People
Robert B. Cook appointed Dobbies Board Advisor
The garden centre retailer appoints Robert B. Cook as board advisor to support the strategic development of their restaurant business.
Health
Dr Michael Mosley on the benefits of gardening
On his BBC Radio 4 podcast ‘Just One Thing’, Dr. Michael Mosley explains that gardening is not only good for physical fitness but benefits the brain, mood and gut microbiome.
People
AMES appoints Patrick Thick as Sales Director
AMES Companies has confirmed the appointment of Patrick Thick as their new Sales Director, responsible for driving the garden centre channel.
Local Heroes
Margaret Cooper recognised for her work protecting toads
For 25 years, Margaret Cooper has campaigned for the annual closure of a Nottinghamshire road to allow for the safe crossing of toads during breeding season.
People
The changing UK population
Rich Pereira, the Deputy Director for Demography at the Office for National Statistics paints a picture of the changing milestones of adulthood and how society is shifting.
Worth a listen
Hort-Talk: Celebrating 125 years of UK
Latest episode of the HTA podcast, featuring Alex Jenkins, Ruth Goudy, Tim Smith, Stan Green and Alan Sargent discussing their horticulture business journeys.
People
Dobbies appoints Rajesh Gupta as Strategy & Business Development Director
The garden centre retailer appoints Rajesh Gupta to its senior leadership team as Strategy & Business Development Director
Business
In the spirit of Great Dixter: Hooton’s Walled Nursery
Run by Great Dixter Trainee, Dean and his father Glenn Charlton, the new Hooton’s Walled Nursery promises to inspire gardeners and work to the traditional, generous ethos of Great Dixter.
Gardens
Sculpture by the Lakes bolsters gardening team with two new horticultural talents
Bob Burstow from the Eden Project is the park’s new Senior Horticulturist, supported by Alex Peel, currently an apprentice at Kingston Maurward College.
Gardens
RHS Wisley pays homage to Ellen Willmott, Sir Thomas Hanbury and George Fergusson Wilson
A new Pavilion in Oakwood was officially opened in the historic heart of RHS Garden Wisley, paying homage to the trio responsible for its establishment.
People
Tom Stuart-Smith receives much deserved OBE
The landscape architect and garden designer received his OBE for services to landscape architecture at Windsor Castle yesterday.
Books
Mark Diacono’s ‘Abundance’ shortlisted for Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Award
Written ‘live’ on Substack, Mark Diacono’s new book ‘Abundance’ has been listed for an award in prestigious Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards.
Business
Garden centres up their coffee game…
Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre’s coffee aficionado Adam Kelly has recently won the regional heats of Costa Coffee UK’s Barista of the Year competition, progress to the UK and Ireland final.
People
The new High Sheriff of Wiltshire: Dr Olivia Chapple
Dr Olivia Chapple, Founder of Horatio’s Garden to be officially appointed as the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire.
People
Meet the gardeners at Waterperry
Established by Beatrix Havergal, meet the team that manage the Oxfordshire based Waterperry Gardens.
Business
Plant nursery co-operative returns to RHS Chelsea
The Plant Fairs Roadshow (PFR) will return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Pavilion in 2024 with new nurseries joining the co-operative for the first time.
People
Ben Harrison: Garden Centre Association (GCA) new Chairman Elect
Ben Harrison, Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres will become Chairman at the GCA’s annual conference in January 2026.
On Instagram
A must follow @rhubarbrobert
Yorkshire based, fourth generation grower and aficionado of forced rhubarb….
Lifestyle
Floral spring celebration
Instagram is awash with beautiful images of floral spring decorations, but there’s one instagram account that always seems to trump the floral parade… Butter Wakefield
Education
RHS school competition to create mini ‘No Adults Allowed’ garden
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has launched a nationwide competition aimed at UK primary schools, in celebration of the 2024 RHS Chelsea ‘No Adults Allowed Garden’.
