Keep on gardening all summerlong

Alan Down, HTAPresident

Istartthis month with some good news. Firstly,the HTA’s market updatereportrevealed significant growth in garden centresales in June, indicating astrong recovery from a difficult first quarterofthe year.Secondly,anational newspaper rananarticle on recent research showing garden centres are the best placetowork. We haveknown that in the industry for along time, but it’salways great to haveitconfirmed!

Summer gardening and beyond

Last month, the HTAlaunched anew serviceproviding members with atoolkit to encourage consumers to #getsummercolour This campaign is tailored to social media platforms and aims to encourage footfall by inspiring gardeners to continue gardening throughout the summer months. The posts of colourful content havebeen made by the HTA, but can be personalised with specific messaging to suit your owngarden centrebusiness. For August, content includes choosing spring bulbs, growing clematis and keeping patio pots and hanging baskets healthy and well fed.

As we look towards autumn, Iencourage all members to supportthe HTAatits AGMonSeptember 1st at 10.30am. The webinar link has been sent to members and is available on the HTAwebsite.

Looking further ahead, Iamexcited by the speaker lineup and content of Horticulture, The Conference: Growing a Greener FutureonOctober 5th. Onceagain, it will be held at the ICCinBirmingham and with morenetworking time planned for this year,you will not wanttomissthis inspiring and thought-provoking day.Not all speakers havebeen announced at the time of writing,but I’msureyou’ll agree that keynote speaker Manoj Malde is not to be missed. Manoj is amultiple award-winning garden designer who became famous last May when he married in his RHS Chelsea FlowerShowgarden. He is aTVgardener,writer,RHS Ambassador and judge. Mr PlantGeek [aka Michael Perry] will host the Conferencein his ownengaging and lively way.Michael is well known as aplant expert, TV presenter,podcaster and social media influencer

During the dinner in the evening,Iwill havethe pleasureof announcing the winners of HTAGrowerofthe Year Awards, two of which will become finalists in the International Growerofthe Year competition announced at IPM Essen in January2024.

Booking is already open for Horticulture, The Conference 2023 and Ilook forward to seeing youthere. •For tickets visit www.hta.org.uk/events

Gift voucher news

We haverecently announced the inevitable end of paper National Garden Gift Vouchers. Foralong time, this form of gifting has been in steep decline. Cardand digital vouchers have been the wayforward.While vouchers still in circulation will be honoured, none will be sold after the end of this year

Thereare many good businessreasons for the decision, but retailers cite security,handling costs, risk of fraud and cash being tied up as the main ones. The HTAishelping members transition, and the team has been on visits to explain the true benefits of selling and redeeming gift cards. Ithink it’s fair to say that many havebeen surprised by the outcomes when shown their ownbusinessgifting performance. It often reveals averydifferent and improvedperspectiveontheir perceptions. Any member who hasn’tyet seen theirs should, in the first place, contact Jon Dixon, Director of Gifting Sales.

Find out more

TheHorticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’sleading membership organisation and welcomes all sectorsofenvironmental horticulture. To learn moreorjoinpleasevisit:www.hta.org.uk or email: services@hta.org.uk