Garden Centres are leading the way in getting behind the industry wide Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign to ensure maximum success.

A series of Love the Plot You've Got Masterclasses, delivered by Ian Boardman, have been taking place across the country this month with garden centre staff eagerly taking on board the opportunities they have to sell to a new audience. 

After the most recent Masterclass held at William Sinclairs Ellesmere Port facility, attended by GTN Xtra, Ian commented: "I've now run four of these Masterclasses around the country. I've met some highly motivated people determined to get the most from this excellent campaign. They have built some amazing displays in a short time and the quality of the ideas they come up with has been inspiring. Ideas to attract people in to their garden centre or nursery for the first time - then how to show them what they can do with their plot - however large or small. We are very lucky to have such dedicated people in our industry."

Ian Boardman has three further LTPYG Masterclass dates available:  Scotland at Glendoick Garden Centre on 12 March, Harlow Carr on 17 March and an extra date by popular demand at Webbs Wychbold on 30 March.  To book your places contact i.boardman@ibbis.co.uk.  See a gallery of pictures from the Masterclasses below.

Meeting at last month’s Garden Press Event, Garden Industry Marketing Board members (GIMA, HTA, LOFA, RHS, Scotts and Westland Horticulture) called for further support for the initiative, which is aimed at inspiring new audiences to enjoy their outdoor spaces.

Chair of the GIMB, Keith Nicholson of Westland, said: “The campaign is ramping up now with the first roadshow event taking place at Good Life Live next month (details below). Garden retailers are signing up but we really need the whole industry supply chain to be behind this for maximum impact.”

He adds: “This is phase one of a three year campaign and whilst there will not be overnight results it is vital that we gain financial support to help drive it forward. It is about growing the market as a whole – which is in the interests of all businesses no matter their size.”

Love the Plot You’ve Got aims to inspire 30-45 year olds who have access to a garden or outdoor space but don’t currently make great use of it. Importantly the aim is to de-mystify and not dumb down gardening and provide them with achievable and realistic ideas.

Inspiration and activity will be focused around www.loveyourplot.com with Scotts assisting with content development. There will also be a series of roadshow events across the country featuring ‘before and after’ gardens the size of a shipping container. The events will be supported by horticulturalist and broadcaster Chris Collins, who will provide tips and demonstrations helping to draw people in. Transported by Westland Horticulture, the inspirational gardens will be visiting garden festival and city centre venues across the country with the first roadshow taking place on 20-22 March at Good Life Live at Alexandra Palace in London.

Love the Plot You’ve Got Roadshow dates

20-22 March: Good Life Live, London

April : Garden centres including Webbs of Wychbold (25-26 April)

2-3 May: Cardiff (tbc)

8-10 May: Belfast

23-24 May: Glasgow

29-31 May: Edinburgh

June: Garden centres (tbc)

23-24 June : National Plant Show (tbc)

7-9 July: Solex

17-20 July: Home and Garden Show, Stratford upon Avon

To find out more about the retailer and supplier packages available, contact Garden Industry Marketing Board project manager David Arnold. Tel: 07876 643638. Email: daaltd@virginmedia.com