Garden Centre Retail June 2024

INDEPENDENT IMPARTIAL INVALUABLE

LEICESTERSHIRE

GARDEN CENTRE FOR SALE FREEHOLD

Expanding Garden Centre With Successful Retail Village

Restaurant & Food Market

5.02 Acre Site

MIDLANDS

SUCCESSFUL GARDEN & HARD LANDSCAPING CENTRE FOR SALE

Circa 7.47 Acre Leasehold Site

Garden Centre with Refurbished Restaurant

Landscaping Centre with Aggregate Bagging & Garden Centre Timber Product Manufacturing

Unused Land for Further Development

OUR REF: 0331

quintonedwards.co.uk sales@quintons.co.uk

Substantial Concession Income

OUR REF: 0342

quintonedwards.co.uk sales@quintons.co.uk

INDEPENDENT IMPARTIAL INVALUABLE

Quinton Edwards are market leaders in the disposal, acquisition and letting of freehold and leasehold Garden Centres, Nurseries and Horticultural Properties & Businesses throughout the United Kingdom for over 30 years.

We are Chartered Surveyors offering a wide variety of Commercial Property Services to include:

• Sales/Lettings

• Acquisitions

• Valuations

• Consultancy

• Lease Renewals

• Rent Reviews

• Rating

• Concessions

• Energy Performance Certificates

• Expert Witness

We are actively seeking Garden Centres for a wide range of purchasers and tenants and would be very happy to discuss further any sale or leasing options you may have.

If you would like further information about the business or the services we offer please contact Simon Quinton Smith or Rachel McMordie.

Quinton Edwards Chartered Surveyors, Bartholomew House, 38 London Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1JX quintonedwards.co.uk sales@quintons.co.uk

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the June 2024 issue of Garden Centre Retail.

This issue has one focus, and it’s an issue that’s close to our hearts – sustainability. We know that it’s also a topic close to the hearts of many others in the industry, having been at the Garden Centre Association conference at the start of this year. It is time for this sector to step forward and lead the way in sustainable retail. We’re perfectly positioned, have the right people steering the conversation, and we have the ideal specialisms too.

In this issue, we speak with Tammy Woodhouse of Millbrook Garden Centre about her company’s planet positive policies, including the decision to remove some products from the shelves. Millbrook is heavily involved in the peat debate, and works with the Responsible Sourcing scheme to ensure that its customers have the best available alternatives.

We also speak with Steph Harrison, the sustainability lead at Yorkshire Garden Centres, about its commitment to the Carbon Literacy Project. Harrison is responsible for leading the business to a carbon net zero goal, and the accredited training the business puts its staff through is one way she’s doing this.

Another shining light in garden retail sustainability is Mike Burks of The Gardens Group. Burks talks us through his Planet Mark accreditation; his aims and goals for carbon neutrality; and how it is hoping to influence the industry to do better.

Alongside those articles, we hear from the RHS on pollinator-friendly plants; and The Sustainable Restaurant Association shares tips and trick on how to reduce the carbon footprint from the restaurant operation.

We love to hear from you. Please do reach out to us if you are doing some amazing things in the realm of sustainability.

Wilkinson

Joe Wilkinson Head of content

IT’S TIME FOR THIS SECTOR TO STEP FORWARD AND LEAD THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE

Eljays44 Ltd

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EDITORIAL

Head of content – Joe Wilkinson

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ADVERTISING

Portfolio director – Luke Page luke.page@eljays44.com

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MANAGEMENT

Managing director – Jamie Wilkinson

CIRCULATION

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Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd

Garden Centre Retail is published by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2024 subscription price is £125. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, BizSpace, Courtwick Lane, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7TL. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, non-commissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

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We are specialist importers & suppliers of decorative pots, planters, baskets & gifts for retailers, garden centres & growers throughout the UK.

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News

A roundup of the latest industry news

The Future of Growing Media

Peter Burks of the GCA explores the changing landscape of the compost market

10

A Change for Good

How GIMA members are embracing bold sustainability moves

14

Futureproofing your business

Andrew Burton talks sustainable development

17

PR and Sustainability

How to avoid greenwashing in marketing

18

Tammy Woodhouse

Millbrook’s director shares their planet-positive policies

22

Sustainable product sourcing

The buying policies of leading garden retail businesses

26

The Carbon Literacy Project

Yorkshire Garden Centres’ new collaboration

30

Planet Mark

The Gardens Group gains sustainability accreditation

37

Sustainable Food Choices

Top tips from The Sustainable Restaurant Association

Pollinator-friendly plants

The RHS shares its top plants for pollinations that garden centres should stock

Sustainable products

The latest products for the sector that can improve sustainability credentials

Gearing up for SUMMER

PREPARE FOR SUMMER SUCCESS WITH BLU LEISURE’S CUSTOMISABLE RETAIL COLLECTIONS

GEAR-UP FOR SUCCESS: KIT OUT YOUR ENTIRE TEAM THIS SUMMER!

Blu Leisure is a specialist uniform provider offering a wide range of durable and customisable workwear, perfect for people working in an active all-weather environment.

We specialise in designing, manufacturing and delivering top-quality, customisable workwear that withstands the daily toll of active work. Our garments prioritise comfort and durability, blending the latest styles with functionality to create uniforms that people want to wear.

Our service is end-to-end. We work with you to create a fully customised collection that matches the needs of all your team. Stock is held in our warehouse, ready to draw down whenever it is needed and orders are placed using our simple to use online ordering system. This creates an alwaysready supply, which can be delivered to your door within a couple of days of order placement.

Blu Leisure has been designing, manufacturing and supplying bespoke uniform to the leisure and retail sector for more than 24 years.

LAUNCH INTO SUMMER WITH A NEW RETAIL COLLECTION!

As the weather heats up, turbocharge your retail offer with Blu Leisure’s new, eye-catching collection of active leisure apparel and extensive range of customisable merchandise and accessories.

With non-food sales decreasing by 1.8% year-on-year over the three months to January – Blu Leisure could have the perfect opportunity for you.

Blu Leisure’s retail solutions comprise of our comprehensive, market-leading range of excellent quality, cost-effective fitness wear, swimwear and accessories.

There are no upfront stock costs, you only pay for the products you sell, and you earn full retail profits on all products.

All our garments and merchandise – including drinks bottles, towels and tote bags are manufactured to the highest quality and fully customisable to create a bespoke collection that offers customers new buying choices and extends your brand’s visibility.

For more information about Blu Leisure visit: bluleisure.co.uk or for a no obligation consultation, call the team on 01908 582525 or email info@bluleisure.co.uk

Squire’s achieves peat-free milestone

Squire’s Garden Centres has confirmed that it no longer sells any bagged compost containing peat.

The UK government proposed to ban the sale of bagged compost containing peat to home gardeners in England by the end of 2024. Although the ban is not yet in force, this news from Squire’s sees the business meet this commitment well ahead of the proposed deadline.

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: “We understand the significance of our peatlands for carbon capture and the habitats they foster. We are tremendously pleased to have reached this milestone, as it’s an area we’ve been working hard on with our supplier partners for some time.”

squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Dobbies gears up for season with TV ad campaign

Dobbies has unveiled a new advertising campaign, “Spring’s OUR thing”, developed in partnership with creative agency, elvis.

The campaign has been developed based on insight that people feel more optimistic in spring than any other season.

The campaign features a quirky, humorous 30-second film, which will run across multiple media platforms. Featuring a character in various gardens while interacting with different gardeners and products, the film showcases the breadth of garden living products available in stores.

Kirsty Rockey, head of brand, Dobbies Garden Centres, says: “We know that people feel more optimistic in spring than at any other time of year and that many are looking forward to seeing their gardens bouncing back to life.

“Our campaign demonstrates how liberating and rejuvenating being in touch with nature can be, and motivates customers to make the most of it. As champions of garden living, we want to remind people that Dobbies is the place to go for all they need to make the most of their gardens this springtime.”

dobbies.com

Blackbrooks GC to save $45k on energy costs

Blackbrooks, a family-run garden centre that has been part of the Sussex community since 1982 has won awards for innovative thinking and is now investing in a cutting edge solar system. The 287 Trina solar PV panel array has been installed at the 10-acre garden centre in Sedlescombe and generates of 121,970 kilowatts (kWh) of free clean electricity at peak.

This new system will save Blackbrooks around £45k in utility bills this year and at current energy prices, projections show that the entire system should pay for itself within five years.

Darren Baker, director of retail at Blackbrooks, says: “We are delighted with our solar investment, and with today’s energy prices, switching to solar makes financial sense. However, what is more important to us is that we pride ourselves on being an environmentally and socially responsible business so we are always looking for ways that Blackbrooks can be more sustainable. Solar fits with our values and ethos.” blackbrooks.co.uk

With spring compost sales going well, I have been looking at the offerings at our Garden Centre Association (GCA) members and wonder if it’s now time to simplify the message to our customers.

The amount of peat being incorporated into retail bags has dropped to 10% of the total offering according to anecdotal evidence from the HTA.

I feel it is now time to move on from the peat-based or peat-free terminology, which has caused confusion among customers and revert to our ‘growing media’ range just being described as compost.

It is what it is now and while hopefully the blends will gradually improve, we should be responding to our customers’ feedback regarding

IT IS

NOW TIME TO MOVE ON FROM THE PEAT-BASED OR PEAT-FREE TERMINOLOGY

which ones are the good brands and those that are not worth stocking again.

There has been a good bit said recently around initiating a compost standard, that all composts and new brands can be judged against, to help with determining which are the best.

Which? magazine has done this for many years but, of course, can’t trial every available brand. I feel it is a great achievement to come out well in these trials.

The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) for growing media is industryled and encourages the consumer to make informed decisions about the environmental impact of the growing media products, multipurpose compost for example, that they are purchasing.

However, it doesn’t tell them how good the mix is likely to be. Consumers are provided with an easy-to-understand traffic light system, empowering them to easily compare the environmental responsibility rating and enabling them to make informed choices. The consumer can then, at a glance, know with confidence

THE FUTURE of growing media

CEO THE GCA, PETER BURKS, EXPLORES THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF COMPOST WITHIN THE INDUSTRY

that a product with a green ‘A’ rating is more responsibly sourced than a yellow ‘C’ rated one.

The scheme was created as the industry needed to develop and innovate in the wake of the government’s planned proposal for the banning of peat in the amateur gardening sector.

As peat was to be phased out of growing media products, alternative substrates were to be used and it was vitally important to assess the sustainability of these peat replacements. It would not be as simple as to conclude that alternatives to peat, such as coir or bark, were sustainable just because they weren’t peat, but to assess each growing media substrate equally against a set of criteria. With more than 10 years of development and working in cooperation with key industry stakeholders and DEFRA, the RSS was launched in 2022.

With cooperation from various sectors of the industry, the GCA has developed five e-learning training modules to help garden centre staff understand why the sale of peat is being banned and how to advise customers on the way forward. These are available to all HTA members as well. We all want our customers to be successful in their growing attempts, as success definitely breeds success, so it’s very important the industry pulls together in making the most of this new normal.

About Peter Burks

Peter Burks, CEO of the GCA, is a fully trained horticulturalist and has worked in directorial and senior management roles for over 40 years. Peter helped set up/run the multi-awardwinning Sanders Garden World in Somerset. He also became regional manager of the South West for Wyevale Garden Centres, and general manager for Trelawney’s in Cornwall, as well as managing Fermoy’s Garden Centre in Devon. gca.org.uk

“I learned A LOT in just one hour. I can’t wait to implement their ideas.”

Hannah Powell, Perrywood

Making in the garden market A CHANGE FOR GOOD

THIS MONTH, GIMA MEMBERS SHARE INSIGHTS INTO SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES, SHOWCASING THEIR COMMITMENT TO REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Sustainable operations

As consumer awareness and expectation around sustainability is increasing, particularly in the garden market where gardeners are already invested in a decidedly ‘green’ hobby, there is mounting pressure on manufacturers to make a change. David Nicholson, UK NEU & ROW sales manager at elho, explains how the B-Corp plant pot manufacturer wants to become the first company in the market to call itself ‘climate and socially positive’. “In January, we reached the milestone of making all products from 100% recycled raw materials. Every product is also made using renewable energy, and we have our own wind turbine at our factory in Tilburg. Our second distribution centre is the most circular in Europe and features light-sensitive, automatic LED lighting and solar panels, which contribute to the largest energy storage system in the Netherlands.”

“Our research and development teams are always exploring ways to turn waste into beauty, and the new coffee collection is the latest example of this, taking waste coffee grounds and harnessing the latest technology to create stylish, sustainable pots.”

Also making a concerted effort to minimise its environmental impact is Taylors Bulbs, which plants more than 25ha (equal to 950 tennis courts) per year of cover crops for green manure prior to daffodil planting. This is of huge benefit to insects and pollinators, helps to prevent wind erosion and improves soil structure. It also plants wildflower and bird seed mixture around the outside of its daffodil fields each year to provide a habitat and food for birds during the winter months. Meanwhile, all Taylors products produced at its Holbeach site are peat free and,

All-natural materials

during 2023, Taylors installed 1,544 solar panels and upgraded to LED lighting, saving 135 tonnes of CO2 e per year.

Hortiwool’s 100% compostable multi-use garden pads have many benefits, thanks to the natural properties of wool. So versatile, gardeners can use them to line pots, planters, or hanging baskets for extra hydration, deter slugs, add nutrition to soil, protect from frost and much more.

Winner of the GIMA sustainability award in 2023, Treadstone’s Rope Trellis is made entirely from natural jute. Available in five sizes, this clever product creates a flexible trellis that can be used all around the garden. The packaging is made from recyclable material and the product is delivered to store in natural hessian sacks.

Adam Taylor (Taylors Bulbs)

Reducing plastic

Unipet International is a leading UK manufacturer specialising in suet-based Wild Bird products, including the Suet To Go brand. Supporting Britain’s native wildlife plays an important role in helping the planet, and Unipet is making it even more sustainable by reducing the plastic content by at least 96%.

“Our food is made with the highest quality ingredients and is sure to attract a wide variety of birds to the garden.

Part of the Suet To Go range, including the 500g suet pellets and the 280g suet cakes, are now packed in 100% non-plastic, fully-recyclable paper packaging.”

Treadstone has also found a fantastic way to recycle the influx of plastic bottles that are used every year, with its Bottle Gloves. A GIMA Awards finalist, the knitted glove is made from 95% recycled plastic bottles, with just a little added elastic for comfort. The gloves are dipped in natural latex to provide grip and protection from dirt and water.

Protecting resources

AutoPot offers automatic plant watering systems that irrigate and feed with zero waste

and no electricity required. Compatible with peat-free media, produced from recycled plastics, and sustainably packaged, its systems are designed to help make gardening more sustainable for all.

GARDENA’s MicroDrip systems are also a sustainable way to keep plants blooming – while saving up to 70% water compared to standard irrigation methods. The systems use intuitive targeted irrigation, allowing the water to penetrate the soil right down to the roots, where plants need it most.

Using patented Quick&Easy connection technology, the systems are easy to install and many components are made from over 65% recycled plastic.

Repurposing waste

“Sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do,” says Primeur managing director Jenny Douthwaite. “From materials we use, to the type of products we bring to market and their journey when in use, we carefully consider their impact on the environment and how we can minimise it.

recycled rubber anti-slip backing and fabric tops that were once bottle tops.”

Also in landscaping, Meadow View has seen gravel emerge as the ‘unsung hero’ of garden design, due to its low-cost, low-maintenance appeal. “Its use in garden design makes it an eco-friendly choice due to its permeable nature, which allows rainwater to penetrate the soil, reducing runoff and creating sustainable water management,” says Meadow View which offers a range of recycled eco-aggregates that turn waste products into a vibrant collection of hard landscaping aggregates.

Turtle Mat has always regarded sustainability as a key element of any product, through both the use of recycled materials in manufacturing and its overall life cycle assessment. “By using 100% recycled cotton from the clothing industry in the absorbent and washable 85% cotton topping, combined with a multi-grip backing made from 100% recycled postindustrial waste, our mats prevent substantial off-cuts and fashion waste going to landfill. We also know, from customer feedback, that their long lifecycle means, even after the five-year guarantee ends, our mats simply move through the home – often travelling from the front door to back as a new mat comes in – rather than being discarded.”

“Our range of recycled rubber products keep waste tyres from being sent to landfill, all whilst providing consumers with beautiful, durable, and innovative landscaping and decorative garden solutions that are built to last.

“We have a proven track record of bringing sustainable products to market, including our recycled rubber EcoWay stepping stones, EZ Border flexible borders, and Tierra Verde planters, plus Mighty Mat doormats which feature

Meanwhile, new from Hug Rug is a range of eco-washable rugs, manufactured at its Yorkshire mill. “Our new washable rugs are made from recycled materials and feature a natural rubber backing, so they will stay put. They are also stain-resistant, so perfect for busy homes.

About GIMA

GIMA is a membership organisation of around 170 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers in the UK gardening industry. Its goal is to promote the commercial, trading and industrial interests of its UK and EU-based members. Run by a team of professionals, and governed by a council of members, GIMA is funded by membership subscriptions and services. Its extensive range of services and support caters to all members. gima.org.uk

15-16 October 2024 | ExCeL London

Securing a Brighter Future.

Embark on a journey along our Sustainability Trail at Garden Centre Expo 2024, where you’ll find companies deeply committed to sustainable practices. Whether they specialise in supplying solar panels, EV chargers or environmentally friendly retail products, these businesses prioritise the wellbeing of the planet and the best practices of garden centre operators.

Improve the sustainability of your business with the likes of...

Sustainability Panel With...

Mark Farnsworth

MD

at Yorkshire Garden Centres

Winners of multiple sustainability awards

gardencentreexpo.co.uk

@gardencentreexpo

In partnership with

Representing sustainability as a core pillar of the event, the Sustainability Trail is designed to highlight the key exhibitors who are either helping the market to become more sustainable in every area, to achieve net-zero, or who have products that are individually sustainable.

This exciting new feature also acts as a roadmap for our visitors, enabling them to quickly identify exhibitors offering products, services, or solutions that can help pave the way towards a more sustainable future for their businesses.

Luke Page, portfolio director

Garden Centre Expo will take place on 15-16 October 2024 at the ExCeL London. Register for you free tickets here!

HOW FUTURE PROOFING can help your business

JOIN ANDREW BURTON AS HE DELVES INTO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN GARDEN CENTRE EXPANSIONS THIS MONTH

It is an interesting word ‘sustainability’. It is a word that is on everyone’s lips and it’s something that is so important to our garden centre industry. I wanted to understand the real meaning of sustainability – especially relating to aspects that can be controlled by work. In reality, sustainability can be perceived differently for everyone, depending upon their interests, so I narrowed my thought process down to sustainable business strategy. I recognise sustainable business strategies can consider climate change, depletion of natural resources, fair working conditions, and pollution. However, when considering the work the team at Pleydell Smithyman do to support garden centre development, my headline conclusion was that sustainability is something that gives us the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time; particularly focusing on controllable sustainable aspects, and I believe that ‘sustainable development’ is one way we can help to prevent the depletion of natural and physical resources.

So, what is sustainable development? I believe it is development that achieves immediate

requirements and aims, without affecting or compromising the ability of future development.

The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different ways, but at the heart of it, there is a need for a thoughtful, considered approach to development that looks to balance the business aims, which can often conflict with each other. These include timescale urgency, or profitability requirements which sometimes can affect aspects such as the environmental impact.

All too often, garden centre development is driven by one particular need, without fully considering future impacts. Many businesses I work with have developed their garden centres with one aim in mind, rather than the whole picture, and this can sometimes cause issues if the future plans are not considered. I see the damage this kind of approach can cause, both environmentally and commercially.

Essentially, I feel that when businesses look to identify their opportunities, they always need to consider future-proofing, and this is a key driver to creating sustainable, longterm, profitable development plans. It involves

taking a proactive and intentional approach to strategic planning, adapting to ever-changing knowledge to create a development plan that considers short, medium and long-term aims, how it affects profit, and how each stage of a development may be affected by another.

THEY ALWAYS NEED TO CONSIDER FUTURE-PROOFING, AND THIS IS A KEY DRIVER TO CREATING SUSTAINABLE

Only recently I was working with a new client, and we were reviewing their site which included implementing a new bakery. However, a couple of years earlier, the business had put some underground drains on the land that the kitchen was best suited to be built on. If

this build were to go ahead, this would cause duplicated groundwork, thus causing negative environmental aspects – plus cost the business a further £30k to relocate the drains. Moving forward, we are now working with the same business, focused on a multi-phased development plan, which considers each stage, and how they might impact on each other, as well as how this can be controlled to help profitably.

I believe that the longer we pursue unsustainable, unconsidered short-term development, we will see more frequent and more severe consequences to the environment. This is why we need to take a strategic long-term approach in every development we work on.

Sustainable development is not always just about building cafes, or extending retail areas, because sometimes this doesn’t need to be done when developing an existing site. One of the things we do at Pleydell Smithyman is to analyse existing performance, taking into consideration the strengths of a business, whilst also helping us to identify opportunities. This doesn’t stop a business considering future improvements once the performance and processes are

improved, and further analysis when the time is right may give a different conclusion as to what is needed in the long term. It shows that if a business focuses on its existing layout, processes, and staff development, then this could be the correct immediate action to take, before making any longer-term decisions.

We do occasionally see garden centres over-space some departments and under-space others versus m² benchmarking, and rather than build extensions, which can have high capital investment costs and could have an impact on the environment; the correct action could be as simple as a department layout change to grow the under-performing departments. Ultimately, what this commercial review can do for a business is to delay them from adding buildings that they just don’t need, effectively meaning that the business may have saved capital expenditure as well as removing negative sustainability aspects.

However, obviously this doesn’t stop considering future improvements once the performance and processes are improved, then further analysis may give a different conclusion as to what is needed in the long term.

One thing I always want to encourage businesses to do, especially in this economic climate, is to consider long term possibilities and plan ahead. To do this effectively, a business needs knowledge and data to help identify its short, medium and long term objectives, and if a business really wants to consider sustainable approaches alongside profit, then this is essential. That being said, sometimes businesses do need to compromise on their approach to projects, but as the old adage goes, if you get your ducks in a row, it will help you to become more sustainable and could help your profit in the future.

About Andrew Burton

Andrew works for Pleydell Smithyman as an associate director, focusing on garden centre and farm shop advice, with an overarching aim of business strategy and development. He provides site development, and commercial and operational support. He sits on the Farm Retail Association Council, and previously on the Garden Centre Association Board. andrewb@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk

Avoiding GREENWASHING

BETH FRENCH, ACCOUNT DIRECTOR AT HONEST COMMUNICATIONS DISCUSSES HOW TO USE PR TO PROMOTE A BRAND’S SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS

As customers become more aware of all things eco-conscious and sustainable, brands need to look at their environmental footprints and make sure they adeptly champion their green initiatives and incentives. However, many have fallen foul of greenwashing in their quest to promote sustainable messaging and campaigns. Here, we look at some of the ways a brand can navigate these tricky waters.

What is greenwashing?

Firstly, what do we mean when we talk about greenwashing? It’s a word that first came to prominence in 1986 when environmentalist Jay Westerveld shone a light on a hotel policy to reuse towels to ‘save the environment’, when in fact it was just a way to cut laundry costs!

MANY HAVE FALLEN FOUL OF

GREENWASHING IN

THEIR

QUEST TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE MESSAGING

AND CAMPAIGNS

Whenever a brand makes unsubstantiated or exaggerated claims about their environmental and sustainable initiatives, or slyly avoids telling the truth about their green credentials –that’s greenwashing.

It’s no wonder that brands occasionally inflate their eco messaging or hide some of their less desirable off-green traits, as consumers are increasingly looking to invest in products or services that help, not harm the planet. In fact, recent research by

Forbes uncovered that two-thirds of consumers say they will pay more for sustainable products.

Consumers are now more switched on to greenwashing and can spot it a mile off, so it’s important brands approach their sustainability messaging carefully.

Think facts and figures, not fluff

Brands that have been accused of greenwashing generally use vague, unsubstantiated language – and consumers are increasingly seeing right through it. For example, saying something is ‘natural’ or ‘made with clean ingredients’ is no longer the draw it once was. Buyers are demanding to know facts and figures, and no longer buy into wishywashy language. Instead, brands should be transparent about ingredients, processes and supply chains, giving as much information and statistics to back up their eco claims.

Use credible third parties

run the risk of looking disingenuous.

Make a tangible difference

While a company may be trying its utmost to champion green initiatives, it’s vital that they look at all parts of the supply chain to ensure all partners share their values. After all, it is easy for a company to be tarred with the same brush as a disgraced supplier or partner.

Another important third-party relationship is that with credible certifications or accreditations, such as becoming B Corp certified. Many brands look to obtain these in order to gain an unbiased assessment of their sustainability practices and to help establish trust with their clients or customers.

Don’t jump on the bandwagon

Trends come and go, and it’s important not to align your company with initiatives that don’t make sense for them. Ensure that a message is truly in line with your brand, products and values before publicly endorsing it, otherwise

Avoid paying lip service to a cause, and instead focus on making a real difference. If a brand is involved with a cause purely for its own commercial gain, consumers will soon see right through it. The emphasis must be shifted from simply making claims to providing tangible proof of the environmental outcomes achieved. By measuring and showing proof of real-life differences made, such as carbon emissions, energy efficiency, or waste reductions, brands can show that they are not just taking part in an empty marketing campaign – they are showcasing a meaningful and genuine environmental effort.

An interview with

Tammy Woodhouse

LEARN HOW MILLBROOK GARDEN COMPANY LEADS SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AS MANAGING DIRECTOR TAMMY WOODHOUSE DISCUSSES INITIATIVES AND FUTURE PLANS

Garden Centre Retail speaks with Millbrook’s managing director Tammy Woodhouse, a wellknown industry supporter, about what the company is doing by leading the way in garden retail sustainability.

When it comes to sustainability in the garden retail sector, few are doing it better than Millbrook. Recent winners of the Paul Cooling Environment and Sustainability Award at the 2024 Garden Centre Association Conference, this business is showing the industry what needs to be done to be planet positive.

Changing to be a more sustainable business has always been a focus for Woodhouse, but, she says, in the last five years, it’s really come

to the fore. “Part of that came from getting more involved with the peat-free debate with the GCA, and starting to really think about what impact we have as gardeners and as garden centres. As a collective, we think we’re quite a green industry,” she picks up. “When you really start to dig beneath the surface, you realise that actually, a lot of practices and products we sell, aren’t that sustainable.”

And it’s all about being proactive. “As an industry, we buried our heads in the sand

a bit over stopping selling peat, until the government stepped in. Mike Burks, the GCA chair before me, and I, were keen that we don’t all get caught out again. Once the peat issue is addressed, which it will be, what’s going to come next? We’ve got to look at plastics and pesticides and the gardening practices we need to change. My feeling and passion is that we’ve got a real opportunity to change the way people buy products and how

they garden. I think we should be leading the way on that.”

Centre policy

You only have to visit Millbrook’s website to understand how important being sustainable is to the business. With a whole page dedicated to the issue, showcasing their policy, their awards, their sustainable products plan and even their peat policy, Millbrook are making all visitors aware of their mission.

“Our overarching theme is that we’re striving to be greener,” explains Woodhouse. “Once you start looking, it’s not just about the products that you sell, it’s what we do on the ground, and what our teams do. You can look at ‘striving to be greener’ across so many different aspects of the business.

“In terms of products, first and foremost what we’re aiming for is that in every department, there is a greener option, and we’re trying

to encourage people to choose those planet positive options.”

And that practice can be seen all around the garden centre, with planet positive signage showcasing the less harmful products and ecofriendly initiatives, to posters showcasing the local suppliers of the plants in the plantaria, and a heap of goodies in the food hall. Planetfriendly products are displayed on the end

caps of aisles and small explanations are easily visible in these displays. Over time, the aim is to increase the range and visibility of these options.

The other initiative, and possibly the most eye-catching in the centre, is the Millbrook eco-house – a display created to showcase and highlight small changes customers can make to be more sustainable. Things like the natural pest

ONCE THE PEAT ISSUE IS ADDRESSED, WHICH IT WILL BE, WHAT’S GOING TO COME NEXT?

control products, water harvesting systems and habitats for garden wildlife.

Tough decisions

But tough business decisions have been made along the way too. Woodhouse and her team have stopped selling many bestsellers over the past few years because of the negative effects they have on the environment, including synthetic pesticides, peat-based products and artificial grass. Many of these decisions were made after Woodhouse studied the RHS hierarchy of harm – a useful tool that almost ranks products by their sustainability credentials.

“It’s been interesting,” Woodhouse confirms, “when we stopped selling pesticides, we were concerned, because obviously, that’s a lot of turnover, but we started selling a lot more of the barrier methods and other natural preventative measures. In fact, we’ve seen sales of those products increase.”

THERE ARE PLENTY MORE TOUGH DECISIONS TO BE MADE OVER THE UPCOMING YEARS FOR MILLBROOK

There are plenty more tough decisions to be made over the upcoming years for Millbrook.

“I feel there’s an overuse of herbicides,” states Woodhouse, “so one of the next things we’re looking at is how can we move away from allin-one lawn treatments. Those products contain a lot of fertiliser and herbicides that get into the grass to deal with only maybe 5% of weeds in the lawn.

Customer reaction

Perhaps, with a bit of relief for Millbrook, positive feedback on the decisions made shows that, in fact, it may have been the correct thing to do all along. But Woodhouse explains that could also be down to customer interaction.

“I think it’s all about explaining why we’re doing something. You will always get the real ‘old-school’ gardeners who’ve used a certain

THE BUSINESS HAS STARTED POSING QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THEIR SUSTAINABILITY PLANS

product forever, and they will go somewhere else and buy it, but the real key is in store you can interact and explain things.

“We found that with going peat free, which was a huge decision for us, the problem was customers had tried some lesser quality products and been put off. We need to educate customers and let them know what they can do to grow better with peat free. And now, we’re finding people are happy to use peat-free products.”

Staff and training

It’s important to get staff on board with the aims of the business for a multitude of reasons, and one way the company has done this in recent times is by implementing informal training sessions, and plenty of communication. Each March, at the start of the gardening season, Millbrook sets up a Spring Huddle. Woodhouse explains: “We get everyone in on a Sunday

evening – this year we had 70 of our team in. We have six stations around the centre and we showcase all the new products. For the last two years, we’ve focused on sustainable products.

What are we stocking that’s different? What advice do we give to our customers? That gives the team a headline of what products we stopped selling, and what we’ve added.”

Woodhouse also mentions working with suppliers. The business has started posing questions surrounding their sustainability plans, particularly around the future of their packaging and a supplier is chosen each month for a spotlight on their sustainability efforts in Millbrook’s Planet Positive e-newsletter.

The awards

A highlight of recent years for Woodhouse and the Millbrook Garden Company business is the success in the sustainability category in this

year’s Garden Centre Association Awards. “We won the Paul Cooling Sustainability and Environment award,” says Woodhouse. “This award is in memory of Paul, who owned Coolings Nurseries, and he was a staunch environmentalist. We’re proud to win that as it’s something that we’ve looked at across the whole business.”

This award is measured during the annual inspection, and covers all areas such as the website, the displays, the marketing and, of course, the environmental credentials of a garden centre. Once the inspection is completed, the inspectors pull out everything related to sustainability, and the centre with the highest score takes home the trophy.

Now the business has the trophy in its possession, they don’t want to give it back. But, as with many other centres in this sector, Woodhouse is keen to share her knowledge and advice so other garden centres can start their journey to become as sustainable as possible.

“What is interesting is having won the award, it has given us some good PR. We’re now appealing to perhaps a different group of customers that maybe we weren’t before. People respond to businesses that have got a story, who live by their values. It’s becoming a real benefit to us as a business.”

Future plans

Millbrook Garden Company has signed up to Planet Mark, a sustainability accreditation initiative driven by data to help businesses reduce their carbon output. This is the start of a carbon neutrality goal for Woodhouse. “Part of being a Planet Mark member is working out how to achieve net zero. Net zero is tough. We’ve got to keep showing that decrease in carbon, so we’re looking at a planning application for ground-mounted solar, and we’re looking at how we can heat the building more efficiently. We’re going to draw a bit of a graph and see how we’re getting on and set those targets for when we think that’s achievable. We’re not perfect and we still have a long way to go.”

Millbrook Garden Company is an inspirational business showing what other garden centres can aspire to in terms of sustainability. With Woodhouse’s close links to the GCA, and her real passion on the subject, it won’t be long until what Millbrook is doing is the standard across the sector, but for now, not many do it better.

SUSTAINABLY SOURCING

GARDEN CENTRES ARE REDEFINING THEIR SOURCING STRATEGIES BY PRIORITISING SUSTAINABILITY

In the ever-evolving landscape of garden retail, a new paradigm shift is taking root. With a growing awareness of environmental and social impacts, garden retailers are redefining their sourcing strategies, embracing sustainability as both a moral imperative and a competitive advantage. By prioritising sustainable products, retailers can mitigate environmental harm, reduce waste, and support local communities, whilst gaining loyalty of environmentally conscious consumers, whose purchasing decisions are increasingly guided by ethical brands. Here, we speak to some key garden centres on their sourcing strategies.

Mike Burks at The Gardens Group recently revealed at the GIMA Day Conference that his team gives priority to products made of recycled materials, packaged responsibly and that are locally sourced. In the heart of Dorset and Somerset, the three garden centres have a profound commitment to the environment and have woven sustainability into the fabric of their business ethos.

The entire team has fostered a culture where eco-conscious purchasing decisions flourish, aiming to source products with minimal packaging and zero single-use plastics.

Christmas is the ultimate test when the temptation of plastic-laden, globally-shipped products challenges their values. Burks acknowledges the commercial necessity but refuses to compromise on the business’ environmental principles – and whilst sales in the industry increased by a modest 5%, The Gardens Group saw a remarkable 16% surge, signalling that sustainability can indeed be profitable. Customer feedback echoes their sentiment, embracing the shift towards ethically sourced, quality products.

British Garden Centres is taking steps to reduce its use of single-use plastics in packaging and are opting for reusable and recyclable packaging options instead. When it delivers products on pallets to garden centres, it makes sure to send these back to the supplier or a pallet company to be reused.

The group, which comprises over 60 garden centres, is committed to sourcing sustainable toys for stockings and under-the-tree presents. It has chosen Keel Toys, which are made from 100% recycled polyester derived from plastic waste. Additionally, it is choosing plastic products that can be easily recycled at the end of their life.

Puzzles are a firm favourite at British Garden Centres too and those stocked are made from FSC paper and cardboard and use vegetablebased inks on boxes and pieces.

Aylett Nurseries is committed to protecting the planet by employing sustainable practices and reducing its carbon footprint as Adam Wigglesworth explains: “The business works with suppliers who share their environmental ethos and emphasises locally sourced products to minimise their impact on the environment and support nearby businesses.

“Plant health is taken seriously by the team with regular inspections of crops and plants from other nurseries. Inspections are also carried out by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) to ensure plants are free from pests. Plant passports ensure full traceability of plants from producers to retailers, enhancing biosecurity.

“The nursery strives to reduce its carbon footprint by growing many of its plants on site, such as dahlias and primroses. Ayletts promotes

reducing plant and food miles by sourcing British-grown plants and encouraging customers to grow their own too.”

Ayletts avoids lowquality and single-use products that end up in landfills by minimising packaging and promoting sustainability. Customers are encouraged to bring their bags, and biodegradable bags are offered for those who don’t. The nursery reuses cardboard boxes and plastic trays from supplier deliveries and recycles

materials and can be recycled in St Albans district’s kerbside collections, while bedding plants are sold in recyclable plastic trays instead of polystyrene. Garden furniture is also made from recycled materials, including fishing nets. Hug Rugs are crafted from recycled PET plastic bottles too.

AYLETTS AVOIDS

LOWQUALITY AND SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS

shrink wrap and cardboard packaging. Many greeting cards now lack plastic sleeves, and their own brand of sweets are packaged in wood pulp bags that are compostable.

Additionally, plants grown onsite are sold in blue Teku pots, which are made from recyclable

Coletta & Tyson Garden Centre prioritises sustainability by sourcing locally and offering a range of environmentally friendly products, such as peatfree compost and recyclable packaging, reflecting a shift in consumer preference towards eco-friendly options. Lauren Huntley, senior marketing & buying manager ran through the buying strategy in store: “Being sustainable and considering the environment when producing our buying strategy is part of our core. Wherever we can source locally, most of our plants are grown by us within a few miles of our garden centre. I find it easier to source locally in the gifts department and love

supporting local people where we can, anything that has ‘Yorkshire’ on it our customers love as well.

“We will always look for environmentally sound options whilst also considering that they are still commercially viable. Luckily within our industry, the suppliers are responding to the demands of retailers and consumers wanting to be kinder to the planet. The suppliers are supplying these products as standard now rather than a small range on the side.

“I have noticed a shift in our consumers’ buying behaviour that some are now willing to start paying more for products that have environmental credentials. Some stand-out products for this season that are environmentally friendly and have been selling well are Westland’s peat-free compost. Our range is majority peat-free now and our customers seem to have more confidence.”

The team at Millbrook Garden Centres has a hierarchy of product buying that outlines a

comprehensive approach to sustainable and environmentally conscious purchasing within its two stores.

Managing director, Tammy Woodhouse explains:

“Millbrook is an accredited member of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, and we have guidelines when it comes to the sourcing of suppliers and products, prioritising those from local, regional, national, European, and international sources, in that order of preference. We also have a strong focus on the environmental impact of packaging, advocating for no packaging where possible, natural or biodegradable materials, and certified wood or paper products.

centres have a target of having at least 50% of the food coming from local suppliers. This approach encourages the consumption of fresh, highquality ingredients that are in season.

also gave us examples of Yarnton’s sustainable strategy including stocking garden chairs made from social and sea plastic, as well as tables crafted from FSC wood. Additionally, the homewares department also features rugs made from recycled bottless. Beckett tells us: “The centre has significantly reduced the use of plastic products across all departments, particularly in the plants section, where buyers prioritise reusable or recycled plastic.

Yarnton also carries a range of pots made from recycled tyres, bamboo, and coconut husks, which are popular with customers. The compost selection is now almost entirely peat-free, with only one remaining that will be phased out over the year.”

“We source more plants from local growers and UK growers too – working towards peatfree growing in line with government targets. Millbrook is a strong supporter of local food and drink producers; we have sourced food and drink from over 47 local suppliers for the food hall. This focus on local sourcing helps to strengthen the community, support local farmers and producers, and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

“The cafes within the garden

“Millbrook has achieved great success with its strategy, and as a result, it recently won The Paul Cooling Environment & Sustainability Award. This award is given to the garden centre that practices the most eco-friendly methods, and the Millbrook team are proud to be the first garden centre to win this new trophy. Our Planet Positive approach to green sourcing, recycling, water usage, and environmentally conscious products has helped us earn this recognition.”

Yarnton Home & Garden has recently started working with Planet Mark, which provides people-driven sustainability certification for organisations looking to radically improve their environmental footprint as Bryony TaylorEdwards explains: “This won’t be an easy process, but it will be a worthwhile one and it will involve us tracking our carbon footprint and setting more ambitious environmental goals. Not only will it ensure compliance, but it will also mean we can shout more confidently about the brilliant work we have already undertaken in this area. Sustainability has always been high on our agenda, and we have made some amazing inroads when it comes to product sourcing.”

Retail manager, Kevin Beckett

In areas where sourcing sustainable products proves challenging, the Yarnton team takes creative approaches. “Our fashion boutique

WE HAVE BEEN EXPANDING OUR SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS DECORATION OFFERINGS

features a vintage section where customers can find beautiful vintage items alongside new products. Much of our menswear comes from environmentally conscious suppliers, comments Taylor-Edwards. “Additionally, our fully ecofriendly partner store, The Village Refill, nestled within our shop, allows customers to refill a wide range of food, bathroom, and laundry products.”

During the festive period, the environment is key. “We have been expanding our sustainable Christmas decoration offerings annually for the past five years, and this year’s selection promises to deliver a significant sustainable impact,” concludes Beckett.

By embracing sustainability in their product sourcing strategies, retailers can not only reduce their environmental impact but also attract a new generation of conscientious consumers. The future of the garden retail industry lies in sustainability, and retailers who prioritise ethical sourcing practices are poised to lead the way towards a greener future.

The CARBON LITERACY PROJECT

YORKSHIRE GARDEN CENTRES PARTNERS WITH THE CARBON LITERACY PROJECT FOR A GREENER FUTURE

It’s no secret that Yorkshire Garden Centres is one of the shining stars in sustainability in the garden retail sector. Late in 2021, the Bradford-based business looked into employing a sustainability

lead. Steph Harrison, the person in that position since February 2022, speaks to Garden Centre Retail about their involvement with the Carbon Literacy Project, a Manchester-based global organisation using science and education to help reduce carbon emissions.

“The Carbon Literacy Project’s aims are to provide climate science and climate education. The premise and the key aim is to help people cut carbon emissions by the kind of reductions

demanded of science. In a professional setting, it’s creating cultures, an understanding and a committment, giving employees the tools and resources to make carbon reductions,” explains Harrison.

Committing to the Carbon Literacy Project means Yorkshire Garden Centres has implemented its own accredited training scheme, bespoke to the needs of the business, and crucially, the teams within. This training

took a year to develop because the team wanted to ensure it fully met the business needs. In May 2023, it was launched.

Every month, the business has two intakes of ‘students’, with 10 staff members in each enrolment. Since launching, Yorkshire Garden Centres have had 184 members of staff achieve accreditation, and more just waiting for their certification.

By the end of December this year, the business is aiming to have 80% of their 440 staff members reach accreditation.

It was important for Harrison to stress that it is not a committee pushing requirements onto the business, it’s the whole team working towards individual, team-based, and companywide goals. She knows that making changes requires buy-in and the collective power of the team to work together. At the end of the training, each member of staff makes two pledges to reduce their carbon footprint – one is an individual pledge putting an onus on them to make a personal change that positively impacts the environment, the second is typically a pledge that makes an impact within our business.

So far, the staff buy-in has been nothing short of spectacular. “Not one person has left the training thinking it’s not relevant or doesn’t relate to them. The statistics are powerful and we have found that the team is keen to engage in change and appreciate that many individual goals will collectively make a powerful change for good. We encourage each team member to achieve their pledges within six months, so each month we’ll recognise those that have evidenced their pledge being achieved. There is always tons to celebrate in terms of what the team has achieved,” says Harrison.

Harrison is keen to stress that this is not the Yorkshire Garden Centres sustainability strategy, it’s a strategy for climate and community; the business is looking to make changes to positively improve the climate

and have taken responsibility to educate their community on how they too can reduce carbon by making climate conscious decisions. With regards to sustainability, Harrison is aware that the business must continually make changes to maintain its eco-credentials. And how are customers reacting to their commitments on carbon reduction? “We’ve always found that our content featuring team creates lots of engagement, especially on social media, so the climate pledges made by our team are really well received. It’s been handy to have strong web pages highlighting our commitment because we get challenged positively by customers. It allows us to go back and maybe explain the why’s behind our appproach.”

Harrison continues, enthusing about an initiative one of the teams has set up:

“On completing the course, our sundries team made a team pledge to share our sustainable activity in store. They immediately created the Pledge Shed – an inspiractional and interactive display that promotes our sustainable suppliers, environmentally-friendly hints and tips for customers, and each of our team’s pledges on

THIS TRAINING TOOK A YEAR TO DEVELOP BECAUSE THE TEAM WANTED TO ENSURE IT FULLY MET THE BUSINESS NEEDS

leaves throughout the display. This has been such a powerful tool to show we are serious about meaningful climate change and also engaging customers to take ideas away to implement in their lives. We will continue to look at more ways to share our progress and our succees, inspiring as many people as possible along the way, In fact, our next tier

of accreditation with the Carbon Litercay Project is very much about becoming an advocate and influencing others to get on board.”

THE STATISTICS ARE POWERFUL AND THE TEAM IS KEEN TO ENGAGE IN CHANGE

Carbon neutrality

“We’ve set ourselves the ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2026 and made many positive steps towards this, including a complete waste

review with a commitment to zero waste to landfill, all achieved in our year of waste. This year, is our year of utilities and we’ve already made change including use of green electricity, we’re harvesting rainwater and solar power with over 2,000 panels across our centres and installation of air source heat pumps for new build projects at our centres. Of course, we also continue to focus on advocating continual carbon reduction with the Carbon Literacy Project accreditation, achieved through a collective approach.

“Our next fundamental step is to implement robust carbon footprint measurement and produce annual sustainability reports that share our goals, progress and future focus. We’re mapping the next 24 months of sustainable

practices and will recertify our Carbon Literacy Project course to ensure we’re evolving and adapting to the continued updates required to respond to the climate emergency. We’re really proud of our achievements to date and progress we’ve made towards our carbon neutral goal.

“With a wealth of experience gained, especially in the development of a carbon literate workforce, we’re keen to share our knowledge and infrastructure. If there are centres or suppliers that would like to know more, or keen to see how this has worked for our business, we encourage you to get in touch, join one of our courses and share best practice so that we can all achieve a low carbon culture.”

AThe process MARK PLANET

LEARN HOW THE GARDENS GROUP, LED BY MIKE BURKS, IS CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PLANET MARK CERTIFICATION

ccording to the corporation’s website, The Planet Mark Business Certification is a recognised symbol of sustainability progress. It demonstrates a business’ commitment to measuring and reducing their carbon emissions, ultimately contributing to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

As sustainability is now considered business critical across a wide range of industries, more garden centres are signing up to the Planet Mark accreditation to help them measure their carbon emissions and working towards a carbon neutral target. Mike Burks, owner of The Gardens Group, a three-site business based in the south-west of England, is currently waiting on his fourth set of

results before working out the target date for the company to be carbon neutral.

The Gardens Group has always been an environmentally conscious business, and as climate change is a real threat to the environment, Burks realised that he needed to do something to measure the carbon footprint, and work towards reducing it.

Having spoken to his industry colleagues from businesses such as Squire’s, Notcutts and Hillier, The Gardens Group embarked on their own Planet Mark journey.

per employee, year on year,” he says. “There’s a minimum amount we need to do and then we get set targets to aim for.

“We’ve pledged to reduce our carbon footprint, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide

“We knew that in the early stages, we would easily reach the low hanging fruit, and the improvements would be straightforward, but the further you go on, the tougher it becomes and that’s to be expected. But with the fourth set of results on board, we will try to set a carbon net zero target date.”

One of the biggest concerns for Burks

and his team to start with was the idea of greenwashing – the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice. But, alongside his wife and co-owner Louise, he took the decision, shared it with his team, and has had a great response since. “You could do this process sitting in the office, but what you miss out on is all the detail that the whole team know the answers to and can see what’s happening. Unless you involve everyone, it’s not effective. The good news is that everyone was enthusiastic and got stuck in and that’s one of the reasons that we’ve made some decent progress in the years that we’ve been doing it.”

An example of getting the whole team presented itself when it came to their sustainable buying policy. Burks explains: “The buyers are following all the sustainable aims that we have, in terms of packaging, and how the products are made, where the supplier is based and the social impact of who’s making it and how they’re rewarded. Yet, when it gets delivered, the one who unloads it using the forklift is the only one to notice that it’s wrapped in four layers of polystyrene and 24 layers of polythene. So, all of that sustainability stuff is just destroyed. It’s vital that person is involved in the process and makes sure that the buyers hear feedback because they inevitably aren’t necessarily out in the ‘goods in’ department.”

Following on from the global energy crisis 18 months ago, Burks, or more accurately his team, saw an opportunity to work towards carbon reduction. He explains: “We came up with 105 different measures that we could do that would

help in reducing our energy usage, and therefore reduce costs whilst also having significant environmental benefits. That’s very, very powerful, and means that you essentially don’t have to make those decisions, because they’ve already being made by the team. And we weren’t looking for suggestions that we spend £100k in solar panels. It was, “turn off that light” or

UNLESS YOU INVOLVE EVERYONE, IT’S NOT EFFECTIVE

“change that process” – all of which were small things that added up. It was shop floor changes that could make an awful lot of difference.”

In terms of the team, there were even more benefits for The Gardens Group, specifically in recruitment. Burks has since found that his business is an attractive employer and a desired workplace, and he puts some of that down to their views on sustainability. It’s one of the commercial benefits of actively trying to reduce carbon emissions. “Sustainability is something that’s in many people’s considerations when they’re looking for a role,” he explains.

“As an industry, one of the challenges for us is to make it so that when someone who is environmentally conscious is thinking about a career, one of their first thoughts should be working in horticulture.

“Many people in my generation came into horticulture because they were interested in the environment. and I was questioning the other day about whether that route is still the same 40 years on, and I’m not sure that it is. We must work very hard to make sure that we’re doing the right thing, environmentally, and persuading people that is our underlying core belief. We’ll work hard to do the right thing – come on board with us, and you’ll be part of that process.”

Working with Planet Mark has given Burks a new perspective when it comes to marketing, PR and even customer interaction, and how the industry, not just The Gardens Group, could do with being a little less humble with the environmental changes they’ve made. He says: “The good news is that whoever I speak to in the industry are very humble about how much progress they’ve made, and I haven’t heard

anyone using greenwash. However, Planet Mark are keen to encourage spreading the word. Every time we have success, they say tell everyone about it, internally and externally.”

As a staunch member of the GCA, and a past chairman, Burks has his spring inspections coming up, and is acutely aware of the sustainability elements that are coming into the inspection process. “One of the big things in that is the environmental weighting of all of criteria across all departments. We’ve got a lot of stuff out which is promoting what we do for the environment and what gardeners can do in their own garden. It’s amazing how many people stop and read them. There’s also interest in the background of how we run the business based on those principles.”

As a business that is used to audits, what was interesting to Burks and his team was the scores that came from the Planet Mark process. In the early stages, Burks admits that he wasn’t sure whether the scores received back were positive or negative. “We can compare our three centres,” he says, “but what if the score is terrible? How

BURKS ADMITS THAT HE WASN’T SURE WHETHER THE SCORES RECEIVED BACK WERE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

could we use it? And how do we admit to that?

The great thing about the GCA is we’ve got friends who will share bad stuff as well as good stuff. So, along with Tammy Woodhouse at Millbrook, Will Blake at St Peters, and James and Andy Evans at Ruxley Manor, we share our reports.”

This gives each centre a chance to assess what they’re good at and find opportunities to improve. All it takes is a phone call and a discussion on what the other party has done to be successful in one area.

There are certain areas that are out of the hands of the business, whether that’s the way the local authority deals with recycling or waste disposal, but much of the process is controllable. “Take business travel,” explains Burks. “In the

past we would fly to Germany annually for Christmas buying. Now, that’s done by train travel. You think about the difficulties this might present, such as the time it takes to do this, but it took one hour longer in total and the team were able to work whilst travelling.

“It’s a bit more expensive in terms of cash, but in terms of carbon footprint it’s an absolute no-brainer. It just makes a big difference.”

Burks is keen to encourage businesses in this sector to do more. “Sometimes people say that they have no idea where to start or that it’s not straightforward to understand the right thing to do. My analogy is, when I use Google Maps if I’m

walking in London, I always set off in the wrong direction,” he shares. “Only when I move do I know which is the right direction.”

“When making environmental improvements you’ve got to move, and it won’t be a straight line; it’ll be a zigzag. Sometimes you make a decision, a decision which seems obvious, and it takes you in the wrong direction, and then you realise, okay, that’s actually not made the improvement I thought it would. But only once you’ve moved will you know that. Eventually, you will zigzag your way in the right direction. But the important thing is that we have all got to make a start.”

How responsible material innovation is changing the world of gardening.

Much has been said about sustainability in recent years, with a wealth of different approaches shaping its role. For one supplier, Primeur, the sustainable journey has seen the company adopt a mission for more responsible material innovation, by taking waste products otherwise bound for landfill. Through the reinvention of this product – rubber tyres – Primeur has been able to not only minimise our reliance on landfill one tyre at a time but has also opened up new opportunities within garden retail.

In the last year alone the multi-award winning Primeur has diverted over 310,000 tyres from reaching landfill. Instead, these tyres have been made into durable rubber crumb before being reformed into one of the six product categories that make up Primeur’s garden portfolio. From stepping-stones and self-watering planters to garden borders, BBQ mats and rubber tiles for utilitarian areas, the application of this material is vast with a multitude of products possible. What’s more, the use of rubber, known for its durable properties, makes it a far more attractive proposition as it withstands the pressures that gardens – including the Great British weather – throws at it.

Primeur Director, Ed Keighley, said: “Sustainability has multiple meanings and often it is confusing to understand. At Primeur our mission is clear. Our sustainability journey is focused solely on responsible material management, driven by a desire to reinvent waste into something practical and yet beautiful. UK consumers are rapidly asking roud to be able to e boxes’ but also

Meet the team behind THE NOVA EXPERIENCE CENTRE

MEET THE VISIONARY MINDS SHAPING THE EXPERIENCE CENTRE’S INNOVATION AND SUCCESS

NOVA opens the doors to its 44,000 sq ft trade showroom named the Experience Centre this month.

The NOVA team, which has undergone a bold new rebrand, are welcoming customers to its Experience Centre to see the fruits of its labour come to life. With a booked-out June and only a few slots left in July, if you want to see the impressive Cambridge site and brandnew product collections for yourself, NOVA recommends booking your visit quickly.

But who are the people behind the brand? We’ve gone behind the scenes to meet NOVA’s team to find out more...

Carl Smithers, operations director

Smithers has spent 20-plus years in business and helped implement the operations for a national furniture retailer, but he’s not all business, “My greatest achievement in life is my two cherubs Summer and Rocco,” he states. Adding, ‘“They are my biggest supporters and the driving force behind my successes and continue to spur me on to accomplish more.”

Smithers says he joined NOVA because he could see that strategic direction needed to be implemented. “With my background, I had the foundations to make an impact and strive for the future goals of the business.”

Since Smithers joined the team, he has already had a huge impact, overseeing a complete rebrand and the opening of their Experience Centre.

Ian Read, sales director

From working in a garden centre at 15 years

old loading bags of compost into customers’ cars and progressing up the management ladder at established companies such as Snowhill, Haskins, and Reigate G.C, to joining NOVA in October 2018, Read has experienced the highs and lows of working in a weather dependant industry, and still loves it.

Read states: “Being NOVA’s first employee six years ago and seeing the growth of the company and team during this time is great.”

Rob Mead, buying director

Overseeing the development and buying of new products is Rob Mead. Mead is incredibly particular about the details and isn’t afraid to get into the nitty gritty to make a product just right.

“One of my favourite parts about working on new products is how we consider all the details and look at how we can add benefits to the consumer as well as the retailer,” he shares.

Having been in the industry for 12 years, starting as an intern, Mead is well-educated and brings tremendous value to the team.

Charlie Pritchard, product designer and engineer

Pritchard started with NOVA with a unique CAD designer skill set and has since developed into a product designer role.

When asked about the role, he says: “Transitioning into a product designer role has been a highlight of my career. Collaborating with our global partners, I’ve been instrumental

in bringing new products from concept to customer. A highlight for me would be travelling to China to witness my designs come to life.”

David Shenton, buying administrator

Over the past 15 years, Shenton has collaborated with Chinese factories to design new and innovative products and entire collections that align with the latest trends and fashions.

Joining NOVA on the buying team and responsible for the management of hundreds of products, he comments: ‘Things are continuously going from strength to strength, and I look forward to being part of what will be a very successful and exciting future.”

Darcey Hill, operations assistant

Hill’s day-to-day role consists of reporting to

the operations director with updates on ongoing projects. One of Hill’s most recent projects has been being deeply involved in the execution of the Experience Centre.

“My goal in the business would be to become head of operations for NOVA. I want to head up all employee company events for NOVA to boost team culture – charity events, and employee work perks. Overall soak up experience in all aspects of the business to end up a well-rounded and versatile asset to the business.”

Katie Blake, customer relations co-ordinator

Blake’s family connections within the garden furniture industry have given her the education and passion to be involved in the NOVA team. Her dedication to detail

and drive puts her in good stead in forming customer relations.

“There is a bright new future for NOVA and I would like to be a part of that future; whether it’s taking on new projects, working as a team or meeting customers, I want to be in the thick of NOVA’s success.”

NOVA’s team is a dynamic bunch of motivated individuals who demonstrate passion and care for their customers at every opportunity.

If you are, or want to be, a garden furniture retailer, book your visit to the Experience Centre by emailing ian.read@ novaoutdoorliving.co.uk or scan the QR code. BOOK YOUR VISIT

Darcey Hill, Rob Mead, Carl Smithers, Ian Read, Charlie Pritchard, David Shenton and Katie Blake (inset)

THE PERSON

Imagine this. The sun is shining. It’s warm and the insects are buzzing. Your peonies which were a bit touch and go for a while, are coming on nicely and those hebes look great, as they always do. At times like this, is there anything better than working outdoors?

You’ll need to answer no to that last one obviously, despite the rain. You’ll be a gardener yourself; your customers rely on you for advice and you’ll want to spend your days helping those customers by offering your knowledgeable and professional advice. You’ll be comfortable working with people, retail is a people job after all, and you’ll want to share your knowledge with your team, helping them to enjoy their jobs and learn more.

THE ROLE

The job has a lot going for it but is all about working with a company that shares your passion. You’ll get full training and plenty of ongoing support but the plant area will be yours to run and you’ll have plenty of freedom to make decisions on the range, working with local suppliers and growers. You’ll also lead and develop a small team of like-minded individuals who’ll benefit from your plant knowledge.

THE COMPANY

A household name in the sector, they’ve been doing what they’ve been doing for a long time but are always open to new ideas and always looking for ways to grow and improve.

Bringing

sustainable food choices

THE SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR GARDEN CENTRE FOOD BUSINESSES

Sitting at a unique intersection between the food system and the food consumer, the hospitality industry has a vital role to play in fighting the climate crisis. Food and beverage businesses of all sorts – from high-end restaurants to cafes and concessions – can help to build a better food system, to make good food available and accessible as well as to change how the customer orders and eats.

In this article, we hope to provide some inspiration for how garden centre restaurants and cafes can do just that, exploring three key areas for focusing your sustainability work along with relevant suggestions for taking practical action. Whether you decide to home in on one particular area or to choose one resolution from each section, it’s important to set goals that are realistic yet ambitious; to measure and monitor progress; and to be transparent as you do so.

So what, exactly, does sustainability mean for this industry? At The SRA, we believe a holistic approach is crucial, bringing together three key pillars:

to the garden centre

• Sourcing (building a clean supply chain; sustainable sourcing of meat and fish; fair compensation for producers; prioritising provenance and incorporating more plant foods)

• Social (treating employees, suppliers, customers and communities with respect, fairness and care; promoting diversity and inclusion)

• Environment (reductions in carbon, energy and water footprints, minimising pollution and overall waste and making food waste a thing of the past)

IT’S IMPORTANT TO SET GOALS THAT ARE REALISTIC YET AMBITIOUS

Read on for some suggestions on how you can improve your sustainability across one or all of these focus areas.

Sourcing

The hospitality industry has enormous buying power within our global food systems, so it can make a real difference when restaurants deliberately choose to support the right kind of producer. Think smallscale and local businesses; those employing traditional methods of agriculture or fishing; and farms that are using regenerative or agroecological practices to restore biodiversity and nourish soils. Not only does this help to build a stronger supply chain (and a more resilient food system for our future), but sharing the stories behind your ingredients can inform a marketing strategy that resonates strongly with today’s eco-conscious customers. Here are some ways to go about this:

CUSTOMERS ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF LOCALLYSOURCED FOOD

• Check your supply chain: Do you work with a supplier or producer whose sustainability ethos simply isn’t up to scratch? Maybe now is the time to evaluate the players across your supply chain and explore switching to a more environmentally-friendly and/or socially just alternative where possible.

• Source seafood sustainably: Aggressive fishing practices and pollution have left our oceans in a state of dangerous depletion, so finding sustainable ways to source and serve seafood is critical. Goals here could include removing the ‘Big Five’ (cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns) from your menu, buying only from

MSC-certified fisheries or choosing only fish that is rated 1-3 in the MCS Good Fish Guide.

• Support local: Customers are increasingly aware of the benefits of locally-sourced food, so putting provenance on the menu is a great move. You could set a target for sourcing a higher percentage of your ingredients from within a particular radius, decide to buy only meat reared within your region or country, or make it your mission to use only in-season vegetables from local suppliers.

• Choose regenerative or organic: Explore your options for sourcing some or more of your ingredients from restorative agricultural systems like these, where soil health and biodiversity are prioritised.

way to reduce your overall environmental impact. Make sure your menu design supports plant-based choices, includes a wider variety of whole-plant ingredients and features planetfriendly beans and pulses.

• Better meat: Where you do still include meat in your dishes, can you define clear goals for improving its quality? This could mean switching to all organic or higher welfare, or buying meat from animals reared within the sort of regenerative farm systems mentioned above.

Environment

This area is often what springs to mind first when sustainability is mentioned. Paying attention to metrics around your energy and water use, carbon emissions and waste generation doesn’t only help to minimise your environmental impact, but can also safeguard your business against claims of greenwashing, prepare for increasingly stringent environmental legislation and cut costs in both the short and long term.

• Switch to clean energy: Making the move to clean sources of energy can make a huge difference to your carbon emissions and overall environmental impact, as well as significantly reducing costs over the long term. This can include everything from using electric transport vehicles to switching to induction hobs.

• More plants on the menu: Setting clear targets for increasing the proportion of plant-based foods on your menu is a great

• Reduce your food waste: Food waste is the hospitality industry’s dirty secret and is one of the biggest contributors

to the climate crisis. Minimising your food waste can reduce your environmental impact while also saving you money. Implement processes that track food waste, identify where your biggest sources lie and find ways to avoid waste in the first place. Be smart and strategic about how much food your kitchen needs to prepare in advance. Review your menu regularly and remove dishes that aren’t proving popular. Standardise portion sizes and review where necessary; if certain items are consistently left unfinished, those portions should be reduced.

• Water usage: Water scarcity is already a pressing issue; climate change and pollution pose urgent threats to water supply, while agriculture uses – and wastes – incredible volumes. By 2025, it’s predicted that up to twothirds of the world’s population may face water shortages. Examining where and why your business might be wasting water and finding smart ways to minimise wastage.

• Carbon emissions: If your business hasn’t started tracking and reducing your greenhouse gas emissions – including Scope 3 emissions –it’s time to get started. Measure where you are now and set clear targets for reductions.

Society

Social sustainability can often be overlooked, but it matters how we interact with key players

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY CAN OFTEN BE OVERLOOKED

in our environment – including staff, customers, suppliers, stakeholders, our communities and other businesses in our networks. Especially in an industry built on social interaction, it’s important to ensure that your business is having a positive effect on the people around it.

• Feed people well: “Human health and planetary health are deeply interconnected,” (WHO, 2021), and part of any restaurant’s sustainability plans should focus on providing nutritious menu options. Make sure your menu includes healthy, nourishing dishes that are big on flavour.

• Boost your community involvement: Hospitality businesses play an important cultural role in modern society, functioning as community hubs and ‘third spaces’. Actively strengthening your ties to your local community brings benefits to the area and to your business.

• Give back through charity work: One of the ways your business can put down stronger roots is to contribute to a local charity. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean financial donations:

you could donate food, offer your space free of charge for events they run or start doing staff volunteer days, either as a whole team or on an individual basis.

• Staff wellbeing: Speaking of your team, making staff wellbeing a priority is a resolution that can make a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives. Make a 40-hour work week the standard; offer mental health support where needed; create written policies that outline a zero-tolerance attitude towards bullying and harassment; or actively work to build a better company culture.

• Training and development: Providing direction and support for career progression is incredibly important for keeping employees motivated, engaged and, ultimately, on your team –something that’s only become more relevant as staff shortages have continued. This can significantly boost your attraction, recruitment and retention capabilities.

Looking for a sustainability certification to help your business communicate your hard work with customers, staff and stakeholders – one with a comprehensive and evidence-driven approach? Created by The Sustainable Restaurant Association, the Food Made Good Standard is the only global sustainability accreditation designed for the hospitality sector. Learn more at: thesra.org

And lights will guide you home...

Illuminate Your Garden with Systeq H2A Wireless Bluetooth Mesh Control!

Transform your outdoor space into a mesmerizing oasis with our state-of-the-art wireless control system. Introducing Systeq H2A, the ultimate solution for your garden lighting project.

Say goodbye to the hassle of Wi-Fi connectivity – our innovative Bluetooth Mesh technology ensures seamless control within a range of up to 30 meters.

Unleash your creativity without limitations – our system is designed for expansion, allowing you to scale up your lighting setup effortlessly. Whether you desire precision control over individual circuits or captivating scene settings, Systeq H2A delivers unparalleled flexibility.

Elevate your ambiance with our colour-changing LED control, effortlessly managed through our intuitive app or via our elegantly crafted wall switch plates. Experience the magic of timed events as you effortlessly synchronize your lighting to the rhythm of nature – from sunset to midnight, Systeq H2A optimizes energy usage while enhancing the beauty of your surroundings.

Ready to embark on your lighting journey?

Connect with us today to discuss your requirements or visit our website to explore the possibilities. Illuminate your garden with Systeq H2A – where innovation meets elegance.

Pollinator-friendly Plants

DISCOVER THE

RHS’S

TOP 10 POLLINATOR-ATTRACTING PLANTS AND FLOWERS

Wild pollinators, such as bumblebees, are an essential part of our ecosystem, helping to pollinate our gardens. Yet, the number of wild bees and other pollinators are declining due to climate-change. One way that gardeners can help is by planting garden flowers and

plants that will attract a wide variety of pollinating insects.

Helen Bostock, RHS senior wildlife specialist says: “Gardeners are itching to get planting and garden centres and nurseries are perfectly positioned to help them choose the best flowers with bee or pollinator-friendly sales displays. A wonderful mix of flowering herbs, phacelia,

campanulas, hardy geraniums, catmint, honeysuckle and lavender will mean customers go home with a summer-long nectar and pollen bounty for the bees and butterflies.”

Below, see our top 10 plants for pollinators: 1. Bellflowers (Campanula species) Bellflowers are a key source of pollen for the gold-tailed melitta, also known as the bellflower

bee ( Melitta haemorrhoidalis) and for the small scissor bee (Chelostoma campanularum).

2. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale agg. and others)

Dandelions are an invaluable food source for many pollinators, including the pantaloon bee. Allowing lawn ‘weeds’, such as dandelions, to flower by mowing your lawn less often will make your garden buzz with pollinators.

3. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

If herbs are allowed to flower, they do a great job at attracting bees and other pollinators. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are especially popular with butterflies, such as small tortoiseshells.

4. Giant Scabious (Cephalaria gigantea)

This butterfly-friendly plant’s giant flowers are packed with pollen.

5. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Phacelia is an easy-to-grow annual and its vibrant lavender-blue flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects.

6. Firethorn (Pyracantha)

This wildlife-friendly shrub is suitable for most gardens. With white blossom in spring and dense green foliage, firethorn welcomes a variety of pollinators.

7. Crocus (Crocus)

Crocuses attract honeybees and early queen bumblebees.

8. Roses (Rosa species e.g. Rosa ‘Geranium’)

In single-flowered roses, their yellow, pollen laden stamen are clearly visible for pollinators.

9. Fatsia japonica

Fatsias, also known as glossy leaf paper plant, are a hardy shrub, which will grow anywhere in moist, well-drained soil and are popular with bees.

10. Honeysuckles (Lonicera)

Honeysuckles are an effective all-rounder plant for wildlife, particularly the species Lonicera periclymenum. While their nectar contribution peaks in June, honeysuckles have a long blooming season, meaning they can attract a variety of essential pollinators, such as moths, throughout the year.

What else can you do to encourage customers to help pollinators?

1. Allow lawn ‘weeds’ to flower by mowing less often.

2. Provide water for pollinators.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN ASKED TO OBSERVE BUMBLEBEES

ON FLOWERS IN GARDENS AND PARKS

3. Avoid using pesticides wherever possible and never spray open flowers.

4. Provide nest sites for wild bees.

Bumbles on Blooms:

The RHS, supported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, have launched a nationwide initiative to monitor ‘Bumbles on Blooms’ to identify which plants are most visited by bumblebees in spring.

From 12 February until 31 May 2024, all members of the public have been asked to observe bumblebees on flowers in gardens and parks across the UK and to record their findings.

The results of the Bumbles on Blooms initiative, which runs until the end of May, will help inform our future plants for pollinators lists.

Data gathered during this project will help boost bumblebee populations by ensuring that gardeners receive the best advice for what to plant, and improve our understanding of their habits. Wildlife specialists from the RHS will monitor the results that could also provide valuable insight into whether factors such as flower colour and how urban or rural a site is influence bumblebees’ plant choice.

RHS Plants for Pollinators

The RHS Plants for Pollinators lists comprise a range of year-round flowering plants to tackle the decline in pollinator numbers. The lists are based on scientific evidence and the records of gardeners and beekeepers and are regularly reviewed. To see the lists visit: rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/ wildlife/plants-for-pollinators

Don’t miss out on the garden machinery event of the Year!

DEALER/RETAILER EVENT 2024

Thursday 5th September

Time: 9:30am -3:30pm

Location: Moulton Grange Country Estate, Grange Lane, Pitsford, Northamptonshire. NN6 9AW

Join us for a blend of garden machinery demonstrations, invaluable sector insights, exclusive on-the-day offers, great food and engaging activities, all set against the picturesque charm of Moulton Grange Country Estate in Northamptonshire.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• LIVE Garden Machinery Demonstrations Witness cutting-edge innovations firsthand from gardening experts Adam Woolcott & Tommy Cross, showcasing Webb Garden Power, The Handy, AVA Pressure Washers and Greenworks brands.

• Showcasing Our Product Range Lawnmowers, Line Trimmers, Hedge Trimmers, Pole Saws, Chainsaws, Blowers & Vacuums, Tillers Trolleys, Spreaders, Log Splitters, Pressure Washers + lots more

RSVP TODAY

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

• Launch of the New Webb Eco Showcasing the New 20v Cordless Battery range of garden machinery.

• Outdoor Activities

Air Rifle Shooting and Axe Throwing.

• On-the-Day Offers: Access deals reserved for guests only.

• Parts,Marketing & POS Spare Parts, bespoke POS opportunities and marketing support.

• Food and Drinks Breakfast, lunch and drinks included.

Tickets are limited! Secure your spot at the Handy Dealer/ Retailer LIVE Event today!

Webb Gardening Expert

Adam Woolcott

Greenworks Gardening Expert

Tommy Cross FOOD & DRINK

Air Rifle Shooting & Axe Throwing

Breakfast, Lunch and Drinks Included

Webb & The Handy PRODUCTS

Sustainable Must-Haves

TRENDING PRODUCTS THAT ARE SUPPORTING A GREENER FUTURE

Multi-Purpose 50L

RocketGro Peat-Free Composts

Peat-Free and organic, 100% sustainably produced and 100% British. This best-selling RocketGro product has been a huge success since its launch in autumn 2023. Scientifically formulated and with added organic fertiliser superfood when bagged on our bagging line powered by our own green energy produced on our farm, this compost is the most eco-friendly compost at scale in the UK today. Great value for the consumer and it really sells.

RRP £7.99 rocketgro.co.uk

Pick + Mix Wax Melts

Freckleface Home Fragrance

Available in over 35 fragrances, Pick + Mix wax melts are handmade using ethically sourced soya wax, which is paraffin-free and 100% vegan. The burn time for each melt is up to 20 hours and they offer incredible throw power. Available in shelf-ready boxes of 100 with complementary Pick + Mix tubes, they are a perfect addition to your garden centre.

RRP £1.25 per melt frecklefacetrade.com

Flora’s Florist Natural-Wax Candle

The Flora Lab

Akin to the wonderful sensation of walking into a florist studio, Flora’s Florist takes green, fresh salad notes and expertly infuses them with our sustainable coconut and rapeseed wax. The perfect summer scent.

RRP £22.95/£36 thefloralab.com

Natura Grow All Purpose Feed Pellets 3.5kg box

Natura Grow

A peat-free, organically-verified, plant-based pelleted fertiliser, which is a sustainable by-product of energy crops to increase yield and growth in plants and enriches fertility in soils. It is child-, pet- and vegan-friendly

RRP £6.49/3.5kg box naturagrow.com

Kiln: Ceramic Tea Lights (box of six)

Zesty Lemons

Re-purposable, luxury and scented ceramic tea lights which are perfect for gifting. Zesty Lemons tea lights are all designed and hand poured in the UK with plant-based rapeseed and coconut wax, reducing our carbon footprint.

RRP £30 zestylemons.co.uk

InsectoNet®

Andermatt Home & Garden

Plastic-free netting. Made from plants, BioFleece is 100% biodegradable. Protects against the smallest pests – very fine 0.85 mm mesh size, including aphids, leaf miners, cabbage white butterfly and carrot root fly. Also protects against mild frosts, heavy rain and wind. Minimal disruption to light and air – extremely high 88% light penetration and high airflow. Won’t fray when cut, due to high quality weaved manufacturing process

RRP £24.44

andermattgarden.co.uk

Pawtato Ocean Treats medium 140g

Pawtato Dog Chews

Pawtato Ocean Treats are environmentally conscious dog chews that are not only grain-free and plant-based, but are made with sustainably-farmed spirulina, wakame and kelp seaweeds. Packed in a compostable pouch, these fun sea-animal shaped chews are delicious as well as eco-friendly. These hypoallergenic treats are wheat and soya-free, with the additional bonus of being low-fat. Each purchase of Pawtato Ocean Treats means a donation from Pawtato towards ocean conservation projects.

RRP £3.49

pawtatochews.co.uk

Plastic-Free Gardening natural rubber seed trays

Wildlife World

Plastic-Free Gardening has the answer to ethically sourced, sustainable, long-lasting garden products. These innovative and unique reusable seed trays are made from Fairly Traded FSC-certified nature rubber. Unlike cheap plastic seed trays that often crack or break after one or two uses, the Plastic Free Gardening seed tray is robust, flexible and long-lasting.

RRP £14.99

wildlifeworldtrade.co.uk

Green Rocks

Kozee Pets

Green Rocks present the natural solution for the challenge of maintaining a vibrant, green lawn in households with pets. These rocks help prevent the unsightly yellow patches on lawns due to pet urine. It is 100% natural: Naturally occurring paramagnetic igneous rock, Green Rocks are chemical-free and safe for household pets. It’s also environmentally-friendly: Green Rocks are a sustainable choice, reducing the need for potentially harmful chemical lawn treatments to reduce urine burn.

RRP £9.99

vetfleece.com

HOTMAX Fuel Logs

BEDMAX Ltd

HOTMAX is a best-selling, 100% natural high energy eco-friendly British fuel log made from renewable UK forestry timber and packaged in a fully sustainable 10kg paper sack. Ready to Burn accredited HOTMAX has a moisture content at 7%, therefore it gives high heat output with minimal emissions. Hotmax is suitable for burning on open fires, woodburning stoves, firepits and chimineas and is available UK-wide.

RRP £8 hotmax.co.uk

100% Recycled Paper Cat Litter

Call of Nature

Made from 100% recycled paper, including the bag it is contained in, this is a truly sustainable product making it both gentle on the planet and gentle on the paws. Crafted from wastepaper, turned into highly absorbent, odour-locking paper pellets which don’t break down in the same way other litters do, or track around the house. Plus, it is non-toxic making it kitten safe and can be home composted.

RRP Available in two sizes: 7l RRP £6.39, 28l RRP £18.19 su-bridge.co.uk

TOOLS FOR FARMERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND GARDENERS

ABOUT US

Talen Tools is a manufacturer and supplier of tools for farmers, gardeners, construction workers and garden enthusiasts. Our range is particularly extensive and also includes wooden handles in all shapes and sizes. Our range includes axes, shovels, spades, brooms, pruning tools, rakes and hoes. In short, everything for gardening.

HISTORY

In 1919 the great-grandfather of the current management started sawing and planing wooden handles for the scythes and hay rakes of the many farmers in his area. In the 1980s, the company also started to focus on a high quality range of garden tools for garden centers and hardware stores.

Products Continued...

Danish Design Retreat Eco-Wellness Duvet

Danish Design Pet Products Ltd

Available in sizes medium and large and three designs, Feathers Navy Stone, Feathers Grey Duck Egg and Geo Tile, these sustainable mattress style beds are the perfect place for your dog to retreat. Fabric covers are 100% cotton; the inner is made with easy care water resistant fabric to reduce the ingress of water and dirt, and filled with a 100% recycled blended memory foam crumb filling. Offering enhanced support for elderly or infirm dogs, but can help any dogs who may need extra support or pets with joint problems.

RRP From £59.49 to £89.99

danishdesign.co.uk

Range of animal bedding products

Norfolk Industries For Disabled People

Norfolk Industries has manufactured small animal bedding products from recycled/repurposed materials for over 30 years, whilst employing people with disabilities. We also have a range of plastic-free products available. Supplying retailers and wholesalers, you can be assured of high quality product, operating to ISO9001 : 2015 and HACCP for nonfood manufacture. We also have large postal boxes for smaller retailers or garden centres which are available on our website to pick and pack for delivery. pricing available on the website or by phone if preferred. norfolkindustries.co.uk

Eco-Nest™

Pillow Wad

Expand your eco-friendly range with Pillow Wad’s Eco-Nest™ pet bedding. Made from 100% virgin recycled cardboard, it offers unmatched absorbency and odour control. Available in compostable packaging, this virtually dust-free bedding creates a clean, comfortable environment for small pets. A proven customer favourite, EcoNest™ stands as one of our best-selling products and the perfect choice for green-minded consumers.

Rope Trellis

Treadstone Products

RRP From £5.75

pillow-wad.co.uk

Winner of the GIMA sustainability award in 2023, Treadstone’s Rope Trellis is a stunning landscaping product made entirely from Natural Jute. Available in five sizes, from 6ftx2ft to 6ftx6ft this clever product is handmade using natural materials, creating a flexible trellis that can be used all around the garden. The retail packaging is made from recyclable material and the product is delivered to store in natural hessian sacks.

RRP £19.99 to £39.99

treadstoneproducts.com

Set of 12 Wildflower Seed Balls Something Different Wholesale

These eco-friendly wildflower seed balls will bring outdoor spaces to life with blooms of colour. The seed balls are bee and butterfly friendly, and sustainably crafted with clay and peat-free compost. Each ball is made up of 400 seeds which can be scattered onto bare soil on a garden bed or in a pot. In four to six weeks, a patch of young plants will emerge which will grow into a beautiful wildflower garden.

RRP £6.99 per box somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk

Counter or table service?

Outdoor living products

How to diversify your offering

Visual merchandising

Plants for winter colour

Influencer marketing …and more!

With you from 26 June 2024

Discover the new Spring/Summer collection in our showroom as of June 3 rd !

Our Outdoor Living collection is already available for purchase in the webshop

Suit your customers style with our extensive range of trend-inspired, innovative and uniquely designed products

Contact us via www.kaemingk.com or contact your sales representative MAKE AN APPOINTMENT