Dobbies Garden Centres Limited has announced that Nicholas Marshall is joining as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

Nicholas, pictured above with Chairman Andrew Bracey (left) and CFO Graeme Jenkins, has over 30 years' experience in the Garden Centre sector.

He founded and built two garden centre chains, Country Gardens PLC, which was sold for over £120m and Country Homes and Gardens PLC. He was also CEO of Wyevale Garden Centres for four years, taking it from near administration to a successful sale for £300m.

Andrew Bracey, Chairman, commented: “I have known Nicholas for many years. He is one of the most successful leaders the industry has ever seen and we are thrilled that he has joined Dobbies as CEO.

"Since the acquisition from Tesco in July, we have been highly impressed by the dedication, loyalty and hard work of Dobbies’ team.

"With Nicholas at the helm, we feel that Dobbies’ stores will only improve further and we look forward to the forthcoming Spring season.”

Nicholas will be based in Edinburgh and replaces John Cleland (left), who has left the business for family and personal reasons.

Nicholas Marshall said: "I have known and admired the Dobbies’ business for many years, both as a competitor and indeed as a customer.

"I’m really looking forward to working with what I know to be a talented and committed group and I am certain we can achieve great success together for all our customers.

"James Barnes and the team built a great business; I am keen we take it forward in the same spirit.’

The Board of Dobbies said it would like to thank John Cleland for his leadership and commitment to Dobbies at an important time, and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.

The Pedigree Team were extremely proud to be awarded the “ Best Stand Award” at the show for “great display and product merchandising” by our peers and industry experts.

Fred Foot, Marketing Manager for the Bulldog Rollins Group, said: “It’s such an honour to receive such an award when it’s voted for by some of the best known gardening personalities within the industry.

"We soft launched the range at RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year and it’s going from strength to strength throughout the independents and with household names such as Crocus.com and Waitrose Garden.

"Most people tend to fall in love with little Hugo, our new Bulldog who appears throughout the campaign and on each and every tool. The breed was also in recent weeks named as Britain’s “most loved” dog breed, famed for its friendliness, which is has been another bonus for us. “

Pedigree Garden was born to meet the demands of the new generation of gardener where design, elegance, good looks and performance matter in equal measure. Developed into three lightweight stainless steel “ easy-to-choose” collections of “ Digging’, ‘Cultivation’ and ‘Transformation’ – represented by three colourful patterns and little Hugo our newest Bulldog, we hope it makes choosing the right tool a less daunting experience whatever your knowledge of gardening might be.

To find out more about product merchandisers and stocking the Pedigree Brand please contact either Edward White on 01279 401570 or Sarah Cottle on 0773 606 1255 or email sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk

• Garden Products - up 12%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 6%
• Growing Media - up 10%
• All Items Index - down 3%

karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Squire’s Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Mayor of Runnymede Councillor Alan Alderson officially opened the new Squire’s Garden Centre in Chertsey on Wednesday.

A plaque was unveiled on a 300-year old olive tree, which had been planted by Chairman Colin Squire to commemorate the opening of the new centre. An olive tree was chosen as it’s a tree of great vigour, very hardy and easy to grow, and it is a symbol of abundance, glory and peace.

Invited guests had a tour of the garden centre, which has a new outdoor plant area and a stylish shop with a great range of gifts. Customers enjoyed live music in the new Café Bar, which is a perfect place for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. The cosy and atmospheric Café Bar is housed in a 200-year old octagonal lodge building, which has been loving restored to keep its wonderful character.

Squire’s is a successful family owned business and £1.5 million was spent building the new garden centre. Matt Tanner has been appointed Manager of Squire’s Chertsey.

Chairman Colin Squire commented: “I am very proud to officially open our new garden centre in Chertsey.

"Thank you to the Mayor and Mayoress of Runnymede, and to other local business people for coming including The Chertsey Society, The Chertsey Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the White Lodge Centre, an excellent charity that we support.

"Squire’s Chertsey is small but perfectly formed. We have a great team here, plus a few different products to make it a little bit extra special. I hope that the local community will enjoy coming to Squire’s in Chertsey as much as I do.”

Squire’s Garden Centre, Holloway Hill, Chertsey, KT16 0AE. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Pictured above (from left to right): Colin Squire (Chairman), Alan Alderson (Mayor of Runnymede), Matt Tanner (Centre Manager), Martin Breddy (MD) and Sarah Squire (Deputy Chairman).

The design for the garden industry’s showcase exhibit at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been revealed.

The back garden exhibit in the Great Pavilion, named “40 Sunbury Road”, celebrates Peter Seabrook’s 40 years as The Sun’s gardening correspondent. The aim is a typical, modest suburban back garden that consumers can relate to, whilst providing inspiration and new easily-replicated ideas.

The garden will include a patio, small children’s garden, hanging baskets and containers, a wildlife area, shed, greenhouse and living walls. Trees and shrubs and other structural elements will be provided by HTA and APL members and garden product supplier members.

The HTA says it is are looking to include annuals and basket/container plants, perennials, shrubs, a couple of small trees, cordon fruit trees, vegetables and herb plants.

HTA members willing to contribute to the garden should email details of their offer to HTA director of operations Martin Simmons (martin.simmons@hta.org.uk).

More than 100 companies contributed to last year’s exhibit which attracted much interest on press day at Chelsea – visitors included Rupert Murdoch and his wife Jerry Hall and actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton. George Eustice MP, Minister for Defra, spent half an hour at the stand.

• Promote regional activities and networking between members
• Monthly barometer of trade
• GROW our e-learning initiative
• The annual standards inspection process.

The Klondyke Group's annual Plant Show at the magnificent Gisborough Hall in Teeside, supported by more than 20 exhibiting suppliers, was attended by the Group’s 22 plant and garden centre managers and the horticultural buying team – the perfect opportunity to plan and select stock for the 2017 season.

The show saw the launch of Klondyke’s ‘From Garden to Kitchen’ brand which replaces the traditional concept of grow-your-own. Instead, it encourages customers to focus on what they will actually be eating rather than the work of growing it.

Klondyke’s 2017 ‘Hello Spring’ store branding was also on display, along with a sneak peek at GROW Rewards, the new loyalty club due to launch in March.

Senior horticultural buyer Andy Smith, who organised the show, said: “Our 2017 event has showcased our ranges to our plant managers and set the scene for the season. I would like to thank all of our suppliers who attended and wish them all a great 2017 season.”

Phil Ingle of Cedar Associates led a workshop session on how to improve and develop customer service, and A&G Young were presented with the Klondyke Group’s award for Supplier of the Year 2016.

Gary Young said “It is wonderful to have our efforts recognised by a major customer and it sets the bar higher for us to aim at in future years. A&G Young have supplied Klondyke since the early eighties and have always worked closely together to develop new ideas in bedding for the benefit of both businesses. It has been a pleasure to be able to co-operate with Klondyke over so many years and we look forward to continuing to develop our relationship.”

Andy Merrick, garden centre sales manager at Farplants, who were exhibiting, said: “It’s a really great show, suppliers were smiling and we get to meet every centre. A great way to start the season.”

Gisborough Hall is near to the group’s Stokesley and Northallerton Garden Centres, both of which have recently had their plant areas upgraded around themes to make the offer more customer friendly.

Commenting on Treadstone’s first experience of Spring Fair, Head of Brands Dean Winters enthused, “We had a really busy show. We met our first new customer and took an order for both the Peter Rabbit and Laura Ashley ranges within half an hour of the show opening, which proved to be a great omen for the rest of the week!”

Exhibiting in hall 5, Treadstone’s eye-catching stand showcased impactful branded retail units from both its flagship brands. Praised by visitors for the clever use of space, the stand provided ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers with a clear demonstration of how the ranges could look in store. 

“It was great to meet with such a wide variety of retailers from across so many different sectors and to see that they are just as passionate about the brands as we are” continued Dean. 

“By the end of the show, we had taken orders and enquiries from Gift shops, Garden Centres, Online retailers, Toy shops, Farm shops, Shoe shops, Distributors, Grocery and Department stores, as well as a number of visitor attractions. The real bonus for us though was the export interest shown from 10 international companies!” 

Treadstone Products offers over 500 consumer products available across a selection of branded garden-themed ranges, including Laura Ashley, Peter Rabbit and The Good Life. The company offers flexible packages and a choice of merchandising options to support retailers of all sizes at the point of sale. 

Retailers interested in working with Treadstone Products can contact the company on 01978 664 667 or email sales@treadstoneproducts.com or for more information, visit www.treadstoneproducts.com.

Feeling fit?  Then take part in Greenfingers Charity’s Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk which this year is being held in Cambridge thanks to the sponsorship of Scotsdales Garden Centre. 

More than 95 industry friends have already signed up to the 20-mile walk, including Garden Re-Leaf Day founder, Boyd Douglas Davies who is dusting down his walking shoes. 

Boyd will be joined by Greenfingers Ambassadors Trevor Pfeiffer, Simon Quinton Smith, and Vicky Nuttall, along with teams from Scotsdales, Glee, Briers, Westland, Cadix, Elho, SBM Life Sciences, Mr Fothergill’s, Kelkay, Gardman, Glee, Great British Cards, Deco-Pak and many others walking the 20 mile challenge.

The 20 mile route runs between Scotsdales garden centres at Horningsea to the north of Cambridge via the cambridgeshire fens (that means flat!) and the River Cam via the centre of Cambridge passing through Jesus College and the famous Botanical Gardens to Scotsdales at Great Shelford in the south of the city.  (Buses, kindly provided by a local company, will take the walkers to the start from the Great Shelford centre so you don't have to worry about getting back to your car at the end.)

Thanks to LOFA, walkers (and runners!) will be able to enjoy a barbecue at the finish point.

An extra to this year’s Industry walk is that Heidi Towse from Frosts Garden Centres will be rowing the distance on a static machine at Scotsdales. Will Heidi reach the finish line before the walkers?  Would anyone like to challenge her

The walk is a great opportunity to see the sites of Cambridge, network with industry friends and at the same time raise money for Greenfingers Charity. 

To register for the event complete the form using this link and get your walking shoes ready for action in three weeks time.

Here's some pictures from the last two Great Garden Re-Leaf Day 20 mile walks.  Come and join us for a great day of FUNdraising.

Here's a selection of other events being planned for Garden Re-Leaf Day:



Alan Down, owner of Cleeve Nurseries, Bristol, will be opening the gates to his private collection of Hellebores to small groups of gardeners on Garden Re-Leaf Day to raise funds for Greenfingers Charity. As a regular broadcaster on Radio West and BBC Radio Bristol, plus writer of a regular page in the Western Daily Press, Alan is sure to be able to drum up enough interest to keep busy all day with small groups being shown round every 15 minutes. Thanks Alan - very much appreciated!

And at Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend, Kent are hosting a whole weekend of activities to raise funds for Greenfingers Charity. Their web site tells us some of their planned activities including a coffee and cake morning on Re-Leaf day and a bubbly evening reception plus interesting talk from horticulturist and plant hunter, Tom Hart-Dyke, described as the ‘new David Bellamy’.  Throughout Saturday staff will carry out planting demonstrations of containers and with a finishing raffle to end the 18th March.  Children’s face painting and craft activities will be available throughout Saturday and Sunday and visits to ‘Our Amazing Animal World’ will include a meet with Henry the hedgehog and Felipe the chameleon.

Tell us and Greenfingesr about your event and we will include it in these "Countdown to Garden Re-Leaf Day" newsletters and make sure it gets included on the Garden Re-Leaf Day website.  trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

DON’T FORGET TO TELL GREENFINGERS CHARITY YOUR PROMOTIONAL PLANS AND WE WILL HELP WITH YOUR PUBLICITY

To find out how you can get involved contact Greenfingers Charity by email: info@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or by calling the Fundraising Team on 01494 674749 

• Pelargonium plugs lead the way for young plants, up to No 4 this week.
• Ranunculus are the highest chart climber, up from No 47 to No 18.
• Fritillaria make a welcome entry to the GTN Top 50, in at No 42.

Last year, Hillview Studley, Alton's, Squire’s, Blue Diamond Fryers (above) and Klondyke Byrkley Park Garden Centres created amazing publicity and raised loads of money using 24 Hour Plant-athon promotions.

Bob Hewitt, Chairman, Klondyke Group “Having taken part in the 24 hour Plant-athon in 2016, I urge garden retailers and suppliers to get involved in this huge opportunity to connect with staff and customers whilst raising significant funds for Greenfingers Charity.”

This year Bob Hewitt and teams across three Klondyke Group’s centres will be planting,; Alan Roper’s Blue Diamond team at Trentham Garden Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs will be planting through the night again; a relay team from Scotsdales Garden Centre, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire; Andy Bunker and his team at Alton Garden Centre; Boyd’s teams across the Hillview centres and Orchard Park in Dorset are the latest to sign up, with more expected to follow between now and the 17th March.  But time is running out! 

So how about you? You can invite your customers, colleagues and friends to support you as you and your staff continuously plant up pots for 24 hours? Your local media will love the story and your customers will love buying your spring planted pots for charity.

If your garden centre is looking to register for Garden Re-Leaf Day, contact Linda at Greenfingers as soon as possible, by email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or by calling the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749.

Cheerful Primula and polyanthus offer great value, flowering their hearts out for weeks on end.

New varieties offer outstanding garden performance, larger flowers and better resistance to the vagaries of our weather. Although single-coloured flowers are always popular, bicolours, double and rosebud types plus wonderfully scented new varieties will make attractive pick-up purchases.

Bold blocks of primulas always look striking, but impressive displays can also be created by combining them with other spring bedding, flowering bulbs and foliage plants too (see below) Offer them together so customers can create instant displays for the borders, patio or courtyard.
Pictured: cowslips (Primula veris) [Image: Adam Pasco Media]

For summer colour, top primulas include:

Japanese Candelabra Primula (Primula japonica)

Chinese Candelabra Primula (Primula beesiana)

Orange Bulley’s Candelabra Primula (Primula bulleyana)

Top tip

Advise customers who complain that birds sometimes peck at primrosesto try moving pots closer to the house to deter them. Some people have noted that blue varieties often escape their attention.

Planting companions might include bedding daisies (Bellis), bugle (Ajuga), daffodils and narcissi and forget-me-nots (Myosotis).

Bents Home and Garden is staging a mini Crufts-style dog show next weekend (11-12 March).

A special show ring is being set up for the event, which will see competition in 10 categories: cross breed beauties, modern breeds, finest senior (aged nine and over), most expressive, junior (aged six to 18 months), puppy love (under six months old), small breed dogs, rescue/rehomed dogs, extra large breeds and adult (aged 18 months to nine years). Pet owners will be charged £1 per class to enter, with the proceeds going to the RSPCA. Local vets will judge the event and present the prizes, which include dog beds and grooming vouchers to use at The Pet Place at Bents.

Bents is also holding a pet photoshoot for a donation to charity, with all participants entered into a mini Crufts Facebook competition. The winner, chosen on the number of likes generated, will receive a £400 portrait experience, with £250 vouchers for second and third.

After helping with support duties last year, Trevor and Karen Pfeiffer vowed to do The Great Garden Re-Leaf Day walk in full in 2017, so Labradoodles Olly & Floyd thought they’d better join in to pull them towards the finish as the miles clock up and their feet and legs are hurting.

Olly & Floyd are brother Labradoodles who love walking and getting dirty so they are really looking forward to the 20 mile walk from Scotsdales Garden Centre in Horningsea to Scotsdales Garden centre in Shelford Cambridge.

It’s a shame they won’t be able to walk through Jesus College garden or The Cambridge Botanic Gardens, but there is a special route around the outside of the gardens that Karen and Trevor can run around the to make sure we don’t lose any time.

We’re looking forward to meeting all the fellow walkers – both 2 legged and 4, and making lots of friends as we walk through Cambridge on March 17th.

Please sponsor us, or Trevor and Karen if you must, using our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/OllyandFloyd. 

We really do want to raise as much money as possible to help create another Greenfingers garden at a children’s hospice.  Then we can go and visit that too and meet some of the wonderful children, parents and carers who gain so much benefit from spending time outside in a Greenfingers garden, which has been magically designed and created to help them.

Woof woof.

Olly and Floyd

Here's a link to the Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017 Countdown e-mail newsletter:  http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gardenreleafday2107/1qwi8xn073m

• EXCELLENT PLANT KNOWLEDGE AND GOOD GARDENING EXPERIENCE
• GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
• BE HELPFUL, POLITE & COURTEOUS

• MONDAY TO FRIDAY
• 8.30AM – 5.30PM (EVERY WEDNESDAY OFF)
• EVERY OTHER SATURDAY 8.30 – 5.30PM & SUNDAY 10.00 – 5.00PM
• AVERAGE 39 HOURS PER WEEK

• •Lead and motivate the team to success
• Control costs on a daily basis to ensure the profitability of the store
• •Maintain the high standards expected of the centre
• Be able to deal with staff issues efficiently and compassionately
• • Increase profitability

• Good plant and garden product knowledge
• Be forward thinking and not scared to try new things
• Be target driven
• Have a good understanding of computers
• An enthusiastic and positive attitude
• Good customer service skills.
• Less than 6 points on their driving license and own a car as they will be expected to travel to trade shows and other events.
• Have worked in other garden retail environments and be able to bring new ideas to the business.

• Paid Monthly
• A Competitive Salary
• 32 days holidays
• Staff discount

• Proven sales experience in the retail or wholesale horticultural trade.
• Sound horticultural plant knowledge preferably with qualifications up to NVQ Level 2.
• Highly motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Numeracy and accuracy along with strong verbal and written communication skills is paramount.

Garden Centre Finance Manager (ref:DS9118)

• To provide verbal and written reports as may be required by the Managing Director.
• To work in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures.
• Such other appropriate duties as may be required from the organisation from time to time.

To apply for this role click here

Nursery Supervisor Growing | Nursery Stock (ref:DS9128)

• Managing the plant husbandry priorities on the nursery.
• Ensuring correct quality standards for the lifting and preparing of plants/trees for customer orders.
• Ensure excellent customer service is delivered by all the team.
• Prioritise and action day to day tasks.

• Experience in containerised production horticulture.
• Experience in leading a small team.
• Self-motivation and drive
• Possess a proactive personality in a demanding environment.
• Prepared to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Fork Lift Truck and Tractor driving experience would be an advantage however training will be provided.
• The work involves heavy lifting and can be physically demanding.

To apply for this role click here

Department Head | Gardening Sundries (ref:DS9120)

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

Our client is one of the UK's largest Garden Centre Groups, with 19 centres throughout the UK. They hold a profitable, prominent position within the garden centre industry priding themselves on an inspirational approach to retailing which gives them a creative point of difference in the market. Their centres and restaurants offer style and innovation in an aspirational environment which encourages loyalty and satisfaction from customers.

This West Sussex based centre started life over 30 years ago. Boasting a multi-award winning plant area and a wide range of gardening products, fertilisers, tools, seeds and chemicals, it has become one of the largest, most successful garden centres in the South of England.

The centre is due for a major redevelopment shortly which will see it expand significantly and will include a fully refurbished garden sundries department so there has never been a better time to join this growing team!

As a Department Head, you will be responsible for running the department and managing a team, and experience of this within a retail environment is essential. You can make a real difference from day one as you will be involved in driving sales, creating stunning and inspirational visual displays, managing stock levels, and motivating and developing your team.

You will gain a real sense of ownership over your department as you drive sales and profitability by maximising space productivity, replenishment, and merchandising. The customer is the focus of everything our client does, so you will ensure that they always receive an exceptional level of service.

To be the ideal candidate you will have experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment at a management or supervisory level. You will be a great communicator with an ability to inspire your team. You will have a great eye for detail with a creative edge to ensure high retail standards are consistently maintained in terms of product placement and presentation.

As well as a rewarding career with potential for career development, you can expect a competitive salary, attractive staff discount and paid holidays.

If this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you.

To apply for this role click here

• Kapiteyn Shallot Golden Gourment was the highest new entry at No 21.
• Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Red Duke of York was the highest re-entry at No 13.
• KinderGarden Tomato Gardeners Delight, 4 Cell Plugs  was the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 17.
• Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron moved up to the top spot.

Briers have introduced a Pantone garden accessories range.

Featuring Pantone styling, the uniquely contemporary collection features three popular Pantone colours – Bluebell, Parsley Green and Rich Berry – and combines colour with contemporary materials and traditional gardening accessories. It will include hand tools, cushion kneelers, string tins, water cans, herb pots and metal allotment boxes. Gloves and umbrellas complete the collection.

• Gardman Premium Seed Tray 25cm was the highest re-entry.
• Fountasia Flutterflies was the highest new entry.
• Brintons Patio Magic was the highest climber.

Weber Barbecues has appointed Chris Howard as sales director for the UK and Ireland.

Previously group sales director at consumer goods manufacturer Keter UK, Howard joined in January, with 20 years of proven success across retail and FMCG behind him.

He said: “I have been relishing the opportunity to join a company that is committed to investing in the category and its retailers. This year will see our biggest investment yet with great product innovation, a major advertising campaign, the rollout of premium fixtures instore and a revamped training experience for store staff.”

Last year Weber appointed François Lepeltier as UK & Ireland general manager.

Lepeltier said, “We’re thrilled to have Chris on board, and now have the team in place to build on and accelerate our growth of recent years, expanding our market leading position. Chris comes in at a key time when we are making significant changes for the benefit of our retailers with a new selective distribution contract and supportive terms, the development of the Weber World partnerships and our biggest product launch in 30 years supported by our largest ever advertising campaign. Chris will prove instrumental in working our retail partners to implement these initiatives and fulfil the vast potential the barbecue market has to offer.”

Petunia ‘Night Sky®’ took the award for ‘Best New Bedding or Pot Plant’ Novelty at the ‘2017 Grower Of The Year Awards’ in London last week.

This new flower form with its robust plant habit proved to be the ‘must have’ plant in 2016 for retail patio programmes and indications are that demand in 2017 could be much the same, with home gardeners asking after this variety by name.

NightSky® had already received International worldwide acclaim since its industry launch, obtaining the 2016 Fleurostar Award. Following its 2016 global introduction to home gardeners, it was shortlisted in the RHS Chelsea ‘Plant of the Year’ competition.

The variety was first seen in the UK by the trade at the Ball Colegrave 2015 Summer Showcase as a new introductions for the 2016 season. It soon became the talking point of the showcase and a firm favourite of visitors. However, at the 2016 Summer Showcase, it was evident Petunia NightSky had indeed been a huge success, stealing the top slot as the visitors No.1 favourite variety from the1300 catalogue varieties, 300 new varieties and 700 experimental products on display.

To order plugs of Petunia NightSky, contact customer services on 01295 811833 or email orders@ballcolegrave.com

On Garden Re-Leaf Day - Friday 17^th March 2017 - the third annual Garden Re-Leaf walk will take place in Cambridge.   A record breaking 95 walkers have signed up to take part, looking to rake in over £10,000 for Greenfingers Charity and spread awareness for the garden industry’s main fundraising day.

Walkers this year will choose from two routes – 10 or 20 miles – taking in the sights of Jesus college and Cambridge University botanical gardens, with a special detour for those with dogs.  Both routes start at Scotsdales Horningsea at 10am, and finish at Scotsdales Great Shelford

Supporters

The main sponsors of the walk are Scotsdales, who as well as hosting the start and finish of the fundraiser, and entering a team of walkers to take part, will also be staging some fundraising of their own at the finish line.  Top Milton Keynes ladies rower Heidi Towse will be rowing the full 20 mile route throughout the day, fundraising in front of customers with the aid of a static rowing machine in the Great Shelford store.

Solex organisers LOFA (the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association), will also be providing a special barbecue at the finish line to inspire hungry walkers!

Kelkay and Garden Trade News are sponsoring the T-shirts being worn by participants, which will feature logos from the other 2017 sponsors.

Briers will be issuing a free pair of Greenfingers gloves to every participant, to help aid awareness for the day as everyone takes to Twitter and Instagram with their #Gluvies photos.

Cadix are sponsoring one of the support vehicles that will weave between various points of the route, helping where needed.

SBM Life Sciences are sponsoring the medals – a first for any Garden Re-Leaf Day event – as well as manning one of the water stations.

Hozelock are sponsoring goodie bags.

Quinton Edwards – the garden industry property specialists are supplying a driver and car to support the Greenfingers team.

Greenfingers Head of Fundraising, Linda Petrons, said: “The Garden Re-Leaf walk, especially with the two separate routes we’re running this year, can cost a lot of time and money in terms of organising and logistics. Getting T-shirts made, refreshments and support vehicles for example all cost money - so we are of course humbled by the generosity from all of our supporters this year.”

The list of walkers include

Jackie Eades                     Briers 

Charlotte Prentice          Briers 

Matt Jackson                    Briers 

Mandy James                   Briers 

Sharmini Martin              Briers 

Tristan Sissons                 Briers 

Lolly Lee                            The Orangery 

Kate Ebbens                     Cadix 

Heather Black                  Cadix 

Danni Faulkner                Cadix 

Peter Guinness                Cadix 

Alison Hawker                 Cadix 

Rebecca Hawker             Cadix 

Robert Montano             Cadix 

Caroline Smith                 Cadix 

Doug Hill                           Cadix 

Jason Perrins                    Gardman 

Gemma King                     Gardman 

Vicky Nuttall                    GIMA 

Craig Hall                           Deco-Pak 

Richard Pyrah                   Kelkay 

Al Shepherd                      Kelkay 

John Ducker                     Kelkay 

Simon McArdle                Westlands

Tom Clamp                        Westlands (+20 walkers TBC)

Natalie Searle                  Crest Garden

Kim Huynh                        Crest Garden

Darren Brown                  SBM Life-Sciences

Lisa Barrow                       SBM Life-Sciences

Tim Jeffries                       Mr Fothergill's 

David Carey                      Mr Fothergill's 

Ian Cross                           Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Roberts                 Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Mulvaney             Mr Fothergill's 

Richard Keegan                Mr Fothergill's 

Samantha Broadway      Mr Fothergill's 

Ralph Fitter                      Vitax 

Simon Quinton Smith    Quinton Edwards

Trevor & Karen Pfeiffer   GTN

Kimberley Hornby          Hornby Whitefoot

Heidi Towse                      Frosts Garden Centre 

David Nicholson              Elho 

Craig Keyworth                Elho 

Adam Last                         Elho 

Louise Haskins                 Elho 

Bobby Fisher                    Elho 

Chris Houfe                       Great British Cards

Alyson Haywood             Alyson Haywood

Matthew Mein                Ascential (Glee)

Fernanda Pinto                Ascential (Glee)

Boyd Douglas Davies     Greenfingers Trustee 

20 Walkers TBC                Kew Green Hotels

Nicholas Clarkson           Scotsdales

Jennifer Ferro                   Scotsdales

Shelagh Ward                  Scotsdales

Peter Jackson                   Scotsdales

Jane Lawler                      Jane Lawler Assocs

Paul Steane                      Scomac

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers Charity added: “The walk is open to absolutely anyone, whether you’re working in or alongside the garden industry as the list demonstrates.  It’s a great opportunity to raise funds, excellent for team building and a good way to spend time with colleagues and acquaintances away from the office.”

If you would like to register to take part in the walk or provide additional sponsorship contact Linda in the Fundraising Team by email - linda@greenfingerscharity.org.ukor call the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749.  Alternatively, fill in the simple form available on line at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/gardenreleafwalk2017 and sign up today!

All of the money raised from the walk and many other Garden Re-Leaf Day events this year will once again 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, and their families, to enjoy spending precious time together outdoors.  

• Westland John Innes No3 Mature Plants (35 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 20 places to No 17.
• Scotts Levington Original Gro-bag was the highest re-entry at No 26.
• Another product returning to the Top 50 was Westland Decorative Mini Bark (70 litres).

The warm wet winter has produced ideal conditions for the build-up of moss on lawns, says David Jenkins, MD of DJ Turfcare.

Jenkins reports record sales in February of MO Bacter by Viano, an organic fertiliser that feeds the lawn and destroys moss organically, without the need to rake out the dead material.

He says demand is coming from customers and garden centres who have been stocking up ahead of the season.

MO Bacter, which contains naturally occurring bacteria that eat the dead moss, can be applied at any time and will not scorch if the application is not followed by rain. The fertiliser is activated by moisture.

David Jenkins says that, while it is difficult to advise consumers when they should first apply it, as a rough rule of thumb the correct soil temperature has been reached when the grass starts its first flush of growth. The product continues to feed the lawn for 100 days.

Co-educational independent school Wellington College returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May with its second garden, ‘Breaking Ground’, designed by Wilson McWilliam Studio.

The garden highlights the College’s ambition to break down the barriers to a life-changing education by making it possible for more young people to attend the college regardless of their financial situation.

Sponsored by the boutique investment manager, Darwin Property Investment Management Limited (Darwin), a passionate supporter of this progressive vision, the 2017 garden also marks Darwin’s wide-ranging commitment to raising awareness and funds for the new programme and its broader support for young talent in the business community.

Designed by Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam - the erudite duo known for their daring yet thoughtful designs - the garden explores themes of progress, evolution and thought patterns.

All plants are sourced from Hortus Loci and The Outdoor Room is the main contractor to the garden.

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 £195.00 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 Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.