Tag: Dobbies

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store celebrates the start of summer with free events for children

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing summer workshops in its Edinburgh store to celebrate the  start of summer.

The Little Seedlings Club workshop will teach children how to look after the garden with the  warmer temperatures, and Dobbies’ Holiday Club workshop is about the different herbs and microgreens that can  help your pizza taste great.  

Suitable for children aged 4-10, these free and interactive sessions in Edinburgh are guaranteed to keep them  busy during the school holidays and encourage them to discover more about nature.  

Taking place on Sunday 2 July, the Little Seedlings Club workshop is set to be fun-filled and educational with a  focus on how to effectively conserve water when looking after the garden this summer.

Children will learn about  the fascinating water cycle in plants and why plants need our help to stay green and lush, particularly during the  hotter months. 

Dobbies’ horticultural experts will teach the children in Edinburgh when to water the plants and how to preserve  water usage through sustainable mulching and planting drought-resistant species like Cordyline, Lavender and  Hebe. Mulching not only saves water but also suppresses weeds, provides nutrients to the plants and enhances  the overall appearance of the garden. 

Dobbies’ Holiday Club takes place from the start of July where children will learn about the different herbs and  microgreens that can be used as pizza toppings.

The Holiday Club session will show the difference herbs can make  to a pizza, adding bold or subtle flavours as well as having nutritional value. The children in attendance will also  learn how to grow herbs and microgreens at home with ease.  

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell said: “We are excited to be hosting two  fantastic sessions for kids in our Edinburgh store this summer.

“Not only are these sessions a great way to keep  children entertained and busy during the holidays, but it’s a great chance for them to meet friends and try  something new. If you haven’t already checked out our free sessions, please do come along this July and get  involved.”

Advance booking is required to secure a free spot at July’s Little Seedlings Club workshop and Pizza Planting  Holiday Club. The Holiday Club will run throughout the school holidays and customers are encouraged to visit the  Dobbies’ website for booking as each store’s availability differs.  

For more information on how children can participate, visit: Events | Dobbies Garden

Dobbies’ Edinburgh and Lothian stores search for best local amateur gardeners

Entries live for Not Your Average Gardener

Dobbies’ Edinburgh and Lothian stores are inviting amateur gardeners, of all ages and backgrounds from across the region, to enter its annual Not Your Average Gardener Awards.

Set to celebrate novice gardeners and enthusiasts alike, both Stockbridge little dobbies and Edinburgh Dobbies stores are calling in the help of a robust panel of horticultural and wildlife experts to crown four winners.

With four new categories, judges will be looking for a variety of gardeners of all abilities to put themselves, or a loved one, forward to be in with the chance of scooping Dobbies’ annual gardening prize.

Dobbies’ Senior Houseplant Buyer and recently appointed Royal Horticultural Society Chair of Assessors, Claire Bishop, will join Dobbies’ Horticultural Director and seasoned judge, Marcus Eyles, to crown the new Creative Indoor Gardener and Little Eco Gardener categories.

Claire said: “It’s a real honour to be part of the Not Your Average Gardener Awards for its fourth year and I can’t wait to see the talent from our houseplant enthusiasts across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“The awards have been designed with full inclusivity in mind, so we’re looking for people of all ages and skill levels to get in touch and tell us about their vibrant green space that they have a real passion for.”

RePollinate, a Scottish-based charity that conserves and enhances the UK’s threatened pollinators through education, scientific research and the creation of pollinator friendly habitats, will judge the Wildlife Friendly Garden category.

Leigh Biagi, Project Coordinator at RePollinate, is thrilled to be partnering with Dobbies on the judging panel. She said: “We are so delighted to be asked to judge the Wildlife Friendly Gardener category of the awards.

“At RePollinate we are passionate about doing all we can to support nature in our green spaces, no matter how big or small that space may be, and we know that this passion is shared by many gardeners. It will be exciting to see the entries and discover what people are doing to support sustainability and welcome nature into their gardens.”

Social media gardening expert, Michael Griffiths, aka The Mediterranean Gardener, joins the panel to judge the Plant to Plate Gardener category. He said: “I’m delighted to be part of this year’s Not Your Average Gardener Awards, and can’t wait to see all the fantastic entries from gardeners across Edinburgh and the Lothians. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity and commitment of amateur gardeners, who invest their time and skill into making wonderful outside spaces with a grow your own focus.”

There’s a prize pot of £4,000 to help successful applicants take their award-winning garden to the next level, each taking home a £1,000 giftcard to spend in their nearest Dobbies or little dobbies. Team members will be on hand to help winners select the best sustainable products and plants for their space. 

Entries close on Friday 30 June and winners will be announced early August.

To find out more about how you can get involved and to take part, visit Not your average gardener award winners | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store teams up with RSPB to help save the house sparrow population

Garden Centre encourages customers to welcome declining bird species into their gardens

The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, has teamed up with the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB, to educate its customers in Edinburgh on the declining house sparrow population this May and encourage them to do their part to welcome this bird species into their gardens.

During the month of May, RSPB volunteers will be raising awareness and collect donations across a number of Dobbies’ stores while offering the opportunity to sign up to become an RSPB member.

Since the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979, encouraging people to count birds for an hour in January, the house sparrow’s population has gone from an average of 10 visitors per garden to only about four in 2022.

Although house sparrows topped the Big Garden Birdwatch for the 19th year in a row in 2022, their population has declined so drastically that they are now on the UK Red List for birds, and any further declines would be disastrous.

As part of this campaign, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store hosted a Little Seedlings Club workshop on Sunday 7 May. Children learned about the official Red List and the house sparrow, as well as some helpful tips on how to encourage more house sparrows into their gardens.

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloe Bell, explained: “Our Little Seedlings Club attendees are the next generation of gardening enthusiasts and this awareness workshop with RSPB at our Edinburgh store is extremely important when it comes to helping rescue the house sparrow.  

“I have fond memories as a child listening to the house sparrows as I watched them fly about the garden and we want the younger generation to experience this too. You can help these birds by planting trees, shrubs and flowers in the garden, a place for the house sparrow to take shelter, forage for insects to feed their chicks, and ultimately help increase the population.”

Adrian Thomas, the RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Dobbies to spread the word about these wonderful garden birds, and how people can help them.

“They’re great fun for kids to learn about too – house sparrows are delightfully sociable and chattery and they really benefit when we give them the food, water, and home they need. It shows how little actions can really make a difference to our local wildlife.”

Dobbies’ latest podcast with Adrian Thomas talks about the house sparrow, where podcast host, ITV This Morning’s Daisy Payne, asks how we can create a welcoming environment in our gardens to help increase population numbers. The episode is available to listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, dobbies.com/podcast.

Customers looking to encourage house sparrows to visit their garden can pick up RSPB-branded supplies from their nearest Dobbies’ store. Spotlight products for May include Medium Easy-clean Seed Feeders, Sunflower Hearts, High Energy Fat Bals, Table Seed Mix, Suet Sprinkles and highly nutritious Mealworms.

Products:

–          RSPB Sunflowers Hearts, £12.99

–          RSPB Mealworms, £13.99

–          RSPB Favourites Blend, £6.99

–          RSPB High Energy Fat Bals with Sunflower Hearts, £2.99

–          RSPB Table Seed Mix, 6.99

–          RSPB Suet Sprinkles, £10.99

–          RSPB Medium Easy-Clean Seed Feeder, 16.99

For more information on Dobbies, visit www.dobbies.com

If you live rurally and can’t take part in the in-store workshops, there are downloadable resources at doobies.com you can access at home. 

For more information on RSPB and how to become a member, visit www.rspb.org.uk

Grow the perfect plants for your patio with Dobbies

Looking to create a blooming patio this National Gardening Week (1-7 May 2023)? Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is hosting a free Grow How session in its Edinburgh store with a live demonstration on how to design your perfect patio with stylish pots and plants.

Taking place on Saturday 6th May at 10:30am, this interactive workshop is suitable for all levels of gardeners, from beginners who dream of growing and nurturing beautiful plants to brighten up their patios, to experts searching for new ways to enhance their outside space.  

Dobbies’ gardening experts will demonstrate how to select the right pots and plants, with an emphasis on striking the perfect balance of colour and style. Key plants that will be a focus as part of the event will include Hydrangea and Senetti, and the team will advise on the correct tools, peat-free compost and watering for a successful season.

Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, said: “We are constantly searching for ways to inspire people in Edinburgh to get involved in gardening.

“Growing plants for your patio is not only good for the environment and your mental health, but it is also a fun way to get the whole family involved in a project.

“You could even be inspired by the Coronation over this special weekend. National Gardening Week this year has a focus on ‘creating a Coronation container’. If you’re looking to create a regal display, consider plants in deep shades of blue, purple and magenta for a striking look reminiscent of King Charles III’s royal gardens. Pansy and Viola plants are great for this as they work well in containers and will give your pots a wonderful fresh look.

“We are really looking forward to this workshop and hope we inspire some beautiful new patio plants.”

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Grow How session, visit Grow How | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store invites local residents to cast their votes 

Helping Your Community Grow shortlist announced

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is inviting local residents to cast their vote and help the UK’s leading garden centre crown the Helping Your Community Grow winner for the store.

Seventy-five groups across the country have the chance to create or refresh a community space with Dobbies’ support, and the garden centre is now asking locals to help narrow its shortlist down, to one winner for its Edinburgh store.

This year’s initiative has welcomed nominations from schools looking to enhance their gardens; charities supporting the most vulnerable members of the community proposing sensory gardens; and community groups and clubs looking to create a garden space where they can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Newtongrange Community Garden is a community initiative looking to bring residents together. The group have begun growing fruit and vegetables to give back to the local community and are looking to encourage more locals to get involved. Dobbies’ help would provide the group with flowers, shrubs and peat-free compost.

Dalkeith Guerrilla Gardeners is a community initiative run by volunteers who aim to make a difference in the local area from gardening to litter picking. Funded by local donations and fundraising, Dobbies’ support would provide the group with plants, bulbs and seeds as well as watering butts to increase their sustainable practices.

Mayfield Nursery School are looking to improve the outdoor learning experience for the children through their field to folk learning scheme to help give back to the local community. With Dobbies’ support, the school are looking to grow more fruits and vegetables in their new polytunnels, as well as receive children’s gardening tools, peat-free compost and expert advice on the best varieties to grow.

There was a notable increase in the number of entries from groups looking to grow their own this year. This follows research from Dobbies and Censuswide (commissioned in March) that found 67% of people in Edinburgh plan to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs this spring. Tomatoes are set to be the most popular crop for this year, closely followed by potatoes. 

The winning group for Edinburgh will receive advice, gardening products and plants from Dobbies’ horticultural team. Dobbies’ own-brand peat-free multipurpose compost, recycled and recyclable containers, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products are among the many products the garden centre will donate.

Notably, the project that receives the most votes from all Dobbies stores will be the national winner, receiving extra funding and support.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our Helping Your Community Grow initiative and have seen a significant increase in nominations, with over 800 applications for 2023.

“A huge thank you to everyone who nominated their project for our Dobbies’ Edinburgh store to support. It’s now up to the public to select the winner – our Edinburgh team are very much looking forward to seeing who this will be.”

To find out more about the Helping Your Community Grow shortlist and to cast your vote, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres

Votes are open until Tuesday 25 April. There is only one vote per person. The project with the most votes will be the winner. The project with the most votes across the UK will be the national winner. 

Dobbies helps Edinburgh and the Lothians blossom this spring

Free seeds offer in partnership with Let It Grow

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is partnering with BBC Radio 2 by handing out 3,000 free packets of seeds across little dobbies’ Stockbridge and the garden centres in Edinburgh and Livingston from today (Monday 27 March) to encourage residents to brighten up their green spaces this spring. There will be a total of 75,000 seed packets given out across the UK.

It’s part of the BBC’s Let It Grow initiative, to inspire new growers, both young and old, to discover the joy of planting and growing, and encourage them to turn grey spaces into wild and colourful places to help support British wildlife.

Dobbies is proud to support the initiative, while also educating on sustainable gardening methods and championing pollinator-friendly seeds. 

Designed for all ages and gardening abilities, Dobbies invites novice gardeners and experts alike to head along to their nearest store and collect a free packet of seeds to sow this spring.

Spring is a great time in the horticultural diary to get into gardening and a good opportunity to plant beautiful bright blooms for the season ahead. Customers can pick up either Calendula, Borage or Nasturtium seeds at their local store which are perfect for a seasonal garden refresh.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic initiative by the BBC. Spring is a great time of year to get gardening and we’re excited to see the nation’s gardens bloom and the wildlife flourish with our free seeds.

Marcus also shares his top tips for sowing these seeds: “Calendula, Borage and Nasturtium are fuss-free plants that are easy to sow and care for and great for injecting some colour to your garden. As we approach the warmer months and the sun heats the ground, it couldn’t be a better time to sow these seeds.

“At Dobbies, we recommend sowing your seeds inside, under a cover or in a greenhouse to maximise the success of germination. Once the seeds have grown to be bushy young plants, and the frosts have finished, then they are ready to be planted into your outdoor pots or borders.”

Thompson & Morgan are supplying the seeds in partnership with Dobbies and customers are encouraged to visit little dobbies’ Stockbridge concept store and garden centres in Edinburgh and Livingston to collect a free packet.

Seeds will be available on a first come, first served basis, from Monday 27 March to Sunday 28 May, while stocks last, from the customer services desk (Dobbies) or till point (little dobbies).

For more information on Let It Grow, visit www.dobbies.com/let-it-grow

Dobbies creates a buzz with free workshops in Edinburgh

Garden Centre shows customers how to create a bee-friendly garden

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is hosting two free interactive workshops at its Edinburgh store this Easter, where experts will educate customers on the wonder of pollinators and how to transform the garden into a bee haven.

Designed for the whole family, Dobbies’ April workshops are a great way to learn more about gardening, whether you’re a novice looking to pull on gardening gloves for the first time, a seasoned gardener hoping for some direction, a gardening pro eager to enhance your gardening expertise or some helpful tips on how to keep your little ones busy in the garden this Easter.

Dobbies’ Grow How session in Edinburgh will be held on Saturday 1 April at 10:30am where customers will be invited to discover how to make their garden a haven for pollinators. Using plants, shrubs and flowers, Dobbies’ horticultural experts will outline the benefits of supporting wildlife in the garden, the best varieties of plants to encourage more bees into our gardens, and which perennials to plant now in preparation for summer.

Dobbies’ April Little Seedlings Club will focus on the magnificent bee and takes place on Sunday 2 April in its Edinburgh store. Packed full of interactive activities, this workshop is perfect for kids aged 4-10 years old and is a great way to keep them busy during the Easter holidays.

Children will come together in a relaxed group setting, discover fun facts about the different bee species and why they are so important, the science behind how these insects pollinate flowers and a fun experiment to get everyone engaged. Attendees will also receive expert advice on how to create a bee-friendly garden with a Lavender planting activity, and how they can do their bit to help save the bees.

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, explains why pollinators are so important, she said: “Pollinators are vital in supporting the health of our natural ecosystem.

“Bees are currently under threat with the species facing extinction, so as a garden centre we’re constantly looking at educating the next generation so that in years to come, the world is a more pollinator-friendly place.

“There’s a lot to learn about the wonderful pollinators that call our green spaces home, and we hope our two workshops in Edinburgh help families across the country play their part in supporting and protecting these vulnerable insects.”

Sustainability is at the core of both workshops, and the horticultural experts will highlight the great selection of environmentally friendly products that can be purchased.

For more information about the two workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and how you can take part, visit www.dobbies.com/events

Dobbies’ Hop-tastic breakfast event!

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has a spring in its step with the launch of its family-friendly Easter Bunny Breakfast in its Edinburgh store.

Families in Edinburgh are invited along to Dobbies’ restaurant from 6 to 10 April to tuck into an egg-cellent breakfast, followed by a scavenger hunt around the store with the Easter bunny.

Children will also get the chance to take part in a hop-tastic workshop where they’ll plant up miniature carrots with Dobbies’ bunny and resident horticultural team, who both know a thing or two about carrots. Children will get to take home their planted miniature carrots as well as their own mini Maltesers bunny.

There will be a great selection of breakfast options, including a children’s cooked breakfast, also available as a vegetarian option, or cheesy beans on toast, all served with a choice of apple juice, orange juice or water.

Adults have the choice of a traditional or vegetarian cooked breakfast. If customers are looking for a lighter option, they can opt for a breakfast stack or a three-item breakfast roll. Each dish comes with the choice of a pot of tea or regular coffee.

Sarah Murray, Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager said: “Easter is a special time of year in the gardening calendar. It’s a great time to educate children on the variety of fruit and vegetables that can be grown in the garden and the seasonal plants and flowers that bloom in spring.

“Our Easter Bunny Breakfast in Edinburgh is a wonderful activity for the whole family, especially those looking after the kids over the Easter break. Seasonal events are very popular in-store, and we anticipate this selling out quickly. We’d recommend booking spaces in advance to avoid any disappointment.”

Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast is suitable for families with children aged 3-10 years old, children under 3 can still take part with the support of an adult. Children can enjoy the event for £9.99 per child, and adult tickets start from £7.45, inclusive of meals.

For more information about how to get involved in Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast in Edinburgh, visit www.dobbies.com/events

Edinburgh and Lothian groups invited to apply for community initiative

Back by popular demand, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has launched its 2023 Helping Your Community Grow campaign across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Designed to enhance communities local to its stores, this initiative will see community groups receive gardening product, support and expertise from the Dobbies’ team.

Helping Your Community Grow has sustainability at its core and encourages people across the country to care for, nurture and protect their green spaces and urban communities.

Both the Stockbridge little dobbies and Edinburgh Dobbies store are calling on local groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians that want to help their community space thrive in a sustainable way to get in touch.

Whether it’s a school allotment project that allows kids to learn about the health and environmental benefits of growing fruit and vegetables; a community garden or space, looking to bring the outside in; or a charity looking to create a sensory garden to encourage everyone outdoors, Dobbies wants to positively impact communities through its love of gardening. 

This year, Dobbies will offer advice, gardening products and tools to a community group to help them transform their space.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the heart of what we do and we’re proud of our Helping Your Community Grow campaign. Entries are now open for this year and we’re especially interested in hearing from projects across Edinburgh and the Lothians with sustainability at their core.

“Riding for the Disabled Association in Glasgow is just one of the many projects we supported in 2022 and highlights the diversity of the projects we aim to collaborate with.”

Lynda McKeeman, Yard Manager at Riding for the Disabled Association Glasgow, was thankful for the support. She said: “Dobbies’ support and funding allowed us to create a bright and fragrant sensory trail through the woodland area and out into the pond circuit which has been great for stimulating the senses of the riders and horses. 

“We support over 80 people with disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn to ride or spend time with a horse. Our youngest participant is just 2 years old, and our most senior is in their 70s. Many of our attendees have physical disabilities, psychological problems or just need a confidence boost, and horsemanship is a great way to help rehabilitate them.”

Taking part couldn’t be easier and applications are now open.

Eligible groups must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh or Livingston stores or five miles of little dobbies Stockbridge. A shortlist of community groups for each store will be made and Dobbies will call on members of the public to vote for their favourite project.

Based on the public vote, there will be one winner per store, with the project receiving the most votes securing the national winner title. They will receive additional funding and support.

In addition to Helping Your Community Grow, there will be further opportunities for community groups looking for support, with small grants available from their nearest Dobbies or little dobbies.

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Helping Your Community Grow campaign, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres

Brighten up your spring with Sunflowers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Free sustainable Little Seedlings session for kids

On Sunday 5 March, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, will host a free session for its Little Seedlings Club in its Edinburgh store. Children aged 4 to 10 will learn how to grow Sunflowers, to inject some sunshine into gardens  this spring.  

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club offers exciting educational activities that give children a greater appreciation for the  nature, plants, and wildlife around them. March is a great time to get the gardening gloves on and start sowing  seeds to help brighten your outside space. 

Dobbies’ Super Sunflowers workshop will cover the history of these striking blooms which can grow up to 10 feet  tall, what they represent, their influence on art, and their significance for our gardens and wildlife. Dobbies’  horticultural experts will educate the children in Edinburgh on how to successfully sow and plant a Sunflower  seed, alongside top care tips. 

Children will also learn about how Sunflowers can survive in space, how edible Sunflowers can be enjoyed in  recipes, and the nutritional value, vitamins and minerals that come from this wonderful plant. Attendees in  Edinburgh will also get to taste test Sunflower seeds. 

Sarah Murray, Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager said: “Our Little Seedling Club is really popular as we  strive to inspire and encourage young people and families in Edinburgh to enjoy gardening, no matter the space  they have.

“Sunflowers are fantastic for city, coastal and cottage gardens, ideal for beds, borders and pots, making  them great for all. We’ll be encouraging our club members to measure their Sunflowers as they grow and keep  their fellow Little Seedlings updated each month!” 

Advance booking is required to secure a free spot at Dobbies’ March Little Seedlings Club session.

For more  information on how children can participate visit, events.dobbies.com