In This Issue
Garden decoration is serious business
Wood effect garden lights selling well for Gardman
Choice switches to Gardman for core gardening products as well as wild bird care
Rod Slater appointed general manager Deco-Pak
Westland says 'Sláinte' to international delegates!
Charlie Dimmock to appear at Woodcote Garden Centre
UK & European dealers flock to see Nordic's new garden buildings
If catering and food are your growth areas our new Food Xtra will help you
Record turnout at GCA regional meetings
Mr Fothergill's fast-growing trials have earliest-ever peppers
James Alexander-Sinclair announced as after dinner speaker at HTA Garden Futures
Head of Buying - Cambridgeshire
Sales Executive - Norfolk Leisure
Garden Care Team Leader - Hertfordshire
Junior Buyer - Cambridgeshire
Garden Centre Manager - London
Tete a Tete leads the way as Spring bulb sales start well
Kelkay streamlines sales process with internal app
Plenty of variety in veg sales
Bark turns into a bestseller
Webbs transforms garden to inspire visitors
Spotlight on recruitment and retention of staff
Bowland Stone appoints Business Development Manager
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Head of Buying - Cambridgeshire
Up to £60,000 per annum
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Sales Executive - Norfolk Leisure
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Garden Care Team Leader - Hertfordshire
Up to £20,000 per annum
Read more»
Junior Buyer - Cambridgeshire
Up to £30,000 per annum
Read more»
Garden Centre Manager - London
Up to £35,000 per anumm
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Garden decoration is serious business
Garden decor products, garden lighting and ornaments have now grown to be half the size of the wild bird care market...


For the past three weeks garden decoration products, including outdoor lighting, have accounted for almost 60% of the sales volume of the Top 50 in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.

A look through the complete GTN Bestsellers database for the year indicates that garden decor products, garden lighting and ornaments have now grown to be half the size of the wild bird care market.

With new garden decoration products being launched at Glee by exhibitors including Smart Garden (battery lit Autumn Tree pictured left), Gardman, Kaemingk and new to the garden market Phillips Solar Garden Lighting, it’s about time we re-thought how these products are displayed and merchandised in-store, especially as garden decor can be added to a garden at any time of the year.  

Impulse purchases to decorate a garden need stimulus to generate pick up. Customers need to be ‘sold’ the idea as well as it just being a price point decision.

As an industry we’re really good at selling the dream of house decoration for Christmas and we generate huge sales volumes.

If we apply the same creativity and thought to garden decoration we can keep driving the market growth and deliver it in ways that the high street, supermarkets and DIY stores won’t be able to keep up with.



http://www.philips.co.uk/e/luminaires/room_outdoor_lighting.html



GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year

  • Garden Products – up 22%
  • Veg 2 Gro – down 32%
  • Growing Media – down 32%
  • All items index – down 9%

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers, the only weekly monitor of UK garden product sales, email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or follow the links below

Wood effect garden lights selling well for Gardman


Gardman Wood Effect Marker Lights have been selling well in garden centres, with three lines near the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart...



Gardman Wood Effect Marker Lights have been selling well in garden centres, with three lines near the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart for the week ending August 10.

Elsewhere in the chart, the highest re-entry was Scotts Roundup Fast Action Ready to Use (1-litre).

The highest climber was Gardman Solar Crystal Ball Light (8cm), jumping 13 places.

Apta Terracotta Pot (11cm) was the highest new entry and Gardman Ice Orb Solar Light retained top spot.

Meanwhile, for the week ending August 17 Fito Drip Feeder for Orchids re-entered the Garden Products chart this. At this time last year it was the bestselling product.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Choice switches to Gardman for core gardening products as well as wild bird care


Choice Marketing Group, the largest independent buying group of independent garden centres, has signed a new two-year deal with Gardman for the provision of wild bird care, hanging garden and core gardening products. Previously, it was supplied by Solus, whose brands were recently bought by Scotts.



Choice Marketing Group, the largest independent buying group of independent garden centres, has signed a new two-year deal with Gardman for the provision of wild bird care, hanging garden and core gardening products. Previously, it was supplied by Solus, whose brands were recently bought by Scotts.

Gardman’s ‘growth from the ground up’ campaign of offering its retail partners complete range solutions that include premium higher value products designed to encourage consumers to trade up, was key in the decision making process.

“We wanted to build a long term relationship with a strong, stable partner that has strength and depth in its product categories and is able to work collaboratively with us to increase sales,” explained Tony Blake,  Chairman of the Choice Marketing Sundries Forum . 

“We believe Gardman is the right partner for us.  Throughout the tender process they worked hard to understand the detail of our business and put together solutions, including full category ranges supported with great in-store merchandising that will help our members increase sales.”

Speaking about the value of the contract to Gardman, Chief Executive Stewart Hainsworth said: “We are delighted to have secured this strategic contract.  It validates our strategy of combining great quality products at reasonable prices in our core product areas with marketing investment to develop unique brands to enhance consumer choice.”

Gardman’s wild bird care range includes the premium brand The Ernest Charles Co., which has a unique heritage market proposition.  British made and proven guaranteed quality gives retailers all they need to trade consumers up boosting sales and profits. 

Gardman’s hanging garden range includes the Blacksmith brand of premium, high quality hanging baskets, mangers and planters that are forged from wrought iron and built to last. 

Gardman also provides a complete category solution for lighting products that spans entry level price points to the premium Cole & Bright brand that offers bright ideas for nights outside.  

 
Rod Slater appointed general manager Deco-Pak
Deco-Pak, a leading supplier of decorative aggregates and innovative landscaping and DIY materials, has appointed Rod Slater as its new general manager. Rod is the former managing director of All in One garden centres...

Deco-Pak, a leading supplier of decorative aggregates and innovative landscaping and DIY materials, has appointed Rod Slater as its new general manager. Rod is the former managing director of All in One garden centres.

The appointment of Rod Slater is the latest investment in Deco-Pak’s operations, and arrives just before celebrations of its 10th year in business at Glee.

Deco-Pak Chairman Mike Hall said: “I am very pleased to welcome Rod to the Deco-Pak ‘family’.  Rod has joined us at a busy yet exciting time, and his experience and knowledge of the industry will be a great asset to us going forward into the next decade.”

Dedicating most of his working life to developing and running the All in One group of Garden Centres in the North West of England, Mr Slater joins the company amid fresh investments in stock and transport systems, marketing and sales support. 

Rod Slater added: “This is a new chapter in my career, and I am very pleased to be a part of the team, meeting colleagues old and new, in what I see as exciting times for Deco-Pak and the garden industry as a whole.”

At Glee the company will be further expanding its market-leading offering with a number of new and unique collections of aggregates.  

Any retailers interested in finding out more about how they can start stocking Deco-Pak’s popular aggregates, should join the team on-stand on Glee (G26-H27).  A special champagne reception will also be taking place on Sunday 14 September 2014 (9.00 am until 12.00 noon), to celebrate the launch of the new 2015 aggregate range.

To find out more call 01422 204394, or email via the ‘contact us’ form on www.deco-pak.co.uk.

Westland says 'Sláinte' to international delegates!


Westland Horticulture, the main sponsor of this year’s International Garden Centre Association Congress in Ireland, has said ‘Sláinte’ to this year’s delegates...



Westland Horticulture, the main sponsor of this year’s International Garden Centre Association Congress in Ireland, has said ‘Sláinte’ to this year’s delegates.

The Irish drinking toast, complete with photograph of the Westland team, features on the back of a photobook (sponsored by Westland) presented to all the international delegates on their journey home from the congress.

The 56th International Garden Centre Congress has showcased the best of Irish Garden Centres, National attractions including the world-famous Guinness and Jameson’s factories and unique Irish hospitality,

As primary sponsor of the event, Westland Horticulture played a prominent part in the congress, showcasing its products to an international audience during garden centres tours, at the congress hotel (Carton House in Maynooth) and through interactions with its staff throughout the week. Westland brands include Gro-Sure, Resolva weedkillers, Aftercut lawn care, Peckish bird food and Unwins and Marshalls seeds.

Edward Conroy, Managing Director of Westland said: “We are honoured to have been the main sponsor at such a fantastic congress in Ireland.

“IGCA is about showcasing and sharing best practice in retailing from across the world to likeminded retailers. This ethos of embracing learnings, listening to peers and challenging to improve is why Westland are proud to sponsor this event. It is important the industry, retailers and manufacturers alike keep challenging, striving for the best and demanding quality, whatever the service or product. 

“We’re sure all delegates had a great time this year and have wished them all Sláinte by presenting them with a photobook to celebrate their week.”

Pictured above: James Somerscales - Westland Sales Representative in England, Mary Campbell - Westland Sales Representative in Ireland, Assumpta Meally - Westland Irish Sales Manager and Edward Conroy - Managing Director Westland Horticulture.

 
Charlie Dimmock to appear at Woodcote Garden Centre

Gardening guru Charlie Dimmock will be making a special guest appearance at Woodcote Green Garden Centre in Surrey this September...


Gardening guru Charlie Dimmock will be making a special guest appearance at Woodcote Green Garden Centre in Surrey this September...

Charlie – who is also the face of Gro-Sure Planting Magic – will be taking part in the garden centre’s annual Horticulture and Cookery Show, which will take place on the weekend of September 20 and 21.

The visit has been organised by Westland Horticulture to support the garden centre event and bring extra exposure to Gro-Sure Planting Magic following Charlie’s appearance in a TV advert promoting the product, viewed by over 17 million viewers nationwide.

Adam Hughes, Events Coordinator at Woodcote Green, said: “We are delighted to welcome Charlie to our garden centre and thank Westland Horticulture for its assistance with this.”

Mike Storer, Sales Representative for Westland Horticulture, who will also be at the event said: “Charlie is a much loved gardening celebrity and is sure to help pull in the crowds!”

UK & European dealers flock to see Nordic's new garden buildings


Fifty key staff from garden buildings dealerships across the UK and Europe attended Nordic Garden Buildings’ first ever new product preview day, which took place at the parent company, the Burles Group’s headquarters at Abercarn in the Welsh Valleys. The day ended with a Mini being driven on top of an orangerie to demonstrate the strength of a Nordic Garden Building...



Fifty key staff from garden buildings dealerships across the UK and Europe attended Nordic Garden Buildings’ first ever new product preview day, which took place at the parent company, the Burles Group’s headquarters at Abercarn in the Welsh Valleys. The day ended with a Mini being driven on top of an orangerie to demonstrate the strength of a Nordic Garden Building. 

After an opening ceremony in which Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of Gardenex cut the ribbon on proceedings, the Nordic dealers spent a sunshine filled day getting a preview of new products including the veranda summerhouse, the open and paneled pergoda and the new paneled greenhouse. 

Dealers had been flown in by the company from all parts of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the UK and based at the Celtic Manor before being transported to Abercarn. 

In addition to the product previews, they participated in technical, marketing and digital workshops as well as factory tours of Nordic and its sister company, National Plastics and a traditional Welsh lunch at a marquee reception. 

Fourteen members of the Nordic team, led by Justin Williams, were on hand to run workshops and demonstrate new online quotation software designed to make ordering more streamlined.

Commenting on the day, Justin Williams said: “This was an action-packed occasion which was very well attended.  The feedback was fantastic and if the reactions of our existing dealerships new products and dealer services is anything to go by, we will have a very busy time at GLEE recruiting even more UK dealers to the network.”

Nordic Garden Buildings is the UK’s leading manufacturer of free standing uPVC garden buildings including pavilions, orangeries and the nation’s first ever uPVC double glazed greenhouse.  It launched its Scandinavian-style uPVC range into the UK at GLEE 2013, where the company won a Best New Product Award.  

Nordic’s selection of attractive and highly functional garden rooms can withstand extremes of temperature and wild weather, with double glazed roofs benefitting from European CE marking.  Nordic Garden Buildings is the only UK manufacturer of garden buildings to meet the new CE mark standards.

The fast-growing Nordic Dealer Network benefits from dedicated account managers, online and offline direct marketing support, sales training and installation support as well as fantastic sales incentives for staff. Interested retailers should call 07717 710 062 or contact justin@nordicgarden.co.uk.

If catering and food are your growth areas our new Food Xtra will help you
To see our NEW GTN Food Xtra e-mail newsletter...
Record turnout at GCA regional meetings


Five-hundred people turned out for the Garden Centre Association regional meetings last month – a 25% increase in the amount of attendees at meetings held during the same time last year...



Five-hundred people turned out for the Garden Centre Association regional meetings last month – a 25% increase in the amount of attendees at meetings held during the same time last year.

In July the GCA held meetings in locations across the country to announce the results of its annual inspections.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, explained: “It was a busy July for us with five area meetings taking place across the country.

“All of the meetings were exceptionally well attended with around 500 attendees in total, which is up on the figures from last year. One of our aims has been to increase regional activity so it is fantastic to see so many of our members turn out. 

“During the meetings we announced the results of our annual inspections and presented awards to those that came top in the various categories.

“There were also presentations given by the inspectors where they presented the findings from the area, highlighted best practice and new ideas.”

The awards are decided by the results of the annual inspections, which take place at all GCA garden centres. Garden centres have no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.



Ian Boardman, GCA Inspector, said: “Overall it was a good year for standards and some centres had really put huge effort in. I saw this in my areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and North Thames where there was some amazing creativity and top notch retailing. 

“Some ideas and innovations were so good they could have national significance, so watch this space.”

The top scoring centres overall, nationally, in both the Destination Garden Centre and Garden Centre categories will be re-inspected before the titles of Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place in January 2015.



Andy Campbell, who was the inspector presiding over the meetings for the Wales and West and Midlands regions, said: “The area award presentations were incredibly well supported by members, with many bringing along several of their team to learn new and different ways of doing things.

“As always the retail standards this year continued to improve and the levels of commercial creativity and innovation were exceptional.”



Meanwhile it was a similar story at the North West/North East meeting.

Liz Hutson, who was the inspector presiding over the meeting, said: “It was an excellent turnout for the North East/North West awards evening.

“There seems to be a real desire to continue to improve standards. I was particularly impressed with the standard of indoor lifestyle and the quality of many of the restaurants.”

 

Mr Fothergill's fast-growing trials have earliest-ever peppers


Almost perfect growing conditions during July and into August have ensured plants on Mr Fothergill's Suffolk trial ground have made more rapid growth than trials manager Brian Talman has seen for many years...



Almost perfect growing conditions during July and into August have ensured plants on Mr Fothergill's Suffolk trial ground have made more rapid growth than trials manager Brian Talman has seen for many years. 

For example, peppers have been ripening faster than in any year he can remember. But there is a downside, as pests and diseases have also been at work on Mr Fothergill's rapidly growing plants.

"The conditions this year have been almost perfect, with plenty of sunshine, enough rainfall, albeit with some showers a bit on the heavy side, and warm nights.  All of this has led to everything growing consistently," says Brian, who has worked in horticulture for 50 years.

To paraphrase the popular saying - every silver lining has a cloud, and Brian's has come in the shape of pests and diseases, resulting in him having to be ever more vigilant. 

Flea beetle has completely wiped out several rows of radishes, while dwarf beans became diseased for the first time ever on the Newmarket trial ground. 

"It was halo blight, a bacterial disease which I have not seen for many years," comments Brian.

James Alexander-Sinclair announced as after dinner speaker at HTA Garden Futures


Garden designer, RHS judge and TV presenter James Alexander-Sinclair has been announced as the after dinner speaker at the HTA Garden Futures Dinner on Tuesday 14 October in London...



Garden designer, RHS judge and TV presenter James Alexander-Sinclair has been announced as the after dinner speaker at the HTA Garden Futures Dinner on Tuesday 14 October in London.

Known for his wit, energy and flair, James will share his thoughts on the importance of gardening, the role of architecture in gardens, what makes a great garden and how we can all help get gardening in front of the public.

There is now just over a week until the early bird rate runs out on 31 August and places are selling fast. Book online today for the HTA Garden Futures Dinner and Conference which takes at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London to benefit from a 25% reduction and guarantee your place at this important industry event.

This year’s conference, which is sponsored by Hozelock, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and William Sinclair, tackles the tough challenges retailers, growers, landscapers and suppliers encounter in the sector today.

The conference, this year titled Bigger, Better, Stronger takes place on Wednesday 15 October and will look at topics including: the Future of Gardening, People and Careers, Moving with the times, adapting for the new consumer and surviving in an online world.

HTA Chief Executive Carol Paris comments: “This really is a must attend event for anyone in the garden industry. Alongside the highly relevant topics and inspirational speakers, Garden Futures provides a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and to equip you with expert advice and insights to help take your business forward.”

Look out for further details of speakers over the coming weeks or search #gardenfutures on Twitter.

For more information and to download your booking form visit www.gardenfutures.org.uk or email events@the-hta.org.uk

Head of Buying - Cambridgeshire
Up to £60,000 per annum

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables. They are currently seeking a top buyer who can buy, range plan and category manage. Someone who is retail commercial aware and can build on their current success and continue to stimulate growth in the 'Grow your own' sector. 

The ideal candidate will have considerable experience within the e-commerce and or retail buying. Have experience within the live plants and horticultural sector and preferable at chain or supermarket level. Must be a superb team leader who can lead from the front.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6536 to info@morepeople.co.uk


Norfolk Leisure is a successful garden & leisure supplier highly focused on our brand development.

We are seeking an additional sales executive to maximise our team’s coverage of the UK market.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Sales Executive to sell the company’s full range of garden furniture and leisure products to targeted independent garden centres, buying and marketing groups and leisure product retailers.

The successful candidate will work on his or her initiative as part of a growing friendly team whose objective is rapid but profitable growth. Reporting to a Sales Manager. Good sales experience combined with first class communication and organisational skills are essential.

The preferred area to be covered would be the Northern Territory but this is flexible for the right candidate.

An above average salary, bonus and car is available to the right candidate who can demonstrate the required skills and experience.

For a full Job Profile, please contact Debbie Waudby, Director at Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Limited

Apply in writing with a full CV to Debbie Waudby,
Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Limited, Garage Lane,
Setchey, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE33 0BE

Tel: 01553 811717 Fax: 01553 811818
Email: debbie@norfolkleisure.co.uk

Garden Care Team Leader - Hertfordshire
Up to £20,000 per annum

My client is a large independent garden centre with an award winning pedigree.

This vacancy will be working along side the centre management team and will have direct responsibility for the product range of this department. I am looking for an ambitious individual who wants to have a sense of ownership over the retail area.  Retail experience is a must and garden centre retail experience is preferred.

Applicants must have experience of staff management, with a minimum of 1-2 years experience, and be able to lead and inspire a team of up to 13 staff.

They must also have proven buying experience and an ability to successfully negotiate with suppliers.

They must operate with good standards of merchandising and presentation, coupled with an element of creativity.  

Please call Brad Peck on 01780 480530, or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6609 to info@morepeople.co.uk


Junior Buyer - Cambridgeshire
Up to £30,000 per annum

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables.

They are currently seeking a Junior Buyer to form part of their buying team. Ideally someone from a good horticultural background who is keen and driven and can work within this fast paced business that buys seeds, onion sets, live-plants and garden sundries for a catalogue driven market. 

The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years post college experience within a retail or commercial horticultural business. Experience of buying is desirable but not essential. Good IT and communication skills.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6537 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Garden Centre Manager - London
Up to £35,000 per anumm

My client is a small garden centre group based in the London area. 

They are looking for an experienced garden centre manager to lead the team of a large destination style garden centre based in a scenic and historic part of London.

You will have site management experience previously and be ready to take on a challenging role in a very competitive environment.

There is an opportunity to grow with the business. 

Please call Brad Peck on 01780 480530, or apply with your CV quoting reference #6156 to info@morepeople.co.uk





 

Bulb sales have got off to a flying start, as reported in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, and Tete a Tete is at the top of the chart already.

The GTN Bestsellers Pre-Packed Bulbs Chart
Week Ending Sunday 17th August 2014
This weekProduct descriptionBarcode
1Taylors' XL Value Narcissi Tete a Tete5015882218073
2Taylors' Extra Value Narcissi Tete a Tete5015882219018
3Taylors' Choice Narcissi Minnow5015882062140
4Taylors' Choice Crocus Kotschyanus5015882074037
5Taylors' Choice Crocus Speciosus           5015882074051
6Taylors' Choice Crocus Sativus5015882074013
7Taylors' XL Value Tulip Madonna5015882219766
8Taylors' Choice Allium Purple Sensation5015882100354
9Taylors Iris Dwarf Harmony5015882219896
10Taylors Choice Crocus Spring Beauty5015882072200
Kelkay streamlines sales process with internal app
Kelkay has introduced an internal app to optimise efficiency and enhance the service it offers...

Kelkay has introduced an internal app to optimise efficiency and enhance the service it offers.

The app enables Kelkay's sales team to show the company's full range of products to customers and process orders. Other features include access to customer order history and sales trends. Kelkay staff can use the app to plan calls andcapture customer information and feedback.

The app can be used offline, making it ideal when travelling or exhibiting at trade shows.

Richard Pyrah at Kelkay, said: "Through this software, Kelkay customers will enjoy an enhanced brand experience. The app is a proven piece of software that we are rolling out across the company over the coming months."

Kelkay's portfolio of brands includes Gardenstone®, Borderstone®, Build Mate, easyfountain® and Henri® providing retailers with single source of supply for a wide range of garden products.

Kelkay and its extended sales team will be exhibiting on stands A10-C11 and F06-E07 at Glee 2014, the garden industry's leading trade show at the NEC, Birmingham, 14-16 September.

For more information, visit http://www.kelkay.co.uk/.

 
Plenty of variety in veg sales
Although seed potatoes continued to dominate the top of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart, there was plenty of variety elsewhere in the Top 50...

Although seed potatoes continued to dominate the top of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart for the week ending August 10, there was plenty of variety elsewhere in the Top 50.

  • Quantil had both the highest re-entry in Spinach and the highest new entry in Turnip.
  • Suttons recorded the highest climber, with Cabbage April jumping 16 places in the chart.
  • Suttons also had new entries in Cauliflower All The Year Round, Cabbage Sarmarsh, and Large Leaved Corn Salad.

For the week ending August 17, Suttons Broad Bean The Sutton (Dwarf) proved to be a popular variety while Quantil Purple Sprouting Broccoli headed the Top 50.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Bark turns into a bestseller
Two bark products were the stars of the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart for the week ending August 10...

Two bark products were the stars of the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart for the week ending August 10.

Gem Cambark Chunky Chip Bark was the highest re-entry and GroWise Landscape Mini Chip Bark was the highest new entry.

The highest climber was Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost, jumping 18 places, Arthur Bowers Multipurpose Compost retained top spot.

Arthur Bowers Premium Top Soil was the highest climber in the Growing Media chart for the week ending August 17, jumping 14 places.

The same company’s Organic Stable Manure was the highest re-entry.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Webbs transforms garden to inspire visitors
Gardens which give back are inspiring green-fingered enthusiasts visiting Webbs, Wychbold, in Worcestershire...

Gardens which give back are inspiring green-fingered enthusiasts visiting Webbs, Wychbold, in Worcestershire.

Head gardener Mike Rutter has transformed an area of the Riverside gardens at the award-winning horticultural centre into a prime example of a self-sufficient garden.

As well as creating a delightful show in the garden, everything planted can be eaten, from the strawberries, red currants and raspberries in the pop-up fruit cage to the nectarines growing in pots and the salad leaves, herbs and hanging baskets of tumbling tomatoes.

Visitors are showing a particularly keen interest in the living roof on top of the shed in the new garden.

Mike said, “This small new garden is really catching the imagination of our visitors. They can see it is manageable and really love the idea of doing something similar in their own space at home. Everything here has a purpose but still looks fantastic. It’s an outdoor room to enjoy and is packed with great things to eat. It just shows you can transform a space to give a lot back to your life.”

He added, “The living roof on the shed is a wonderful way to create a pretty display that has great benefits visually and environmentally for a garden. It filters pollutants in the air and absorbs rain water and moisture which helps to create a better atmosphere. It also improves the quality of the water running off the roof into the garden and provides a refuge for garden wildlife.”

The shed roof contains thyme, sedum, sempervivum, cerastium, barbarea, hutchinsia, silene, arias, potentilla and Veronica planted into compost over strong ply and pond liner.

The 30ft by 18ft garden also includes a painted hen house which blends in with the surrounding fruit and vegetables and a bee hive.  Elsewhere in the gardens Webbs has introduced eight working bee hives providing hundreds of jars of exclusive Webbs honey which is sold in the store’s food hall.

The bees feed on the abundance of nectar and pollen from the gardens and also perform a vital role in pollinating a huge variety of plants and trees throughout the local area.

Also new is the Contemplation Garden, an all weather sanctuary with scented planting to attract pollinators including bees and butterflies. Mike said, “This garden room is constantly used by our visitors who just like to take a while to sit in the sun, rest, listen to the water feature and soak up the relaxing atmosphere. Our gardens are much admired by visitors and are always evolving to inspire them with ideas of new interests and styles as well as keeping favourite areas in tip top condition.”

The Riverside Gardens are open free to everyone. Originally designed by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner Marigold Webb, the series of themed gardens beside the River Salwarpe incorporate thousands of plants, striking features and creative landscaping.

Spotlight on recruitment and retention of staff
Landscapers are encouraged to book now for the Autumn APL Networking Seminar on Wednesday 22 October 2014 at Provender Nurseries, Kent to ensure they don’t miss out on the packed programme designed for landscapers to recruit and retain the best staff for their business...

Landscapers are encouraged to book now for the Autumn APL Networking Seminar on Wednesday 22 October 2014 at Provender Nurseries, Kent to ensure they don’t miss out on the packed programme designed for landscapers to recruit and retain the best staff for their business.

At the previous seminar the hot topic of recruitment was highlighted and this time around the programme aims to delve deeper. The APL is aware that the landscape industry can often face challenges when hiring staff. Therefore, this autumn all landscapers and designers are invited to an evening focused on the best ways to recruit the staff most suited to your business and, most importantly, how to keep hold of them. 

The seminar will explore the various options available to landscapers to recruit and retain staff and the business benefits they offer including training opportunities, apprenticeships and sub-contracting.  Delegates will benefit from an evening full of industry expert advice complimented by first-hand accounts from APL members featuring Guy Moreton, MorePeople who will offer advice on various ways to recruit staff and Dan Lally, Slic Training to promote the multiple benefits of staff training.

Also, back by popular demand, the seminar will once again include an interactive panel session. This will feature a line-up of the heads of landscape courses from a range of colleges including Berkshire College of Agriculture to discuss their courses and answer questions in relation to how they train students and any improvements that can be made to encourage the younger generation in to the landscaping industry.

The evening event will run from 4pm-7.30pm and will also offer ample networking time for delegates to discuss the topics raised along with opportunities to interact with a variety of suppliers on hand to discuss your business requirements. Exhibitors include Everedge, Citation, Natural Paving, Woodblox, HTA Insurance Services, Melcourt Industries, Vectorworks, Bradstone and Viroturf (Juta UK).

Contact the APL Events Team on 0118 930 3132 or events@the-hta.org.uk to book places.

 
Bowland Stone appoints Business Development Manager
Bowland Stone has appointed Nick James as business development manager. Nick previously worked in sales and branch management in the paper industry...

Bowland Stone has appointed Nick James as business development manager. Nick previously worked in sales and branch management in the paper industry.

Commenting on his appointment, Nick said: “The garden sector is a new and exciting challenge, but one I am relishing.  It is perfect timing for both me and the company to be heading up business development just as the garden trade prepares for the 2015 season. I am also delighted to be working for a family company which combines traditional service values with exciting product development.”

Bowland Stone’s Managing Director, Ian Elston added: “We have some fantastic new products coming up for next season and I’m delighted that Nick has joined us in this new role to spearhead new accounts in the coming year.”

Bowland Stone was created 20 years ago as an alliance of three concrete manufacturing companies dedicated to updating products, designs and colours on a continual basis. It supplies national and international markets via garden centres, builders merchants, landscapers and installers.

 

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 


Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnoiver in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

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