam Frost to design Greenfingers garden at Luton
Award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, with support from the Homebase Academy, is to design and produce a courtyard garden for Keech Hospice Care in Luton...

Award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, with support from the Homebase Academy, is to design and produce a courtyard garden for Keech Hospice Care in Luton.

This unique collaboration is a first for the Homebase Academy and will be overseen by Richard Jackson, founder president of Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating gardens at UK children’s hospices.

Homebase will volunteer its students to transform a bland concrete courtyard area at the Luton hospice into a beautifully designed outdoor space that will become the hospice’s central hub.

The redesigned space will provide a much-needed outdoor room, accessible to all, where the children and families who spend time at Keech can enjoy play, therapies and family meal times together in a beautiful and nurturing environment. 

 “It was wonderful to have the chance to visit Keech and meet the team who work with the children there,” Adam said.  “It was a really valuable experience to see the current outdoor space and get an in-depth understanding of what our new garden needs to provide.

“The children deserve a special outdoor space which is both safe and stimulating and I’m looking forward to working with the Homebase Academy students to create something really fantastic for everyone to enjoy.”  

Richard Jackson said he was delighted to be working with Adam and the students on the project. “The space Adam and his team will be transforming is desperately needed and really will have a significant impact on the children who spend time at the hospice; giving them an attractive, appealing outdoor space to enjoy.”

Greenfingers and Homebase recently announced an ongoing working relationship that has so far seen them embark on joint initiatives such as workshops for the students and product promotions.

GrowQuip 2016 – the major new international conference, dinner and exhibition - gets positive reaction

The Commercial Horticultural Association has had an extremely positive reaction to the launch of GrowQuip, its new international conference and exhibition for the entire commercial horticultural industry...



The Commercial Horticultural Association has had an extremely positive reaction to the launch of GrowQuip, its new international conference and exhibition for the entire commercial horticultural industry.

Announced during the International Horticultural Forum at IPM Essen 2016, the brand new pan -industry event, which focuses on the key issues facing growers of fruit, vegetables, salads and ornamentals, is brought to you by the CHA and will take place for the first time in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire from 26-27 October 2016.

The two day event at Stratford Manor Hotel encompasses a themed conference programme --Equip yourself for success-- which will bring together the best brains in horticulture to provide growers with help in overcoming some of the common problems they face in the day to day running of their businesses.

Topics including logistics, dealing with supermarkets, working with overseas partners or growing overseas, dealing with financial institutions, tackling pests and diseases, understanding new technology and opening up new markets – growers from all parts of the industry will have experienced similar challenges and can learn how to overcome them. 

Allied to the conference programme is an exhibition, where conference attendees will be able to view the latest products and services available to commercial growers from major suppliers to horticulture. The first day culminates in a networking dinner with an after dinner speaker. On day two, the exhibition will also be open free of charge to all growers.

Pat Flynn, CHA's Chairman, who officially launched the event during the International Horticultural Forum at IPM Essen in Germany, said: “The response we have had from industry both in the UK and internationally to date has been phenomenal, and clearly demonstrates the need for a pan-industry event such as this in the calendar.

“We gave the concept a soft-launch at GroSouth 2015 in November and had tremendous feedback from the UK industry, and the subsequent full launch at IPM Essen has been extremely well received with much interest from Europe and the US already, as well as further afield. We have a speaker line-up from across industry and across the world. We have also already welcomed several sponsors on board including HTA, MorePeople and XL Horticulture, with more to follow very soon.”

A two day conference and dinner package, including accommodation with breakfast and lunch, is just £259+VAT and exhibition costs start at just £555+VAT.

CHA members receive a 10% discount on delegate packages or exhibition bookings. Further sponsorship packages are also available on request.

Contact Pat Flynn or Stuart Booker for details and to book your places at the conference, dinner or your exhibition presence. E-mail Pat@cha-hort.com or Stuart@cha-hort.com or visit www.cha-hort.com/growquip.html

Hewitt, Bunker and Lawler to speak at GIMA conference

   

Retiring Klondye Group CE Bob Hewitt and Alton Garden Centre owner Derek Bunker have been named as speakers at the next GIMA Day Conference in April. Joining the line up of speakers is Jane Lawler, new Associate member of GIMA and founder of Lawler Associates...


  


   

Bob Hewitt, who retires as chief executive of Klondyke Group this year,  and Alton Garden Centre owner Derek Bunker have been named as speakers at the next GIMA Day Conference (14 April, Heart of England Conference & Events Centre, near Coventry).

Also in the line up is Jane Lawler, a new associate member of GIMA and founder of Lawler Associates, who will advise delegates on how they can save money on their R&D expenditure.

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said delegates could also expect further news of plans for the membership.

The Day Conference is open to anyone, with GIMA members benefiting from subsidised rates.  The GIMA AGM will precede the Day Conference sessions and is open to fully paid-up members only.

Information: www.gima.org.uk/gime-dday-conferences

Tel  01959 564947 or e-mail info@gima.co.uk
High profile display drives up sales of pots at Squires


Increasing sales of plastic pots and hanging garden products were the spectacular outcomes of the Rising Stars project undertaken by Squires Garden Centre finalist Matt Tanner.




Increasing sales of plastic pots and hanging garden products were the spectacular outcomes of the Rising Stars project undertaken by Squires Garden Centre finalist Matt Tanner.

By refreshing his pot area, including pots screwed onto posts to raise their profile and moving to alongside bedding plants and vegetables, he saw an increase in sales of plastic pots up 23%.



“I also brought a small offering of hanging garden into the main shop, focusing on a few key extra value lines,” Matt told delegates at the GCA Conference in Brighton.

“We sold 3 to 1 from inside the main shop vs hanging garden area, which came as a bit of a surprise. Overall sales of hanging garden products were up 14% between March-July.”

Taking the garden industry forward with technology


From apps, lighting and security to stock control, customer loyalty and EPoS – technology impacts on garden industry business in many different ways. These topics and more were on the agenda for the HTA Technology Conference, which took place in Solihull on Wednesday...



From apps, lighting and security to stock control, customer loyalty and EPoS – technology impacts on garden industry business in many different ways. These topics and more were on the agenda for the HTA Technology Conference, which took place in Solihull on Wednesday.
 
Sponsored by CSY Retail, the conference included a panel session about the benefits and challenges of using electronic point of sale (EPoS) chaired by Grant Davis and featuring Simon Fraser from Ben Reid Garden Centre, Karen Elkington from Ruskington and Belton Garden Centres and Steve Grabham from Willowbrook Garden Centre.
 
Amongst the benefits cited were the ability to control stock more effectively, greater awareness of pricing and trends and the ability to identify specific categories prone to theft. This last point resulted in better targeting of problem areas, which in turn leads to an improved margin. EPoS also provides great help to a business as a management tool as gut feels are not always correct. It can also be extremely invaluable in terms of customer interface allowing staff to provide them with instant information about availability.
 
Independent consultant Grant Davis added to this by providing an overview about the capabilities of a management information system and demonstrating how once in place the ability to drill down into category information can help highlight trends, sales patterns etc.
 
Ross Pierrepont, Managing Director from headline partner CSY, comments, “CSY were pleased to sponsor the inaugural HTA Technology Conference.  We look forward to working further with the HTA in this area and helping our customers continue to embrace new ways to enhance their businesses.”
 
The event programme also covered other technologies making an impact in the sector. Terri Jones from Joy of Plants demonstrated how her product provides retailers with quality plant information and easy to use technologies such as bed card printing, plug in plant information, imagery, and apps.
 
HTA’s Market Information Manager David Denny introduced the audience to the new garden centres sales benchmarking system, which is currently under development. This exciting new resource will enable retailers to upload data onto a web portal and benchmark sales and profit performance against regional and national averages. Not only of benefit to the individual businesses, the project will provide valuable industry data for lobbying and media activity.
 
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) 60% of retail crime is accounted for by customer theft. With this in mind Colin Warnock from B2B Links provided the latest update on how technology can assist in reducing this. From advance detection systems, stronger tags and enhanced CCTV it is all about keeping one-step ahead of the shoplifter.
 
Edwin Meijer from Garden Connect and Phil Blundell from Eagle Eye looked at how technology can be used for reaching out to consumers through apps, loyalty schemes and digital marketing campaigns. Connectivity (2 Circles) and lighting (NJS Lighting Solutions) were also highlighted as areas that are critical to the success of retail operations.
 
Finally, Jo Hailey from Striking Places provided insight into the services they provide using Google Street View 360 technology. By taking panoramic shots of locations and ‘knitting’ them together, Street View enables businesses to showcase their location and premises. Using the example of Aylett Nurseries, who they have recently been working with, they demonstrate how it is possible to show customers and prospective customers of what you have throughout the seasons giving 24/7 access. Aylett showcase their garden centre through the seasons providing added interest and content to all their communication media such as website and through social media.
 
The HTA would like to thank all the conference exhibitors CSY Retail, Swan Retail, YourCash, Citation, HTA Insurance (Towergate), NedFox, B to B Links, 2 Circles, Review Systems, Corby and Fellas, Striking Places, NJS Lighting Solution, Calon Control and WaveGuide Lighting.
Thompson & Morgan tomato trials reveal sweet secret
Fertiliser choice the key factor in improving sweetness and flavour


When Thompson & Morgan assessed over 140 tomato varieties at its Suffolk trial grounds last summer, the aim was to gauge the plants against indoor and outdoor growing conditions. What they weren’t expecting was to hit on a simple way of vastly boosting the sweetness and flavour of home-grown tomatoes...



When Thompson & Morgan assessed over 140 tomato varieties at its Suffolk trial grounds last summer, the aim was to gauge the plants against indoor and outdoor growing conditions. What they weren’t expecting was to hit on a simple way of vastly boosting the sweetness and flavour of home-grown tomatoes.

One aspect of the trial compared the results of different plant feeds on Tomato Sweet Aperitif. In terms of health, vigour and yield, incredicrop® stood out as the best feed for tomatoes. A single application of this season-long feed at planting time led to the best plants both in a greenhouse setting and out in the field. This was all set to be a key message at an end-of-trial event attended by gardening press, bloggers and industry figures.

John Burrows, director of ProVeg Seeds – a major UK trade supplier of tomato seeds and plants, attended the event with his Brix meter in hand, ready to test the sweetness levels of each variety. While passing the fertiliser trial patch, fruits of Sweet Aperitif grown with incredicrop® and another market leading fertiliser were tested – with amazing results! Fruits grown with incredicrop® registered at 12.4 Brix against a level of 10.1 from those grown with the market leader – a staggering 23% increase in sweetness.

A taste test by those present confirmed the finding. Even organic growers among them, normally reluctant to use manufactured fertilisers, had to admit that using incredicrop® made tomato fruits sweeter.

T&M horticultural Director, Paul Hansord, said: “We already know Sweet Aperitif is the sweetest red cherry on the market, the first to consistently score over 10 on the Brix scale. We couldn’t believe the sucrose levels could be boosted even further.

"The findings add to an already impressive list of benefits for incredicrop®, setting it well ahead of other feed options on the market. Brix levels for Sweet Aperitif were unchanged by other feeds. Our exclusive vegetable fertiliser not only encourages stronger and healthier plants with impressive yields – the produce will also taste better.”

Pictured: John Burrows and Paul Hansord using the Brix Meter (picturecredit Michelle Chapman of www.vegplotting.blogspot.co.uk)

 
Deco-Pak’s Heritage Wildlife Collection proves to be big hit
Deco-Pak’s first foray into handmade homes and feeders for birds has been a renowned success, with retailers and consumers clamouring to get their hands on the architecturally inspired range...

Deco-Pak’s first foray into handmade homes and feeders for birds has been a renowned success, with retailers and consumers clamouring to get their hands on the architecturally inspired range.

A recent reinvention of the offering has created an even more attractive proposition, thanks to the vintage and heritage themed packaging. Plus, with the introduction of exciting Insect Hotels, the collection is now more appealing than ever.

The Heritage range of birdhouses and feeders from Deco-Pak is unlike anything else available on the market today, and as such has already garnered a positive response from retailers across the garden centre, department store and gift markets. Thanks to the unique stylings, the range has also been featured in a wealth of national consumer press, as well as on the Alan Titchmarsh National TV Show.

Split into ten individual collections, including The Best of British, Beach, Hatchlings, Printed, Christmas and the Signature collection, the Heritage range offers something for every garden, and every budget. Inspired by classic British landmarks and popular architectural designs from around the world, featured designs include the classic British pub, a red telephone box, a classical dovecote, as well as a selection of floral printed design. A range of Design-Your-Own feeders and houses have also been introduced, designed to encourage children to learn about wildlife at an earlier age, which is important to their development.  Prices start from £16.99 RRP in the range.

Recognising that style should not come at the expense of quality, Deco-Pak has also ensured that its birdhouses and feeder do not compromise on functionality.  Each birdhouse comes equipped with a 32mm opening, removable back wall, drainage and ventilation, as well as an unpainted interior.  Each house is also constructed from exterior grade ply-board, pine roof shingles and polyresin details and decoration. The bird feeders feature a heavy-duty nylon cord, and are constructed from exterior ply-board, with polyresin detail.  The entire design is finished with outdoor, water-based, non-toxic paint.

Deco-Pak’s Marketing Manager, Craig Hall said: “Our Heritage range of birdhouses and feeders have been specifically designed to take wild bird care products to the next level.  It’s great news to see more and more people becoming more conscious of the responsibility that comes from protecting our nation’s birds, but this doesn’t mean they should only be armed with boring designs – why not offer something that appeals to both our feathered friends and ourselves? All of our houses and feeders are stunning to look at, thanks to the attention to detail, bright colour palette and quality of build.  We’ve no doubt that they’ll provide a real focal point in the garden, whilst also enabling retailers to stock something that offers strong impact in-store, helping to further drives sales of this vital product category.”

Introducing the new Insect Hotels – NEW for 2016

Launched in early 2016 a new selection of stylish and practical Insect Hotels will be joining Deco-Pak’s wildlife offering. Designed to tap into the ever increasing awareness amongst consumers regarding the importance of protecting our native wildlife, with particular emphasis on pollinators, the hotels are already popular in schools, where conservation is taking on greater importance within the curriculum.

Each Deco-Pak Insect Hotel is made from FSC timber, and benefits from an iron roof construction, for extra durability. Prices start from just RRP £9.99, and provide a great year-round sales opportunity for retailers.

Rebranded packaging – hitting shelves in 2016

Featuring a floral design, the Heritage collection has been rebranded to include new heritage style gift packaging - reinforcing each product's uniqueness and suitability for ranging as giftware.  Eight birdhouses and birdfeeders have been specifically selected for the Heritage collection, each one boxed in colour coded, 100% recycled boxes that feature helpful information on how to feed, look after and attract birds to the garden.

 

Find out more

Visit www.deco-pak.co.uk,connect via twitter @deco_pak, or call the sales support team on 01422 204394.
Johnsons introduces tomorrow’s lawn seed, today

Innovation and evolution may not be two words you would normally associate with lawn seed, but Johnsons Lawn Seed – the UK’s leading consumer lawn seed brand – is on a mission to change that...


Innovation and evolution may not be two words you would normally associate with lawn seed, but Johnsons Lawn Seed – the UK’s leading consumer lawn seed brand – is on a mission to change that.

This season Johnsons Lawn Seed is bringing to market one of the most exciting lawn seed innovations for many years. Rolled out across its General Purpose, Tuffgrass, Quick Fix and Quick Lawn products, the new formula lawn seed represents a significant step forward in lawn seed.  But what does ‘innovation in lawn seed’ really mean, and how does the new formula differ from what is already available on the market today? Here the company’s consumer brand manager, Guy Jenkins explains.

Dedicated R&D
Very few people really understand the journey that lawn seed undertakes before it hits the shelves in garden centres and wider retailers. All Johnsons Lawn Seed products, no matter the variety or blend, has been developed as part of a 15-year breeding and R&D programme. DLF – Johnsons Lawn Seed’s parent company – dedicates a huge part of its business to research and development, with 1 in 10 members of staff working under the R&D banner. This investment means that they are able to develop the hardest working lawn seed. As a result, consumers can rest assured that every single seed that fills its boxes has been carefully researched, evolved and selected by a dedicated team of R&D specialists, with the ultimate aim of providing a product that delivers a stunning lawn every time.

What does the new formula offer that other lawn seeds don’t?
The latest formula introduction represents a significant evolution within lawn seed technology. The DLF R&D and breeding teams have developed a consumer seed first – a tetraploid lawn seed which has three times as much energy as ordinary seeds.  Quite simply this means that the seed performs better than any competitor seed, including such benefits as quicker germination and establishment, the ability to sow at temperatures as low as 3°C, improved colour, better drought tolerance and the need to water and fertilise less regularly compared to other lawn seed products.

The science bit…how tetraploid seeds are changing the lawn seed game
Development of the new formula was a labour of love for one DLF R&D expert. Having first started to develop a commodity driven seed some 15 years ago, it has been a case of trial and error ever since. Dedicating his own time to the project, this persistent individual worked and worked until a new generation of lawn seed was born, using a seed technology that will shape the future of all lawn seed development. It should be noted that Johnsons Lawn Seed’s new formula is not a genetically modified product. GMO has not, nor will it ever, feature in the DLF or Johnsons Lawn Seed portfolio. Instead, the new formula has been developed as part of a breeding and hybrid development programme.

Here we look to understand the science behind the new formula lawn seed, helping to no doubt garner a new found respect for the little seeds.

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s new formula features tetraploid ryegrass, whereas previous formula only featured a diploid variety.  The terms 'diploid' and 'tetraploid' ryegrass refers to the number of chromosomes per cell in the grass plant. Diploids have two sets of chromosomes per cell while tetraploids have four. Anyone who remembers their school science lessons will know that the extra chromosome provides not only a bigger cell size, but also supplies more energy to the seed.

This extra energy, when planted, is expended within 10 days, delivering quicker germination rates. The extra energy also provides deeper roots, which explains why grass grown from a tetraploid seed requires less watering and feeding. Deeper roots also come into their own during periods of drought as they have the capabilities to locate water from sources far below the surface.

Extra energy also means that the new formula mixes from Johnsons Lawn Seed are almost fool-proof. Many people suffer from lawn seed failure as a result of burying the seed too deep. The poor little seeds do not have enough energy to break through to the surface, however in the case of the tetraploid new formula, this problem has been combatted. The extra energy delivers the grass shoot to the surface, whilst driving the roots deeper for a much firmer and permanent rate of establishment and development of a long-lasting, hardwearing lawn.

What does the future hold for lawn seed from Johnsons Lawn Seed?
Leading the field in lawn seed innovation will continue to underpin the work that the Johnsons Lawn Seed and the DLF R&D team undertake. Supported by activity such as the Campaign for Quality, Johnsons Lawn Seed will be working hard in 2016 and beyond to help consumers get up close and personal with their lawns. Guy Jenkins said: “Growing a beautiful lawn couldn’t be easier; in fact, it is easier than growing your own vegetables at home. Our latest innovation has been designed to reduce the time needed to sow and maintain the lawn, allowing consumers more time to just get out in the garden to enjoy their outside space. For us, this is just the beginning!  Our latest formula is merely the start of the next generation of lawn seed evolution.”

Find out more
To find out more about the Johnsons Lawn Seed product portfolio, or the journey from concept to store simply log onto www.johnsonslawnseed.com. Alternatively email the team at consumer@dlf.co.uk or call on (01386) 791113.
Getting ready for Garden Re-Leaf Day...March 18


The gardening season starts officially on Garden Re-Leaf Day – Friday, March 18 – according to Greenfingers charity, whose supporters are staging events and promotions around the country to encourage British gardeners to visit garden centres, buy plants and generally get gardening...



The gardening season starts officially on Garden Re-Leaf Day – Friday, March 18 – according to Greenfingers charity, whose supporters are staging events and promotions around the country to encourage British gardeners to visit garden centres, buy plants and generally get gardening.

Richard Jackson (centre) and his suppliers will raise funds on his QVC TV programme, Dennis Espley (left) will run a Plant-athon at his Squire’s Garden Centres starting in Badshot Lea before moving onto Twickenham, and Boyd Douglas-Davies (right) will run a similar 24-hour mammoth planting at his Studley Garden Centre.
 
See www.gardenreleaf.co.uk for a list of events in your local area.
Three weeks to go, only 6 pounds still to loose, but many more £'s to raise
Pounds 4 Greenfingers update from Trevor Pfeiffer
    

GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer is over half way in his quest to acheive a weight loss target by Garden Re-Leaf Day on March 18th...

    


DGTN's Trevor Pfeiffer is over half way in his quest to acheive a weight loss target by Garden Re-Leaf Day on March 18th.

Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day takes place on Friday 18th March 2016 - and already the fundraising has begun!  Twitter has already started buzzing with those looking to lose weight after the festive period, and Greenfingers is inviting them to feel even better about themselves by raising money to help create more children's hospice gardens.

The idea is that for each pound participants lose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day, they can collect a pound from their sponsors, to be donated to Greenfingers after the 18th March.

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers, Debs Skilicorn, Director of Greenfingers and GTN's very own Trevor Pfeiffer are all bravely taking part and want to encourage others to step up to the challenge.

You can sponsor Trevor on his target to loose 1 stone between the GCA Conference and Garden Re-Leaf Day by clicking: https://www.justgiving.com/Trevor-Pfeiffer.  "Immediately after conference I went down with a bout of man flu, so I was only able to get the diet up and running on Wednesday 3rd February.  My start weight was registered as 15 stone 4 pounds and Saturday 3rd February was the second day of my 5:2 Fast diet plan.  

"On that plan I can eat normally on non-fast days but only a maximum of 600 calories on fast days.  The start was particularly tough, feeling very hungry during the evening, but worthwhile as after two fast days I'd already lost 3 pounds in weight.

"It's been a more normal week this week with two fast days - one on them was the day of the HTA Technology Conference - and I've lost another 2 pounds.

"That means I have another 6 pounds to loose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day and with your help I'll raise even more money for Greenfingers.

"I'll keep you all updated with my progress in future issues of GTN Xtra.  Thank you to all the people who have already sponsored me.  I'm looking forward to raising more money for Greenfingers when I reach the target from all the kind people who've also said they would support me."

If you are interested in taking part, here are a few pointers to help you get started:

  • If you find it hard to lose weight then don't go overboard - aim for a realistic target
  • On the other hand, don't aim too low - challenge yourself and encourage sponsorship!
  • Let others know you’re trimming down so you can rely on them to hold you to account.  Post on social media, using the hashtag #Pounds4Greenfingers what you plan to do and why you are doing it.  Why not post before and after photos too?  You'll be surprised at just how much motivation it will give you knowing others are keeping an eye on your progress!
  • Take up a short term gym membership, -.   or join a local sports or slimming club - there are tonnes of support group options at this time of year so you needn't be alone!
How many pounds of lost weight can the UK gardening industry convert into £'s cash for Greenfingers by Garden Re-Leaf Day?

Garden Re-Leaf 2016 has already attracted eight top industry figures who will be staging 24 hour Plant-athons in garden centres beginning  their Plant-athons on Thursday 17th and finishing on Friday the 18th.  Poplars, Adrian Hall and Sunshine Garden Centres have all recently confirmed they will put on Garden Re-Leaf events in store.

Klondyke's CEO in 24-hour Plant-athon for Greenfingers


Bob Hewitt, CEO of Klondyke Garden Centres, is taking part in a 24-hour Plant-athon to raise money for the Greenfingers charity on March 18-19. The Plant-athon will take place with the help of staff at Byrkley Park Garden Centre near Burton-Upon-Trent...



Bob Hewitt, CEO of Klondyke Garden Centres, is taking part in a 24-hour Plant-athon to raise money for the Greenfingers charity on March 18-19.
 
The Plant-athon will take place with the help of staff at Byrkley Park Garden Centre near Burton-Upon-Trent.
 
Bob said: "Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting the children who spend time in hospices around the UK.  

"The charity creates beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with siblings, family, friends and carers, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation. 

"To date Greenfingers has created 49 inspiring gardens in children's hospices around the country and is currently in build at two more.  But they still have a waiting list of hospices that need their help now.
 
"I would therefore be most grateful of any donation to help support this worthy cause."
 
Donating to Bob's JustGiving page is easy - just follow this link and click Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/Bob-Hewitt1/

46 sign up for Garden Re-Leaf Day walk


A total of 46 people have signed up for the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day walk, and organisers are hoping to beat the £9,000-plus raised last year when the walk takes place on March 18. The walk covers approximately 20 miles, starting and finishing at the HTA’s offices in Theale, West Berkshire...



A total of 46 people have signed up for the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day walk, and organisers are hoping to beat the £9,000-plus raised last year when the walk takes place on March 18. The walk covers approximately 20 miles, starting and finishing at the HTA’s offices in Theale, West Berkshire.

This year, the walk covers approximately 20 miles, starting and finishing at the HTA’s offices in Theale, West Berkshire. Taking place on Garden Re-Leaf Day - March 18 - the walk is just one of many events occurring on Garden Re-Leaf Day in aid of Greenfingers.

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers Charity said: “The walk is open to absolutely everyone working in or alongside the garden industry.  Not only is it a great opportunity to raise funds for those not already involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day events, it’s fun, team building and a great way to spend time with colleagues and acquaintances away from the office.”

If you would like to register to take part in the walk, contact Sarah in the Fundraising Team by email - sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or call the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749.

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2016 has already attracted top industry figures who will be staging 24 hour Plant-athons in garden centres right across the country from 2pm on Thursday 17th and finishing on Friday the 18th. 

Poplars, Adrian Hall, Old Railway Line and Sunshine garden centres have all recently confirmed they will put on Garden Re-Leaf events in store.  All new quizzes have been put together, one general knowledge for all the family and one specifically aimed at the keen gardener.

This year all of the money raised will go towards Greenfingers’ ‘A Million Moments Appeal’ – Greenfingers aims to raise £1 million under the banner of the A Million Moments appeal over three years to enable at least 5,000 children who spend time in hospices.
 
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Competitive salary


Junior Buyer: Garden Care
 
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Notcutts team as a Junior Buyer for the Gardening category covering all things gardening except Plants at our offices in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Notcutts has a rich history in horticulture with 18 Notcutts Garden Centres across the UK has its own character and we are currently investing heavily in developing our sites further.
 
The Junior Buyer will take responsibility for selecting and developing the Gardening ranges for our business.
  • The ideal candidate will understand both the category and customers, possess strong  communication and negotiation skills and have a passion and enthusiasm for customers and products.
  • They should an excellent team player focused on driving sales and profitability.
You can expect a competitive salary plus benefits including pension contributions and a generous company discount.  
 
If you are interested in applying for this role, please forward an up to date CV and covering letter to: recruitment@notcutts.co.uk.
 
Garden Centre Supervisor
Competitive salary
 
Assistant Shop Manager
Competitive salary
An exciting opportunity exists for an enthusiastic team player to join Bristol’s Largest Independent Garden Centre as our Shop Assistant Manager.

The Ideal Candidate will possess excellent people management skills, Great Communication Skills and be able to lead and organise your team whilst maintaining excellent customer service sales and service.

The role requires an outstanding merchandiser standards and have a proven track record in motivating teams to exceptional achievements.

In return, we provide a competitive salary, a friendly working environment, staff discount scheme, subsidised social events and a benefits package commensurate with a progressive company.

To apply, please download the application form by clicking here and submit the completed form to info@almondsbury.co.uk.

Please include your current CV and a covering letter explaining why you would be an excellent recruit for this role, including examples of how you could be an asset to our business.

For more information, please email info@almondsbury.co.uk


Garden Centre Manager / General Manager / Prestigious Site (ref:DS8004)

Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: Excellent
Date: 24 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Our client is a prestigious group of garden centres who are seeking an outstanding Garden Centre or Retail General Manager with a solid retail background behind them to manage this flagship store. This centre is a much as destination for people looking for a day out as it is a place for the keen gardener to find every gardening product their hearts desire. They have a fantastic café which servers a full English breakfast to an afternoon tea, concessions, farmers market, attractions for children and as well as a stunning plant centre.

The role

For this role they are looking to find an exceptional individual who has a superior retail background and is an all rounder who can manage a destination as well as retail outlet.
  • The successful candidate must be capable of managing a dedicated team of department managers and ensuring that above all they provide outstanding customer service as well as deliver on sales targets set.
  • They will take control of costs and set budgets, reporting to the Finance Director and working closely with him and the other Directors to ensure profit targets are meet.
  • Must have good commercial acumen and be able to spot trends and have the ability to increase turnover.
  • Good knowledge of and be able to manage Health and Safety, Security and Human Resources issues.

The candidate

The desired candidate will ideally have experience of managing a large outlet either high street, supermarket or garden centre. An appreciation and or knowledge of the garden retail sector. Be adaptable and capable of working within a family business. Have superb communications skills and have the ability to demonstrate exceptional man-management.

If you think this might be you please send us your CV. Full Job description is also available.

To apply for this role click here
 
Customer Service Assistant
Langlands Garden Centre - Leeds
 

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our garden centre at West Horsley.
  • You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.
  • You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.
  • You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000


Commercial Sales Executive / Berkshire (ref:DS8112)

Location: Berkshire
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Date: 22 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Do you want to join an organisation that is passionate, innovative and a leading voice within the industry?

This exciting new role offers a great opportunity for the right person looking to broaden their knowledge of horticulture and its industry sectors. Are you looking for your next move?

Our client support their membership through providing an extensive programme of conferences, workshops, training courses, trade shows and other horticulture industry events.

They have an excellent reputation and provide their members with the opportunity to learn, be creative and network with other people within the Horticultural industry.


The role

This role will drive continued growth to their income through advertising and sponsorship enabling the Association to provide the best service available to our members.


The candidate

The right candidate for this role will be ambitious and enthusiastic with a natural sales ability. They will take responsibility for identifying new opportunities and maintaining existing relationships. The ideal candidate will have sales and customer service experience, preferably within the horticultural sector. They will be self-motivated, efficient and methodical, with very good organisational and communication skills.
There will be an element of travel with this role and so a full, clean licence will be required.

35 hours per week / Monday - Friday

To apply for this role click here
 

Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.
  • You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
  • A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.
  • You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Assistant Garden Centre Manager
Salary: £23,000 - £25,000


Assistant Garden Centre Manager (ref:DS8060)

Location: South East England
Salary: £23,000 - £25,000
Date: 05 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Our client is a lovely plant focused garden centre based near the Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, Berkshire borders. They are currently looking for an Assistant Manager who is horticulturally trained and has experience in the plant / horticultural side of retailing.

The role

The role would suit a Plantarea Manager who is looking to further their career and take a step towards Garden Centre Management. As a Duty Manager you will be responsible for the centre including the café in the absence of the Centre Manager and will be responsible for up to 20 staff in peek periods.

The candidate

Our client is looking for a good Manager with great potential who is driven and keen to develop their retail career. 

To apply for this role click here
 

Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.

  • The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and energetic, have a passion for plants and an eye for creating exciting detailed displays.
  • Horticultural experience or equivalent qualifications desirable.
  • The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 



Horticultural Content Team Lead - Picture Library & Copywriting (ref:DS8007)

Location: Essex
Salary: Dependent on experience
Date: 22 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


The role

The role will be based in Colchester.

To provide horticultural leadership to the team. In particular copywriting and picture management for all our content creation activities, and in so doing creating and sustaining a position of leadership within our markets. To maximise the value of these assets for the benefit of both print and web sales. To deliver these services in accordance with our agreed business plans.

Key responsibilities for this role are:
  • Subject Matter Expert.
  • Provide horticultural expertise and guidance (plant naming, plant identification, plant descriptions, gardening and horticultural instructions, etc).
  • Work closely with the wider company community (the FM Support Group team and other companies in the group) to improve the quality of plant content and data services etc.

Plant Content (descriptive and parameters):
  • Sanitise plant lists supplied by customers (correction of plant names, etc).
  • Originate, amend, maintain and develop plant content (descriptive text and parameter information) within a database, according to the commercial needs of our customers, and determined as useful by the teams within the company.
  • Bring together and maintain a team of freelancers (horticultural copywriting, parameters, general proof reading) who can support the delivery of plant content.
  • Lead the creation of "standard" descriptive text and parameter information, which can be used by other UK teams.
Plant Content (images):
  • Carry out picture selections, as required by Projects and Creative Teams.
  • Support the image needs of the Creative Team.

Image Management:
  • Manage the contract arrangements and documentation for 3rd party image use.
  • Manage the Picture Rental Service, looking after the contract arrangements, documentation and invoicing.

Marketing Copywriting:
  • Write copy for marketing activities (B2B).
  • Play an active role in the Marketing Team.
The candidate

We are looking for a self-motivated person, who is keen to contribute to the team effort, has a good memory for plant names, and understands the horticultural world. Being generally well organised will also be important to us. Keen to learn about the company and its wide range of products and services, and equally keen to support our business activities by constantly developing their own personal knowledge and experience.

This is horticultural marketing at its best. We are looking for someone who is knowledgeable about plants (gardening) and has experience of marketing, with a talent for writing. This role will play an important part in the strategic development of the company in the years ahead. We are looking for an individual who will embrace the opportunities this role offers with energy and enthusiasm.

A formal qualification in horticulture is essential, together with a minimum of 5 years' experience in plant sales or production, garden retailing or similar. Experience of marketing and a talent for writing will make you an ideal candidate.

To apply for this role click here
 
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Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
 
Charlie Dimmock set to launch gardening range in Poundland
Charlie Dimmock is launching a new range of gardening tools and accessories in Poundland...
Charlie Dimmock is launching a new range of gardening tools and accessories in Poundland.

The range – In the Garden with Charlie Dimmock – is being launched at a specially created 'Potting Shed' at 44 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HA at 6.30pm tomorrow (Monday, February 29).

Charlie will be on hand to talk through some key gardening topics and demonstrating tools from the range.
 
Police chase after caravans stolen from Planters Garden Centre
Four police forces were involved in a pursuit leading to the recovery of four caravans which went missing from Planters Garden Centre...
Four police forces were involved in a pursuit leading to the recovery of four caravans which went missing from Planters Garden Centre.

Officers received the 999 call from a member of public at 1.40am on Thursday (February 18) to say that he had come across an abandoned caravan in Trinity Road.

Initially Warwickshire Police were dispatched to the scene, however Staffordshire Police had already discovered the abandoned caravan in the middle of the road.

Investigations on the identification details on the caravan revealed the owner was from Kingsbury. The owner was contacted to see where the caravan should be.

The caravan's owners revealed that it was being stored at Planters and should have been there. Officers then checked the garden centre where it was discovered a total of four caravans were missing.

Meanwhile,West Midlands Police were following a Range Rover towing a caravan at Junction 10 of the M42.

Officers said that when they attempted to stop the Range Rover it failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.

The Range Rover was still towing a caravan as it failed to stop down the M42 and M54.

West Midlands, West Mercia and Warwickshire Police officers eventually stopped the vehicle on the M54 in the West Mercia area.

Meanwhile two other vehicles, also towing caravans, were also stopped.

Four caravans were recovered. Three men were arrested and have since been charged with conspiracy to steal.
 
Squire's HQ staff raised £850 for Farnham charity
Squire’s Garden Centres head office at Badshot Lea has raised £850 for a local charity, Post 19...

Squire’s Garden Centres head office at Badshot Lea has raised £850 for a local charity, Post 19.

The money was raised by staff from raffles, cake sales and a dress down day.

Farnham-based Post 19 helps to give young adults with learning difficulties a sense of achievment through a programme of community activities encompassing life skills, leisure and social skills, including horticultural activities in the local community.

 
Stewart sign up 100 schools to GYO campaign
Stewart Garden is to distribute grow-your-own gardening kits to more than 100 primary schools across the county as part of the Stewart Garden Schools Campaign, now in its fourth year...

Stewart Garden is to distribute grow-your-own gardening kits to more than 100 primary schools across the county as part of the Stewart Garden Schools Campaign, now in its fourth year.

The kit includes flower pots, propagators, growing troughs and a watering can, together with a booklet containing hints and tips.

The campaign is open to school pupils aged 6-11 years and challenges schools to be creative with Stewart Garden products. The winning school will receive £1,000 to spend at its local garden centre. Three runners up will each receive £100.

Taking part for the first time are Manley Park Primary School in Manchester and Greenmount Primary School on the Isle of Wight. Holmes Chapel Primary School in Warwickshire and The Topsham School in Kent are returning participants.

Almost 350 schools have taken part since 2012.

Gavin Wray, channel manager at Stewart Garden, said: “It’s always astonishing to see the new ways that the campaign captures the creativity and imagination in school children.”

 
Monitor box moth with pheromone traps, urge Agralan
Crop protection specialists Agralan are encouraging gardeners and commercial growers to use pheromone traps to monitor box tree month populations...

Crop protection specialists Agralan are encouraging gardeners and commercial growers to use pheromone traps to monitor box tree month populations.

The pest, established in the south of the UK since 2008, can devastate box plants (buxus) in gardens and nurseries and is difficult to control without continual vigilance. The moths spin web ‘tents’ around the foliage, making it difficult for sprays to penetrate. 

Pheromone traps catch adult male moths, alerting the grower to the presence of the pest and the need to spray with a suitable pesticide.

Between mid-April and October, traps filled with a lure specific to the box tree moth should be placed 1.5 to 2m above the ground where box plants are growing.

Traps and lures are available from Afgralan via the website.

 
Innovative Buttacup wins Runner-Up Award at The Garden Press Event
Continuing the run of recent awards, the innovative water butt planter, Buttacup Flow, has just been placed runner-up in the Best New Product competition at the Garden Press Event in London.


Continuing the run of recent awards, the innovative water butt planter, Buttacup Flow, has just been placed runner-up in the Best New Product competition at the Garden Press Event in London.

The Buttacup Flow also won runners-up awards in both the GIMA (Garden Industry manufacturer's Association) and the GLEE (Garden and Leisure Exhibition) awards.  Again these are important trade industry awards with much prestige attached.

“Ever the bridesmaid!  Whilst it would be nice to win the overall awards, being runner-up against such innovative and strong competition in the garden sector at present is still a massive honour.” Commented Bjorn Wood, Inventor and Founder of Buttacup.

The Buttacup Flow is designed to fit to and brighten up any standard garden water butt.  Plants are automatically irrigated via a connection into the water butt to allow for drip feed watering.

The Buttacup Bloom is a sister planter, also crescent shaped, that stands alone or can be stood beside any circular garden feature from tree trunks to pots and other planters.  Further range additions are planned for other applications very soon.

Both products are manufactured in the UK using high quality sustainable materials and come in a range of attractive colours.

Buttacup products are available through a selection of garden retailers and online – visit www.buttacup.co.uk for more information.

Pictured: Bjorn Wood, Buttacup Founder, is presented the Garden Press Event runner up for Best New Product Award by Countryfile presenter James Wong.
 
Seed sowing product sales on the rise
Volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart have increased on the previous week as gardeners stock up on products they’ll need for the seed sowing season...
Volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart have increased on the previous week as gardeners stock up on products they’ll need for the seed sowing season.

Here are the highlights of this week’s Garden Products chart:
  • Creative Products Seeder is the highest re-entry at No 5.
  • Another product returning to the Top 50 is the Stewart Premium Seed Tray with Holes (22cm, dark green), which has taken over No 9 spot.
  • The highest new entry is Joseph Bentley Plant Labels at No 25.
  • The highest climber is the Stewart Standard Gravel Tray (38cm, black), which has jumped 29 places to No 16.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Onion sets, seed potatoes and packs of seed are strong sellers
Veg-2-Gro sales have grown on the previous week with gardeners buying onion sets and packets of seeds in good numbers ahead of the sowing season. A number of seed potatoes have also showed up well in the Top 50.
Veg-2-Gro sales have grown on the previous week with gardeners buying onion sets and packets of seeds in good numbers ahead of the sowing season. A number of seed potatoes have also showed up well in the Top 50.

This week’s Veg-2-Gro star performers are:
  • Suttons Beetroot Boltardy is the highest climber, jumping 24 places to No 8.
  • The highest re-entry is Suttons Carrot Autumn King 2 at No 11.
  • The highest new entry is Taylors Seed Potatoes Duke of York at No 29.
  • Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron holds on to top spot.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Demand for growing media keeps growing
Growing media sales continue to be encouraging as gardeners get ready for action.
Growing media sales continue to be encouraging as gardeners get ready for action.

This week’s star performers include:
  • Scotts Levington John Innes No 3 (25 litres) is the highest climber, moving up 25 places to No 16.
  • Westland Tomato Planter is the highest re-entry at No 22.
  • The highest new entry is Arthur Bowers Chunky Chip Bark (70 litres) at No 42.
  • Arthur Bowers Multipurpose Compost (50 litres) stays on the top spot.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Plantarium expands
In line with the theme of the trade fair "Show it!", Plantarium will be showing something of the planned layout of the 2017 event during this year's 34th edition...
In line with the theme of the trade fair "Show it!", Plantarium will be showing something of the planned layout of the 2017 event during this year's 34th edition.

A new presentation delivering atmosphere, experiences and inspiration will occupy around 3,000 m2 of additional exhibition space. Space will also be created on the existing footprint for the target groups tree nursery, floristry, public greenery and technology. Plantarium 2016 runs from 24 to 27 August 2016.
 
“Getting Active With Greenery."
A group of 15 experts have been invited by the Plantarium organisers to put their heads together and come up with creative ideas about our new "Getting Active With Greenery" project. The idea is that an interesting meeting place for professionals and non-professionals with a passion for greenery should be created during Plantarium each year. "Getting Active With Greenery" will be their source of information and inspiration. The ideas thrown up during the recent brainstorming session will be worked through and translated into a Plan of Action.
 
Product Range
The programme for the coming event will also be devoting attention to "Product Range", with collaboration and input from the Koninklijke Vereniging voor Boskoopse Culturen (KVBC).
KVBC board member Lendert de Vos and the Plantarium organisers have taken the initiative and have come up with a programme with appeal to nurserymen, agents and plant breeders.
 
Ticket to Boskoop
Thanks to our collaboration with partners like Groen-Direkt Boskoop, some 17,000 visitors found their way to the trade fairs held in Boskoop during 2015. Plenty of encouragement there for us to continue with the successful invitations policy introduced last year. With the expansion of the fair's floor space and the broadening out of the programme making the events even more attractive to visitors and stallholders, the organisers are aiming to hit a target of 20,000 visitors this year.
 
Registration
Early enrolment for the 34th Plantarium has been brisk, with 75% of the available stand space already reserved. We will be welcoming 10 new participants, including a number of growers, commercial enterprises and suppliers. Businesses registering before April 1st 2016 via www.plantarium.nl can be sure of their place. After that date the stands will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
 
Pictures from The Greatest Christmas Gold-winning Teams
Garden centre teams excelled with their Christmas displays in 2015. Click on any of the gold-winning teams (below) to see a gallery of pictures from each centre. The galleries are sponsored by Kaemingk...
Below are more examples of great Christmas displays from silver and bronze winners...

 
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Christmas at Munro's Nurseries
Exclusive pictures from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards judges
See gallery of pictures


A gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
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Jackson's Boutique Christmas Picture Tour
Exclusive pictures from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards judges
See gallery of pictures


A gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
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Burleydam Christmas 2015
Exclusive pictures from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards judges
See gallery of pictures



A gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
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Castle Gardens Christmas 2015 Photo Gallery
Exclusive pictures from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards judges
See gallery of pictures


A gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
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Photos of Perrywood's Christmas 2015
Exclusive pictures from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards judges
See gallery of pictures



A gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this 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 delivered via the post 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 £120m.

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.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

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

All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering

Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2016 winners


The UK’s best casual dining operators were revealed last night at the launch of the first Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2016, organised by Diversified Communications UK...



The UK’s best casual dining operators were revealed last night at the launch of the first Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2016, organised by Diversified Communications UK.
 
JD Wetherspoon, Côte Restaurants, wagamama, Zizzi, and Gourmet Burger Kitchen all took home awards, while Loungers’ Alex Reilley was named ‘Champion of the year’ by the founding judges.
 
The 2016 winners were presented their awards by BBC Breakfast’s Steph McGovern at a prestigious ceremony on Wednesday 24 February at The Grange St. Paul’s Hotel in London, following the first day of the Casual Dining show.  Over 300 industry professionals, including John Hutson, Steve Holmes, David Campbell and Alasdair Murdoch (CEOs of JD Wetherspoon, Azzurri Group, wagamama, and GBK respectively), were in attendance to recognise and celebrate the standout brands of the year across the growing multi-billion pound casual dining sector.
 
“It’s fantastic to be here, celebrating the success of businesses that are providing phenomenal growth for the UK economy,” says BBC business correspondent Steph McGovern.
 
Casual Dining’s group event director, Chris Brazier, says: “The casual dining market is thriving, thanks in large part to the fantastic innovations and dedication of operators and the incredible dining experience they offer.  The launch of the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards is a much overdue opportunity to celebrate their achievements and reward those companies who are making a real difference to the growth of this dynamic, fast-moving sector.  The calibre of entries has been exceptional, congratulations to all our winners.”
 
Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2016 winners include:
 
Champion of the Year
– Alex Reilley, executive vice chairman at Loungers
 
“I’m incredibly honoured to win this award.  There are so many people who contribute to what we do as a business and I just happen to be the person who’s at the forefront of it.  It’s a real honour,” says Alex Reilley.
 
New Casual Dining Concept
– The Beer Kitchen
 
The Social Responsibility Award
– Ed’s Easy Diner
 
Casual Dining Marketing Campaign
– Zizzi – #ZizziTacklesCancer
 
Best Designed Independent Casual Dining Restaurant
– Suvlaki, Bateman St, London (designed by AfroditiKrassa)
 
Best Designed Multiple Casual Dining Restaurant
– GBK, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow (designed by moreno:masey)
 
“We’re delighted to win this fantastic award.  We work with a talented group of designers that individually design every single restaurant.  We’re proud of all our restaurants and we look forward to opening many more,” says Keith Bird, chief operating officer at Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
 
Best Designed Casual Dining Pub or Bar
– The Pint Shop, Cambridge (designed by Macaulay Sinclair)
 
Independent Casual Dining Restaurant
– Project Pie, Dundee
 
Independent Casual Dining Pub
– The Northey Arms, Bath
 
Employer of the Year
– Wagamama
 
“We’re absolutely delighted and thrilled to have won.  We’ve grown to 4,500 employees now so it’s a credit to everyone at wagamamas that we’ve got the award,” says Andy Moat, people director at wagamama.
 
Multiple Casual Dining Pub Brand of the Year
– JD Wetherspoon
 
“We’re obviously very delighted to win.  For a company that’s been going for 36 years it’s great that we can still be recognised as doing something good in the pub and restaurant world,” says John Hutson, CEO of JD Wetherspoon.
 
Multiple Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year
– Côte Restaurants
 
“We are really thrilled to have won this award and are proud to have been recognised as the leading restaurant in this sector.  I would like to thank all the staff in our restaurants for their continuation of delivering fresh, high quality food and excellent service,” says Rebecca Tooth, front of house operations director at Côte Restaurants.
 
For further information, including a full list of finalists and details of the 2016 judging panel, visit www.cdawards.co.uk/2016-winners.
 
Baby flown to hospital after incident at garden centre
A baby boy was flown to hospital on Monday after being scalded by water from a teapot at Wimborne, a Wyevale Garden Centre.
A baby boy was flown to hospital on Monday after being scalded by water from a teapot at Wimborne, a Wyevale Garden Centre.

Paramedics and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was called to attend the incident which happened just before midday.

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance said they were called to treat a baby for burns from a teapot of water.

The baby was flown to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance.

He suffered a scald to his arm, the ambulance service spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Wyevale Garden Centres said: “We can confirm that there was an incident in the café of our Wimborne Road Garden centre today, which led to a child being taken to hospital with hot water scalding to his arm.
      
"The safety of our customers is of the highest importance to us and staff at the garden centre acted immediately so that paramedics were on the scene quickly.

"We are reviewing the circumstances and our best wishes are with the little boy and his family.”
Cheeky Monkey makes a big impact at Ice Cream Expo


The annual Ice Cream Expo held in Harrogate by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA) was particularly exciting this year for cone manufacturers Antonelli. Launching their new children’s cone ‘Cheeky Monkey’, Antonelli found that the new product was received with great enthusiasm by wholesalers, retailers and indeed the ICA...



The annual Ice Cream Expo held in Harrogate by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA) was particularly exciting this year for cone manufacturers Antonelli. Launching their new children’s cone ‘Cheeky Monkey’, Antonelli found that the new product was received with great enthusiasm by wholesalers, retailers and indeed the ICA.

The new Cheeky Monkey wafer cone received not one, but two awards for Best New Product (food) and Best New Product (Packaging). The new cone has been a closely guarded secret for the last few months through development so Antonelli could launch it at the Harrogate show .

Mark Antonelli was pleased with the response the new cone generated.

“It appeals to young children, because it depicts a Cheeky Monkey and is promoted with fun and bright point of sale stickers. The promotional packs contain collectable stickers which go down really well with the under 5 year olds.

“Mums and Dads love it because it’s not too much ice cream for such a little appetite. Over the years portion sizes have increased unnecessarily for younger consumers.The new Cheeky Monkey with its small capacity and narrow head enables a modest portion to be served, which fills the cone, but avoids over facing whilst providing value for money for consumer and vendor alike.”

Baking cones and wafer products in the UK for over 100 years means Antonelli know their business, their market and take pride in looking after their customers. With new products and innovations they continue to provide the UK Ice Cream and Gelato market with products that help deliver success for customers’ business.

For more information visit www.antonelli.co.uk

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