Greenkey Garden & Home is thrilled to announce a major expansion to its Grass Animals range - the sustainable, personality packed garden decorations that have become firm favourites with customers across the UK.

Sustainable Creativity with Personality

The Grass Animals collection have been celebrated for its imaginative approach to eco-friendly garden décor since its launch in 2025. Each adorable dog and rabbit ornament is crafted entirely from artificial turf off-cuts, transforming materials that would otherwise go to waste into charming, characterful companions for outdoor spaces.

Every piece is handmade, giving each animal its own unique personality. A UV-stabilised finish keeps them looking vibrant outdoors all year round, while secure ground fixings ensure they stay perfectly in place. Their personalised packaging, complete with individual names, gives each Grass Animal a delightful “pet-like” identity - from Pippa the Dog to Monty the Rabbit.

These eight original characters have become beloved conversation starters, proving that sustainability can be stylish, joyful, and full of personality.

Twelve New Family Members

Continuing the theme of individuality and charm, Greenkey is expanding the range with twelve brand new animals and characters, each with its own personality and story. Just like the originals, every new addition arrives with its own name, strengthening the playful, personalised feel that customers adore.

A Growing Animal Range

Four new animal characters join the line-up, Goldie (25cm) and Teddy (35cm) Bear decorations and Rose (25cm) and Bert (35cm) Tortoises extend the existing Dog and Rabbit offering. Handmade and full of character, these new additions bring fresh personality to the growing Grass Animals family.

Glowing Additions

The new Snail ornaments introduce a magical twist, featuring built-in LED lighting for a warm evening glow with Pam (25cm) and Brian (35cm) joining the line-up, making it an extra-special addition to any garden, with the ranges’ first ever light up decorations.

Characters Full of Charm

Expanding beyond animals, Greenkey is also introducing three new LED character designs, bringing six new products, each with its own name, personality, and magical glow.

A whimsical Gnome duo joins the range, available as Bill (40cm) and Norm (50cm), whose hats light up, bringing a magical, storybook feel to outdoor spaces.

Just in time for the festive season, Greenkey is introducing festive Santa and Snowman Grass characters, also with light up hats. Each available in 35cm and 45cm versions, these glowing decorations offer a sustainable, imaginative alternative to traditional Christmas garden décor. Frosty (35cm) and Jack (45cm) Snowmen join the two Santa decorations, available in the two sizes, all offering gift ready appeal.

Bring Your Displays to Life

With their named characters, handcrafted charm and playful personalities, the expanded Grass Animals range gives garden centres a unique opportunity to build story driven displaysthat stop customers in their tracks. Whether grouped as a whimsical woodland scene, a glowing twilight trail of LED characters, or a festive focal point during peak season, these decorations invite shoppers to explore, smile and engage. Their vibrant turf texture, varied sizes and mix of animals and characters make them perfect for tiered merchandising, cross category storytelling and impulse driven gifting zones.

For retailers looking to create theatre, drive footfall and spark conversations, the Grass Animals range offers a ready-made cast of characters that turns any display into a moment of joy.

To find out more or to place an order, contact the Greenkey team at sales@greenkey-garden.co.uk.

The latest monthly Market Update from the Horticultural Trades Association shows that garden centre sales rose by +2% in value, including catering, in August 2026 compared with the same month last year, and were +7% ahead of August 2024. Excluding catering, however, sales fell by -3% year-on-year, with most of the growth coming from non-garden categories, which were up +8%, including café and restaurant sales, up +10%.

August 2026 was the UK's joint sixth-warmest August on record, bringing a close to the UK's warmest summer since records began. Gardening sales fell by -7% compared with August 2025 and were -5% behind August 2024, with persistent dry conditions weighing on plant sales. Bedding plants were down -11% and hardy plants down -14%, while plant care fell -14%, garden sundries were down -12% and tools -9%.

The larger outdoor categories performed better, with garden furniture sales increasing by +1%, BBQs and heating by +2% and outdoor containers by +5% compared to August 2025. Overall, garden centre transactions, excluding catering, fell by -1% year on year, and the average transaction value dropped by -2% to £24.84 excluding VAT, meaning the average basket was worth less than a year earlier.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: "This summer has been extraordinary for anyone working in horticulture, and our Market Update retail data reflects that. After months of exceptional heat and very dry conditions, it's perhaps not surprising that gardening has been the weaker part of the garden centre offer. What is encouraging, however, is that consumers have continued to visit and spend across the wider garden centre, with outdoor living and hospitality helping to offset some of the pressure on core gardening.

“The weather has also brought the longer-term issue of water resilience into sharp focus. There was a high degree of variation between retailers behind the August figures, driven by the regional distribution of Temporary Use Bans and varied weather conditions across the UK. For horticultural businesses, access to reliable and sustainable water supplies is becoming increasingly important as weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. We need to ensure policy and infrastructure are in place to help our member businesses adapt, invest, and continue playing their part in creating greener, healthier places.

“Beyond the weather, August saw consumer confidence rise for the second month running, up three points to -14, which is its highest level since August 2024. Similarly, the general economic outlook rose by five points to -23, and the personal financial outlook rose by three points to 4. The Major Purchase Index also reached -7, its highest figure since December 2021, suggesting customers may be more willing to make larger purchases. This suggestion is also supported by the savings index, which has dropped five points to 22, showing people are spending more than saving. However, it is worth noting that overall consumer confidence, whilst improving, remains clearly in negative territory.

“August is normally a month in which garden and gardening sales are lower, so the weak performance this month has had only a limited impact on the year-to-date results. Garden centres are still +2% ahead of the 2025 year-to-date figures and +12% ahead of 2024, although excluding catering sales puts them in line with 2025. Gardening sales are -2% behind last year but still +7% ahead of 2024, while the non-gardening categories are up +7%, largely due to catering, which is up +9%.

“We talk every month about the resilience of garden centres since it is so important to keep in mind the wider picture, especially given the strong performance in 2025, but it should be acknowledged that our member businesses are still having to work within a difficult cost environment. The increase in employment costs, as well as those related to the supply chain and inputs, continue to weigh on profit margins. As businesses plan for the months ahead, we will continue to remind the government of its key role in setting the right conditions for investment and growth, including tackling rising costs of doing business and providing greater certainty in the policy and regulatory environment.

HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on our website.

Cowell’s Garden Centre in Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne, is celebrating 40 years of service from plant manager Dylan Cairns, who first joined the business as a teenage trainee.

Dylan started at Cowell’s in 1986 through the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). Over four decades, he has become the centre’s go-to expert for plants, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with customers and colleagues.

Cowell’s is a regular winner of the Garden Centre Association’s Ruxley Rose Award, which recognises the best plant areas nationally. Its most recent win was presented in January 2026.

Dylan Cairns said: “Forty years have flown by. My interest in horticulture began when I helped my dad on his allotment. It led to college and a placement at Cowell’s, where I fell in love with retail horticulture.

“I’ve kept expanding my knowledge and following new trends ever since, always aiming to help Cowell’s lead the way in plant retail. It’s been a pleasure to see the business grow, and I owe so much to Alan Cowell’s work ethic, belief in me and expert advice.

“It’s always been a team effort, and I’ve worked with some wonderful people.”

Martin Cowell, owner of Cowell’s Garden Centre, said:

“Dylan has been such an important part of Cowell’s for 40 years, and we’re incredibly lucky to have him. He started with us as a teenager through the YTS scheme and has gone on to become our Plant Manager and the person we turn to for all things plants.

“His knowledge is something we value enormously, but so too is the dedication he has shown to Cowell’s over the years. Forty years with one business is a remarkable milestone, and we couldn’t let it pass without saying a very big thank you.

“On behalf of everyone at Cowell’s, thank you, Dylan, for everything you have contributed over the past four decades.”

GIMA is celebrating another hugely successful Glee, with the 2026 event providing a powerful reminder of the value of face-to-face connection, collaboration and opportunity across the garden industry.

With 107 GIMA members exhibiting and more than 500 staff from member businesses onsite across the three days, the association had a strong presence throughout the show. This was further supported by two dedicated spaces, the GIMA Lounge and International Lounge, reflecting both the scale of the membership and GIMA’s ongoing role in creating opportunities, connections and support for suppliers across the sector.

Glee also provided the perfect backdrop for GIMA to celebrate a major milestone, with the association officially passing 250 members. More than 65 new members have joined in the last 12 months alone, while GIMA's membership now represents an annual combined turnover of £5.9 billion.  The achievement was marked with members coming together at the show, offering a fitting opportunity to recognise the continued growth, reach and influence of the GIMA community.

But beyond the numbers, Glee remains an important opportunity to bring people together, create new connections and facilitate conversations that can lead directly to future business growth.  This was particularly evident through the Hosted Buyer Meetings programme, which saw more than 170 meetings take place during the show. These focused appointments gave GIMA members the opportunity to meet directly with leading UK buyers, while the International Lounge provided further opportunities to connect with overseas retailers and distributors to explore potential export opportunities.

Martin Ward, Director of GIMA, said: “What really stood out at Glee this year was the energy and the appetite to meet, talk and do business. For GIMA, our role is to create more of those opportunities, whether through buyer introductions, networking or simply bringing the industry together.

“There is real momentum behind the association right now, and Glee was just the start of a very busy few months ahead, culminating in the GIMA Awards in November. Thank you to everyone who supported us at Glee and helped us mark some exciting milestones for the association. We are hugely excited about what comes next.”

Glee is just the start

While Glee may have drawn to a close, it marks the start of an especially busy period for GIMA and its members.

Attention is now turning to the GIMA Awards 2026, taking place on 12th November at Celtic Manor Resort, as excitement builds towards one of the industry's biggest nights of celebration.

Before then, the GIMA events programme continues with a series of webinars designed to give members practical insight, new ideas and access to expert knowledge.

On 7th October, GIMA will host “The answer to every brief isn’t ‘digital’ - Traditional media isn’t dead”, followed on 13th October by a B&Q Marketplace webinar focused on “Preparing to Launch on B&Q Marketplace in 2027”.

Then, following the GIMA Awards, OGL Software will host “Building a successful business-to-business eCommerce website” on 17th November 2026.

Together, these events underline the breadth of support available to GIMA members throughout the year, from face-to-face networking and buyer introductions to education, commercial insight, industry recognition and opportunities to build stronger, more profitable businesses.

Find out more

To find out more about GIMA membership, upcoming events, member benefits and the GIMA Awards 2026, visit www.gima.org.uk

British gifting brand DCUK, The Original Wooden Duck Company, has been awarded the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, recognising a period of significant overseas growth and more than two decades of international partnership.

The accolade follows four years of strong growth for the independent gifting business, during which sales increased by 187% and turnover reached almost three times its previous level.

Best known for its characterful handcrafted wooden ducks and collectable gift ranges, DCUK has grown from an independent British gifting business into an internationally recognised brand, with its characters sold through official stockists and enjoyed by customers and collectors around the world.

The King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade recognises businesses that have demonstrated outstanding and sustained growth in overseas markets. DCUK is one of just three Devon businesses to receive the International Trade award in 2026.

The recognition marks another milestone for a business that has built its growth around distinctive product design, craftsmanship and long-term relationships with makers and retail partners.

Every DCUK character is created through the company’s long-standing partnership with skilled artisans in Indonesia, who have worked with the business since 2004. Each character is individually handcrafted from bamboo root, combining traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with British-led creativity, character design and gifting appeal.

Craig Wensley, owner of DCUK, said: “Receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise is a huge moment for DCUK and recognition of what can be achieved by an independent gifting brand with a distinctive product and brilliant long-term partnerships.

“Our stockists have played an incredibly important part in that story. Their enthusiasm for the brand and the way they introduce our characters to new customers has helped DCUK continue to grow both at home and internationally.

“We’re also enormously grateful to our team in Devon, our talented makers in Indonesia and, of course, the collectors who continue to welcome new DCUK characters into their homes.”

DCUK’s international growth has been underpinned by the broad appeal of its handcrafted characters and an expanding collection designed for gifting occasions throughout the year.

The brand’s ranges combine collectability with individual character and craftsmanship, giving independent gift retailers and other stockists a product with a distinctive story and strong visual presence in-store.

For DCUK, the King’s Award also recognises the strength of a supply partnership that has now lasted for more than 20 years. Its relationship with its Indonesian makers has remained central to the business as it has expanded into new markets and reached a growing international customer base.

Craig added: “We’ve always believed there is something special about products that have personality, craftsmanship and a genuine story behind them.

“To have that approach recognised through a King’s Award, and particularly for sustained international growth, makes us incredibly proud. We’re excited about what comes next for DCUK and about continuing to grow the brand alongside our stockists and international partners.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious official business awards. Organisations receiving the International Trade award must demonstrate substantial and sustained overseas growth, with applications independently assessed before recommendations are approved by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Steep & Sprout, an innovative Shropshire-made plant tea from LOHAS Fertiliser, has been named the winner of the 2026 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, securing a package of funding and industry support designed to accelerate the product’s journey into the garden retail market. The winner was officially unveiled on the first day at Glee.

Taking a fresh approach to plant feeding, Steep & Sprout combines organically derived nutrients from domestically produced resources, such as poultry manure with LOHAS Fertiliser’s proprietary patented enzyme technology, delivered through a simple 100% biodegradable and compostable ‘tea bag’ format.

The system is designed to make feeding plants straightforward for gardeners whilst tackling some much bigger environmental challenges. Its biological formulation helps stabilise organic nutrients and supports more efficient natural nutrient uptake by plants, reducing the rapid leaching and run-off associated with some conventional feeding methods.

Made in Shropshire within the Severn catchment, Steep & Sprout combines local production with a strong environmental focus, helping plants access nutrients efficiently while reducing the potential for nutrient loss into surrounding waterways.

Retailing at £7.99, the product has been developed as an accessible and easy-to-understand alternative to traditional liquid plant feeds. Gardeners simply steep the product to create a nutrient-rich plant tea, with the compostable delivery system helping to eliminate the packaging and product waste traditionally associated with plant feeding.

Talking about the win, Lian Lin, Co-Founder of LOHAS Fertiliser, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to win the 2026 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund. Our goal with Steep & Sprout was simple: create an effective, zero-waste plant food that simplifies plant care for everyday gardeners while actively protecting our waterways. We are excited to work alongside GIMA to bring this Shropshire-made innovation to garden centres across the UK.

Backing the next generation of garden innovation

The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund was created to identify and support the next generation of garden industry innovation, helping emerging businesses and new product concepts overcome some of the barriers associated with bringing an idea successfully to market.

Steep & Sprout impressed the judging panel with the way it brings together product innovation, commercial potential and sustainability within one highly accessible consumer proposition.

Martin Ward, Director of GIMA, said: “Steep & Sprout really caught the judges’ attention because it takes something familiar - feeding plants - and completely rethinks how it can be done. It is simple for the consumer to understand and can easily be adopted into consumer regular habits of brewing a tea for themselves and for their beloved plants.

“What also impressed us was the commercial potential. LOHAS Fertiliser has created a product that feels relevant to the way people want to garden today, is easy to use, lower waste and with sustainability built into the proposition rather than added as an afterthought. That combination of innovation, usability and retail opportunity is exactly what the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund was created to support.”

Support to accelerate growth

As the latest recipient of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, LOHAS Fertiliser will receive an extensive package of support to help fast-track the next stage of its development.

The prize includes free exhibition space at Glee, the UK’s leading garden retail trade show, together with up to £4,000 of tailored support which can be used across areas including design, development, consultancy, manufacturing or marketing.

LOHAS Fertiliser will also benefit from a free half-page advertisement in the GIMA New Product Digest, twelve months of complimentary GIMA membership, one year’s ACID (Anti Copying in Design) membership and ongoing PR support.

For LOHAS Fertiliser, the award represents an opportunity not simply to build awareness of Steep & Sprout, but to demonstrate how a new generation of plant nutrition products can combine strong commercial potential with a more circular and environmentally responsible approach.

Find out more

Discover more about LOHAS Fertiliser and Steep & Sprout at lohasfertiliser.co.uk.

For more information about the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, visit www.gima.org.uk

The Diddly Squat Farm Plantable Garden Planner has been named a winner at The Christmas Wishlist Awards 2026, securing one of just four winning places in the highly competitive Home & Garden Gifts category. It also won the Judges Pick award.

Part of The Big Christmas Press Show, The Christmas Wishlist Awards recognise products expected to make an impact during the festive season, with winners selected for their appeal as desirable, innovative and giftable Christmas products.

The award puts the Diddly Squat Farm Plantable Garden Planner firmly on the Christmas gifting list – but this is no ordinary journal. Created through the partnership between Diddly Squat Farm and Blue Diamond Garden Centres, the planner is designed for gardeners who like their planning with a little less paperwork and a lot more growing.

It combines practical gardening information with the unmistakable character of Diddly Squat Farm, featuring gardening hints and tips, a gardener’s logbook, the Luna calendar and one particularly important question: “What’s your herb birthday?” And when the planning is done, the growing begins.

The planner contains 12 plantable UK-made seed papers, each containing seeds for a selection of vegetables and herbs. Simply plant the paper, water it and watch it grow. Once the harvest arrives, gardeners can turn their home-grown produce into something worth eating, with inspiration from Diddly Squat Kitchen recipes.

In other words, it is a Christmas present that doesn’t end up forgotten in a drawer on Boxing Day. Lovingly crafted in Leicestershire and Cornwall by a fourth-generation family business, the planner uses paper made in the UK, with the seed paper also produced in the UK.

The Christmas Wishlist Award is the latest milestone in the growing three-year partnership between Blue Diamond Garden Centres and Diddly Squat Farm, bringing together Blue Diamond’s horticultural expertise with the distinctive personality and humour of Diddly Squat Farm to develop a range of new and exclusive gardening and garden gifting products.

The partnership first launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 with the Diddly Squat Farm Rosé Rose and has since expanded into a growing collection of products designed to bring a little more fun to gardening and gifting.

The Diddly Squat Farm Plantable Garden Planner is available exclusively from Blue Diamond Garden Centres and Diddly Squat Farm Shop and online.

Find out more at bluediamond.gg and diddlysquatfarmshop.com

After consulting children and families that visit Naomi House, it was discovered that they needed more intimate, family-focussed outdoor areas where they can spend precious time together and connect with nature.  

The new garden will contain smaller gardens within it, outside each of the bedrooms, providing family members and friends the space to take a quiet moment to themselves without being overlooked, while still being a part of the wider outdoor space. 

The space will be fully accessible for wheelchairs and beds and will create more opportunities to explore, with different experiences to interact with as you journey through the garden, including a sensory play trail.  

Within the garden there will be a space for play and activities with a large canopy cover for shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. This space will act like a ‘forest school’, where activities can be brought outside in any weather. There are also interactive, sensory features within this area, including a rain simulator. Next to this there will also be picnic tables so families can eat together outside.  

There will also be a playground area with a wheelchair swing, bucket swing, accessible swing and standard metal swing. This allows the swings to be fully accessible and enables siblings to swing side by side and enjoy some fun together without being restricted by different needs and requirements. 

The garden has been designed to engage a variety of senses. From different colours, smells and sounds to different kinds of surfaces on the ground for a wheelchair user to experience, every detail has been considered for multiple needs. Height considerations have also been incorporated into the design, for example, there will be taller plants and trees for a child or young adult who may be only able to look up. 

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity said: “We are incredibly proud to be bringing this special garden to life at Naomi and Jack’s. From the very beginning, the focus has been on creating a space that works for every child and family who uses it - somewhere they can spend precious time together, make memories, have fun and simply enjoy being outdoors. 

“Every element of the design has been carefully considered, from the sensory planting and play trail to the accessible swings and private garden spaces outside the bedrooms. We want the garden to offer something for everyone, whatever their age or ability, while providing those important moments of peace and connection with nature.  

“Raising more than £250,000 to make this garden possible has been an incredible achievement by our team of intrepid supporters who completed the challenge of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro - and we are also hugely grateful to everyone who has supported Greenfingers in getting to this stage. We can’t wait to see the plans become reality and, most importantly, to see the difference this garden will make to the children, young people, families and staff at Naomi and Jack’s.” 

 Erika Lipscombe, Director of Care at Naomi and Jack’s, said: “We are so excited for the transformation of the new garden to begin. It will be amazing to have a space that removes boundaries and ‘brings the inside out’. Families can spend quality time together in a peaceful, tranquil space, making memories in nature, while also being able to join in with some wonderful activities and experiences. Nature is so beneficial for a person’s health and wellbeing, so allowing the children and families to get outdoors more while staying at our hospice is very important.  

“The garden will also enable our hard-working staff to take a quiet moment of reflection to themselves. Thank you so much to the inspiring team at Greenfingers for your incredible fundraising efforts that have made this a possibility. Watch this space to see how our garden transforms!” 

Greenfingers has fundraised over £250,000 through various fundraising events to raise funds to create the new garden, including a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. Greenfingers has confirmed award-winning Elks-Smith Landscape and Garden Design is the Garden Designer for the project. 

To find out more about Greenfingers, visit: https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/ 

To find out more about Naomi and Jack’s or to watch the garden transformation journey, visit: https://www.naomiandjacks.org.uk/ 

PATS 2026 is gearing up to deliver its biggest and most feature-packed show yet, with a host of exciting new attractions waiting for visitors when the doors open at the NEC Birmingham later this month.

Alongside the popular features that have become firm favourites with visitors, the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show has introduced a range of new experiences designed to provide even more inspiration, insight and valuable business opportunities for retailers.

With more than 425 exhibitors and over 600 brands represented, PATS 2026 is on course to be a record-breaking event – and these new attractions will add even greater depth and interest to the three-day show, taking place from 27-29 September.

Animal Encounters, in partnership with Animal Teach, will bring expert-led education directly to the PATS show floor. Visitors will be able to gain practical, trade-relevant knowledge, ask questions and see animals up close, with sessions designed to provide information they can take straight back to their businesses.

Sessions will be led by Animal Teach founder and zoologist Naomi Ennis, supported by the Animal Teach team. Animals taking part will be selected on the day following individual health and behaviour checks, ensuring the highest welfare standards throughout the show.

Another exciting new attraction is Aquascaping with George Farmer, featuring the internationally recognised aquascaper, author and educator. George will deliver three days of live aquascaping demonstrations, showing retailers how they can turn this increasingly popular specialist interest into an accessible and profitable retail opportunity.

Coffee & Connect is PATS' new informal networking event, combining market insight with real-world retail experience in a relaxed coffee-morning setting. Visitors will hear from a market analyst, a brand founder and a major retail buyer about the trends and developments currently shaping the pet trade, before having the opportunity to network over coffee with fellow retailers, buyers and exhibitors.

Reflecting PATS' growing international reputation, the show will also introduce its first-ever International Pavilion. This dedicated space will bring together companies from around the world, providing an opportunity to discover new brands, products and innovations from international markets.

The ever-popular Grooming Zone, meanwhile, will feature a new programme of retailer sessions delivered in partnership with the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA). Industry experts will provide practical, trade-focused advice covering product knowledge, customer conversations and how to sell grooming ranges more effectively.

All these new features have been designed to complement PATS' established attractions and create an even more valuable experience for visitors – as the show prepares to welcome what is expected to be its largest-ever gathering of exhibitors and pet trade professionals.

PATS 2026 will once again be co-located with BETA International, the leading equestrian trade exhibition, taking place on 27–28 September 2026. Retailers and buyers will be able to visit both events with a single registration, giving BETA International visitors access to PATS and vice versa.

Visitor registration is open at https://bit.ly/4aLE1Hp with free admission available to qualifying trade professionals. For more information about PATS 2026, including a full list of exhibitors, visit www.patshow.co.uk

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Wyevale Nurseries has been awarded Plant Healthy Certification for its high biosecurity standards for the sixth year in a row it’s been revealed this month. 

The Hereford-based leading UK commercial grower successfully retained its certification following a comprehensive independent audit conducted against the Plant Health Management Standard.

Julia Giermaniuk, Plant Healthy Lead at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved our Plant Healthy certification for six consecutive years running. The Plant Healthy certification scheme makes it easier to identify businesses and organisations that trade and grow plants to the highest standards of plant health and biosecurity.

“This certificate reflects the commitment and hard work of colleagues across every area of our business – as strong biosecurity relies on people, training and attention to detail every day.”

Julia, who holds a BSc in Plant Biology and an MSc in Biotechnology from Aberystwyth University, oversees the nursery’s Plant Healthy programme and works with teams across the business to maintain and continuously improve biosecurity standards.

She continued: “Biosecurity is an invisible shield. Threats aren’t always obvious and can be carried on plants, footwear, vehicles or equipment, so it’s vital that best practice is embedded into everyday routines. Our Plant Healthy certification gives customers confidence that robust systems are in place throughout our sites, teams and operational activity.”

At Wyevale Nurseries, incoming stock is carefully isolated, inspected and recorded before being integrated into production areas. Plant movements can be traced through detailed record keeping, while cleaning and disinfecting procedures help minimise risk throughout the nursery.

Staff across multiple departments also receive ongoing training to recognise risks and respond appropriately.

Julia added: “Good records and early reporting are essential because they allow swift action and reduce the chance of problems spreading further. We also work hard to reduce risk through responsible sourcing, using approved suppliers and focusing on locally sourced stock wherever possible.

“Biosecurity doesn’t stop at the nursery gate. By working together, growers, suppliers and retailers can help protect plant health, customer confidence and the future of UK horticulture.”

Certified businesses must successfully complete and pass a Plant Healthy audit and demonstrate their commitment to high voluntary plant health and biosecurity standards.

Plant Healthy Limited, a registered charity, administers the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme and the Plant Health Management Standard on which the Scheme is based.

Malcolm Catlin, Chief Executive of Plant Healthy Limited, said: “The Standard provides the framework and Plant Healthy Scheme certification provides recognition of a high standard of plant biosecurity.

“As well as benefiting individual businesses, it also helps protect the health of our plant life from pests and diseases, helping to safeguard the biodiversity of our natural environment and support the UK economy.” 

Wyevale Nurseries’ product selection is admired across the industry and its talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is supplying garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive range of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk. For further details about Plant Healthy, please visit www.planthealthy.org.uk

Neerdog has announced that its colourful, nature inspired GO-B-BOLD dog walking range is now available through Decco Wholesale, Ipswich.

Designed in the Peak District, the range combines practical, high quality dog walking kit with bold, collectable colours and patterns, bringing a fresh look to the pet accessories category.

The GO-B-BOLD range includes harnesses, collars and leads, with features designed around comfort, durability, visibility and everyday adventures.

The move into Decco Wholesale also marks an exciting step for Neerdog as the brand continues to expand beyond traditional pet retail, making its distinctive dog kit more accessible to independent garden and outdoor retailers across the UK.

Bestselling wild bird care products are set to hit the sweet spot with customers at Gates Garden Centre in Cold Overton, Oakham, Leicestershire, thanks to an exciting display refresh from Henry Bell & Co.

Working with the centre’s retail team, Henry Bell National Sales Manager Andrew Mellowes and agent Dominic Wright addressed customer flow, increased shelf space for seed mixes – including two of Gates’ specially developed own labels – and provided impactful promotional areas to ensure that customers are put firmly in front of the centre’s key lines of bird feed and accessories. A similar programme of improvements will be carried out at Gates’ second centre, Woodlands Hinckley, Leicestershire, over the coming weeks.

“Good merchandising doesn’t just happen by chance – every element has to be carefully planned and considered,” said Andrew. “Using our expertise in this field, we have successfully created an enhanced consumer shopping experience by generating a category journey in which no product lines are missed. This allows customers to make more informed purchasing decisions and helps to drive up basket spend and grow sales.”

Gates Senior Manager Natalie Gregg added: “We are thrilled with the new merchandising, which has brought a real breath of fresh air to our wild bird sales area. Andrew and Dominic together with our in-house team, have done an absolutely fabulous job and we’re really looking forward to moving into one of our busiest times of the year with clear and attractive displays that support our work and set tills ringing.”

If you would like to reinvigorate your wild bird category, grow your sales and open up display flow, get in touch with your Henry Bell agent or speak to Andrew at Head Office on 01476 565761.

As summer fades, wild birds face changing conditions and increasing demands on their energy reserves. Autumn sees many species moulting, resident birds preparing for colder weather and migrants stopping to refuel.

“Autumn is a season of preparation,” says Sarah Kitson, Head of Marketing at Honeyfields. “Supplementary feeding can help wild birds build the condition they need to survive winter, while giving retailers an opportunity to engage customers with the importance of year-round bird care.”

Fuel for winter

Honeyfields recommends energy-dense foods as feeding activity increases, including:

• Sunflower hearts – packed with oils and calories, and easy for birds to eat with minimal mess.
• Peanuts – a source of protein and healthy fats, provided in a suitable peanut feeder or kibbled appropriately.
• Suet – high in fat and ideal for providing energy as temperatures fall. Blocks, pellets and fat balls attract a wide variety of garden birds.
• Quality seed blends – offering variety to appeal to different species.

Feed little and often

Birds need to make the most of every opportunity to find food, to build energy reserves to see them through colder periods. As a result, retailers may have  customers reporting that feeders are emptying considerably faster than they did during summer. Regularly checking and replenishing feeders helps ensure food remains available when birds need it.

For retailers, this provides an opportunity to reinforce the value of maintaining a regular feeding routine and of choosing convenient, reliable feeding solutions.

Hygiene matters

Good feeding is about more than nutrition. Clean feeding stations and fresh water are essential to maintaining a healthy environment, particularly where large numbers of birds gather.

Honeyfields recommends removing wet or uneaten food regularly, cleaning feeders and water vessels at least weekly, providing fresh water daily and positioning feeders apart to help reduce overcrowding.

“At Honeyfields, we believe successful bird feeding is about more than simply putting food outside. It is about providing the right nutrition, consistently and responsibly, while maintaining a clean, hygienic environment in which wild birds can thrive.” 

“Birds that enter winter in good condition are better placed to face the challenges of the colder months and emerge into spring ready to establish territories, nest and raise the next generation,” says Sarah.

For pet retailers, autumn is the perfect time to turn customers’ interest in garden wildlife into practical action – with the right products and simple advice helping to establish responsible feeding habits all year round.

To find out more, contact your Regional Sales Manager or call 0845 257 0232.

The Gardens Group, which has three garden centres in Sherborne, Poundbury and Yeovil, has announced the nine community causes that will become the first beneficiaries of its new loyalty club, The Gardens Group Friends this autumn.

Launched in September, The Gardens Group Friends has been created to nurture relationships with the community and provide more ways for people to connect with gardening as a force for good when it comes to people and planet. Each garden centre has selected three community causes, which will receive a donation nomination from Friends after every purchase in the garden centre.  

The following community causes have been selected by Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil; School Beanz in Chilthorne Domer, a pioneering children's allotment running year-round gardening clubs that help shape how children see nature and food for life; The Hub, Yeovil, which offers day services for adults with learning disabilities and autism; and Sharandys Birds of Prey, a sanctuary for rescued birds of prey near Swyre in Dorset.

Castle Gardens in Sherborne will be supporting; Hedgehog Rescue of Hazebury Bryan, which rescues sick, injured or disabled hedgehogs in Dorset and the surrounding areas; Sherborne Food Bank, a charity helping the hungry and families in crisis; and The Rendezvous, which offers mental health support and essential qualifications for young people aged 14 – 25.

And around the Dorchester area, Poundbury Gardens will be supporting the following community causes; Dorset Air Ambulance, which provides life-saving, pre-hospital critical care to those in urgent need across Dorset and Somerset; The Talk About Trust in Poundbury, a charity committed to keeping young people safe around alcohol and drugs; and Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, which offers end of life care for adults with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.

Members of The Gardens Group Friends will be given a token after every purchase and scan of their loyalty club card, and will be invited to nominate one of the causes by placing the token in the container. The tokens will be counted at the end of the quarter, and each community cause will be apportioned support, such as tools, plants, compost or free venue hire, based on the number of tokens and their individual requirements.

The Gardens Group Friends is now inviting gardeners of all ages and abilities to sign up for free in store. While benefiting from tailored advice, behind the scenes insights into the garden centre, seasonal inspiration and much more, Friends will be contributing to these worthy causes and making a difference within their communities.

A real working day isn’t measured by charge time; it’s measured by the work completed. That’s the thinking behind EGO’s new ARC Lithium MAX battery, developed to help professional grounds care teams complete up to 20% more work* over the course of an entire working day...

As the leader in battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO understands that professional users need solutions to maximise productivity while out in the field. The new ARC Lithium MAX reduces interruptions through faster charging, fewer battery changes and improved performance, helping grounds care teams spend more time getting the job done.

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO, said: “As a battery-first brand from day one, EGO has always focused on pushing the boundaries of cordless performance. ARC Lithium MAX  represents the next step in that journey and demonstrates our continued investment in developing solutions that respond to the changing needs of professional users.

“Built on EGO’s industry-leading 56V platform, ARC Lithium MAX has been engineered to maximise productive uptime, enabling professionals to complete up to 20% more work in the same amount of time. This helps businesses improve productivity, take on more jobs and maximise the return from every project.”

Designed around the demands of professional users, ARC Lithium MAX provides them with greater confidence that their equipment has the power to perform for the whole working day. With reduced heat generation, the new battery delivers quicker power output, faster charging and greater long-term durability, enabling more work to be completed per charge. And for fleet managers, the battery’s intelligent connectivity with the EGO Fleet app enables remote control and monitoring capabilities to ensure greater visibility and streamlined day-to-day operations.

Andrew continued: “By using tabless-cell technology, ARC Lithium MAX delivers twice the cycle life of an equivalent EGO standard-cell battery. When paired with the PGX Power Bank, a compatible ARC Lithium MAX battery can be charged from empty to 100% full in as little as 20 minutes, meaning professionals spend less time waiting and more time completing the task at hand.”

The 8Ah BA4480X ARC Lithium MAX battery is available now, with additional 3Ah and 6Ah capacities planned for 2027 as EGO continues to expand the technology across its battery platform.

To learn more, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/about-ego/technology/arc-lithium-max or watch the video below.

Meet ARC Lithium MAX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xylWbCAMNbw

For years, garden centres have found new ways to make their physical space work harder. Restaurants, farm shops, concessions, home and lifestyle departments, events and leisure experiences have all helped turn the traditional garden centre into something far broader: a destination where customers choose to spend time. Now, according to destination EV charging specialist ElectRoad (and Glee New Product 'Best Retail Experience winners), there's another part of the site with untapped commercial potential - the car park.

As electric vehicle ownership continues to grow, the opportunity for retailers isn't simply about providing another customer facility. Done properly, EV charging can create recurring income, strengthen the customer experience, support sustainability ambitions and give motorists another reason to choose one destination over another.

The key, says ElectRoad founder Richard Seppings, is to stop thinking about EV charging as a piece of infrastructure and start treating it as part of the wider retail proposition.

"Garden centres are almost uniquely suited to destination charging because customers are already spending meaningful time there," Richard explains. "They might be buying plants, having lunch, browsing homewares or visiting with the family. Charging doesn't have to interrupt that experience. It happens naturally while they're doing something they already wanted to do."

A different kind of charging

Much of the public conversation around EV infrastructure has focused on motorway services and roadside charging hubs, where the objective is simple: charge the vehicle as quickly as possible and get the driver back on the road. Destination retail works very differently.

ElectRoad's research suggests customers typically spend around 57 minutes at a garden centre, creating a natural charging window. That's why the company typically recommends 50–60kW rapid chargers for destination sites rather than automatically specifying the most powerful equipment available.

"Bigger isn't always better," Richard says. "The question shouldn't be 'What's the fastest charger we can install?' It should be 'What's the right charger for this location, this customer and this business?'

"You have to consider dwell time, available electrical capacity, installation cost and the return the retailer needs from that investment. In a destination environment, there's a commercial sweet spot."

It's an approach built around customer behaviour rather than charging specifications.

Turning an existing asset into income — without giving up control

The commercial case extends beyond the fee generated each time a vehicle plugs in. A charging facility gives EV drivers another reason to choose one garden centre over a competing destination, and the time spent charging creates further opportunities for customers to eat, browse and shop. Richard sees it as sitting alongside the other investments garden centres have already made to increase dwell time and broaden the offer.

"Garden retail has been incredibly good at understanding the value of its physical space," he says. "We've seen restaurants become major parts of the business. We've seen concessions, food halls, events and experiences develop because retailers recognised customers wanted more from the visit. The car park is part of that same conversation. It's already there, it's already being used by customers, and it can become an income-generating asset in its own right."

That's where ElectRoad's model differs from the traditional Charge Point Operator approach. Rather than leasing sections of a retailer's car park and taking over the charging operation, ElectRoad works on a partnership basis, letting businesses keep ownership of their charging infrastructure, their customer relationship and the long-term value the installation creates. ElectRoad provides the expertise behind it — feasibility assessment, installation management, monitoring, maintenance, payment administration and 24-hour driver support.

"We don't want to take over somebody's car park. We want to help them make more money from it," Richard adds. "The garden centre already has the site, the footfall and, importantly, the customer relationship. Our role is to put the right infrastructure behind that and make it straightforward to operate."

That philosophy extends to branding, too. Rather than the charging area being dominated by a national network's identity, ElectRoad supports a branded experience that stays part of the retailer's own customer journey — opening the door to loyalty schemes, café incentives and other engagement activity down the line.

Making the complex simple

For many retailers, the biggest barrier to EV charging is the perceived complexity of installing it — questions around grid capacity, electrical infrastructure, planning, installation costs, payment systems, maintenance and ongoing customer support.

ElectRoad starts with the site itself. Rather than assuming expensive electrical upgrades are needed, it first assesses the power capacity already available and how intelligently it can be used. Load management can balance charging demand against the site's wider requirements, while battery storage and existing renewable generation open up further options. For garden centres that have already invested in solar, EV charging can also give that electricity a daytime use it might otherwise lack, potentially improving the return on that investment too.

"Sustainability matters, but it should also make commercial sense," Richard says. "The smartest solution isn't necessarily the one that involves putting in the most equipment. It's about understanding what you already have, what your customers actually need, and how we build the most effective commercial model around it."

Wherever practical, ElectRoad also works with existing or local electrical contractors for installation and maintenance — supporting local supply chains while letting retailers carry on working with contractors they already know and trust.

The charging experience customers barely notice

Ultimately, ElectRoad believes successful destination charging should feel almost effortless. A customer arrives, plugs in, goes for lunch or shops, then comes back to a car with significantly more range. The charging itself becomes almost secondary to the visit.

"The best destination charging experience is probably one the customer barely notices," Richard explains. "They haven't driven somewhere specifically to sit beside a charger. They've gone somewhere they actually want to spend time, and their car happens to charge while they're there."

This is where ElectRoad believes garden centres have a real advantage over many other potential charging locations: large, accessible car parks, longer dwell times, food and beverage facilities, daytime opening hours and an increasingly broad leisure offer all combine to make a particularly strong case for EV charging.

Planning for tomorrow's customer

There's a longer-term question for retailers too. As EV ownership grows, charging availability is likely to play a bigger role in where motorists choose to shop, eat and spend their leisure time. ElectRoad believes retailers should view charging not just in terms of current usage, but as part of futureproofing the destination.

"There was a point when cafés, accessible parking and good customer facilities moved from being differentiators to things customers simply expected," Richard says. "We believe EV charging is heading the same way. That doesn't mean every retailer needs to rush out tomorrow and install the biggest charging hub they can — quite the opposite. It means taking the time now to understand your site, your customers and your existing power infrastructure, and working out what the right long-term solution actually looks like for you."

For ElectRoad, that's the real destination charging proposition: not simply selling chargers, but helping retailers understand how EV infrastructure fits within a wider commercial strategy.

Because as garden centres continue to evolve as destinations, the next department that pays its way may not be inside the building at all. It could already be sitting outside the front door.

Could your car park be working harder for your business?

ElectRoad helps garden centres and destination retailers understand the commercial potential of EV charging — from assessing existing power capacity and identifying the right charging solution, through to installation, ongoing management and customer support.

To explore what destination charging could look like for your site, visit electroad.co.uk or contact the ElectRoad team to arrange an initial conversation.

The City of Paris was named Grand Winner of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026 for its inspiring ‘Retrofitting Paris into a biodiversity friendly city’ initiative.

During the 78th AIPH Annual Congress in Bari, Italy, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) announced the winning urban greening initiatives for the 2026 edition of the AIPH World Green City Awards. From the 21 Finalists, eight cities were named Category Winners for demonstrating remarkable innovation, achievement, and commitment to the globally recognised imperative to embrace nature-orientated solutions to help address the major challenges facing cities. 

Paris, France, received the highest accolade for its ambitious approach to embedding biodiversity across one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Through its Bioclimatic Local Urban Master Plan and Biodiversity Strategy, Paris is integrating plants and green infrastructure into buildings, streets, and public spaces to restore ecosystems, reduce climate risks, and reconnect nature across the city. Green roofs, new parks, ecological corridors, and extensive tree planting are helping Paris respond to the challenges of limited green space, rising temperatures, and the urban heat island effect.

“Paris stands out because it shows how a crowded, historic concrete jungle can successfully bring nature back. They aren't just giving advice; they made greening a legal requirement for developers. They are doing this on a huge scale, targeting 5,000 social housing units a year and ramping up to 40,000 private condos annually by 2030,” said Jury Member Kotchakorn Voraakhom, CEO and Founder of LANDPROCESS and Porous City Network.

Category Winners

Living Green for Biodiversity & Urban Ecosystem Restoration

‘Retrofitting Paris into a biodiversity friendly city’ – Paris, France

‘Surrey’s Green Infrastructure Network – Preserving Biodiversity for Future Generations’ – Surrey, Canada

Living Green for Climate Change

‘Mission Million Trees – Planting 14 million trees in Ahmedabad’ – Ahmedabad, India

Living Green for Health & Wellbeing

‘Cidade da Criança: Nature-Based Early Childhood Infrastructure in Fortaleza’ – Fortaleza, Brazil

Living Green for Water

‘Melaka River Rehabilitation and Beautification Project’ – Malacca, Malaysia

Living Green for Social Cohesion & Inclusive Communities

‘Green City Chiang Rai – Plant Trees, Plant People’ – Chiang Rai, Thailand

Living Green for Urban Agriculture & Food Systems

‘Programa Altépetl’ – Mexico City, Mexico

Living Green for Urban Infrastructure & Liveability

‘Greening the Future – Sheffield’s Model for Climate Resilient Urban Design’ – Sheffield, UK

Bill Hardy, Chair of the AIPH Green City Committee and Awards Jury Chair, commented: “Each edition of the AIPH World Green City Awards continues to grow in both quality and alignment with the broader goals of advancing global Green City initiatives. This year featured some of the strongest entries we have seen to date, with many submissions expanding and redefining the scope of their respective categories through innovation, integration, and measurable impact.”

AIPH Youth Award

Recognising the importance of engaging young people in urban greening, the city of Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was presented with the AIPH Youth Award for its ‘Bunia Climate-Shield: A Green Belt for Urban Resilience’ initiative.

Held in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), the AIPH Youth Award celebrates and rewards cities using the power of plants to meet the aspirations of the global youth and fulfil their need for a greener, healthier, and more resilient urban future. A Jury of 14 young professionals selected the shortlist and winner from the 21 Finalists.

The Bunia Climate-Shield initiative is transforming schools into hubs for urban greening and water management, combining tree planting, school gardens, agroforestry, and planted water systems to reduce flooding and erosion, restore ecosystems, and improve food security. More than 6,000 students are engaged in the project, gaining practical knowledge and skills while contributing directly to their city’s resilience. 

The Horticultural Trades Association has released its next seasonal Your Garden Year toolkit to help the garden industry and media share a consistent, positive message with consumers: late winter is not a pause in the gardening year, but a hopeful moment to notice new signs of life, enjoy time outdoors and prepare for spring.

The campaign encourages gardeners to make the most of one of the year's most hopeful moments, when snowdrops, crocuses and hellebores begin to flower, buds start to swell and gardens quietly come back to life. It brings together practical, consumer-friendly themes, including late-winter clean-ups, lawn recovery, planting trees, shrubs, and early-flowering plants, winter structure, fragrance, and wildlife-aware tidying. Ready-to-use content helps members and communicators encourage gardeners to start small, feel confident and enjoy the simple jobs that make outdoor spaces feel brighter before the growing season begins.

Available to download now, the campaign gives the sector time to prepare content and stock around practical late-winter activity. It highlights that quieter months are an opportunity to properly look at trees and shrubs, spot gaps or problem areas, tidy up after winter weather, plant trees, shrubs, hedging, bare-root roses, and fruit bushes, and brighten gardens with flowering bulbs and seasonal containers. It also encourages gardeners to enjoy the first colour and fragrance of the year, from snowdrops and crocuses to hellebores, witch hazel and viburnum, while supporting early pollinators before spring arrives.

Used together, the themes can help consumers see winter gardening as useful, achievable and enjoyable, with practical jobs to do now followed by spring-preparation projects, including:

• Trees, shrubs, planting and garden structure – using winter visibility to assess shape, spot gaps, check for damage and identify pruning, planting or support needs.
• Clean Up and Win – clearing debris, refreshing borders, repairing tired areas and creating a clean, usable space before spring growth begins.
• Reclaim your Lawn – reviving lawns that have become compacted, mossy, patchy or waterlogged after rain, frost and heavy use.
• A New You, a New Garden! – using the quieter months to plan improvements and think about how the space could work better once spring arrives. 

The free toolkit includes ready-to-use copy and assets for websites, social media, email marketing, in-store communications and editorial channels, making it easier to keep seasonal advice clear, practical and joined up.

Elia Johnston, HTA Director of Membership and Marketing, said: “There is still lots to do in the garden before spring, and winter can be one of the most rewarding times to step back, enjoy the space and see what needs attention.

“Trees, shrubs and the structure of the garden are often easier to assess now, and it’s also an ideal time for planting trees, shrubs and bare-root roses, alongside the clean-up, lawn care and planning jobs that help gardeners get ready for the season ahead.

“Your Garden Year gives the sector a shared set of resources to help customers turn those ideas into enjoyable action.”

The Your Garden Year Winter toolkit is available for free, with downloadable blog copy, social media assets and SEO support designed to help businesses engage customers and drive seasonal sales.

Developed by the HTA Retail Committee, Your Garden Year provides a clear, week-by-week structure to support consistent messaging across the sector, helping guide gardeners through the seasons, sustain engagement and grow the market. The winter toolkit reminds gardeners that every new shoot and swelling bud signals that spring is on its way, making late winter the perfect time to prepare for the growing season ahead.

Further details and access to resources and assets are available at hta.org.uk/your-garden-year.

The Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media (RSS), working closely with the UK Growing Media Association (GMA), has launched Version 11 of its guidance notes, introducing greenhouse gas emissions as a core assessment criterion alongside changes to pollution risk assessments and ingredient scoring. 

The RSS helps growing media manufacturers assess how responsibly their ingredients are sourced. It looks at the environmental and social impacts of materials such as coir, wood fibre, bark and peat, taking account of where they come from and how they are produced and transported. Manufacturers gather evidence from their supply chains to support ingredient scores, which are checked through independent audits. 

This gives businesses a consistent way to compare sources of materials, identify where improvements are needed and demonstrate their approach to responsible sourcing. For growers and retailers, the scheme provides greater transparency around the responsible sourcing credentials of the growing media they buy and sell. 

The guidance notes set out the assessment methods, scoring requirements and evidence needed. 

Developed by the RSS Technical Committee, Version 11 is the latest update to those requirements. 

The main change in Version 11 is the replacement of the energy use criterion with greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of energy used tells only part of the story: its climate impact also depends on the source of that energy and the emissions associated with it. The revised approach converts fuel, electricity and transport data into carbon dioxide equivalents, providing a common basis for comparing ingredients and supply chains. 

The criterion also considers the emissions from other fossil and near-fossil carbon stores. Therefore, for peat, the assessment goes further, including emissions associated with draining the peatland to enable extraction and the eventual oxidation of the peat following use. This means the assessment considers peat-specific greenhouse gas emissions as well as those associated with energy use and transport. 

Other updates include a wider water pollution risk assessment, revised social compliance scoring and clearer guidance on water use. Changes to habitat and biodiversity assessments also refine how individual materials, including coir, wood and loam, are scored. 

Steve Harper, RSS Chair, said: “Every growing media ingredient has an environmental impact, but those impacts are different and need to be understood properly. Moving from a measure of energy use to greenhouse gas emissions gives us a much more meaningful picture of the climate impact associated with different materials and supply chains. 

The Technical Committee has put a great deal of work into this update. Their job is to keep questioning how we assess materials and where the guidance can be improved. That work will continue, alongside helping members put the changes into practice.” 

To help members apply Version 11, the RSS has released an updated calculator and supporting tools, alongside revised worked examples and a documentary evidence checklist. These resources will help members work through the calculations and prepare the information required for their audits. 

Members will also have the opportunity to attend a workshop in November 2026, covering the guidance notes and updated calculator in more detail. The session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss how the changes apply to their materials and supply chains. Further details will be shared with members nearer the time. 

Version 11 takes effect immediately and should be used by members starting the audit process. 

Those already part-way through an audit may continue using Version 10 until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, Version 11 will be the sole version in use. 

The guidance notes, calculator and supporting documents are available on https://responsiblesourcing.org.uk/resources.

Businesses interested in joining the scheme are encouraged to contact the RSS to discuss membership and the audit process.

BHETA is to host a member webinar with Castorama, helping BHETA supplier members to gain first-hand insight into one of Europe’s growing home improvement marketplaces.  

The event, entitled Opportunities with Castorama Marketplace takes place on 18th September and will be apractical webinar offering businesses an insight into the scale and potential of Castorama’s rapidly developing marketplace. For brands considering international growth, the scale of Castorama’s development makes understanding how the platform operates, and what Castorama looks for from marketplace partners, particularly relevant.

Taking place from 9.30am to 10.30am, the session will feature Bernard Dieng, Head of Business Development at Castorama, who will share insight into the marketplace, its role within Castorama’s wider digital strategy and the opportunities available to brands looking to reach new customers and grow their online sales. Bernard has more than 10 years’ experience and leads business development for the marketplace. As a strategic part of Castorama’s digital transformation and long-term growth ambitions, the marketplace is an important area of focus for the retailer. Bernard will provide attendees with a closer look at how the platform is developing and where businesses can identify opportunities.  

The session will cover:

• The scale of the Castorama Marketplace and its position within the retailer’s e-commerce strategy.
• What makes the marketplace an attractive channel for brands and suppliers.
• How the platform works and what businesses should consider when establishing or expanding their presence.
• How to position products for success on the marketplace.
• Practical guidance on making the most of the opportunity and growing online sales.
• The wider commercial opportunity for businesses looking to reach new customers through Castorama.

Castorama is France’s leading home improvement retailer and part of the Kingfisher Group, the European home improvement group behind brands including B&Q. According to BHETA, Castorama has more than 93 stores, over 11,000 colleagues and annual revenue of around £2 billion, serving millions of customers across the home improvement market. Its marketplace has become an increasingly important part of the retailer’s e-commerce strategy. Launched just two years ago, the marketplace already accounts for 26% of Castorama’s total e-commerce, demonstrating the pace at which the platform has developed.  Recent Kingfisher results also underline the marketplace’s rapid expansion. Castorama has onboarded 978 merchants, with the marketplace growing to 1.6 million SKUs and online penetration reaching 21%.

BHETA’s General Manager, Steve Richardson commented, “As online marketplaces continue to reshape the way brands reach customers across international markets, understanding where the strongest opportunities lie, and how to approach them effectively, is becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to expand their online sales.  This session provides an opportunity to understand how Castorama fits into a wider marketplace strategy and for those considering expanding their online sales channels, it will offer an introduction to the platform and the key considerations involved in establishing a presence.”

To register for the event or for more information contact the BHETA Member Services team on 0121 237 1130 or visit www.bheta.co.uk More details about other BHETA events, including webinars, Meet the Buyer sessions, and networking forums with leading retailers, are also available on the website.

Floral Thursday once again lit up Glee this year as exhibitors, visitors and supporters embraced the day in a sea of colour to raise funds for Greenfingers Charity. The annual fundraiser sees the horticultural industry come together to don their brightest floral attire, all in support of children and families who spend time in hospices.

It was great to see so many people in floral attire for the last Floral Thursday at Glee. Next year the last day of Glee is Wednesday so we can continue the FUNdraising in florals with Wild Flower Wednesday at Glee.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, this year’s Floral Thursday raised an incredible £3,580. These funds will go directly towards creating and maintaining Greenfingers Charity’s much-loved gardens in children’s hospices across the UK. These outdoor spaces provide opportunities to play, learn, care, grow and create precious memories for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Greenfingers Charity extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the initiative. The continued efforts of so many are helping to bring the gift of a garden to more life-limited children and families who need it most.

The Greatest Floral Team Awards were awarded to the following

Miracle-Gro

Elho

Gardena

Gardeners Kitchen

See gallery of pictures below...

It was time to celebrate the very best in garden centre food, hospitality and food retail at lunchtime on the second day of Glee.

The winners of GTN's Greatest Garden Centre Restaurant and Food Hall Awards were announced and presented with their certificates.

The Greatest Tantalising Garden Centre Menu 2026 – judged from entries submitted

Gold – Pughs Garden Kitchen Abergavenny

Silver – The Fairview Gardener

Bronze – Baytree Garden Centre

Bronze - Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries

The Greatest Food Hall Team 2026 – customer votes

Gold – Pughs Radyr

Silver – Walkers Nurseries & Garden Centre

Bronze – Longacres Bagshot

The Greatest Restaurant Team 2026 – customer votes

Gold - Hamstreet Garden Centre

Silver – Charlecote Garden Centre

Bronze – Monkton Elm Garden Centre

Bronze – The Fairview Gardener

Bronze – Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries

Highly Commended – Canterbury Garden Centre

Highly Commended – Trioscape

Highly Commended – Tenterden Garden Centre

Highly Commended – Folkestone Garden Centre

Highly Commended – Walkers Nurseries & Garden Centre

The inventors of SealStop, the multi-award-winning Yorkshire water-saving device, have appeared on the hit BBC One programme Dragons’ Den. Although the brand didn’t win an investment from a Dragon, it has since secured a ‘game-changing’ grant of £60,000 from a Great Ideas innovation programme.

Pocklington-based Jason and Belle Richardson, who created SealStop in 2024, pitched for investment in the Dragons’ Den for their pioneering SealStop, the ground-breaking automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste and save gardeners’ time.

SealStop, which is now sold across six countries across the world, has won 12 major awards during the past two years, including recognition for sustainability and innovation.

The episode aired on Thursday August 27 at 8pm on BBC One and is available to view on BBC iPlayer. Click here to view.

During the episode, Jason and Belle pitched to Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett, as well as footballing legend Gary Neville.

Belle Richardson commented: “We are so thrilled to have been featured in this series. It’s such an honour and a privilege and we cannot wait for the episode to air. What started as one of those everyday frustrations on our smallholding has completely changed our lives. 

“We never imagined it would lead us to building an award-winning business together and standing in front of the Dragons. We're incredibly proud of how far we've come in such a short space of time, and we hope our journey inspires others to back their ideas and just give it a go.

“Our appearance on national television comes after an exceptional period of growth. Apart from the awards we have won, we have expanded into international markets; we are recognised as one of Yorkshire's fastest-rising startups; we are proud to be standard bearers for British manufacturing; and our mission to help people waste less water through simple innovation is gaining real traction.

“Saving water has never been so important. It has been predicted that, by 2050, there will be a five billion litre water shortfall daily in the UK. Meanwhile the Government, realising this potential water crisis, has set a 20 per cent reduction target for household water use,” added Belle.

However, SealStop has now won a grant of £60,000 as part of Great Ideas innovation programme under the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire's Business Innovation Fund ⁠Business Innovation Fund.

Eligible local businesses pitched investment-ready projects to secure up to £60,000 to implement their ideas – and SealStop triumphed.

Belle commented: “This is game-changing for us. I’m still processing the fact we’ve won. It seems unreal, pitching our ideas against some of the brightest young businesses in Yorkshire and being filmed by the BBC’s One Show.”

An impressive £6,600 was raised for charity when HEX Living welcomed customers, suppliers and industry partners to its annual Charity Golf Day at the prestigious JCB Golf & Country Club.

The event brought together 40 golfers for a day of friendly competition on one of the UK's most acclaimed championship courses, with all proceeds going to A Child of Mine, supporting the charity's vital work helping families affected by the death of a baby or child.

Played under sunny skies, participants enjoyed ideal golfing conditions for much of the day before strong winds made an appearance, adding an extra layer of difficulty as players reached the famous 17th hole, renowned for testing even the most confident golfers.

Competition on the course was fierce, but it was HEX Living Operations Director Neal Lafford who ultimately emerged as the overall winner – for the second time since the company launched its charity golf day events.

Following the golf, guests gathered for an evening BBQ-style, and a charity auction. Auction prizes included a Porsche driving experience and private tuition at Eaton Hall Shooting Ground, with attendees showing tremendous generosity throughout the evening.

Paul Clews, Managing Director at HEX Living, said: "Our Charity Golf Day has become one of the highlights of the year, bringing together customers, suppliers and friends of the business for a fantastic cause. Raising £6,600 for A Child of Mine is a brilliant achievement and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, donated prizes and supported the event. Events like this demonstrate what can be achieved when our team, customers, suppliers and partners come together behind a shared cause, and we're already looking forward to doing it all again next year."

Gayle Routledge, Founder of A Child of Mine, added: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support shown by HEX Living and everyone who took part in this year's Golf Day. The funds raised will help us continue providing vital bereavement support, guidance and practical help to families facing the devastating loss of a child. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support our cause and help make a real difference.”

For garden centres, the boundaries between outdoor living, home, gifting and lifestyle have become increasingly blurred. Customers are not necessarily shopping in neat categories anymore; they are looking for products that fit the way they want their homes and spaces to feel. For Papaya Trading, that creates an interesting opportunity for oak furniture. As garden centres continue to develop their home and lifestyle offer, we believe oak represents a category with considerable potential.

Oak is a category customers already understand. It is familiar, dependable and versatile enough to sit comfortably across a wide range of interiors. But familiarity does not have to mean predictable.

Our approach is to take those qualities and build furniture collections around what works commercially for retailers today: considered designs, usable proportions, coordinated pieces and enough variety to create choice without making the range unnecessarily complicated.

It means looking beyond simply producing another dining table, sideboard or occasional piece and considering the role each product plays when it reaches the shop floor.

Some pieces need to create impact. Others need to be dependable everyday sellers. Some earn their place through storage or practicality, while smaller complementary products can give customers an easy way into a collection and encourage additional purchases.

Together, those products should form a range that feels coherent rather than crowded.

For garden centres in particular, that matters.

Floor space is rarely static. Departments expand and contract throughout the year, seasonal areas change and retailers continually reassess how different parts of the store can work harder. Indoor furniture therefore needs to be flexible enough to work within that environment rather than demanding an entirely new retail model around it.

A carefully selected dining group, sideboard or occasional furniture display can introduce an oak collection without requiring every item in the range to be physically represented.

The wider story can then be carried through imagery, product information and knowledgeable sales teams, allowing retailers to build a meaningful furniture offer around the space and customer they already have.

It is a different way of thinking about furniture retail: the showroom becomes a window into the collection rather than a catalogue of everything available.

That principle sits behind the way we develop our oak furniture at Papaya Trading.

We want our collections to give retailers options. Pieces can work individually, together as a coordinated range, or as part of a smaller edited display. Retailers can choose what feels right for their customer, their available floor space and the type of furniture business they want to build.

Clear differences between products make ranges easier for sales teams to understand and easier for customers to navigate. Rather than asking shoppers to choose between numerous versions of essentially the same piece, the aim is to give each product a reason to be there.

For us, that is where a strong oak collection begins.

Not with how many products can be added to a range, but with how well those products work together on the shop floor, in the customer’s home and, importantly, for the retailer selling them.

The opportunity is to approach it with the same thought already applied so successfully elsewhere in the store: choose well, merchandise confidently and make every piece earn its space.

For more information visit https://papaya.furniture/

Greenkey Garden & Home is delighted to unveil its bold new 2027 outdoor living decorative collection, featuring over 40 brand-new lines designed to elevate garden spaces with atmosphere, artistry, and long-lasting quality. This major launch marks one of Greenkey’s most expansive decorative introductions to date, offering retailers a fresh, high-impact selection for the season ahead.

Sculptural Serenity for Modern Gardens

The centrepiece of the 2027 launch is the striking expansion of the Luxe Living brand adding a new category - Water Features. Greenkey are introducing nine beautifully designed features that blend sculptural form with immersive lighting.

Each water feature pairs elegant, contemporary shapes with LED illumination, creating a captivating fountain effect enhanced by wildlife and floral light patterns that reflect and shimmer across the flowing water. The result is an irresistibly enchanting focal point that transforms patios, courtyards and garden corners into calm, atmospheric retreats.

Fully self-contained and easy to install, every Luxe Living feature is crafted for effortless enjoyment. With an IP44 rating, the range is built for reliable outdoor use, delivering a beautiful, illuminated presence that enhances the garden both day and night.

Vintage Inspired Charm

Complementing the Luxe Living launch is Greenkey’s new Cast Iron Decorative Garden Collection. This range is built around a simple idea: bringing the charm of traditional metalwork back into modern gardens. Every piece is hand crafted in cast iron, giving it that unmistakable weight, texture, and authenticity that only true craftsmanship can offer. Designed to weather beautifully and last season after season, the range celebrates outdoor living with characterful details and old-world artistry.

The collection unfolds like a curated family of decorative accents, each one adding personality and purpose to the garden. In the range are cast iron animal figurines, decorative hooks, garden stakes, decorative wall compasses and practical items such as thermometers, rain gauges and string holders.

To suit different outdoor aesthetics, the collection is available in two distinctive finishes - antique bronze for a rich, heritage feel, and traditional brown for a warm, rustic look. Every piece is protected with a weather resistant coating and built with durable, long lasting construction, ensuring it stands proudly in the garden year after year.

This is a collection designed not just to decorate, but to enrich the garden with stories, textures, and moments of delight.

Bring the joy to your shelves

Bring the atmosphere, charm and craftsmanship of Greenkey’s 2027 decorative outdoor living collection to your shelves and inspire customers to transform their gardens with standout style. Greenkey Garden & Home is ready to help retailers elevate their 2027 offering with high impact, high quality outdoor décor that drives excitement in store and delivers year-round appeal.

To explore the full range and secure stock for the season, contact the Greenkey team today: sales@greenkey-garden.co.uk.

Mr Plant Geek – Michael Perry – has argued that Gardeners’ World should retain the gentle pace valued by its audience following Monty Don’s departure, while making the case for a separate, more commercially aware gardening programme...

The news that Monty Don is leaving Gardeners’ World after 23 years emerged during Glee and provided an unexpected starting point for Perry’s conversation with podcast hosts Phil Wright and Kate Turner.

Speaking to The Underground podcast at Glee 2026, Perry believes the programme continues to perform two valuable roles. It provides gardening information but also offers viewers a slower and more reassuring form of television.

“A lot of people watch it, not even for the gardening, but for the slowness,” he said. “I think it should stay this kind of slow paced, like gentle gardening thing as it is.”

Rather than attempting to turn Gardeners’ World into something more upbeat or commercial, Perry believes there is room for another programme alongside it.

“I think there’s a market for a new show that is more… more commercial, more magazine-style, more upbeat: a whole range of different things, new projects and new ways to garden.”

He described a format somewhere between a makeover programme and a gardening show, with greater awareness of the products, businesses and people behind the industry. It could introduce viewers to new plants, visit breeders and help people discover where products can be bought.

Perry added: “Let’s show people new plants and new ways to grow. Let’s take people to breeders. Let’s show where plants really come from.”

The conversation also explored whether the garden sector sometimes expects too much knowledge and commitment from consumers who simply want an enjoyable outdoor space.

“The problem is our gardening heritage: we feel like we have to be good gardeners,” Perry said. “I think that is the biggest barrier to letting people just enjoy their outdoor space.”

Discussing his work presenting products on QVC, Perry also identified three qualities that can help a new plant or garden product succeed.

“You can push it sometimes, as long as it has a story, looks good and provides a solution. You really need any two of those three criteria when you’re launching a product.”

The wide-ranging interview also covers plant trends, artificial intelligence, the changing role of garden centres, rare houseplants and Perry’s idea for a mobile garden centre serving customers who find it difficult to travel.

The full episode, Michael Perry on Gardeners’ World, AI and the Future of Garden Retail, is available at:

https://theunderground.fm/podcast/michael-perry-on-gardeners-world-ai-and-the-future-of-garden-retail/

The Underground is the podcast for people working across the garden industry. Hosted by Phil Wright of WrightObara and horticulturalist Kate Turner, it explores garden retail, brands, products, sustainability, marketing and industry change.

The Underground is produced by WrightObara and was the official podcast partner of Glee 2026.