Choice Marketing has announced the addition of a further five new garden centres to the group from across the country, further expanding its nationwide network of independent garden centres.

They are: Goonhavern and Chacewater in Cornwall, GardenTime in Dartmouth, Swarkestone in Derbyshire and Scott’s of Southend in Essex.

With these new additions, Choice Marketing now has 52 centres on board, contributing to a group retail turnover exceeding £185m.

Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, CEO of Choice Marketing, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed all five of these lovely garden centres into the Choice family, and we look forward to helping them improve their profitability, sharing in our group successes and generally sharing best practice. 

“In addition to the enhanced margins on pricing adding to the everyday bottom line, 2022 saw Choice once again repay a record amount of rebate back to its members at over £2.6m. This really does exemplify the power and positive rewards of working together within an established organisation, with fantastic support from our key suppliers. Although all our member centres are both independently owned and run, we do speak with one voice in our relationships with our suppliers.”

Choice is one of the industry’s leading buying and marketing groups and has forged strong and mutually beneficial working relationships with over 200+ key suppliers throughout the garden centre, gift, home and leisure sectors. 

Members benefit from a fully supportive central admin team and gain enormous support from other members too, it is a true co-operative. 

Additional member benefits include preferential merchant card service rates for all their debit and credit card transactions and enhanced purchase pricing for catering through its specialist partners, and a whole lot more besides. These have quite literally saved members thousands of pounds.

Choice members value the combined influence and buying strength that Choice gives its members and far exceeds anything they could possibly achieve on their own. The enhanced service that members receive from suppliers, combined with the direct lines of communication, that the team at Choice have with key account managers, right across the supply chain, ensures that any issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.

In addition to the rewards of membership, Choice is now well under way in its preparations for its upcoming annual conference and trade show, scheduled to be held in the Midlands at the end of September. 

Mike Cook, Group Services Manager, said: “We are thrilled to report that our event is nearing a sell-out, with over 300 delegates already booked in. Our conference, trade show and gala dinner presents an excellent opportunity for our members and suppliers to connect, whilst our members can also explore the latest and greatest products and services offered by our suppliers at our trade show.” 

Mike added: “Once again, we extend a very warm welcome to our five new garden centre members and really look forward to a successful and rewarding partnership with them.”

A Hertfordshire-based nursery and garden centre is investing in driving sustainability with the support of a £180,000 loan from Lloyds Bank.

Aylett Nurseries, based south of St Albans, used the funding to invest in 455 new solar panels for its site, which will provide renewable energy for 30 per cent of its annual electricity consumption. The new solar panels also follow previous investments in electric vehicle chargers for customers and LED lighting throughout its centre, as it aims to set an example for protecting the environment.

Aylett, which was founded in 1955, has previously introduced advanced computer-controlled greenhouse systems to ensure that heat and energy use is optimised throughout the growing process.

The family business, which has 70 staff across its nursery and garden centre, also has its own advice centre, where visitors can learn how their gardens can positively impact the environment.

As well as investing in new technology to improve sustainability, Aylett grows as many plants as possible on its site totalling nearly 330,000 sq ft, helping to avoid transporting products from elsewhere.

Adam Wigglesworth, director at Aylett Nurseries, said: “Forward-thinking is at the heart of how our business operates, and the investment in the new solar panels is a prime example of that. We know our customers are hugely engaged with the environment, given they’re keen gardeners, and we want to do all we can to make a difference.

“Becoming more sustainable is crucial to our growth, as well as being the right thing to do. In time, we’ll save money on our energy bills which we can re-invest elsewhere in the centre, helping to improve the customer experience and the range of what we can offer. The future looks bright and the support from Lloyds Bank is putting us in a position to flourish.”

Aaron Rodway, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Investing in sustainability is increasingly becoming a top priority for businesses across Hertfordshire and beyond. Adam and the team at Aylett are setting an example of how to invest responsibly and make the changes that matter to their customers.

“The business doesn’t rest on its laurels, and it has a track record of investing in new tech. That’s helped to keep Aylett moving forward and make itself a modern business in a modern world. We’ll remain by the business’ side as it continues to invest and evolve.”

Between the brands of Mr Fothergills and Johnsons Seeds, around 40 new ornamentals and edibles will be added to their offering for 2024.

At the annual opening of its trials ground in Kentford, Suffolk they were being grown alongside existing and experimental varieties to ensure they are true to type and perform as expected. New pink and white Zinnia ‘Mazurkia’ was looking vigorous and uniform promising a long flowering period while also being highly attractive to bees and butterflies, while Rudbeckia ‘Cherry Brandy’ brings a new deep red colour break to a normally yellow and orange range.

Of the dahlias, D. ‘Caramel Antique’ and ‘Karma Prospero’ were performing well, while a variety of sweet corn for making popcorn called ‘Field of Dreams’ has tricolour foliage which adds to its garden value.

In the tunnels, 76 different peppers were impressively heavy with fruit while the 75 varieties tomatoes were showing differing reactions to being grown in peat-free growing media. With two plants per grow bag, Brian Talman says he is feeding three times a week to ensure maximum yield. Of the 15 aubergines, the intriguing Turkish Orange looked more akin to a tomato and added to the range of white, purple and almost black fruits which are highly attractive as well as being edible.

The UK’s oldest and most trusted lawn seed brand, Johnsons Lawn Seed is calling on retailers to push the benefits of real lawns as we enter the autumn lawn care cycle and debunk myths that artificial grass is maintenance-free. 

With calls to bin plastic grass and research by MyBuilder.com showing 24% of Britons would support a ban on the sale of artificial lawns and many owners now realising what a big financial mistake synthetic lawns are, Johnsons is putting many common claims on artificial grass to bed as retailers prepare for another key sales period.

1. Artificial grass is free draining during autumn and winter rainfall

Not quite! This plastic carpet may have some drainage holes, but most are unable to absorb the volume of water that the UK has been experiencing with downpours and thunderstorms following heatwaves. And with the autumn and winter weather predominately wet, synthetic, plastic lawns and paved gardens simply cannot cope, putting pressure on drains, especially during sudden rain and storms.

Real grass can cope with wet weather and plays a crucial role in soil stabilisation and erosion prevention during heavy rainfalls, particularly on steep slopes or embankments. The rainfall is absorbed into the ground and as 80% of a grass plant is made up of roots, the more water the turf can absorb.  If a real lawn has become compacted through use, this can cause problems with drainage, weeds, and moss. This can be resolved by aerating, a simple process of perforating the soil with a garden fork to create small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots.

2. Autumn and winter can destroy your real grass lawn

Wrong! Lawns have a remarkable ability to shut down when the going gets tough and bounce back when temperatures cool and autumn rain falls. Investing in high-quality grass seed for both the autumn and spring lawncare cycles will ensure it is at its optimum strength for anything that winter can throw at it.

Johnsons’ Super Smart Lawn Feed is an organic fertiliser that contains beneficial bacteria, seaweed extract micronutrients, and soluble mycorrhizae. It provides a rich green appearance and can increase a lawn's root system by up to 150 times. This 100% organic fertiliser, which can be used until, the end of September, revitalises lawns, promoting dense, green, and slow-growing grass for winter.

Johnsons Quick Lawn' with Accelerator is perfect for autumn lawncare, offering rapid germination and establishment with just a third of the water needed for new lawns. This product provides a strong, thick, and healthy lawn, even in cold or wet conditions, with the seed mix delivering 38% more grass within the first seven days and will germinate at lower temperatures.

On the flip side, whilst artificial grass may be able to withstand the rain and bad weather, it only has a limited shelf life and over the years will soon deteriorate and flatten just like a carpet in the home would.

3. Artificial lawns are low maintenance

Wrong again! Regular maintenance is essential to keep your artificial lawn looking its best. Autumn and winter will mean brushing helps to remove any leaves, twigs, or other larger debris that may have accumulated on the surface. You may also need to wash with a mild detergent if your pet makes a mess and it has to be regularly cleaned to eliminate mud, stains or spills, as well as hoovered like any carpet does to ensure that any smaller particles or dust are thoroughly removed.

Even if a lawn is synthetic, real weeds will still creep through. If you don’t want the hassle of picking them by hand, you will need to have a weed membrane installed underneath which is an extra cost.

4. A solution for a shady garden in winter when grass does not get enough light to grow

Again, not true. Whilst artificial grass may seem an easy answer as it won’t be affected by a lack of light,  there are shade-tolerant grasses that can be used to create a more natural spot.

Johnsons Shady Place is one of the company’s leading products. Ideal for creating luscious green lawns in shaded areas, under trees or next to high walls and hedges,  this innovative formula features the Johnsons bestselling mix of Browntop Bent, Strong and Slender Creeping Fescue, Hard Fescue and Red Fescue; combined with the advanced Seedbooster™ coating to completely override this myth that real grass cannot be grown.

5. Artificial lawns are the ideal solution for winter

Unfortunately, not! They may provide year-round greenery but snow, ice and frost in the colder months may temporarily harden artificial grass. If you have children or pets, it’s important to be cautious of this as it may increase the risk of slips and falls.

A natural Johnsons Lawn goes dormant in winter. Over the autumn and winter period, grass will stay relatively green — even when blanketed with snow. It is advised not to step on grass when it is frozen but even if you do, living natural grass lawns can repair and regenerate themselves.

Keeping real grass in the garden also provides shelter for wildlife during a cold snap. When cutting your lawn for the final time before the shorter days draw in, leave the edges or a patch long for over-wintering insects, as well as allow small creatures to move around safely and shelter.

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed products visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

Glee, the international festive for garden, leisure and pet, demonstrated the continued resilience of the garden retail industry in the face of ongoing economic challenges, whilst giving participants a sense of the future direction it will take. 

Across three days the show saw thousands of buyers flock to the NEC to support hundreds of exhibitors and brands, together representing ten core product sectors.

Trade Associations including GIMA (Garden Industry Manufacturers Association), HTA, PetQuip, Gardenex and the GCA (Garden Centre Association) had a strong presence throughout the show, underscoring the importance of Glee as a networking hub and trading powerhouse.

Glee 2023 saw a wealth of new initiatives unveiled, including a new partnership with the British Home Enhancement Trades Association (BHETA) and British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), which demonstrated the importance of its new DIY sector. BHETA members joined the existing line-up of suppliers and brands exhibiting at Glee, where BIRA members and other retail buyers had invaluable access to exciting new suppliers and product innovations. The exciting development gave retail buyers across the garden and home improvement sector an invaluable access to new suppliers and innovative products.

Another new pavilion was devoted to Home, Gift & Clothing, where artisan candlemakers and skincare specialists rubbed shoulders with the best of greetings cards, plush toys and fairtrade gifts. Kate Leach of renowned greetings card publisher, Woodmansterne, commented during the show: “We’ve had a brilliant day today (Wednesday). In fact, I think it was our best day ever at Glee! We’ve spent some time with our wonderful existing customers, and also met some new ones. We’ve had some fantastic leads”. Woodmansterne celebrated its 70th birthday during the show with drinks, nibbles and a host of industry friends.

Elsewhere at the show, Philip Wilson of Pot-Mate agreed with the positive sentiment, saying: "We wouldn’t be anywhere without Glee! We came here for the first time in 2021 and we won the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, which was fantastic. Glee is so great for meeting new people. I love it! I never stop talking to people. Over the course of the show so far, we’ve had people on from Australia, America, Sweden, Finland, to name but a few. The great thing was that they spent a long time talking to us – a good quarter of an hour each time – so you could tell they were genuinely interested in the product”.

Content is King

The unified strength of the sector was also to be seen at Glee’s exceptional seminar theatre, The Stage, where topics ranged from sustainable macro trends and outdoor living trends (as forecast by Trend Bible) to optimising digital marketing and promoting diversity in the gardening sector. 

Kicking off the seminar programme was David Denny, Head of Research at the Horticultural Trade Association, who explored how “global trends driven by climate change will affect business operations in the coming years and drive changing consumer needs and expectations.” With significant growth on the horizon for our sector, Denny delved deeper into those aspects – including biosecurity, demographic change, the amount of water and green space available, the availability of labour and skills, research and development and sustainable productivity – that could restrict this forecasted growth opportunity. 

Glee Brand Ambassador, Michael Perry (AKA Mr Plant Geek), breathed new life and panache into the Green Heart of the festival, where future innovations of the plant world were showcased in the atrium, flanked by new Talent Store concepts put together by competing teams of young visual merchandise professionals.

As a highly respected and much-loved horticulturalist and social media influencer, Michael could also be found at The Stage on 28th June, as Glee celebrated Pride Month with the panel discussion, Glee X Pryde: Embracing Inclusivity. Michael joined hostess Rachael Forsyth, Senior Reporter at Horticulture Week, Jason Williams, multi-award-winning Balcony & Small Space Garden Designer, the Cloud Gardener and Mollie Higginson of the YPHA in an enlightening discussion about the importance of diversity in the gardening retail world. Suppliers and retailers alike would do well to reach out beyond the traditional garden centre customer to newer generations with different requirements, helping to open up new product categories and tap developing market sectors.

Elsewhere, the inaugural Talent Store contest – where merchandising new talent came together to create two highly visual concept stores focusing on indoor and outdoor plants - was won by the Outdoor Plants merchandising team, who impressed judges Debbie Flowerday, Visual Merchandiser and Stylist Consultant, and Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA.

The winning team showcased how sustainability can be placed front and centre within displays. Concepts included a tablescape of edible ideas that not only look good but taste good too, a pond in a pot that will make a difference to the ecosystem in customers’ outdoor space, a display of pollinating plants to create a wildlife sanctuary, as well as a wildlife product display that will turn the garden into a bug wonderland.

Debbie Flowerday said: “Everything you see in the Glee Talent Store at the show can be used to create a scene and retail theatre, guiding customers through a store, and we hope that retailers are inspired to try these simple tips when they get back to their businesses.”

Industry Award Winners

Every year, Glee actively celebrates the best of the industry with a series of prestigious awards which together recognise the exceptional achievements in new product development, the most exciting new plants, excellence in retail and expertise in visual merchandising.

Hills Plants were named the winner of this year’s Green Heart Best Merchandising Display, with a spectacular showcase which demonstrated how foliage-dense plants can be coupled with flowering beauties to create an irresistible presentation in store. The concept is simple to replicate in even the smallest plant area and superbly demonstrated how plants can be used to entice shoppers.

Retailers were recognised in the prestigious Buyer’s Power List Awards, where winners are peer-voted, making them an invaluable accolade. The full list of winners is as follows:

• Plants buyer/buying team of the Year - Colin Dale, Notcutts
• Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year - Al Sheppard, Haskins
• Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year: Nigel Gates, Gates Garden Centre
• Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year: Dan Kirby, British Garden Centres
• Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year: Jodie Smith, Perrywood
• Pet buyer/buying team of the Year: The Old Railway Line
• Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year: Bents Garden & Home
• Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year: Rachel Churcher, Perrywood
• Online buyer/buying team of the Year: Helen Henshaw, Crocus
• Overall Multiple Retailer buyer/buying team of the Year (hardware, DIY, high street): QD Stores
• Overall Multiple Garden Retailer buying team of the Year (6 stores or more): Blue Diamond
• Overall Independent Garden Centre buyer/ buying team of the Year (up to 5 stores): Haskins 

On the supplier side, the New Product Awards once again yielded treasures, with several hundred entries received across 15 product categories. This year’s winners, revealed during a ceremony held at The Stage on Wednesday 28th July included: 

• Overall Glee New Product: Kent & Stowe Surecut Loppers & Shears - Westland
• Best of British: Firestorm Phoenix Pellet Patio Heater - Pinnacle Agri Products Ltd
• Sustainability Award: EcoMade Indoor Hemp Planters - Woodlodge Products
• Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products: Peckish Natural Balance Coco-Not® Wild Bird Feeders - Westland
• Pet Products: Pet Bed Topper - The Wheat Bag Company
• DIY Products: Racan Premium Anti-Rodent Sealant (RACARSM) - Lodi UK
• Landscaping: Rubber Play Space Tiles – Primeur
• Retail Services & Experiences: Indoor Gardening Essentials Merchandising Solutions (G.E.M.S) - Westland
• Gifts, Body and Bath, Christmas, Greeting Cards, Toys and Games: Playpress Vets Mini Playset - Playpress Toys
• Home: Recycled Bottle Scarf - Art on Scarves
• Leisure & Entertaining: Firestorm Phoenix Pellet Patio Heater - Pinnacle Agri Products Ltd
• Tools & Machinery: Kent & Stowe Surecut Loppers & Shears - Westland
• Garden Decoration: Gemini Solar Wall Light pack of 2 - The Solar Centre
• Growing Containers Joint Winners: Cottage Garden 12L Beehive Planter - EP Barrus Ltd and EcoMade Indoor Hemp Planters - Woodlodge Products (joint winners)
• Growing Accessories: ClipGlove Warm 'n' Waterproof - Treadstone Products
• Growing Materials: Coco & Coir Houseplant Compost - Southern Trident
• Plants Seeds & Bulbs: Nymphya Purple Fantasy - Anglo Aquatic and Petunia Tumbelina Nicola and Colegrave Seabrook Foundation/Kerley & Co (joint winners)

Commenting on the coveted awards, Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “Every year, our exhibitors continue to impress with the level of innovation that they bring to market. This year’s quality of the entries has been really impressive, and the pitches demonstrated the passion and dedication that goes into every product entry. Congratulations to both our shortlisted entries and the winners. I sincerely hope the win will positively impact your growth in the coming season as it has for many previous winners”.

See you next year!

When the doors finally closed on Glee 2023, it was to a re-energised and fully activated trade, where retailers and suppliers alike were optimistic and looking forward to seeing what the second half of the year will bring for this thriving industry.   But what of the 2024 event?

One of the biggest developments will be the introduction of the new Connect @ Glee online platform, where buyers and exhibitors can proactively choose who they want to meet with, based on a criteria that’s important to their business. Connect @ Glee enables suppliers and buyers to request meetings, and when a double opt-in is achieved provides the perfect opportunity for new retail relationships to be forged. Taking place on exhibitor stands and offering complete flexibility, the new Connect system has already garnered a positive response as its ability to improve time efficiencies at the show is fully recognised.

Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation​, with the next edition of Glee confirmed for 25th-27th June, NEC, Birmingham. To find out more or to register your interest in exhibiting, please visit  www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Retailers respond to Glee 2023

Whilst busy in the aisles, we caught up with some visiting buyers to find out more about the value of Glee for their business.

Asha Lockyer, Buyer, Hilliers – “Great to come back to Glee, it is now my fourth time here, great facilities and great to see all my suppliers in one place. Also, great to see some Glee deals which are brand new and it is a very exciting time. Hopefully come back this time next year.”

Dan Kirby, Hard Landscaping Buyer, British Garden Centres – “Glee 2023 has been a good show for myself and the wider buying team. We’ve been able to source products for many of our stores and have had meaningful conversations with a wide range of new and existing suppliers. Glee remains an important part of our annual planning.”

David Gillies, Manager, Mackenzie & Cruickshank – “This is our first Glee, and we are very impressed with the range of companies and the range of stock and variety. Very happy with what we have seen today.”

Rob Fury, Buyer, Green DIY Uckfield – “Beautifully laid out, wandered around looking at all the amazing stands. Placed several orders and have been amazed by the quality of products.”

Dobbies will represent the UK at the autumn edition of PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt, the Green Retail Fair in the Netherlands, on 23 August.

The event brings together growers and breeders of unique plants to showcase their exciting innovations, in a celebration of the European horticultural industry.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, will sit on the panel to judge the Best Market Innovation award. Representatives from the European horticulture community will also join the judging panel, including Jardiland of France, Plantasjen of Norway, Dehner of Germany and Netherland’s very own Intratuin.

Marcus’ career spans three decades with experience in store management, plant buying as well as running his own chain of centres. Marcus joined Dobbies over 6 years ago, directing the horticultural team across the UK, and last year, spearheaded the project that won the RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as multiple stand awards.

Marcus Eyles, Horticulture Director at Dobbies, said: “It is an exciting time for our industry and every year PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt provides a fantastic opportunity for growers and breeders showcase their innovative creations. I am extremely honoured that they have selected me to sit on the judging panel. At Dobbies we are committed to sourcing and creating the best quality products for our customers and I am looking forward to a great event that will showcase the very best producers and inspire us for months to come.”

PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt will take place in Hazerswoude-Dorp, the Netherlands on 23 and 24 August 2023. To find out more about the fair, visit https://plantariumgroendirekt.nl/?lang=en.

To find out more about Dobbies, visit www.dobbies.com.

Notcutts Garden Centres supports its colleagues to develop their horticultural and retail skills through apprenticeship training opportunities. Since 2019, 25 Notcutts colleagues have achieved apprenticeship qualifications up to Level 4 (equivalent to a foundation degree) with seven specialising in horticulture.

Apprenticeship training is offered for all colleagues across Notcutts’ 19 garden centres nationwide, who are keen to further their career or upskill in their current role. Apprentices can study towards qualifications such as Level 2 Horticultural Operative, Level 3 Horticultural Supervisor and Level 4 Retail Manager, completing written assessments at a local college while achieving practical experience in their role at Notcutts.

Ben Lodge (pictured), Horticultural Manager at Notcutts Dukeries Garden Centre in Worksop, began his career part-time at a local garden centre before embarking on a Level 2 Horticultural apprenticeship at Notcutts in 2017. With a passion for learning and development, Ben completed a further apprenticeship for Level 4 Retail Manager in 2021 and he is now enjoying a management role at the garden centre.

Ben said: “The majority of my knowledge has come from working with people who are truly passionate about horticulture, I’ve learnt more than I ever could from a classroom. I enjoy the varied tasks of a Horticultural Manager, there are never two days the same.

“Horticulture is not the easiest job, it’s very physical and you’re out in the elements. You need a passion for plants and the outdoors to really enjoy the job and to get the most out of it.”

Sarah Dempsey, HR Director at Notcutts, said: “We’re proud of our commitment to developing colleagues across our garden centres. Apprenticeships and other industry training ensures that we can continue to offer horticultural expertise and excellent service to our customers, while supporting individuals to progress in their careers.”

For more information about careers opportunities at Notcutts, visit notcutts.co.uk.

Henton and Chattell has announced it will be showcasing the Cobra brand at two upcoming events this year. The company will be returning to Saltex, at the NEC in Birmingham on 1-2 November, and making its debut at GroundsFest, Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 20-21 September.

The two events represent key industry opportunities to showcase the Cobra range to customers, dealers and stockists – as well as presenting invaluable chances to network, including directly with buyers.

Both Saltex and GroundsFest will also be a great chance for Cobra to demonstrate the capabilities of the Fortis cylinder mowers and lawn tractor ranges – both of which were launched earlier this year.

The Fortis range combines eight machines in one to give the ultimate package for creating picture perfect lawns, and are the first powered cylinder mowers to be launched by Cobra. It features four mowers, starting with a compact 14” model powered by a Loncin petrol engine, and then the 17”, 20” and 25” all featuring Briggs & Stratton engines for extra power for larger lawns.

What makes the Fortis machines the ultimate in lawncare however, is their ability to transform into seven other machines to ensure that lawns are immaculate and healthy. The Fortis six-bladed cassette can simply be removed and replaced with another accessory cassette in the range to switch its use. Other cartridges include a verticutter, scarifier, dethatcher, aerator, turf rake, lawn brush and 10-blade cassette.

For those with larger lawns to tend to, Cobra’s new range of ride-on lawnmowers provides a high-quality, yet wallet-friendly option. Starting with compact LT62 rider models, each with a 24” cutting width and comfortable seat, these have a particular focus on manoeuvrability, allowing gardeners to flow and mow around their lawns.

Those with larger areas to mow will appreciate one of the other new six ride-on tractors available. With cutting widths ranging from 33” up to 42”, and choices again being manual and hydrostatic gear changing, as well as a twin cutting blade and the option to collect the cuttings, release them back to the ground or turn them to mulch. They also offer enhanced comfort with a padded seat and easy electric key starting.

To find out more about these new ranges, to see them demonstrated, meet the team and discover the difference a Cobra lawnmower can make, be sure to visit GroundsFest and Saltex this year. GroundsFest combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstrations, providing an interactive experience which strengthens the connection between exhibitors and visitors. Saltex is Europe’s largest free turf management show, where visitors can hear from industry experts, and see the latest technologies and product development from over 400 leading brands. To pick up tickets for Groundsfest, visit https://groundsfest.com/ and for Saltex visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/.

For further information about Cobra visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.

Pledge2Recycle Plastics and RECOUP have announced a collaboration with Fun Kids, the UK’s radio station for children, to introduce an engaging and educational programme, "Sort it out," designed for children during the summer holidays and beyond.

"Sort it out" aims to inspire young minds to learn about recycling plastics and sustainability in a fun and interactive way. With the support of Pledge 2 Recycle Plastics endearing mascot, 'Monty’, Fun Kids has produced a series of fantastic podcasts that will captivate children and foster their understanding of environmental responsibility. Through entertaining storytelling and informative content, children will discover the importance of recycling and how they can contribute to a greener future.

Gregory Watson, Managing Director at Fun Kids, said “In today’s busy world with many competing things distracting children, it can be hard to get important messages across. We had great fun working with Pledge 2 Recycle Plastics and RECOUP to create bespoke audio content to help open children’s ears and eyes to plastic recycling in a fun and accessible style.”Parents and caregivers are encouraged to seize this opportunity to educate and entertain their children during the summer holidays. The "Sort it out" podcasts can be accessed through Fun Kids' official website at Pledge2Recycle Plastics Sort it Out - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station (funkidslive.com).

Carly Dadge, Communications and Marketing Manager at RECOUP, shared their enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We believe that fostering environmental awareness from an early age is essential for building a sustainable future. Collaborating with Fun Kids allows us to reach a wide audience of young learners and instil in them a passion for plastic recycling and protecting our planet."

The "Sort it out" program is part of an ongoing commitment by Fun Kids, Pledge 2 Recycle Plastics and RECOUP to drive positive environmental change and nurture a generation of eco-conscious citizens.

Join us in celebrating this exciting partnership and take advantage of the enriching content offered through "Sort it out." Let's inspire the next generation to be environmentally conscious and create a brighter future for all.

About Fun Kids:

Fun Kids is the UK's leading children's radio station, offering a unique blend of entertainment and educational content for young audiences. Through engaging programming, Fun Kids aims to ignite curiosity, creativity and learning among children, providing them with a platform to explore the world around them. Find out more at www.funkidslive.com.

About Pledge 2 Recycle Plastics:

Pledge2Recycle Plastics is the national plastics recycling initiative with the aim to reduce confusion around plastic recycling.  

The Pledge2Recycle Plastics mission is to promote consistency, remove confusion and increase plastics collected for recycling through education, communication and consistent messages.

Garden centres, growers, and trade nurseries can now access an extensive database filled with over 300,000 photos of 75,000 different plant species through Garden Connect. 

This database provides detailed descriptions and more than 25 characteristics per plant species. Ideal for usage in webshops, stores, brochures, and marketing.

Save costs with affordable licenses without surprises

Professional photos are crucial for selling plants but can be difficult to create and expensive to purchase. With Garden Connect's solution, users have unlimited access to the full database for a fixed annual fee. Without any hidden costs or limited licenses. The photos can be used both online and in print, such as in magazines, brochures, and in-store.

This enables all businesses in the garden industry to showcase a comprehensive and high-quality assortment. Growers, trade nurseries, and retailers can all benefit from the database.

Save time and get started with plant data and photos immediately

Thanks to the user-friendly system allowing access to our plant data and photos, users can save time and start immediately. They can easily download the plant data through the dedicated portal or provide an Excel list, after which the plant data will be provided in the desired format.

Furthermore, the information is accessible through an API, allowing direct integration with other systems, such as webshops, ERP, or PIM systems.

Curated by plant experts

Garden Connect has a team of experienced plant experts who have gathered high-quality and extensive data. Users can trust the information they receive is accurate and reliable. With over 25 plant properties available per plant species, it is easy to provide customers with detailed information.

Google-friendly texts in 20+ languages

As an online marketing agency, Garden Connect understands the importance of unique plant descriptions. Thanks to the company's innovative solutions, all descriptions can be uniquely written for each user. Additionally, the texts can be written to adopt the corporate identity and tone of voice. This leads to improved positions in Google, increased website traffic, and more sales.

In-store signing

Retailers and growers can also utilise the plant data for in-store signage. With the wizard in the Garden Connect platform, personal price and information signs can easily be created. By using photos and plant properties, professional signs for the store can be generated in no time.

Contact

For more information and access to the extensive plant database of Garden Connect, contact info@gardenconnect.com or visit www.gardenconnect.com.

Hallstone, part of the Rolawn group, has recorded a “marked increase” in sales for the first half of 2023 – including seeing bulk bag revenue surge by more than 50%.

Having relaunched as a trade only brand in March this year, Hallstone, which is known for its premium landscaping products, has announced that sales of its bulk bag products are up over 50% on last year’s figures.

Hallstone supplies bulk bag products including premium topsoil, bark mulch, wood chippings and compost, to a network of over 400 trusted stockists across the UK. 

Taking the decision not to sell directly online, Hallstone instead updated its branding and website with the express intention of driving customers to trade stockists, a tactic that is working well for the firm - Hallstone's merchant channel being 47% up on the previous year and the number of Hallstone stockists increasing by 63%.

Hallstone, which has experienced the growth between March and June 2023, attributes the rise to the brand becoming a dedicated trade-only supplier, and to the new direction more effectively communicating the significant benefits of Hallstone to stockists and merchants. 

"We have a clear, simple focus; consistent, reliable, premium landscaping products to the trade, at competitive prices,” said Jonathan Hill, Sales Director at Hallstone.

"We’re very pleased to see that our new approach is being so well received by trade customers, it speaks volumes about the products and the service we provide.”

Hallstone, which has also achieved a 99.3% customer satisfaction rate, forecasts a continued increase in demand and is confident that by providing reliable, consistent landscaping products that it can continue to meet and exceed market expectations.

For more information on Hallstone visit: https://www.hallstone.co.uk

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 newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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MorePeople is hosting a conference in September this year on ‘Non-Executive Directors…what they do, and how they add value’.

The conference is on Tuesday, 19th September 2023 at the KingsGate Conference Centre in Peterborough, starting at 3 pm with the conference concluding at 5pm and a networking buffet until 7pm.

Executive Chairman Guy Moreton said: “We are delighted that Adam White, Head of Agriculture for Barclays Bank, will be chairing the conference and pleased to confirm that Barclays PLC are supporting the event. Adam is a big advocate of Non-Executive Directors and the value they bring. To have a senior leader from within that organisation waving the NED flag is excellent and confirmation of the need for more NED's within the Agric, Food and Horticulture space.

“We intend to have two or three Non-Execs talking about what they do in a business and how they add value. I'm delighted to say that Neil Sanderson and Jacqui Green have both agreed to speak on the day, they are both very experienced Non-Exec's but also have superb food, ag and hort credentials having spent most of their respective careers in the sectors.

“We also intend to have two or three business owners speaking about why they appointed a NED in the first place and what they gain from engaging the services of a NED, we're really pleased to confirm that William Burgess will be speaking about why he has Non-Exec's on his board at Burgess Farms/Produce World Group and the value they bring to his company.

“We have been involved in the appointment of Non-Exec Directors for some time but intend to significantly grow this part of our business and as such we intend to be experts in our field. To help us achieve this and add more value to our clients and NED candidates we have joined forces with the Non-Exec Director Association (NEDA) and will be promoting membership of the association and their various courses and training initiatives. I'm pleased to report that Barry Gamble, a very experienced NED in his own right but a Special Adviser to NEDA has agreed to represent the Association at our conference and say a few words about what the association does. In addition to lots of involvement in Agriculture Barry has also been a NED on the board of a number of PLC's and actually floated his own company in 1996 and so can add huge value to our discussions on governance and the role of the NED.

“In addition, we are delighted that Phil Cookson, a partner of Roythornes Solicitors, has agreed to come along and talk about the legal considerations of appointing a NED.

“After each speaker has had some time to share their thoughts Adam will chair a ‘Question Time’ Panel session including all the speakers, so members of the conference audience can ask anything they like. To conclude, there will be time for informal networking and buffet.”

The event is FREE to attend, to register and for more information go to https://www.morepeople.co.uk/non-exec-directors-conference

The importance of biological pest control in environmental horticulture took centre stage at the "Getting to Grips with Biological Pest Control" technical workshop held yesterday by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex.

Biological pest control has emerged as a vital plant protection option, particularly for horticultural crops grown under protection, and more recently, on plants that are cultivated outdoors. In its simplest terms, biological pest control means encouraging naturally occurring beneficial insects or introducing commercially reared control agents to achieve pest control on crops. Such ‘macro-agents’ are often used alongside a range of bioprotectants which contain living micro-organisms, botanicals or semiochemicals to give both pest and disease control.

The workshop aimed to enrich HTA members' knowledge of biocontrol techniques, address product supply and application challenges, and highlight the effectiveness of biological agents in managing pests, while cost-effectively maintaining plant quality.

Wayne Brough, Technical Horticulture Manager at the HTA, commented: "Horticultural crops substantially contribute to the UK's economy, employment, environment and delivery of Net-Zero. The industry's efforts, such as through the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Standard (OHAS) and other initiatives, demonstrate a dedication to implementing integrated pest management principles into crop production. By holding workshops like this, we continue to foster effective and sustainable pest and disease control practices within the horticulture sector."

The workshop agenda encompassed a comprehensive line-up of expert presentations and practical sessions designed to equip attendees with valuable insights into the world of biological pest control. Highlights from the event included:

Meindert van der Wielen, a representative from Bioline Agrosciences, provided a regulatory update and technical overview of commonly used biological control agents in environmental horticulture.

Selchuk Kurtev from Zest-Sustainable ICM shed light on key pests of ornamental crops and strategies for controlling them using biological control agents.

Emiliyan Atanasov, an agronomist from Berry Garden Growers, shared experiences and insights on employing biological control in soft fruit crops, with a specific focus on strawberry and raspberry production.

Practical considerations included devising biocontrol programmes, exploring dos and don'ts, introduction rates and delivery, challenges for various crop situations and integration with crop protection products.

In collaboration with Bioline Agrosciences, Zest-Sustainable ICM, and Berry Garden Growers, the event brought experts and professionals together to explore the latest advancements. Delegates also had the opportunity in the afternoon to explore the production facilities of Bioline Agrosciences gaining  insights into insect rearing, product quality control, packaging, and supply.

A summary of the event, including all the presentations delivered and video clips will be available shortly on the HTA website.

HTA members can find out further information about similar workshops and seminars by visiting:

HTA Nursery Network events webpage

HTA Grower Technical Workshop webpage

Tickets are now available for the International Association of Horticultural Producer (AIPH)’s 75th Annual Congress, which will be held from 17-21 September 2023 in Suncheon, Republic of Korea.

Footprinting, sustainability, and insights into the horticultural industry in the Republic of Korea are on the agenda.

On Monday 18 September, organisers of forthcoming AIPH-approved Expos will share updates on their progress at the International Expo Conference. Delegates will have the chance to explore the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo in the afternoon on a VIP tour. The park site spans an impressive 193 hectares and encompasses three locations: the Suncheon Bay Wetlands, Suncheon Bay National Garden, and downtown Suncheon.

The Horticultural Industry Conference takes place on 19 September and will welcome key speakers from the Republic of Korea to present details of the country’s horticulture industry. In the afternoon, footprinting and sustainability in the industry will take the spotlight. Speakers from around the world will be joining to present on the latest innovations, such as the FloriPEFCR – the EU’s Environmental Footprinting Standard for Ornamental Horticulture.

On 20 September, the Green City conference will present how the industry contributes to projects and programmes that use the power of plants to create healthy, liveable, and resilient green cities. AIPH members and industry practitioners will present insights into where and how the industry has influence, and what this means for the long term relevance of growers and grower organisations. The conference will be followed by tours to key green city locations in Suncheon.

Speakers for the conferences include:

Horticultural Industry Conference

• Mr. Heo Changgak, Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, RoK
• Mr. Lim Yuktaek, President of KFA (Korea Florist Association) and KOFLAS (Korea Federation of Flower-Related Associations), RoK
• Mr. Song Junho, Chief of Agriculture Cooperation Youngho, RoK
• Mr. Albert Haasnoot, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands
• Mr. Edmund Timm, MPS, the Netherlands
• Mr. Martin Brijs, Palmstead Nurseries/HTA, UK

Green City Conference

• Mr. Yongjun Jo, Landscape Architect, RoK
• Ms. Diane Lee, KAFC, RoK
• Mr. Albert Haasnoot, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands
• Mr. Glenn Fenton, Greenlife Industry Australia
• Mr. Bill Hardy, CNLA, Canada
• Dr. Audrey Timm, AIPH, UK

For more information and register, please visit the AIPH Website.

AIPH thanks Headline Sponsor Biblo, Horticultural Industry Conference Gold Sponsors Royal FloraHolland and MPS, Host Sponsor 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo, and Expo Conference Partners the Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES) and the International Garden Tourism Conference.

Blue Diamond have acquired 4 seasonal bedding plant nursery sites from Glendale Horticulture.

The 4 sites are Fretherne Nursery near Gloucester, Broom Nursery near Alcester, Badsey Nursery and Offenham Nursery in Evesham.

Blue Diamond accounted for 60% of plants grown by Glendale this year and from now on the sites will grow exclusively for Blue Diamond.

Today, Blue Diamond MD Alan Roper met with Glendale's Andrew Bennett, who will continue to run the nursery business, with Blue Diamond Head of Plants Jim Teague and Seasonal Plants Category Manager Sue Feaver. 

The nursery business employs 56 staff across the 4 sites.

"The acquisition is part of our strategy to secure our plants supply chain" explained Alan.  "Glendale have been supplying us with quality bedding and veg plants for years so it makes a perfect fit alongside our hardy plants growing at Bridgemere.  Hopefully a third nursery acquisition will be finalised soon to complete the set."

The Gardens Group has revealed the results of its annual audit by sustainability certification scheme, Planet Mark, reporting significant carbon reductions across its three garden centres in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury. During its third year as voluntary members of Planet Mark, which is backed by the Eden Project, The Gardens Group has achieved a 29.3% absolute carbon reduction. 

Engaging its 160-strong team at all stages of the process, from idea generation and target setting to measurement and review, The Gardens Group began by establishing key areas for improvement that would need to be measured, including Buildings, Travel, Waste, Water, Procurement and Homeworking. Through hundreds of new initiatives, pushed forward by smaller groups of staff assigned to each task, the independent garden centre group has managed to substantially reduce carbon emissions in nearly all areas during 2022. 

Over the past year, The Gardens Group measured significant reductions in carbon emissions relating to waste, business travel and buildings. Procurement emissions remained steady, while water emissions saw a slight increase following a large reduction during 2021. This came despite considerable investment in rainwater collection initiatives, including the integration of a brand new 50,000-litre rainwater harvesting tank into an underground Victorian brick-lined well and plumbing system, highlighting the challenges posed by The Gardens Group’s weather dependent requirement for watering its stock. 

Having introduced dozens of eco-friendly initiatives across Castle Gardens, Brimsmore Gardens and Poundbury Gardens over recent years, from water collection projects to reducing delivery miles through innovations in route planning and offers, The Gardens Group decided to join the Planet Mark community in order to implement a framework that would facilitate more substantial progress in its efforts to reduce the business’ impact on the environment. Through Planet Mark’s process of engagement, education, measurement and reporting, The Gardens Group has already achieved significant carbon reductions and is now working towards becoming a net zero business. 

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, commented: “Looking after the environment has always been central to our ethos, but our work with Planet Mark has allowed us to put structured plans and communications in place to ensure that everyone can play their part. As a result, environmental impact is now at the forefront of our minds in everything we do. On setting out, we were hoping to see steady success across all areas of carbon reduction, but I’m delighted to say that we have surpassed these expectations and are now reducing carbon emissions by big percentages each year. Through our links with the Garden Centre Association, we’re feeding these ideas back into the garden centre industry as a whole and we also encourage the team to help apply these sustainable principles to community projects. By engaging with our customers and supporting their own sustainable initiatives, including at schools, garden clubs and community groups, the benefits of our efforts are felt far beyond the confines of the garden centres.” 

PP8 Marketing are no stranger to the gardening industry. Now in its 8th year, PP8 celebrate yet another milestone with its newest member of the team, Carrie Burgess celebrating 1 year at the company.  PP8 Marketing have been involved with many industry projects, from running the Retail Lab @ GLEE for Hyve and the HTA, to helping launch new products for Southern Trident, Burgon & Ball and Smart Garden.   

Paula Parker, Director @ PP8 Marketing, said: “I'm really grateful to Carrie for joining my journey at PP8 Marketing. Being a solopreneur is never easy, it can be lonely and challenging. However, the decision to hire was not an easy one, but I can honestly say it is the best thing I could have done to grow our business. Carrie is the perfect fit. In addition to supporting me, her background in buying at Crocus.co.uk, sales at Kerry Foods and marketing at Hygeia bring new commercial skills and experiences for our clients benefit.”

Over the last 8 years, PP8 Marketing have worked with many of the industry's associations and suppliers providing marketing strategy, implementation, and on-going management of marketing plans for many new and established business alike.  As a business PP8 marketing can support clients by offering a totally flexible service which is tailored to their needs. They can be the outsourced marketing team for smaller companies, as well as take on discreet projects and operate as an extension to larger teams.  

Now with Paula and Carrie combined, they boast 21 years in the gardening industry, which means it’s safe to say PP8 marketing are one of the most experienced outsourced marketing teams in the horticultural sector!

What’s it like to work with PP8 Marketing? Here’s what some of their clients had to say:

 "Much more than a Marketing strategist, PP8 Marketing really gets to grips with your business and works to help you grow in the direction you want to go in.  Their top-level strategic understanding is excellent, and equally important, they can develop and implement your marketing plan."

"I am really impressed by the work PP8 Marketing has carried out on a business review, together with a suggested marketing plan.  The capability to help with execution and support is a major strength when working with PP8."

“If your team is already under pressure and you're looking for an experienced and trusted pair of hands for support, then working with PP8 Marketing is a no-brainer.  You can instantly feel the relief that the projects you can't get to now have the attention they need and Paula and Carrie now feel like an extension to our team!”

Whether it’s providing strategic insight, tactical execution or acting as a critical friend or consultant, PP8 is the marketing solution your business needs. Call Paula on 07500 225293 to discuss your marketing challenges.

www.pp8marketing.com

paula@pp8marketing.com

carrie@pp8marketing.com

Plans to build a new Blue Diamond garden centre, which could create more than 150 jobs, have been revealed. It would be built on land east of the A1 near Alnwick, Northumberland.

Development and investment company Northumberland Estates has submitted a pre-planning submission to Northumberland County Council.

Northumberland Estates, owned by theDuke of Northumberland, and Blue Diamond have developed a website for consultation to obtain residents’ opinions on the planned proposal. The website www.newgardencentrealnwick.co.uk will run from for three weeks from July 27 to August 17.

The store is expected to attract a significant footfall, create over 150 new full and part-time jobs and represents an investment of around £13m from Northumberland Estates.

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