Our 2021 conference has been postponed due to the coronavirus restrictions and lockdown, so we’re looking back at some of the best bits of our 2020 conference. One of the stand-out key speakers was Buddhist monk, Gelong Thubten. In 1993, in his early twenties, Thubten suffered with stress and decided to go to a monastery…
Our e-learning Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW) modules on social distancing helped prepare member centres for re-opening after lockdown. The Social Distancing and Social Distancing for Catering courses were launched in early May and July, in record time, immediately after the announcements permitting centres and then restaurants to reopen. Antony Snow, our Instructional Designer for…
Looking to revamp your garden for 2021? Balconies, garden furniture and wildlife-friendly plants are set to dominate next year, according to Instagrammers. Wild gardens – let the plants and flowers grow wild and welcome in the birds, bees and butterflies. Start by opting for a single-flowering variety of plant with open flowers. Add long wild grass…
Nothing can beat the scent of a real Christmas tree in your home for the festive season. Here are some of the options available to you: Norway spruce – is the more traditional Christmas tree and it provides a distinctive festive scent to any home. The Noble and Fraser Firs – there are the ultimate…
Customers at garden centres across the country boosted their spirits by buying houseplants during October (2020) according to our Barometer of Trade report. Compared with the same month in 2019, sales were up 48.2%. Our mental health and wellbeing has become an even bigger topic this year and it’s become incredibly clear that gardening and…
A classic flora symbol of Christmas would have to be the poinsettia. Here are some top tips on how to care for yours: When selecting your plant, chose one with a minimum of five heads as they will have a longer lasting display Make sure the poinsettia is sleeved before taking it outside or back…
It’s that perfect time of year to start planting new trees into the ground. They are best planted in the late autumn, especially bare-root varieties. Newly planted trees are at their greatest when exposed to moderate temperatures and rainfall. They need time to root and acclimatise before the onset of the summer heat. Container grown…
Believe it or not autumn/winter is the best time to plant bulbs including corms, tubers and rhizomes ready for next spring. Looking ahead and planning for spring in your garden or on your patio or balcony will give you something to look forward to in these troubling times. Just starting small with a tub or…
Gardening is great for improving mental health and decreasing stress. Don’t just take our word for it, click on this link and find out what the charity Thrive says. While taking some time to tend your garden can be relaxing, your efforts can also result in a sense of achievement, boosting confidence and self-esteem. Here are…
Gardeners across the country enhanced their outdoor spaces during September (2020) which led to a rise in sales in hard landscaping according to our Barometer of Trade report. Compared with the same month in 2019, sales were up 72.37%. Hard landscaping sales have been steady through the summer, but it was a surprise to see…