Tag: Dobbies

Dobbies search for Edinburgh’s ‘Not Your Average Gardener’

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is on the lookout for Edinburgh’s best gardeners with its Not Your Average Gardener Awards.

Research conducted by the garden centre from Independent Media News earlier this year saw 76% of Brits couldn’t wait to get back into the garden. Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is now looking to tap into this interest and discover the talent out there through its Not Your Average Gardener Awards.

A team of star-studded gardening enthusiasts will be judging the awards, including Broadcaster, Jo Whiley, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, ITV This Morning’s Daisy Payne and Dobbies’ Ambassador and gardening influencer, Henry Agg.

Dobbies is looking to celebrate four gardeners, all with a passion for planting in their own unique way, with up to £5,000 worth of prizes and a virtual consultation with Marcus Eyles on how best to maximise their space.

Sustainability is at the core of the awards and Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is searching for those who support local wildlife, better the environment and use sustainable gardening techniques to enter. Dobbies’ team members will be on hand to offer the winners advice on how to spend their prize and bring their space to life.

There are four categories for the Not Your Average Gardener Awards, including Most Sustainable Gardener, Best Mini Garden Makeover, Best Houseplant Parent and Best Young Gardener (under 16 years).

Jo Whiley is delighted to be on the panel: “Gardening is a huge passion of mine, and I would encourage anyone to try it as a hobby. Being out in your green space, no matter the size, is a great chance to take a moment for your own wellbeing.

“I’m really excited to be on Dobbies’ judging panel this year. Whether a houseplant enthusiast, a keen gardener growing fruit and vegetables on an apartment balcony, a child discovering ways to make their green space bloom or gardening newbie creating plant borders, I’m excited to hear how Brits are giving gardening a go no matter their space or experience.”

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, adds: “We’ve seen a positive increase in gardening over the past year, with customers across Edinburgh looking to try something new in their green space.

“At Dobbies we’re always on the lookout for passionate gardeners and our Not Your Average Gardener Awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on talent across Britain.

“Sustainability is at the core of our awards, and we’re extremely proud to offer a strong range of sustainable Dobbies’ products, including our award-winning peat-free compost, that benefit both the garden and environment.”

Nominations can be submitted at dobbies.com by filling out a simple form and submitting images. Deadline for submissions is 26 August. All entries will be reviewed by the panel of expert judges and winners will be announced September 2022. 

For more information on the awards or to submit an entry, visit: 

https://www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-gardener-awards.

Dobbies and Waitrose grocery partnership launches in Edinburgh

Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.  

Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.   

Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range – Waitrose No. 1 – and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.  

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.  

“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.” 

To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.  

Grow your own Christmas dinner with Dobbies

Free sustainable Grow How session in Edinburgh

Looking to enjoy a sustainably homegrown Christmas feast this year? Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, hosts a free Grow How session in its Edinburgh store to show customers how to prepare a delicious dinner with all the trimmings.

Dobbies’ Grow How interactive session will take place in Edinburgh on Saturday 6 August, perfectly suited for novice gardeners and experts alike.

Dobbies’ horticultural experts will spend 10-15 minutes delivering an informative ‘how to’ guide on growing Christmas dinner staples – Charlotte Potatoes, Autumn King Carrots, Kale Dwarf Green Curled, Parsnip Tender & True, Swiss Chard Bright Lights. In addition to this, the experts will share top tips on creating a thriving herb garden to elevate your meal.

Impress your guests and feed the whole family from your back garden, allotment or balcony space. Potatoes are a great starting crop for children looking to ignite a passion in gardening, so get the whole family involved in the Christmas preparations this year.

Growing your own vegetables is a great way to support the environment and enjoy some of your five a day this Christmas. Sustainability is at the core of this workshop, and Dobbies is highlighting the key benefits of using peat-free compost and safer pest control products in your planters and patches, in addition to showcasing that growing your own heavily reduces your carbon footprint, packaging waste, food waste and eliminates the need for harmful chemical fertilisers.

Sarah Murray, Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, said: “We’re putting on our Santa hats early this year at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and doing everything we can to get our customers ready for the big day in a sustainable way.

“We’re passionate about encouraging growing your own and are looking to help reduce our customers’ carbon footprint when it comes to food transport and wastage.

“Our customers really enjoy our monthly Grow How sessions, and we’re excited to get into the festive swing this August in our Edinburgh store.”

For more details on Dobbies’ Edinburgh Grow How sessions in August, visit www.dobbies.com/grow-how. 

If you’re unable to attend the event, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, shares his top tips on growing your own Christmas dinner:

“When growing your own Charlotte Potatoes ensure you’re continually covering shoots with peat-free compost. This encourages the potatoes to multiply and stops them going green. You’ll know your potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants start to flower but the leaves stay green.

“Charlotte Potatoes can be kept in a sealed dark bag for seven-eight months, so be sure to keep these wrapped up and ready for your festivities.

“Autumn King Carrots need an open site with fertile and well-drained soil, an ideal vegetable for growing in a deep container. Sow your crop in the autumn months and make sure to cover them with an insect mesh to prevent carrot flies. Your harvest will be ready in about 10 weeks so if you plant in October, they’ll be ready to eat just in time for Christmas day.”

Herbs are another brilliant and easy plant to grow in the garden or from your windowsill inside.

Marcus explained: “Herbs are great to grow at home and you can use them in a wide variety of dishes throughout the year. They’re easy to maintain and just need regular water, warmth and light to grow.

“For festive flavours Parsley, Sage, Thyme and Rosemary are some of my favourites, and Mint is a great option if you’re looking to jazz up some festive candy cane cocktails.”

For more advice on growing your own, additional tips and inspiration, visit:

www.dobbies.com.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club goes green this summer

Free sustainable workshops in Edinburgh store

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is set to host a series of workshops this summer in Edinburgh for its Little Seedlings Club. Magnificent Microgreens will take place on Sunday 3 July, and back for 2022 is Dobbies’ Summer Holiday Club sessions, perfect for keeping the little ones busy during the school break.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is a free children’s gardening club for children aged 4-10 in Edinburgh which explores the exciting ways children can connect to plants, wildlife and the environment, nurturing their minds with fun-filled activities.

The Magnificent Microgreens workshop will take a deep dive into the science behind the nutritious leafy greens, showcasing all the health benefits of eating these superfoods and how attendees can easily grow their own at home no matter the space by making their very own windowsill planter to take home and grow.             

The not your average garden centre will also be demonstrating all the ways in which chefs use microgreens in the kitchen to help encourage kids to eat their greens. 

Dobbies’ Summer Holiday Club sessions in Edinburgh will take place on 26 and 27 July between 11-12 am. These interactive workshops will explore how children can create their very own summer sanctuary in the garden for plants and wildlife to flourish.

Here attendees will take a closer look at the insects, birds and animals that call the garden home during the summer months, making bug hotels, learning interesting animal facts, and finding out all the ways we can make our garden into a wildlife haven.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, explained: “Summer holidays are a great chance for the little ones to harvest a new passion for gardening, enjoy time with kids of a similar age and learn something new.

“Our free Little Seedlings workshops are open to all, and this summer we’re showing our young gardeners that anything is possible in their green space if they have the right knowledge and tools.”

Advance booking is required for the free events to secure your space. For more information about how children can get involved in these workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit the following links.

Magnificent Microgreens: https://events.dobbies.com/event-detail/?e=4209&v=0&r=v.

Summer Holiday Club: https://events.dobbies.com/event-detail/?e=4210&v=0&r=v.

Dobbies announces Helping Your Community Grow winner

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has announced Edinburgh’s Helping Your Community Grow project winner, seeing St Thomas of Aquin’s R.C High School receive gardening resources to brighten up their green space in a sustainable way.

This spring, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is supporting this worthy project with advice, products and support to help their green space flourish.

St Thomas of Aquin’s R.C. High School is going to create an urban garden area for pupils, where they can learn about sustainable gardening practices and how to care for and protect the planet. Dobbies’ support will help the high school improve the overall wellbeing of their pupils through this green space, encourage them to get outdoors, and hopefully pique an interest in gardening. 

Maria Moreno, Support for Learning Teacher at St Thomas of Aquin’s RCHS is delighted with the win: “We’re thrilled to have won Dobbies’ Helping Your Community Grow initiative and are looking forward to bringing our project to life.

“We’re really grateful for everyone’s support in getting us to this point and excited for what’s to come.”

Dobbies’ CEO, Graeme Jenkins, said: “Helping Your Community Grow is a really popular initiative in Edinburgh and we’re thrilled to be announcing our winning project, St Thomas of Aquin’s R.C High School, who are looking to make a difference to the local area.

“It’s been great to see an enhanced importance on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices this year, and we’re excited to see where our support takes them.”

There will be further opportunities available for community groups looking to brighten up their local areas. Community groups are invited to contact their local store for details of the community initiatives available on a case-by-case basis.

For more information visit www.dobbies.com.

Grow with Peter Rabbit at Dobbies

Sustainable workshop for National Children’s Gardening Week

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is hosting a free sustainable workshop on Sunday 5 June in Edinburgh specially created for kids in celebration of Peter Rabbit’s 120th birthday.

Taking place during National Children’s Gardening Week, children are invited to join a Grow with Peter Rabbit™ workshop at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, which will include a range of exciting gardening-themed activities for children aged 4-10.

This special workshop marks the 120th birthday of Peter Rabbit and Dobbies is the official garden centre partner for the anniversary year. Children will delve into the world of Beatrix Potter, have the chance to explore Mr McGregor’s vegetable patch, learn how to keep their own fruit and vegetables safe in a sustainable way, and how to welcome wildlife into their garden.

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager said: “We’re hosting a very special Little Seedlings Club for National Children’s Gardening Week, which celebrates our partnership with The World of Peter Rabbit™ and shares ways in which children can be more sustainable.

“We’re also proud to share the news that Peter Rabbit will become one of our Little Seedling Ambassadors, with blog posts being shared on dobbies.com

“Our Little Seedlings Club is always popular and we are looking forward to welcoming young gardeners to our Dobbies’ Edinburgh store.”

Advance booking is required to secure your space for this free event at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store.

For more information on how your little one can take part, visit dobbies.com/events

Dobbies Helping Your Community Grow initiative: still time to enter

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is helping green spaces and indoor areas across Edinburgh and the Lothians blossom this spring with the return of its much-loved Helping Your Community Grow initiative, with an enhanced sustainability focus for 2022.

Launched in 2010, the initiative encourages people across Edinburgh to take care of their green spaces. For 2022, Dobbies is seeking local groups striving to help their community space flourish in a sustainable way.

Both the Dobbies and little dobbies stores are offering the opportunity to get involved. Whether it’s a community allotment project to get kids eating more fruit and vegetables, a wildflower garden with pollinating flowers for bees and insects or a calming outdoor space for boosting mental health, Dobbies wants to help communities transform their space. 

Helping Your Community Grow is calling for local groups from all over the Lothians to get in touch through an application form via Dobbies’ website, showcasing their community space that needs some attention and what they plan to do if they receive Dobbies’ support.

Successful groups will be given advice, products and time to help transform their outdoor spaces using Dobbies’ sustainable products where possible. This could include peat-free compost, recycled and recyclable pots, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products.

The team at the little dobbies store in Stockbridge are looking to transform an indoor space with air purifying houseplants that will breathe life into a community space.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the forefront of what we do at Dobbies and we’re proud to be relaunching our Helping Your Community Grow initiative in our Edinburgh stores this spring.

“We had a brilliant variety of applications last year and it was great to see local community spaces, school vegetable patches and memorial gardens benefit from our support.

“We are particularly keen to hear from projects in Edinburgh who have a sustainable focus to their work and our teams will share their knowledge of sustainable products and practices, to ensure a truly eco-friendly approach.”

In addition to the regional winners, one national winner will receive further support.

Claire Blowers from Noadswood PSA, the national winner from 2021 said: “We really benefitted from entering Helping Your Community Grow in 2021. We had invaluable support and advice from the team, along with products that enabled us to transform our space. I would highly recommend community projects submitting entries for this year’s initiative.”

Getting involved couldn’t be easier. Eligible projects must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store or 5 miles of the little dobbies’ Stockbridge store.

Applications are now open until MONDAY (4th April). For more information on how to take part, visit www.dobbies.com/helping-your-community-grow.

Spring has sprung at Dobbies

Two thirds of Edinburgh residents can’t wait to be back in the garden

It’s officially spring and Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores are gearing up for their busiest spring ever. In fact, new research from the UK’s leading garden centre retailer has found that a huge 65% of people in Edinburgh can’t wait to get back gardening now that spring is here.

The research, from Independent Media News, looked into this year’s gardening trends, attitudes towards gardening, garden centres themselves and some of the misconceptions about the UK’s favourite pastime.

It found over half of Edinburgh residents have the space to garden, with 41% wanting to learn more about gardening.

The research also looked into this year’s trends and found the top focuses in Edinburgh were encouraging more wildlife into the garden (45%), growing your own produce (37%) and creating an outdoor social area (37%).

When it comes to what type of garden Edinburgh locals might be looking to create, top trends are growing your own (35%), creating a social space (29%) and wild flowers (31%). So, it’s clear that people are looking to make the most of their vegetable patch, together with a well-formed BBQ area or space to socialise with friends and family, and enjoy a wild flower area in the garden.

Across the UK, even those without an actual garden are still looking forward to gardening. A massive 90% of people surveyed said they have still taken up gardening even if they don’t have an outdoor space by bringing the garden indoors.

From sunny window ledges to cool dark corners, lots of plants thrive indoors, and you can grow your own produce just as effectivity indoors as out. What’s more, studies have proven that houseplants improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%, reduce stress levels, and boost your mood.1.

Gardening sustainably is high on the list of priorities for gardeners according to the survey. Almost 33% of people in Edinburgh said they are more likely to shop at a garden centre that is sustainably focused and 20% go to the garden centre for advice and tips. Dobbies is notably 100% peat-free in relation to bagged compost and has just launched a partnership with elho to offer plant pot and tray recycling in-store. 

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “Spring is our busiest time of the year, with our garden centres featuring a whole host of popular and new plants, seeds, houseplants and garden furniture, ideal for the gardens, balconies and window ledges of Edinburgh’s homes.

“The past few years have seen a huge increase in the number of people enjoying gardening and recognising its benefits, for both physical and mental wellbeing. Our team are ready for a busy few months and we look forward to giving plenty of hints, tips and advice to gardeners, no matter their level of expertise or size of outdoor space.”

1. https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806

Peter Rabbit™ Breakfast at Dobbies 

This Easter, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, partners with The World of Peter Rabbit™ to celebrate the iconic bunny’s 120th birthday with an exclusive Peter Rabbit™ Easter Breakfast.

Tickets are now on sale for this exciting, themed celebratory breakfast in Edinburgh between 14-18 April, bringing friends and family together to explore gardening fun. Attendees will take part in a wide range of family-friendly gardening activities plus receive a Peter Rabbit gift to take home.

In addition, there will be a great range of breakfast options, including a traditional cooked breakfast or a vegetarian cooked breakfast. For an alternative option, children can enjoy a portion of cheesy beans on toast.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager Sarah Murray said: “We’re excited to be the official garden centre partner for The World of Peter Rabbit this year. Peter is synonymous with gardening and outdoor adventures and so he is the perfect fit for our family audience at Dobbies.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Peter Rabbit fans to our themed breakfast to learn more about his story and gardening during this celebratory year.”

Izzy Richardson, Global Brand Director, Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “We’re delighted to have launched this partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres during Peter Rabbit’s 120th birthday year.

“Dobbies are a perfect partner to help us celebrate Peter’s connection to nature. At the same time, the breadth of locations of Dobbies Garden Centres, helps us continue to make The World of Peter Rabbit accessible and enjoyable to a wider, and more diverse audience of families and communities across the country. The themed Easter breakfast is a wonderful way to bring friends and families together to celebrate with Peter, and learn more about gardening and spending time in nature too.”

Children can enjoy A Peter Rabbit™ Easter Breakfast for £9.99, and adult tickets start from £6.99. The series of events will be taking place between 14-18 April across 66 selected Dobbies’ stores including Edinburgh. To find out how to get involved and book your slot, visit dobbies.com/events

Dobbies offers Book with Confidence with each purchased slot, for more info visit https://www.dobbies.com/book-with-confidence.

Attendees are invited to get involved in the conversation by tagging @DobbiesGardenCentres and @OfficialPeterRabbit, as well as using the hashtag #PeterRabbit120.

In addition to this children’s event, Peter Rabbit will continue his work with Dobbies as a Little Seedlings Ambassador. There will be updates on what Peter has been up to with the Little Seedlings Club on the dedicated Ambassadors blog at dobbies.com

New garden recycling scheme partnership provides solution to plant pot landfill problem

Two industry leading horticultural brands have joined forces to provide gardeners in Edinburgh with a solution to plant pot recycling, preventing further plastic waste ending up in landfill. 

Sustainable plant pot designer, elho, has partnered with nationwide garden centre retailer, Dobbies to provide plastic plant pot recycling bins across 69 of its centres including Edinburgh. This will make it easier than ever to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in the garden and prevent further plastic waste ending up in landfill. 

It has been widely reported that kerbside recycling of plant pots is challenging. Policies vary significantly from council to council, particularly when it comes to black plant pots, which can leave gardeners at a loss with what to do with their disregarded pots. 

Now gardeners can simply take their plastic plant pots and trays to Dobbies Edinburgh store for them to be recycled. The bins provide a simple means of disposing of plant pots in a convenient and environmentally friendly way, rather than having them clutter up garden sheds or adding to landfill. 

This comes as new research from Dobbies Garden Centres reveals that 33% of gardeners in Edinburgh want to recycle more of their garden waste products this spring.  

The survey was based on responses from 2003 UK adults including 147 from Scotland between 4 March and 7 March 2022.  

Both companies are champions of sustainability with industry-leading green initiatives, and the plastic pot recycling bins are the latest innovation in this.

elho places nature at its core and boasts a number of sustainable credentials, including the production of only 100% recyclable plant pots that are made from recycled materials, using 100% renewable wind energy from the company’s very own wind-powered factory in the Netherlands.

Last year alone, the company recycled more than 13 million kilograms of recycled plastic to create its beautifully designed pots. 

Chris Buck, Northern Account Manager at elho, explained: “We’re pleased to be working on this initiative with Dobbies to encourage gardeners to recycle their plant pots, and to make it incredibly easy for them to do so.

“It’s great to be working together to collect plastic garden waste and give it a second lease of life, instead of sending mountains of it to landfill. We wanted to help provide gardeners with a simple, convenient solution to dispose of their plant pots in an environmentally friendly way. When visiting the centre to buy more plants, simply return your old pots – it couldn’t be easier!” 

Dobbies’ goal is for the initiative to provide customers with the knowledge that plant trays and pots they have purchased are recyclable in store. Like elho, Dobbies is committed to delivering environmentally friendly practices, products and sustainable solutions.  

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, added: “We are always looking for ways to embed sustainability into our operations, and this is a positive step forward in our #SustainableDobbies journey.  

“Our research shows that gardeners across Edinburgh are passionate about recycling, so while we have encouraged pot recycling for a number of years in-store, this new bin at our Edinburgh store will provide customers with a clear message and opportunity to recycle.”