For hundreds of growers across the country, Christmas is more than just a day in the calendar – it’s a year-round job which culminates in December and begins again in January.  Harry Brightwell of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) and Mark Spurway of Feddal talk to editor Victoria Galligan about life as a Christmas tree grower…

The BCTGA was formed in 1980 to improve the quality of Christmas trees sold in the UK, encouraging the sale of good-quality, live Christmas trees and offering a bar against which all 7million tree sold by its members per year should measure up to.

Terrace & Garden, a supplier of stylish, high-quality, affordable pottery and gifts for the home and garden since 1989, announces the launch of a new addition to its established and very popular collection of pots and planters made under license for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Terrace & Garden’s newest collection of frost -proof, antique-finish terracotta planters can be seen for the first time on stand E72 in Hall 8 at GLEE in Birmingham’s NEC, from 10-12 September, and stand 3P12 at Autumn Fair, the season’s  premier wholesale gift and home trade event, from 2-5 September, also at the NEC.

The new terracotta range will be available to order at the shows for delivery early Spring 2019. Designed to offer high quality at affordable prices, both the new and established ranges are aimed at garden centres and independent stores throughout the UK.

Launched at Glee 2017 to critical acclaim, Smart Garden’s Flamboya brand has already achieved resounding sales success this season with an unrivalled selection of garden décor products, garden gifts and collectibles.

This Glee (10^th – 12^th September, NEC Birmingham) the brand is going to be expanded even more with over 90 new designs, helping to further cement Flamboya as the market leader in the garden décor category.

The Ménagerie range will have the largest number of new additions featuring a wide range of designs and characters for all gardens and consumer tastes.

Liberon, the leading woodcare brand, is bringing a splash of colour to the garden with its new Garden ColourCare range. Featuring four products, all benefiting from the same advanced formulations as Liberon’s standard exterior woodcare range, the new collection has been developed to introduce a choice of colours to any exterior wood, from decking to garden furniture.

Garden ColourCare Decorative Furniture Oil

Ideal for teak, exotic wood or pine, the Garden ColourCare Decorative Furniture Oil can revamp all exterior woodworks and garden furniture. The durable oil protects against damage from UV, water and grease to preserve the natural appearance of exterior wood. Available in a range of six colours, from the stylish Ashen Grey to the natural Mid Brown, the oil will bring a new lease of life to any wooden garden furniture.

Crest Garden have increased their sales team with the appointment of a National Account Manager and a new Area Sales Manager.

Katie Smith joins the company as National Account Manager responsible for national, multiple, online and key international accounts. She has a background in medical sales and has travelled extensively. Her experience includes business planning, sales training and organising in-store events.

Green-fingered staff and residents at a Greenock care home, Kincaid House, are celebrating after digging their way to victory in an annual gardening competition.

Kincaid House Care Home triumphed over 22 other Meallmore care homes across Scotland, securing the top spot in the care provider’s “Meallmore in Bloom” competition with its creative nautical themed garden design.

Inspired by its proximity to the Clyde, the care home’s outdoor space now includes three boats filled with flowers and fishing accessories, a beach hut design windbreaker, a hanging display of buckets and spades and even a mini sand pit.

JFH Horticultural Supplies Ltd are based in Sandbach and here, sales director Nelson Hutchins discusses the firm’s range of recycled, biodegradable products…

Why are biodegradable products so important to the garden trade?

As an industry I guess we are always looking at sustainability and protecting the environment. Customers are passionate about the ‘green’ vision and saving the environment.

Trading outdoors is a great way to be involved in local events and sell produce, or just to raise the profile of your business. Maybe you're planning some onsite outdoor events and need some extra covered space. There’s no doubt that a good-quality gazebo will become your best friend on days like these. Stephen Evans, managing director at Market Gazebo World, tells us about his range and how they deliver – come rain or shine…

What material are the gazebos made of and what makes them waterproof?

AMES, established in 1774, has a group turnover exceeding $550million and owns market leading brands in USA, Canada and Australasia. They operate in ten distinct product categories all focused on home garden consumers and manufacture their product in dedicated facilities in USA, Canada, China and Australia.

Having identified UK and Ireland as a strategic development opportunity, they recently acquired La Hacienda and Kelkay in the UK to add to their existing True Temper business in Ireland.

Haskins Garden Centres are encouraging gardeners to look after their plants and wildlife due to the ongoing warm temperatures.

Alasdair Urquhart, Haskins’ in-house plant expert, commented:

“Long-range forecasters are warning that hot weather is looking likely to hold out through the rest of summer and even into autumn. As there is nothing in the forecasts to suggest that the conditions are going to change any time soon, now is a good time to think about how the weather will be affecting your garden.”