Tag: Dobbies

Dobbies store introduces kids to the wonderful world of hydroponics 

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.”

To learn more about Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club Sessions, please visit www.dobbies.com/little-seedlings. 

Learn how to grow your own microgreens with Dobbies

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.”

To learn more about Dobbies’ Grow How Sessions, please visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies announces three tree-rific Edinburgh and the Lothians winners of Christmas campaign

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.  

For more information about the winning nurseries and schools, visit Not your average community | Dobbies Garden Centres

Barratt Developments teams up with Dobbies Garden Centres to create sustainable festive front door display 

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.

You can visit Dobbies Garden Centres in the following locations:

Aberdeen
Ayr
Braehead
Dundee
Dunfermline
Edinburgh and little dobbies Stockbridge
Inverness
Livingston
Milngavie
Perth
Sandyholm
Stirling

Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores welcome donations for Cash for Kids’ gift drive

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:

Mission Christmas 2023 with Dobbies Garden Centres | Bauer Radio Cash for Kids – Cash for Kids (cashforkidsgive.co.uk)

SANTA PAWS: Bring your dog to Dobbies for a ‘paw-sitively’ magical experience 

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.

Charity shopping night at Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

Garden centre unveils fundraising festivities

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies are celebrating the festive season this November with a Christmas Shopping Night fundraiser in aid of National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust.

Families in Edinburgh are invited to join Dobbies for an evening of seasonal shopping on Thursday 30 November from 5-9pm, with tickets priced at £1 available in store and online now. To help raise awareness, vital funds and spread kindness, all proceeds from ticket sales will go to Teenage Cancer Trust, alongside additional fundraising efforts from activities on the night.

Customers can explore Dobbies brand-new Christmas themes for 2023, be inspired with great value decorations that will adorn any home and take advantage of exclusive deals. Attendees can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, enjoy seasonal songs and book in to experience Santa’s Grotto where children can meet Mr Claus himself.

Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, and for those that are lucky enough to survive, getting the right physical and emotional support is vital for recovery.

Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 are told they have cancer, and it’s projected that by 2030 this number will be closer to 10. Supporting Teenage Cancer Trust with donations helps fund specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person that’s battling cancer.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, has been working closely with Teenage Cancer Trust to raise awareness of the fantastic work they carry out.

She said: “Our late-night shopping events in Edinburgh are a great chance to gather the family, get into the festive spirit and support a charity that’s making such a difference to teenagers and young adults across the UK.

“Last year our fundraising efforts saw over £100k donated to the charity, and we’re hoping to top this benchmark with the help of our customers.”

Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationship Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night is a memorable occasion and one our team, supporters and volunteers look forward to every year.

It’s a great chance for communities to get together, share a magical experience and raise vital funds to help us deliver life-changing work to teenagers and young adults battling cancer.”

November is TCT Takeover month for Dobbies, with a social takeover on 2 November, donation weekends in store, donations encouraged for event bookings and the Christmas Shopping Night.

Tickets for the Christmas Shopping Night are £1 per person, with all funds raised going to TCT. Santa’s Grotto will be available to pre book at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. In addition, customers can enjoy 2 courses for £16.99 in the restaurant, allowing visitors to get a taste of the Christmas menu.

This is only bookable online for Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and reservations can be made by visiting Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.

For more information about Dobbies Christmas Shopping Night in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres 

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store hosts two free foraging events

Garden gifting inspiration with Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is spreading festive cheer in Edinburgh by hosting two free workshops in November encouraging families to get inspired this Christmas with Gifts from the Garden.

Focusing on foraging and cost-saving methods to fill your home, the Grow How session and Little Seedlings Club workshop in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will inspire gardeners of all ages and abilities.

Grow How, a 15-minute session that takes place on Saturday 4 November at 10:30am, will give gardeners a guide on seasonal activities. Horticultural experts will show how gardens can be foraged to create sustainable wreaths and natural decorations for the Christmas tree and home.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club takes place in the morning on Sunday 5 November and is suitable for children aged 4-10 years old.

The gardening workshop is great for children who have an interest in learning about wildlife, plants and the environment, and takes place in a friendly group setting.

This educational and interactive children’s workshop will explore the changes that happen in the garden during winter, what natural items and foraged, alongside a look the history of popular decorative items like wreaths and Christmas trees.

In a bid to showcase sustainable ways families can get the home feeling festive this year, Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, explains why these events are perfect for gardeners of all abilities.

She said: “We are always looking for ways we can bring the outside in, there’s no better way to get in the festive spirit than with some craft activities. The workshops in Edinburgh are suited for every member of the family, welcoming everyone to come together and decorate the home this Christmas.

“When decorating for the seasons, we encourage sustainable practices where possible, and foraging is the best way to use what is already in your garden.

“If you are lucky enough to find them in your garden, Pinecones and Acorns make for wonderful Christmas tree decorations and Moss, Fir, Eucalyptus and Holly leaves make a great base for a wreath.”

For more information about November’s events and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Say Ho-ho-hello to Santa at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre celebrates the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Grotto

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing its highly anticipated Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto enchanting experience in its Edinburgh store, designed to bring families together to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Whether little ones are meeting Santa and his elves for the first time, or it’s a cherished annual tradition, attendees can enjoy festive fun at Dobbies.  

Children will be welcomed by Santa’s elves who will take them through a Christmas tree forest spotting magical characters along the way, before making a special item to take home. Once they’ve spent time with Santa’s elves, they’ll get the chance to meet Santa Claus himself. Santa will greet children, share some Christmas magic, hear their wishes, and hand them a gift to take home.

The Quiet Grotto is also running this year at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, thoughtfully designed with sound and visual elements to create a relaxed atmosphere for children with additional needs. Quiet Grottos will be available from 2.30pm on Friday 8 December.

Families with canine companions in Edinburgh are in for a treat as they can bring their four-legged friends to meet Santa. Starting from 2 December, dog owners are invited along to a Santa Paws experience where they’ll receive adorable pet-friendly gifts from Santa.

Sarah Murray, who develops Dobbies’ festive line up, knows just how magical Christmas is for all the family. She said: “For every child, meeting Santa is a treasured highlight of the season.

“At Dobbies we’re dedicated to creating a Santa’s Grotto experience that resonates with every member of the community. We’re thrilled that this year’s grotto experiences in Edinburgh will continue to spark the enchantment of Christmas for all families who join us.”

If families would like to preserve a cherished memory of the day, there’s the chance to add on a professional photograph at the time of booking, or add on the day from £5 for a digital image and £7 for a photo booklet.

On Thursday 23 November, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will be welcoming Santa as he arrives from the North Pole. Santa will walk around the store, say hello to families and take selfies with children as he embarks on his new residency at the grotto.

Tickets are priced at £11.99 per child for Santa’s Grotto and Santa’s Quiet Grotto experiences, and Santa Paws is priced at £6.99 per dog. A non-refundable donation for Teenage Cancer Trust is also available at the time of booking.

For more information about Dobbies’ Santa’s Grotto experiences and to make a booking, please visit dobbies.com/events

Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores spread Christmas cheer with real tree donations to schools and nurseries

GARDEN CENTRE TO GIVE AWAY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREES – BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MAKE YOUR NOMINATION

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is spreading Christmas joy to local schools and nursery groups in Edinburgh with real tree donations as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with sustainable real tree grower, Needlefresh.

Set to twinkle corridors and delight children with yuletide cheer, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies will be donating Nordmann Fir Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to create a centrepiece for celebrations and is now welcoming nominations.

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.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, has been delivering Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community campaign for two years and is excited announce this year’s focus. She said: “Community is at the core of Christmas at Dobbies and we love sharing the festive joy with those around us.

“We want to help create Christmas magic in local schools and nurseries in Edinburgh and hope that through the tree donations with Needlefresh, kids can come together, decorate the tree and make memories.”

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations as they are bushy and full, and good needle retention.

“We are excited to see how local schools and nurseries bring this classic tree to life through their decorations and we are delighted to be partnering with Dobbies on delivering a magical moment for children in Edinburgh.”

Nominations are now open. Entries close on Wednesday 25 October and successful applicants will be contacted in November to arrange a date to collect a Nordmann Fir tree from their local store.

For more information about how to get involved or make a nomination, visit Not your average community | Dobbies Garden Centres