Features

As garden retailing continues to thrive, with double digit year-on-year growth, the future for our industry continues to look bright. One place where this optimism will shine through will be the forthcoming Glee exhibition (10th – 12th September, NEC Birmingham), where 550 plus suppliers will join with 7,000 UK and international key decision makers, buyers and trend setters, to showcase the future of gardening.   Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director, said: “The market is reporting a strong start to the 2019 season, with sales up 37% year-on-year. A combination of good weather, and consumers…

High demand expected for natural slug controls as metaldehyde disappears from store shelves in June Sipcam, the company behind the ecofective® brand of natural plant protection products, is rushing to meet demand from retailers who are stocking-up on environmentally-friendly slug controls ahead of the metaldehyde slug pellet ban on 30th June. Many garden centres and DIY retailers have now exhausted stocks of metaldehyde, with buyers placing orders for greener alternatives. Consumers have until spring 2020 to use-up their supplies, when outdoor use of metaldehyde must end. Ecofective®’s…

When you are looking to update your fleet of commercial mowers – the key things you’ll be considering are performance, durability and operator comfort. Proven by landscape professionals the Cub Cadet’s PRO Z Series of zero-turns will fulfill all your commercial requirements whilst providing a fast, premium quality cut. The patented SyncroSteer technology with steering wheel means that inexperienced operators can easily use the  steering wheel and dual hydrostatic transmission to control all four wheels, minimising the turf being churned by the wheels as it would on a lap bar zero-turn and…

A successful day and night of fundraising was had by all who recently attended the 10th annual GIMA Charity Day, held at Telford Hotel and Golf Resort on 6th June. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, the event brought together garden industry suppliers and retailers, with 18 four ball teamscompeting for the GIMA Golf trophy, and two teams battling it out on the new-for-2019 Crystal Maze course. This year saw the team from Hartman retain the golf crown having also won in 2018, with a superb score of 86. Sunshine Garden Centre and Mr Fothergills Seeds following closely behind with 85…

Manchester-based pet bed manufacturers Scruffs® have revealed a new range of luxury pet bedding, designed with a Mediterranean theme and vibrant colour ways. A company spokesperson said: “The Scruffs® Casablanca collection is ideal for use duringsummer months. Designed with a Mediterranean theme, the beds are upholstered in a soft breathable poly-cotton fabric and finished with a self-coloured piping & Scruffs® TPR logo. The base of the bed is covered with a non-slip fabric. Available in four vibrant colours; Grey, Mustard, Purple & Blue.” Dubby Klyne, Sales Director at Scruffs®,…

Confirmed exhibitors, both new and existing, are invited to join the forthcoming Glee Exhibitor Workshop (June 25th, Poplars Garden Centre in Toddington), where the team will be joined by leading retailers and partner agencies to help exhibitors maximise their time at the show. Recognising the significant investment of exhibiting, the one-day event is designed to help suppliers optimise their return on investment. Key sessions will focus on Glee’s dedicated marketing, logistics, PR and social media support, as well as advice on how to drive more pre-show buyer engagement. Details of Glee’s…

Staff at Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown complete Virtual Marathon in aid of Faithworks Wessex Employees working at Haskins in Ferndown have completed a Virtual Marathon by foot, bike or water throughout May, in aid of Faithworks Wessex. In a bid to complete 26 miles each over the course of the month, staff attempted a range of challenges, to include: Kevin Holmes, Outdoor Manager completed a 26 mile static bike ride each week Pauline Oxford, Customer Services Team Leader completed a 10km run each week for 4 weeks Liz Smith, Retail Assistant swam 60 lengths twice a week Simon…

The final thrust for the 2019 shows is in full swing as the days count down to Exclusively 2019. With over 150 exhibitors, not only do we have more housewares and gifts exhibitors than at any other UK show, we can now delve deeper into the star-studded line-up and highlight what visitors can expect to see. A big trend that is emerging is that of exhibitor’s products with eco credentials.  25% of our exhibitors are showcasing products with eco credentials, including Eddingtons, Huski, Smidge, Neat Ideas and Dexam with qualities stated as biodegrageable, earth-friendly, minimal impact on the…

Following in the footsteps of Stephen Mangan, Rufus Hound, Tim Vine, Russell Kane and Hal Cruttenden, it has been confirmed that Vernon Kay, star of TV and radio, will host the 39th annual GIMA Awards. Vernon has had a varied career, starting in the world of modelling before moving into TV with the hugely popular Channel 4 show, T4.  From here, Vernon’s star continued to rise. He presented his own Radio 1 weekend show for six years, before moving to Radio X. ‘Mr Entertainment’, Vernon’s TV CV includes All Star Family Fortunes, Splash!,  ITV’s Beat The Star, Just the Two of Us (which he…

On Sunday June 2nd three brave souls from the UK garden retail sector will be taking to the skies to raise £15,000 for the Greenfingers Charity. Here we catch up with one of the ‘wing walkers’, GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, to find out more about her FUNdraising journey. “I’ve recently celebrated a milestone birthday, so I felt it was time to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. The Greenfingers Wing Walk came along at the perfect moment, so I just knew I had to get involved! After all, what is more ‘out of your comfort zone’ than flying across the skies of Wiltshire whilst…

Trees are a majestic and beautiful feature in the garden but when wood boring pests take over, the damage they leave behind can be devastating. Nemasys Fruit & Veg protection is the best way to protect trees as it controls a variety of pests including; carrot and cabbage root fly, cutworms, onion fly, sciarid fly, caterpillars, gooseberry sawfly, thrips, shore fly and codling moth. The solution is an organic, child and pet-friendly solution that contains a mix of nematode species - these are naturally occurring microscopic worms that act as a natural pest control.  Gavin Wood, business…

Modern gazebos from Forest Garden open up entirely new opportunities for outdoor entertaining and will extend the summer season for owners. Forest Garden is the UK’s leading manufacturer of timber garden products and buildings. Its gazebos combine top quality construction with good looks and an affordable price so Gazebo Living 2019 is open to everyone with a garden and a good imagination. The rounded timber used to create the Gazebos has an attractive smooth sanded surface, providing a natural finish that will enhance any garden. The possibilities of different uses for a Forest Garden…

Ants find their way into homes, under patios, pots and plants, causing a path of devastation wherever they go. Nemasys No Ants is a fast, effective and organic ant deterrent which moves the ants away from treated areas. It does so without causing physical harm to the pests compared to hazardous sprays or powder. These nematodes work slightly different from other Nemasys products as they don’t physically kill the ants. When an area is treated, the ants move away from that space as they do not tolerate nematodes near their nests. It is best to apply Nemasys No Ants when ant activity is…

FANTASTIC DEALS AVAILABLE contact our CARELINE for more details today +44 1634 910003 (open 9:00am - 5:00pm) AquaSafe                                                         For natural, safe pond water for fish. Rapidly and effectively neutralises harmful substances in tap water (heavy metals such as copper, zinc and lead) and aggressive chlorine. Also adds essential substances such as minerals and iodine to the water. AlgoRem Fast, effective, and safe treatment for green water (suspended algae). Floating algae are bound into biologically degradable clumps that can easily removed by…

Anglo Eastern Trading’s Serenity Planter and Bowl Range feature an etched floral design that really does give them a quite distinctively different look and feel. They are available in a range of beautifully contrasting colour combinations that enhance their attractive appearance. Other plus points include they are frost proof, UV fade resistant and score well environmentally being made from 100% recycled plastics.  “The Serenity Planters and Bowls are a real breath of fresh air”commented Nigel Guffogg- Sales Director at  AngloEastern. “We are currently offering some great deals on this range…

VegTrug Ltd have expanded their Greenhouse range with the recent launch of the Tomato Greenhouse, a product specifically designed for growing tomatoes and making the process fuss free, perfect for all gardeners either experienced or inexperienced. After the success in sales with the original VegTrug Nursery Greenhouse, an individual wooden greenhouse that comes equipped with an excellent quality and long lasting PE cover, there is now an expansion for the range. The Tomato Greenhouse is larger in size, features movable shelving slats that are great for moving around the tomato plant as it…