In This Issue
Squires grow to 16 centres with purchase of Heathlands from Wyevale
Canadian Cannabis Grower buys UK Bedding and Ornamental Grower
Growing Sustainably with Vegepod
Primeur take top prize as GIMA Award winners announced
2020 – Work begins for creative minds and practical brains of Garden Pride
Smart Garden Products voted GCA Supplier of the Year
Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening
A cheque for £8,000 presented to Greenfingers
Hillier to supply plants on a contract-only basis from December
Choice Marketing recruits three new members
Heat takes the edge off sales
Ansell GC rises from the ashes...with Newspan in support
Dobbies submits plan for Dunfermline expansion
2019 plant sales down on 2018 at half year
Fryers launch two charity roses at Hampton Court Garden Festival
Growers stay upbeat despite labour and plant health challenges
Two step up to centre manager roles at Squire's
See you all at Solex
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Solex Awards to be presented at the show on Tuesday
End of June was too hot for garden product sales
Smart Garden Products makes Stock Exchange 'inspiration' list
Growing Media leads the way
Planners throw out Fresh@Burcot housing application
Wild Bird Care holds its own
GCA announces regional award meetings
Veg--2-Gro is a star for 2019
Candleight ignites garden centre interest with new display unit
Five winning plants for 2020? Try these...
Choice adds three more garden centres
The best of last week's
The magnificent GIMA Team WingWalk for Greenfingers Charity
GYO leads the way as Dobbies roll out Elho concept
Garden Centre Photo Tour - RHS Wisley New Plant Centre
Hillier begins re-brand of four former Wyevales
Beware hosepipe 'backflow' warning as weather warms
New Hopetoun Gardens owners hand control to employees
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
It’s a chaotic yet profitable recipe for garden centre catering
Work starts on new 250-seater restaurant at Notcutts Woodbridge
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news. 

Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700






Growing Sustainably with Vegepod
GTN Xtra promotion

Recent studies have shown us that failed first attempts are a significant barrier to continued home gardening. The lesson? If we want people to grow their own and create a happier, healthier environment, we must make it easy for them. With this in mind, we at Vegepod believe sustainability is a question of the product’s overall effect on the environment – not just on the initial footprint.  So, are our plastic pods user-friendly, durable AND eco-friendly? You bet they are.

 

With the focus of many gardeners shifting further and further to more sustainable options, we’re constantly asked about the sustainability of the Vegepod’s polypropylene plastic, eco-climate covers and containers.  Are they necessary?  Are they sustainable? What about timber or iron raised beds, how do they compare?

 

 

User Friendly Gardening

Our containers are resistant to rot, insect damage, UV and moisture. Similarly, our eco-covers manage the climate of plants by allowing water and air to penetrate but not insects, encouraging plant growth. The compost required is half that typically needed for a raised timber bed of the same dimensions. This makes our beds transportable and inexpensive to set up and maintain. Lastly, our containers are self-watering. The container uses wicking and nutrient recycling systems so plants can last weeks without water. Compared to standard timber and iron raised beds, they reduce water use by up to 80%.

 

 

Recyclable

Recycled plastic is unable to be certified as ‘foodsafe’ as it contains many different grades of plastic. Vegepod will not allow such material to be used for organic food growing despite the appeal of the tagline “Made from recycled plastics”.  However, our eco-covers and containers are completely recyclable and do not just become landfill or breaking down into harmful elements. This makes them an ideal gardening tool with a reduced carbon footprint.

 

Durability

Because our containers are durable and designed for optimal plant growth, an individual Vegepod has a minimum 10 year lifespan! Most untreated timbers are lucky to last longer than 2 years before rotting and breaking down. The impact of such timber production, the repeated timber growing, harvesting and rebuilds would make an interesting study when compared to a one-off plastic container that lasts up to 10 years.

 

 

Are Natural Materials Sustainable?

When it comes to garden materials, there’s nothing more beautiful than timber. Unfortunately, termites agree.  Untreated wood also has very little resistance to the elements - moisture, mould, fungi, heat and pests.  This significantly shortens the lifespan of such beds.  Corrugated iron beds also eventually rust and breakdown and can leech harmful elements into the surrounding soils and plants.

 

In our opinion, when you look at all the factors (initial production, durability, potential harmful elements, recyclability etc) polypropylene pods are safer, more productive and a more sustainable way to garden. They’re durable, long-lasting, affordable, water efficient, and when all is said and done, 100% recyclable. What are your opinions on the issue?  We’d love to hear from you.  

 

www.vegepod.co.uk

info@vegepod.co.uk

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