RocketGro is now the exclusive provider of compost to River Cottage HQ, supplying Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s famous smallholding with its organic, peat-free growing media for use in the iconic Kitchen Garden and across the site.
The partnership is a happy marriage between two businesses whose ethos and passion for sustainable growing are closely aligned. River Cottage grows as much of the produce for its restaurant, cookery school and events catering as it possibly can. The culinary organisation believes in organic and peat-free growing and now use RocketGro’s compost and growing media products to propagate these vegetables, fruits, salads and herbs.
Since Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage television shows first aired in 1999, the names of Hugh and River Cottage have stood for the firm belief that great food can not only bring us all happier and healthier lives, but also nurture and inspire positive change in the world.
Today, River Cottage HQ is set over 100 acres in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Devon and Dorset border. The organic smallholding is the base for its Cookery School, unique dining experiences, B&B accommodation, and memorable events. River Cottage grows much of what it uses at the farm in the iconic Kitchen Garden, poly tunnels and Market Garden and, whilst the business makes its own compost on site, it cannot generate enough for its needs, so has taken great care in finding a suitable compost partner to assist.
Impressive results
The exciting collaboration between RocketGro and River Cottage came to fruition when Head Gardener, Jonny Callis approached the RocketGro team about trialling compost at River Cottage HQ, which is located in Devon the county just next door to RocketGro’s Somerset farm. So impressed was the organisation with the performance of the products on trial, which included achieving 100% germination rates with RocketGro’s Seed & Cutting Compost, the decision to make RocketGro exclusive provider was an easy one.
“We use RocketGro at River Cottage because great germination rates, long-lasting fertility powered by microbes, and local, sustainable production make it a perfect match for our organic growing philosophy,” explains River Cottage Head Gardener, Jonny Callis.
He continues: “The RocketGro Seed & Cutting Compost mix balances water retention and drainage perfectly and holds more nutrition than any peat or coir-based product I’ve used before, giving us the best results for young plants straight from the bag, without the need for amending with perlite, grit or feeds.”
RocketGro boasts a stellar portfolio of 100% peat-free growing media products with a truly un-matched eco-story, as all products and their ingredients have been grown, harvested, sourced and manufactured in the UK. Composts are packaged and produced using the RocketGro farm’s own green renewable energy production, with a large percentage of the substrates used in the compost blends grown on the RocketGro farm in Somerset. Ranges are organic and proudly adorn the ‘Soil Association Approved’ logo on pack, are all natural and chemical-free, whilst delivering impressive results across the board.
RocketGro co-founder and Managing Director, Toby Thomas said of the partnership: “We are thrilled to be partnering with River Cottage and supplying them with our range of composts and growing media products. River Cottage shares our values and believes in sustainable gardening and growing, and doing our best to protect the environment at all times, whilst also achieving great growing results.”
He added: “Both River Cottage and RocketGro are taking a lead in helping consumers make the right choices to support organic, peat-free growing that reduces their carbon footprint, protects peatlands, and delivers soil health. We look forward to a fruitful ongoing partnership with River Cottage and further inspiring gardeners across the country.”
Expert products with a sustainable story
Retailers looking to capitalise on this opportunity and stock River Cottage-endorsed products can currently take their pick of a 12-strong peat-free portfolio, including RocketGro’s flagship Magic Mulch, best-selling Fruit & Veg Compost, Multi-Purpose with added John Innes, a host of other composts for targeted applications, a 60litre Tomato & Veg Planter, and the amazing bio-active natural concentrate liquid plant food, Plant Fuel.
RocketGro has combined the most compelling eco story of any compost manufacturing business in the UK operating at scale, with eye-catching branding and a price point that makes the products built to sell.
A host of exciting new launches are also set to be announced at Glee 2023 next month, with RocketGro significantly expanding its offer. Come and see the team on stand 6B50-C51.
If you want to see the RocketGro compost in action at River Cottage HQ, you can check out their range of gardening courses – or simply visit for a garden tour, to admire the fruits (and veg) of the partnership!
Find out more
If you want to learn more about RocketGro or are keen to discuss adding its product portfolio into your 2023 offering, please contact Toby Thomas (hello@rocketgro.co.uk /07936 928 981) or Andy Abraham (andy@rocketgro.co.uk / 07446 937902). Discover more about the RocketGro story at www.rocketgro.co.uk
