Dobbies’ Edinburgh store unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its Edinburgh store, giving each attendee a planter worth £30, that’s created during the event, to take home.
Taking place on Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 April, at 3pm, this 90 minute event will combine the joy of hands-on creativity with the indulgence of a delicious afternoon tea.
Guests in Edinburgh can enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury delights, accompanied by unlimited tea and coffee refills, and the option to upgrade the drink to a latte, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate or speciality tea at a small additional cost.
The first tier will include a variety of freshly made finger sandwiches such as smoked salmon and cream cheese; egg mayonnaise and watercress; and ham, rocket and wholegrain mustard.
The second tier includes Dobbies’ famed scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and the third tier will feature a delightful array of sweet treats, including a rainbow meringue kiss and lemon mousse.
After enjoying the afternoon tea, guests in Edinburgh will take part in an interactive workshop led by a member of Dobbies’ gardening team.
They will offer top tips and answer questions on how to plant up a container from scratch, and each attendee will have the chance to plant up their own, with a terracotta pot, seasonal bedding plants, hederas and heathers.
Adam Veysey, Dobbies’ Head of Food Development, said: “We’ve only just launched our brand new afternoon tea options and it’s fantastic that we’re able to offer this with an exclusive and new planting event for our customers in Edinburgh.
“We love creating a vibrant community at Dobbies where people of all ages and experiences can come together to give gardening a go, and having afternoon tea with a planting experience is the ideal combination.
“Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, everyone is welcome.”
Tickets for this new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience are priced at £40 per person (with the planter valued at £30).
Garden centre invites families to hop along to its children’s breakfast event
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to its Edinburgh store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
Taking place between Thursday 28 March and Monday 1 April, this is a great chance to get the whole family together for a breakfast to remember with a special guest appearance from Dobbies’ Easter Bunny after breakfast has been enjoyed.
Whether you’re taking your own kids along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, or it’s the grandparent’s opportunity to take them out, everyone can get stuck into an egg-cellent breakfast and hop-tastic games.
Children and adults can enjoy a traditional cooked breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a breakfast roll. Kids will have the choice of an apple juice, orange juice or water, and adults will be able to choose from a pot of tea or regular coffee. Kids will get to finish on a sweet note with a chocolate rice crispy cake.
After everyone has eaten, the kids will seek out the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping about the Edinburgh store, and get involved in some spring inspired activities and games.
The Easter Bunny will encourage kids to hop back to the restaurant, learn about their favourite wildflowers and get the chance to plant their very own miniature wildflower meadow to take home, with the help of Dobbies’ gardening colleagues.
Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast event in Edinburgh is great for children aged 3-10, and for families with kids aged 5 and under, there is a dedicated session on Thursday 28 March.
Sarah Murray, who developed this year’s Easter Bunny Breakfast, tells us why this event makes a fantastic, family-friendly day out. She said: “We’ve got a spring in our step as we launch our Easter Bunny Breakfast, and we’re delighted to be adapting this experience for the first time for families with children under 5 years old.
“Our Easter event this year is all themed around wildflowers, which is a lovely way to introduce young gardening fans into ways they can encourage wildlife into their gardens and create a pretty mini wildflower meadow at home. With a fun and lively group setting, we hope that families in Edinburgh will have a memorable time with us.”
Tickets are priced at £10.99 per child, and adults can enjoy breakfast from £8.60. The under 5s session is taking place on Thursday 28 March and the 3-10 years old session is happening between Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April.
For more information about Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events
Garden centre celebrates Random Acts of Kindness with free children’s event
Families in Edinburgh will have the chance to take part in Dobbies’ free February Holiday Workshop, keeping children aged 4-10 years busy during the half term.
The February holiday workshop is taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store throughout half term. This fun-fuelled workshop is centred around Random Acts of Kindness, a celebration that takes place on Saturday 17 February, encouraging everyone to be extra kind to one another and go above and beyond to brighten someone’s day.
Children will come together in a friendly group setting at its Edinburgh store to delve into the history of this celebration and learn about the joys of kindness.
Dobbies’ colleagues will detail what it means to be kind, why kindness is important, how it can make people feel, and all the ways we can be kind to others, to nature and to ourselves.
Spotlighting random acts of kindness in the garden, Dobbies is showcasing all the different ways children can care for the planet. From making a bug hotel, feeding birds or planting pollinating flowers to help bumblebees thrive to picking up litter or making compost, there’s plenty of ways to be kind.
In addition to being kind to others, Little Seedlings in Edinburgh will be encouraged to be kind to themselves by fuelling their bodies with healthy food, doing things they love, sharing feelings and most importantly, being proud of themselves. Kids will also have the chance to create their own sunshine thank you card to put a smile on someone’s face.
Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club Workshop Leader, Liz Savage, is looking forward to welcoming kids along to the February Holiday Workshop.
She said: “School holidays are a great chance to ignite a passion for a hobby or try something new. This workshop will allow kids to come together and learn, making friends along the way.
“Our Little Seedings Club is designed to engage and support local communities near our Edinburgh store by providing accessible, free of charge fun and educational activities.”
For more information about February’s Holiday Workshop and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events
Garden centre hosts free gardening workshops on the UK’s most popular vegetable
Potatoes are the most important food crop globally after rice, wheat and corn, and have been named by YouGov as the most popular vegetable at the end of 2023.1
Dobbies knows just how much the nation loves this hearty vegetable and is encouraging gardeners of all abilities and ages to give growing their own spuds a go this year at its free workshops in its Edinburgh store.
Grow How, a 15-minute interactive how-to session where gardeners of all abilities will have the opportunity to learn from Dobbies’ horticultural experts is taking place in its Edinburgh store at 10:30am on Saturday 3 February. Little Seedlings Club, designed for children aged 4-10 years old, is taking place the morning of Sunday 4 February, spotlighting this humble vegetable.
Dobbies’ Grow How sessions encourage local communities near its stores to give gardening a go, whether you’re a novice, seasoned gardener or enthusiast. Attendees can go to the demonstration section of the Edinburgh store, where Dobbies’ experts will share knowledge on the different types of potato varieties, reveal tips such as ‘chitting’, share advice on how to care for and protect your crop, alongside gardening tips to ensure a successful potato harvest.
Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is designed to educate and inspire the next generation of gardeners, getting children of all ages together in a friendly group setting to learn something new.
February’s session will unveil the history of the spud and different parts of the vegetable. Children will also gain an understanding of how they grow, what you need to help them thrive, when it’s best to sow or know when it’s time to harvest, an insight into ‘chitting’ to give spuds a head start, and the varieties that can be grown. From red potatoes, yellow potatoes, brown potatoes to even purple potatoes, there’s plenty of variation.
In addition to this, children will learn how potatoes are enjoyed from different countries and cultures around the globe.
Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, tells us why this versatile vegetable is one of the easiest to grow at home. He said: “From Maris Piper to Potato Charlotte, there is a wide variety of potatoes to choose from that you can grow for yourself at home.
“All you need is a potato sack or tub, filled with a quarter of good quality peat-free compost, three seed potatoes evenly spaced on top of the soil covered with another layer of compost and then water regularly to keep the compost moist. Your potatoes will be ready to be harvested in as little as 12 weeks.”
For more information about February’s free events in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events
Garden Centre unveils its first free Little Seedlings Club of 2024
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is unveiling its first Little Seedlings workshop of 2024. The free session, taking place on Sunday 7 January in its Edinburgh store, will help children discover the fascinating world of hydroponics, an innovative method of growing plants in water instead of soil.
Designed for children aged 4-10, Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club workshops are fun, educational and interactive. They encourage kids to embrace the nature and wildlife around them, and nurture a passion for gardening and protecting the environment along the way.
Children in Edinburgh will learn how to propagate plants and grow them using the hydroponic technique, feeding them with mineral nutrient salts dissolved in water, and explore the differences between growing with soil or water. Additionally, care tips will be shared, including ensuring your water is nutrient rich and the plant is aerated, allowing the roots to get enough oxygen for optimal growth.
Most plants can grow hydroponically, but Dobbies’ experts will showcase some of the plants best suited to the hydroponic method, including strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce, making it a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
Chloë Bell, Dobbies’ Community & CSR Communications Executive, is excited to kick off the new year with this hydroponics Little Seedlings workshop.
She said: “We love to encourage children to connect with nature and gardening, and this workshop will dive into the world of hydroponics, giving all attendees the chance to learn a new way of indoor gardening and explore its benefits.
“We welcome children of all ages and abilities to head along to our Edinburgh store and take part in this fun-filled session. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new, make friends and enjoy a new hobby.”
Garden Centre hosts free indoor gardening session to start the New Year
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is kicking off the new year by inviting gardeners in Edinburgh to join its free Grow How session, learning some top tips on cultivating indoor microgreens.
Taking place on Saturday 6 January at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, the session will showcase how easy it is to grow microgreens including basil, coriander and arugula. Dobbies’ gardening experts will provide seasoned gardeners and novices alike with practical knowledge to successfully nurture these nutrient rich herbs at home.
Microgreens can be grown all year round in almost any container, from recycled cans to seed trays, and should be ready to harvest a few weeks after seeding if moisture and light are maintained. They can be harvested by snipping them just above the soil line and then added to any dish to add flavour.
As well as giving advice on how to grow these amazing greens, the Dobbies Edinburgh Grow How session will also highlight the tools required for a thriving indoor garden.
Dobbies’ Senior Houseplant Buyer, Claire Bishop, has a passion for indoor gardening and loves how versatile microgreens are. She said: “Microgreens are not only a tasty addition to the kitchen but a great way to get the whole family involved in an activity.
“There are plenty microgreens to try growing at home and they are very easy to care for, which those attending can learn about at Dobbies’ Edinburgh session.
“I’d recommend reusing a food tub or any container of your choice then lining the bottom with cut felt or kitchen roll for effective water retention before filling it with compost. Make a shallow hole in the compost with your finger, then sow an equally spaced line of microgreens seeds.
“Remember to position your microgreens in a bright spot as this will help them flourish and grow. Make sure to keep the growing seeds consistently moist, and taste test as the plant grows and the flavours develop, so you know when the time is right for harvesting.”
Garden Centre is giving away free Christmas trees to nurseries and schools
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing three local schools who are set to receive a free real Christmas tree from its Edinburgh store as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with sustainable tree grower Needlefresh.
Dobbies’ Christmas campaign is all about supporting communities local to its Edinburgh store, spreading yuletide cheer to nurseries and schools in the run up to the festivities.
Schools and nurseries from across the UK were invited to nominate themselves to receive a real Christmas tree donation. Sixty nine percent of entries were from nurseries and 31% were schools.
Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will welcome Roslin Primary School, Canaan Lane Primary & Early Learning Childcare and King’s Park Primary School to come along to choose a Nordmann Fir tree, making sure children across Edinburgh and the Lothians can experience the magic of Christmas.
Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, was delighted with the response to Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community campaign. She said: “We’re amazed by the number of entries and nominations for this year’s campaign and would like to thank everyone for spending the time to get involved.
“Christmas marks a magical moment in our childhoods, and we’re thrilled to be bringing some festive cheer to young members in our communities this year. Needlefresh has made this campaign possible with their generous support, and we’d like to extend our thanks to George and his team for all their hard work. A huge thank you to our Edinburgh store for all their help and hard work supporting their local communities.”
Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations, and we’re excited to see how the kids bring this classic tree to life. It’s a pleasure to be supporting so many nurseries and schools across the country this year in partnership with Dobbies.”
All of Dobbies’ Christmas trees are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland where the growing team do everything from planting, pruning and harvesting by hand to reduce the impact on surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, recommends positioning your real Christmas trees in a cool, dry place inside away from any direct heat, use a water holding stand and check the water levels daily and top up as required to keep your tree looking fresh throughout the festive period.
Stylist shares top tips on how to dress your door on a budget this Christmas
Barratt Developments Scotland has joined forces with Dobbies Garden Centres to share top tips and insights on how to dress your front door this Christmas – sustainably and on a budget.
Together with Dobbies’ top stylist, the housebuilder, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has created a handy guide with festive ideas on how to add a wow to your front door décor this December.
Front door transformations were named as one of Pinterest Predicts’ leading trends for 2023, with the holiday season marking the perfect time to embrace the trend and add a touch of festive sparkle to the exterior of the home.
While the makeovers online are impressive, they can also be costly. Barratt and Dobbies’ handy and sustainable suggestions are designed to achieve the trend without breaking the bank.
To achieve the look in a sustainable way, foliage can be foraged from your garden, local woods or outside spaces. You can use plants from your garden such as Conifer, Skimmia ‘rubella’ or eucalyptus, enabling you to get creative depending on what’s available and your personal style. Foraging the items is a great way for families, friends and couples to come together and take part in a festive activity.
If you would like to add some seasonal sparkle to your sustainable decorations, Dobbies has a dedicated section in-store and online where customers can pick faux décor ideal for wreaths and garlands, as well as Christmas baubles, lights and decorations for different styles and looks.
Estelle Sykes, Sales Director at Barratt Developments West Scotland, said: “We’ve loved collaborating with Dobbies to create this festive front door display.
“As the entrance to the home, it’s important that the front door makes a good first impression, which is why statement décor and wreaths are becoming increasingly popular at Christmas and all year round.
“Dobbies has done an excellent job and has provided some great tips on how to recreate this at home, both sustainably and at relatively low cost. We hope to see more and more people tap into the front door trend this winter using our top tips.”
Barratt Developments & Dobbies’ handy step-by-step guide on how to recreate at home:
Lay out thick rope (about two metres long) on the ground. Attach chosen foliage in bundles along the rope with garden twine. You can make this as full as you like for your chosen look
Attach the rope, with all foliage, to the drainpipe or porch. We started at the top of the drainpipe and attached downwards
Using garden twine, tie various sizes of baubles together for impact and attach (with other décor of your choice) to the foliage. Baubles are available to buy in multipacks from Dobbies. We also added oversized baubles for extra impact and LED lights which don’t emit heat
Use the same approach for the wreath, creating little bundles of foliage, attaching them using garden twine. We added heather for an additional pop of colour. Create your wreath shape from twigs or buy a wreath base
Add baubles, décor and wire battery lights before hanging on your door
Decorate the area with reindeers, potted trees and other festive ornaments of your choice. We selected a Nordmann fir potted tree and a Blue spruce which can be taken indoors and decorated for Christmas, and you can plant in your garden after the festive season. You could also opt to keep them in their pots to maintain their size for next year, giving them longevity
Rebecca Stanton, Stylist at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “Dressing your front door is huge at the moment and we’re thrilled to partner with Barratt to bring this trend to life. Christmas is a great time of year to experiment with decorations and what better way to do this than to get creative with your own front door.
“We have selected low-cost items, most of which can be foraged from outside, and everything else can be chosen to suit your preferred colour scheme and taste. We used items from our Classic Luxe theme, which suited the style and colouring of the house. Our step-by-step guide should be straightforward enough so people can get creative and try at home, with family and friends.”
All items used in the display are available from Dobbies Garden Centre. Costs are scalable depending on budget.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing a collaboration with grant-giving charity, Cash for Kids, to give children in need a gift this Christmas. Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies will host a gift donation drop-off point for the charity’s Mission Christmas initiative.
Mission Christmas is set to make a difference to children and young people in communities across the UK who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. This initiative aims to spread the joy that comes with unwrapping a Christmas present on Christmas Day.
Dobbies now invites customers along to its drop-off point at its Edinburgh stores, encouraging those who can, to bring a gift and help Santa reach young people in need this year.
Dobbies’ Community & CSR Communications Executive, Chloe Bell, said: “There’s nothing like the joy of unwrapping a Christmas present on Christmas Day, especially for a child. It’s disheartening to think that, due to circumstances beyond their control, some children might miss out on this magical experience.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Cash for Kids to make Christmas extra special for these young people. We hope that the spirit of Christmas, centred around sharing and giving, inspires everyone to donate a present or two at our Edinburgh stores.”
Victoria Hendry, Charity Manager from Cash for Kids added: “We believe every child deserves the magic of Christmas and teaming up with Dobbies allows us to spread joy this year, making a real difference to children and young adults.
“We’re turning generosity into gifts, creating smiles, and ensuring that every child feels the warmth of the festivities.”
Participating stores that have a donation box are; Aberdeen, Ayr, Edinburgh, Dundee, Dunfermline, Livingston, Perth, Stirling, Inverness and little dobbies Stockbridge. For more information on how to get involved, visit dobbies.com.
If you would like to make a financial donation to Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas to allow them to buy a gift on your behalf, Braehead, Milngavie and Sandyholm have donation pages, visit:
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing the return of its hugely popular Santa Paws experience in its Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies, designed for dog lovers where cherished pets can meet Santa Claus.
This paw-sitively special festive experience gives pup parents the chance to head along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores and see Santa. Dogs in attendance will get to meet Mr Claus and take a photo, before receiving a special pet-friendly toy to take home and open on Christmas Day. There’s also the chance to have a professional photo taken at the Melville store.
Santa Paws will be taking place from Saturday 2 until Saturday 23 December on selected days and is priced at £6.99 per dog.
Sarah Murray, who leads Dobbies’ festive events plans, said: “We absolutely love making amazing experiences, and Santa Paws really shows how dedicated we are to that. It’s an occasion to celebrate the joy our pets bring into our lives, and a chance for dog owners and families to create cherished Christmas memories together at our Edinburgh stores.
“We look forward to sharing the magic of Christmas as families come along to Santa Paws.”
Customers are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment. To find out more about timings and bookings, visit dobbies.com/events. There’s the opportunity to make a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust during the booking process.
