• Garden Products - down 30%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 22%
• Growing Media - up 84%
• All Items Index - down 5%

    

Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day is set to take place on Friday 18^th March 2016 - but 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 yesterday (Saturday) 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.  Yesterday was particularly tough, feeling very hungry during the evening, but worthwhile as after two fast days I've already lost 3 pounds in weight.

"That means I have at least another 11 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."

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!

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.

• Formal
• Wildlife friendly
• Security hedge
• Dry soils in full sun
• Wet soils
• Coastal; Colourful
• Fast growing; Shade tolerant

The Roadshow workshops will cover opportunities and ideas to attract customers in a modern, targeted way and help garden centres encourage and support them via a range of different channels. Staff attending will be better placed to advise and enthuse customers and more effective at selling and customer service. There is also a substantial package of marketing ideas and material provided.

Double Your Sales Challenge

The Double Your Sales Challenge is open to anyone attending the Roadshow. The focus will be on dramatically increasing sales of plants, bulbs, seeds and other core gardening lines. Although there is no obligation to participate, those who opt to do so can choose one of three different levels of support:

1. Bronze. This is for delegates not wishing for any further support apart from Roadshow materials and ideas which they can build on and develop independently. They will be asked to feed back results and will be given the same monthly challenges as those on the other levels.
2. Silver. If garden centres would like further mentoring, all delegates have the opportunity to do this on a distance basis. They will get regular online support, materials and tips from organiser Liz Hutson and feedback from other centres on either the Silver or Gold level via a private Facebook group.
3. Gold. A maximum of 6 centres can opt to have a higher level of mentoring for their teams. This includes everything in the silver level plus further ideas and materials and a bespoke in-house package comprisinge in-depth sales training, a ‘Make it Happen’ workshop to help with planning, execution, idea generation and consistency and a day long workshop to formulate and discuss ideas. As part of the package they will also have the option of having a consumer talk to raise awareness and give tips concerning the health, social and environmental benefits of gardening, plus specific tips on grow your own and environmental activities. If the garden centres are also taking part in the Cultivation Street initiative this can be linked in too.

Although this is setting the bar high, Liz feels it is definitely achievable: "We’ve seen this is possible at the recent GCA Conference where the fantastic results achieved by Westland’s Rising Stars were revealed. Imagine the potential if whole teams were enthused, focused and armed with the right support and materials."

Growing for health

One of the topics under discussion on the main Roadshow will be the commercial opportunities relating to the health benefits of all aspects of gardening.  

Liz commented: "Interest in health across all age groups is growing rapidly, as is concern about the environment. Gardening has many benefits that link into health topics trending on social media, such as increasing vitamin D levels, enhanced mindfulness, stress reduction, improved blood oxygenation and, of course, it helps keeps you fit and affects other major health markers in a positive way. Grow your own has even more benefits – greatly increased mineral, vitamin and antioxidant content versus commercially grown crops, higher enzyme status and potential benefits for our microbiome, which is a particularly hot topic.

"Currently supplement companies are making a fortune out of consumers who are worried about the nutrient status of shop bought produce.  Very few have joined the dots and seen how much more beneficial and healthy it would be to get them from growing vegetables and fruit in mineral rich soil, for example. But if and when this happens - and we should certainly be helping it along - it stands a lot more chance of going viral than ‘Houseplants Make You Happy’, however true that may be!

"Then there are the environmental and social opportunities – the success of the HTA’s Cultivation Street initiative and the social and community benefits it has offered to those who have adopted it is a prime example of the latter. The modern consumer wants and needs inspiration and, even more importantly, advice appropriate to their varied needs."

As well as the in-house marketing materials and sales staff training, delegates on the Grow Your Own Profits Roadshow will be given a ‘Growing for Health’ consumer support pack and logo for use on the their own signage as well as the signage provided. This will enable them to promote and market benefits internally and externally and provide consumers with practical information and tips according to available time, space and expertise.

Commenting on the Grow Your Own Profits Roadshow, Liz said: "What first started out as an initiative to make more of commercial opportunities has grown into something that could hopefully make a real difference on both a macro and micro level. It is as much about core values as it is core gardening and taps into what a growing number of consumers hold dear to their hearts. Garden centres have a real opportunity to become key players in supporting the health of consumers, wildlife, the environment and society overall."

Further details about the Roadshow, the Growing for Health initiative and the Double Your Sales Challenge are available from Liz Hutson on 01531 631592 or liz.hutson@ledburybband.co.uk.  

A share of the royalties of ‘The Children’s Garden’, a new book written by Matthew Appleby, will go to the Greenfingers charity.

The book, which has loads of things to make and grow, is being published by Lincoln Publishers in hardback and will go on sale on March 3, priced £14.99.

Through 52 exciting family projects, The Children’s Garden inspires parents and their children to play and learn in the garden, with activities including nature trails, cooking, crafting and growing plants and vegetables.

A garden can be a place for discovery, creativity and fun, and a space that encourages children to enjoy and engage with the natural world. In this book, projects and activities are divided by the seasons, so you’ll never be stuck for green-fingered inspiration again.

Ex-primary teacher Matthew Appleby (author of best-selling The Allotment Planner, 2013) is the expert voice behind the book. Appleby has two sons and has tapped into his first-hand experience of parenting and teaching to devise these seasonal projects for every week of the year. The Children's Garden is the perfect companion for families looking to discover the magic and adventure their gardens have to offer.

Projects include: Plant a scented handbag, All-you-can-eat basket, Home-made seed bombs, Turf tattoos, Keeping chickens, Sand play and art, Snacks for super heroes, Foraging fun, In search of forest finds, Ugly veg and Craft a Dalek compost bin.

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.

So far, Matthew Mein, along with colleagues from i2i, GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall, Kimberley Hornby and Robbie Cumming from Hornby Whitefoot PR have all signed up to take part in the challenge.

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.

The First Love the Plot You’ve Got Masterclass of 2016 gets under way with Aylett Nurseries hosting the first of the 2016 season.

Delegates heard about the Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign to encourage the 30-45 year olds to visit and enjoy their plots. They discussed some theory and took part in some exercises, then they were tasked with building six inspirational and aspirational displays. The results were amazing.

This is what delegates said about the day:

“Really informative and enjoyable”

“Really enjoyed it. Will go back and inspire my staff”

“Great tips and increased enthusiasm to create scenes back at our centre”

“It was very informative and made me look at things differently”

“Fresh ideas for the beginning of the season”

The next Love Your Plot Masterclass is at the Old Railway Line Garden Centre near Brecon on Thursday 11 February. See the table below for other dates.

Email Ian Boardman at i.boardman@btinternet.com for more details or to book.

Burford Garden Centre - http://www.familybusinessunited.com/resources/family-business-of-the-year-regions/south-west-thames-valley-and-south-wales/

Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries - http://www.familybusinessunited.com/resources/family-business-of-the-year-regions/east-anglia/

Notcutts Garden Centres Ltd - http://www.familybusinessunited.com/resources/family-business-of-the-year-regions/east-anglia/

The winners will be announced on June 2, 2016 in London.

Following success with its groundbreaking Tomtato®, a hand grafted plant producing both potatoes and tomatoes, T&M has launched Egg & Chips®, a world first in duo grafting. Gardeners can now grow aubergines and potatoes on the same plant. What’s more the potato ‘root stock’ gives the aubergine part the extra energy needed to crop successfully under UK conditions. You don’t need a greenhouse to grow Egg & Chips®, a large pot on a sunny patio will produce perfect plants. £14.99 for one Egg & Chips®, £19.99 for two.

Changes in EU regulation mean that for the first time in a long time, Thompson & Morgan is now able to offer mixed vegetable seed varieties in the same packet, creating the easiest route to success on the veg patch and the longest harvest with no need for successional sowing.

The All Season Collections take the hard work out of crop planning. Each is made up of several toptasting and top-performing F1 varieties that can be sown in one hit, but will crop at different times to give a harvest window of up to 36 weeks. The All Season Leek Collection for example, offers a nine month harvest from a single sowing of three trusted varieties – Lincoln, Oarsman and Below Zero. The collections have been based around the most popular crops grown by British gardeners, including peas, beans, broccoli, sweet corn and cabbage. The collections are the perfect solution for novice gardeners and those without the time (or skills!) for detailed crop planning at the start of the season.

Stand out vegetable seed introductions for the season include Tomato Mountain Magic and Pea Terrain, exclusive to Thompson & Morgan. The T&M trials team was stunned at the results of new Pea Terrain in 2015 and are heralding the variety as the most exciting introduction since the launch of existing bestseller Hursts Green Shaft. Paul Hansord said: “We've been truly amazed at the outstanding performance of this powerhouse pea. Yield, pod quality and taste - Pea Terrain couldn't be beaten in our 2015 trials, but most impressive was the resistance to both downy and powdery mildew. In a field surrounded by a dozen infected varieties, only Terrain stood clean and green, making it the best pea for late harvesting. A final sowing on 31^st July lead to a mildew free harvest at the end of October. Plants would have kept going if it had not been for a frost.”  99p for 300 seeds

Similarly, Tomato Mountain Magic has shown full resistance to all blight strains currently prevailing in the UK, making it the best option for outdoor growing and late cropping. Thompson & Morgan is so impressed with the performance and flavour of the new variety, it is championing Mountain Magic as its Vegetable of the Year for 2016. £3.99 for five seeds or £9.99 for five plug plants

Trial results and customer feedback for Potato Jazzy have been so impressive it now comes with a Double Money Back guarantee if T&M customers fail to produce 35 potatoes or more from a single tuber grown in an 8litre growing bag. This new growing method was hit upon during T&M technical trials, and was found to increase yields by up to 186 per cent. The growing concept really opens up potato growing to everyone. All you need is a sunny doorstep or deep window ledge to produce a worthy home-grown crop. Pricing for Jazzy starts at £3.99

Seed varieties mentioned are available from selected garden centres now. All are available for order at www.thompson-morgan.com

It’s official! Spring has sprung and the gardening season is about to start with a nationwide bonanza of special offers, money-saving ideas, inspirational displays and exciting FUNdraising events.

Yes, according to the Greenfingers Charity, Friday the 18^th of March has been designated by the whole gardening industry as Garden Re-Leaf day. On that day and during the weekend that follows garden centres and garden retailers around the country will be showing off the best of their plants and gardening aids to raise money for Greenfingers Charity that builds recreational and therapy gardens in the grounds of children’s hospices around the country.

Many garden centre chains have decided to hold a 24-hour Plant-athon in which customers and staff will take turns to continuously plant a range of their best shrubs, herbaceous and flowering plants throughout a complete day. Some of the top garden centres in the country are taking part in this Plant-athon challenge including the Blue Diamond Group with 17 top-quality outlets in the UK and Channel Islands, Alton Garden Centre, Klondyke GC, Hillview GC, Squire’s GC and Millbrook GC. You are encouraged to visit your local garden centre on Garden Re-Leaf Day to find out what they are doing to add some excitement to the start of the garden year and raise funds for Greenfingers Charity.

You can find out lots of details of your local events from the special web site www.gardenreleaf.co.uk

Exciting events all over the country have been organised elsewhere to raise much needed funds for five new Greenfingers gardens that are planned to be designed and constructed in 2016. At your local garden centre there may be a raffle, a quiz night, a cake or book sale. At many garden centres they are encouraging a Tool exchange by inviting customers to bring in old or unwanted tools and receive a 20% discount voucher to spend on any Kent & Stowe product on the 18^th and 19^th March 2016.

Fund-raising activities can also be found that won’t cost you a thing. Perhaps your cup of refreshing tea bought on Garden Re-Leaf Day will earn the charity a small donation, or simply search out special prices where manufacturers are donating a percentage of sales value direct to the charity. In that way we all win! Perfect.

If you can’t get to your local garden centre tune in to QVCs special Garden Re-Leaf shows where you can get a gardening bargain whilst supporting Greenfingers on Saturday 19^th March and Sunday 20^th March. If shopping isn’t for you but if you’re feeling energetic, as a journalist linked to the industry you are welcome to join other key industry figures who will be taking part in a sponsored 20 mile walk on Garden Re-Leaf Day, starting and finishing at the HTA headquarters in Berkshire. 

Whatever your contribution you will have had fun starting the gardening season, have learnt some new skills, met a garden celebrity or two and at the same time helped a worthwhile charity to make the lives of children who are resident of a local hospice that much better. 

Following our visit to the Tuinzaken Garden Retail Experience event last year the Horticultural Trades Association has arranged an inspirational Study Tour to the Netherlands in February 2016 to take in the 2016 event and there is still some limited availability for for you to join us on the trip.

As well as attending the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 5^th edition, including the event’s gala dinner we will also be visiting some Dutch garden centres and a have a tour of the inspirational Edelman showrooms.

The full tour itinerary is as follows:

• Wednesday 17 Feb 2016 –Fly out in the morning to Amsterdam –from airport begin tour of Garden Centers in the Netherlands throughout the day. Tuincentrum Osdorp and a second De Bosrand in Alphen a/d Rijn. In the evening attend the exclusive Retail Experience Gala in Boskoop including speakers and entertainment.
• Thursday 18 Feb –Attend Retail Experience with full expert guided tours. www.gardenretailexperience.com
• In the evening attend a locally based meal for additional networking opportunities.
• Friday 19 Feb -Visit to Intratuin Zuidplas followed by a Tour to Edelman, lunch and in the afternoon fly home to the UK.

The cost for the entire trip is £380 per person, this covers accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as lunch and Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening but the HTA request those attending the tour to make their own way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport as travelling from all over the UK and attendees can then organize as best suited to their location.

The tours intended start time is 11am from Schiphol airport and once in the Netherlands GTN Xtras’ Trevor Pfeiffer will host alongside Martin Simmons of the HTA.

If you would like to book on to the event or need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact the HTA – events@the-hta.org.uk

The Garden Retail Experience is a truly inspirational event, see the GTN Xtra picture gallery from last year to give you a flavour of the ideas that will stretch your thinking and give you a head start as you prepare to meet the demands of the garden centre customer of the future.  Or speak to Trevor at the GCA Conference this week and he will give you more information about the experience...

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.  

• 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 

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.  

• 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 

• Support the Garden Centre Store Manager and team in all aspects of your store's day-to-day operations
• Manage the daily running of your department, enabling everyone to inspire, educate and equip customers.
• Be responsible for managing cash and other daily administrative task.
• Constantly find ways of improving your department and motivating your staff to achieve agreed company objectives.
• To drive performance maximising commercial potential.
• To promote staff ownership & accountability to create a positive & enjoyable working environment.
• To ensure that your department operates within current Health & Safety legislation.
• To contribute to the success of the business as a whole.
• Ensure the store is clean, both on the shop floor and behind the scenes
• To undertake other duties as required

• A practical, hands-on approach to Garden Centre retailing
• Natural leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support the development of the whole store team
• The willingness to go the extra mile for our customers
• Excellent people skills
• A high degree of professionalism, especially when handling difficult situations
• A proactive approach to solving problems, and the ability to deal with issues as they arise
• Preferably, previous retail management experience

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 

L

The management team at Brundle Gardener have spoken of their delight at securing the partnership which will see them offer the high quality craftsmanship from the renowned Netherlands-based business to garden centres and retailers across the UK.

Paul Smith, business manager for Brundle, said discussions have been ongoing since the two well-established companies first met at last year’s Glee trade show.

He said: “Brundle Gardener is delighted to forge this partnership with a company as renowned as DeWit.

“Like us, they pride themselves on offering high-quality products for all gardeners and through our marketing and trade experience, we believe this will be a perfect addition to any garden centre display.”

The exciting partnership will see Brundle sell a number of DeWit’s high quality ash handle gardening products to garden centres and retailers.

They include trowels, handhoes, cultivators, weeders, hand forks, hand spades and patio knives.

A spokesman for the gardening manufacturer said: “The DeWit family, the forgers of gardening tools from Holland, are happy to announce our partnership with Brundle Gardener.

“With the warehouse facilities and the sales and marketing offered by Brundle, it is a great opportunity for us to broaden our coverage of the UK market.

“The origin of the Brundle family business goes back to 1889 while DeWit started nine years later. With over 230 years of family-owned business, there is a genuine focus on quality products and customer service.”

DeWit tools are designed and made in the Netherlands with the garden tools made from Swedish boron steel and FSC-certified ash wood from Europe.

Brundle Gardener has grown by importing and wholesaling a broad range of products for both garden centres and high street retailers, offering a friendly and flexible approach with warehouses located around the UK.

For more information on Brundle Gardener, visit www.brundlegardener.co.uk or phone 0131 335 5955.

With just days to go until the doors open on the annual Spring Fair exhibition (7-11 February, NEC Birmingham) Deco-Pak has revealed details of its exciting plans for the show.

An exciting new product launch will underpin Deco-Pak’s presence at the show, and will most certainly create a buzz amongst visitors to the company’s Spring Fair stand (Hall 6-7, stand P09). A selection of stylish and practical Insect Hotels will be joining Deco-Pak’s wildlife offering, providing homes for our nation’s bugs, butterflies and bees, whilst providing retailers with another exciting sales opportunity.

Other products on offer at the show will feature the company’s Heritage ranges, including the ever-popular collection of birdhouses and feeders.  The range has recently benefitted from a stunning revamp of its packaging, now featuring a more design-led and vintage inspired appearance, as well as increased ‘on the pack’ product information. These changes, particularly across the Heritage birdhouse offering, have been put in place to reinforce each product's uniqueness and suitability for ranging as giftware. 

The Accent range of 12 different interior decorative sands, crystal glass and polished pebbles will complete Deco-Pak’s Spring Fair offering. Launched at the show in 2015, this collection - designed to add colour and sparkle to candle holders, table centrepieces, vases and other containers around the home – has proven its worth, offering a great add-on sales opportunity to existing floristry, candle and house plant areas.

Retail Theatre

Finally, Deco-Pak’s stand will be divided into four sections, each representing the four seasons. Each dedicated area will be themed to represent the colours and styles of the individual season, with seasonal products displays offering inspiration to retailers, helping them to appreciate how Deco-Pak products can be merchandised and sold year-round.

It has also been confirmed that Deco-Pak will be offering a number of show-only offers, designed to help retailers to maximise sales of Deco-Pak’s latest gift inspired ranges. An exciting new merchandising display designed specifically to increase sales of the Heritage feeder collection will also be launched at the show.

Rod Slater, General Manager for Deco-Pak said: “We are really looking forward to Spring Fair this year. The changes that we have made to our Heritage ranges has breathed new life into already successful and popular ranges, whilst our new Insect Hotels provide retailers with even more impulse sales opportunities.  We’ve no doubt that we now have one of the most exciting giftware ranges, and we look forward to working with both new and existing customers, to help drive sales further in 2016.”

Find out more

Visit www.deco-pak.co.uk, connect via twitter @deco_pak, or call the sales support team on 01422 204394.

• Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids 32ml move up 2 places to No 1.
• Growth Technology Orchid Myst 100ml also moves up 2 places to No 2.
• Woodlodge No.1 Spectrum Pot is the week’s highest new entry at No 12.

• Taylors Onion Sets Stuttgarter stays as themNo 1 Veg-2-Gro Bestseller for another week.
• Taylors Shallots Picasso are the highest chart climbers, up 18 places to No 10.
• Thompson & Morgan Pea Terrain is the highest chart new entry at No 15.

• Westland Jack’s Magic All Purpose Compost 60 litres holds the No 1 spot, that’s 3 out of 4 for January 2016.
• Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes 56 litres stays at No 3.
• Arthur Bowers John Innes Seed Compost 25 litres is the highest re-entry at No 15.

Director of G Plants Alex Reihl explains: “Impulse buys have never been more important, and with average transaction values being widely used to monitor sales perfomrance, it is vital that we focus on making it as easy as possible for customers to take home something extra, that has real vaue, and can increase the basket spend.  Impulse buys are either made at the till, whilst browsing or queing, however there are many other factors involved.”

G Plants has been looking more closely at how consumers shop and are now at a point to capitalise on its expertise, thanks to a new style of wooden display and a brand new range of summer flowering premium bulbs and seed mixtures. 

Alex adds: “Standard bulb merchandisers have been traditionally produced with the intention of making the most of shopfloor space, but what we have heard from customers is that they can be too high to shop effectively.  Our new bulb and seed displays are at a lower overall height than standard displays, whilst losing none of the shelf space.  In fact, each shelf is set at an optimum angle for the consumers convenience in-store.  

The new range of quality bulbs come in premium packaging, and use large format capper cards for maximum impact.  The new fully merchandised display ranges include new premium bulbs and new ‘Bee Friends’ seeds – each on displays that are ideal for higher price points and impulse buying in garden centres.

The newest addition to G Plants brands is Bee Friends™, a collection of easy-sow summer flowering seeds delivered fully merchandised for easy delivery in store.  The Bee Friends range comes with a 300 piece wooden display containing 4in1 multi-pack seeds, 3 metre long seed mats and the best selling Shake n Rake™.  8 new wildlife mixtures have been formulated, adhering to the RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ list and other potent wild flower varieties known to attract wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies and bats.

G Plants’ entire range of grass seed, lawn care and easy gardening products are available delivered in full colour cardboard FSDU’s with POS ideal for promo lines in garden centres.

Find out more

To find out more about G Plants' seeds, bulbs, garden ornaments, growing kits and giftware; call 01254 790 350 or email sales@gplants.com.

This highly anticipated event is the pinnacle of the gardening calendar for the trade where winners of the coveted awards will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner.  

More details will be revealed next month, when the GIMA website will be open for entries. For further information call the GIMA office on 01959 564947.

Finalists:

• Dunbar Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Langlands Leeds
• Langlands Sheffield
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Pughs Radyr
• The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Waresley Park Garden Centre

Silver: Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre

Silver: Perrywood Garden Centre

The Greatest Grotto Team 2015

Finalists:

• Arcadia Garden Centre
• Baytree Garden Centre
• Brigg Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• Gouldings Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Silica Lodge Garden Centre
• Whitehall Lacock
• Wyevale Worlds End

Regional Winners:

• South West: Chaplins Superstore
• North West: Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• North East: Woodbank Garden Centre
• Wales: Pughs Radyr
• Northern Ireland: Hillside Garden Centre
• Scotland: Hetland Garden Centre

Bronze: Chessington Garden Centre     

Silver: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

The Greatest Festive Plants Team 2015

Finalists:

• Burston Garden Centre
• Cowells Garden Centre
• Gordale  Garden & Home Centre
• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Munros Nurseries
• Newbank Halifax
• Pughs Radyr
• Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Wyevale Gosforth
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• London: Aylett Nurseries
• East: Perrywood Garden Centre
• Northern Ireland: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
• Midlands: St Peters Worcester
• Scotland: Simpsons Garden Centre

Bronze: Bents Garden & Home

Silver: Barton Grange Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team 2015

Finalists:

• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Sunshine Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Van Hage Peterborough

Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Langlands Shiptonthorpe

Silver: Fairways Garden Centre

Gold: Hillmount Garden Centre





A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...

The Greatest Festive Catering Team 2014

Finalists:

• Burford Garden Company
• Frosts Woburn Sands
• Haskins Snowhill
• Haskins West End
• Hilltop Garden Store
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Scotsdales Fordham
• Simpsons Garden Centre
• Torwood Garden Centre
• Wyevale Fairoak
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• Midlands: Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Rooms
• South: Squires Badshot Lea
• North: Woodbank Garden Centre
• South West: Whitehall Lacock
• Northern Ireland: Hillmount Garden Centre

Bronze: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Bronze: Haskins Roundstone

Silver: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2015

Finalists:

• Allensmore
• Ascalon
• Florasilk
• SnowTime
• Konstsmide
• Swift Imports
• Wax Lyrical

Bronze: Festive Decorations

Silver: Kaemingk

The Greatest Pet Christmas Team 2015

Finalists:

• Baytree Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• The Old Railway Line

Bronze: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver: Planters Tamworth

Silver: Torwood Garden Centre

Gold: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Small and Mid Sized Garden Centres

Small Centre Finalists:

• Blackbrooks Garden Centre
• Caerphilly Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Pughs Radyr

Mid-sized Centre Finalists:

• Almondsbury Garden Centre
• Birkacre Garden Centre
• Busy Bee Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden and Landscape Centre
• Frosts Brampton
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Halifax
• Sunshine Garden Centre

Bronze Small Centre: Munro's Nurseries

Silver Small Centre: Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre

Gold Small Centre: Silverbirch Garden Centre

Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Perrywood Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Burleydam Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Castle Gardens

Gold Mid-sized Centre: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Large and Group Garden Centres

Large Garden Centre Finalists:

• Aylett Nurseries
• Burford Garden Company
• Burston Garden Centre
• Frosts Woburn Sands                                                           
• Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• Hillside Garden Centre
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Pennells Lincoln
• Planters Tamworth
• Scotsdales Cambridge
• St Peters Worcester
• Van Hage Gt Amwell
• Whitehall Lacock
• Woodbank Garden Centre

Group Garden Centre Finalists:

• Brigg - British Garden Centres
• Grosvenor - Blue Diamond
• Houghton Hall - Klondyke
• Squires Badshot Lea
• Wyevale Swansea

Bronze Large Centre: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver Large Centre: Bents Garden & Home     

Gold Large Centre: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Bronze Group Garden Centre: Littleheath Garden Store - Hillview

Silver Group Garden Centre: Haskins Snowhill

Silver Group Garden Centre: Spring - British Garden Centres

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 2013 as well as 2014 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.

A visit to The Edible Garden Show in 2013 proved so inspirational for Michael Price that he’s ditched the rat race to create an award-winning business producing artisan preserves, sauces and chutneys.

This year, the 38-year-old father-of-one will be back at the UK’s only show dedicated to grow your own selling his own homegrown produce when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire alongside Good Life Live from 11-13 March.

“We’re really looking forward to it as The Edible Garden Show is where it all really started,” says Michael who with the support of his wife Heather - a merchandiser for Sainsbury’s - has set up Prices Spices from their home in Leamington Spa.    

“I was already growing chillies in my greenhouse but it wasn’t until I bought some of the Dorset Naga variety from Joy Michaud’s Sea Spring Seeds stand at The Edible Garden Show that things got serious. They were running a growing competition and I won! I had to buy a new freezer as the 50+ kg of chillies from my small greenhouse needed somewhere to go.”

He spent their family holiday in Greece with their now 4-year-old son Zachary coming up with a plan to start producing chutney and selling it at various chilli festivals.

Prices Spices quickly received some great feedback and in just a few short months even the food critics were taking note as August 2014 saw its pineapple and Dorset Naga chilli chutney ‘India Joywala’ secure a Great Taste Gold Award from the Guild of Fine Food.

“Our customers seem to like that everything we produce contains some level of spice from our home grown chillies. For the produce we don’t grow, we use local suppliers and try to source items locally to keep food miles to a minimum,” adds Michael who has since left his role as an IT developer and data analyst at Aston Martin to dedicate more time to the business.

“It’s certainly going in the right direction and is quickly taking over the house! We’re going to have to start looking at getting a unit soon as we start approaching and encouraging more wholesalers nationwide to start stocking our range, which has been extended to also include chilli jam’s and sauces as well as curry pastes, pickles and spice mixes.”

Leaving the rat race and a daily commute to Gaydon has also benefitted the family in other ways. “It has given us more family time as I now have the opportunity to take and pick up my son from school. He also likes getting involved and likes helping plant the seeds and picking the chillies off of the plants, which spurred me to write a 10-page book for his old nursery to teach the rest of the children how to grow chillies.”

Prices Spices can be found at The Edible Garden Show on stand 218 and Sea Spring Seeds will be on stand 600. “It’s a really inspiring show and I’m so glad it is returning to Stoneleigh Park after being in London for the last two years. I’ve set up a business on the back of The Edible Garden Show and love it. You get some great ideas on how to grow things differently. I got some wonderful advice on growing hydroponically using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil, for example.”

The Edible Garden Show Event Director Geraldine Reeve says: “We’re so delighted to be welcoming Michael and Prices Spices to the 2016 show as an exhibitor. We know people walk away feeling inspired but to hear The Edible Garden Show has played a significant part in realising a long-term business dream is amazing! We are looking forward to enthusing many more people this year with our huge crop of exciting exhibitors as well as our fertile mix of interactive advice sessions, hands-on demonstrations and livestock.”

For more information visit: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk