Tag: gardening

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

Give your garden a spring clean

Richard Partington, garden paving expert from Simply Paving, offers his top tips on how to give your garden a well-deserved spring clean this month:

“As we move out of the winter months and start to enjoy those milder days and lighter evenings, getting outside and giving our gardens a spring clean is vitally important to help ensure they are refreshed, nurtured and a welcoming space both for us, and wildlife.

“There are some really simple tasks that you can carry out now that will make an immediate impact – from raking up leaves and debris to giving your patio slabs a clean – and a little bit of prep now will help ensure you can enjoy your outdoor space for longer.”

  1. Clear up winter debris

There’s no escaping the fact that the first step in bringing your garden back to life is clearing out any remnants of winter.

It might feel like a big task initially but once you’ve done that first spring clean, you’ll not only feel a huge sense of accomplishment, but you’ll also find it much easier to stay on top of your garden over the coming months.

Head outside and start by picking up leaves that have collected around your flower beds, in pots and on paving slabs. You’ll be amazed by the transformation, and you’ll be protecting your plants from any harmful bacteria that might be lurking in the debris and muck below. 

  1. Get weeding and freshen up your compost

While we’ve been warm and cosy indoors, weeds have had free rein over the winter months and have most likely run wild, so now is the time to clear them out and prepare your soil for the spring.

Firstly, it’s important that you pull out any weeds at the root. Also, make sure you remove any winter mulch which protected your plants through the colder months.

Once all of that organic matter has been cleared away, you can add it straight to your composter, so it doesn’t go to waste. Remember to turn over your compost pile if it’s been laying dormant over the winter months, and you should find excellent mulch at the bottom which is ideal for spreading around your newly cleared flower beds.

  1. Get planting

Now you’ve tidied, prepped and primed your borders, why not add some new blooms? Spring and summer gardens should be bright and colourful, so look at which flowers are suitable for springtime planting. 

Rake over your soil to maintain airflow and ensure that when you start to plant new perennials, they will have the best growing matter possible, adding new topsoil as needed. You may also find that some of your existing plants could do with a little TLC so consider re-potting, moving them to a more protected area of the garden or trimming the stems to encourage new growth.

  1. Clean your patio slabs

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Whilst plants and lawns are affected by the dank and cold weather, so too is your patio. Often the place in the garden that sees the most footfall during the winter months, it’s important that any hard landscaping forms part of your garden spring cleaning routine.

As a bare minimum, give your paving slabs or block paving a once over with a stiff brush, and make sure to pick up and clean under any pots which can leave marks behind.

To help you get your patio looking its best, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide, which details three easy ways to get your paving gleaming again – and some handy hints to keep it in tip top condition all year round.

  1. Show your lawn some love

Just like your garden slabs, you need to show your lawn some love too. Now is a good time to rake the grass and scarify the ground.

In doing so, you’ll remove any debris or old grass cuttings left over from last season and you’ll allow your lawn to breathe, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. You could also sprinkle new grass seed over your lawn to give your turf a helping hand.

  1. Dust off your outdoor furniture

After all your spring cleaning and tidying, it’s time to start enjoying your newly revitalised garden just as soon as the weather allows, whether that’s dining alfresco or setting up an outdoor bar.

Bring out and uncover any garden furniture which may have been hidden away over the winter months, giving it a good clean with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove any cobwebs or dirt before placing on your garden paving.

Of course, if made of timber, start with a simple clean and then use the appropriate wood oil to seal it so it is protected from the elements.

For further information, please visit www.simplypaving.com

Expert Bio:

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Richard Partington – Garden Paving Expert at Simply Paving

Richard is one of the most experienced members of the Simply Paving team, having been with the company since 2006. He is responsible for simplifying the product choice on simplypaving.com and is dedicated to knowing the technical attributes of every product.

During his time at Simply Paving, Richard has picked up a wealth of knowledge about the laying and maintenance of patios and driveways.

Stewart Milne Homes Helps Community to Flourish

Residents in Danderhall have welcomed a donation from leading housebuilder, Stewart Milne Homes, which has been used to enhance the area with the creation of allotment space, flowering gardens and wildlife habitats.

The £1,000 funding for Danderhall Primary School has been used to support community-wide initiatives, implemented in partnership with local gardening club, Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners.

The group, which has already made a range of outdoor community improvements over the last year, is currently working with the school to take groups of pupils outdoors each week in a bid to encourage them to get green fingered and engage them in protecting nature and the environment.

This month primary five pupils are planting a variety of fruit trees and making bespoke planters from recyclable pallet wood in a nearby allotment space that was previously unused land before the gardening team began the transformation.

The work undertaken by the group and pupils is helping to revive the space whilst encouraging children to enjoy the outdoors and adopt healthy lifestyle choices. 

The Stewart Milne Homes funding has been used to purchase starter gardening packs for pupils including gardening gloves, trowels and forks, pots, hyacinth bulbs and compost, craft materials and litter grabbers

It has also gone towards the purchase of wildlife habitats including hedgehog homes and bird boxes which have been installed across the village.

As well as the funding, Stewart Milne Homes also provided hi-vis jackets for the school children to wear when they are out and about in the village, helping to keep them safe.

As Stewart Milne Homes progresses the development of its new Shawfair community, a collection of three, four, five and six bedroom homes nestled on the edge of The Wisp and the village of Danderhall that will create 115 homes for the growing neighbourhood, the housebuilder plans to continue to support the school and work with local community groups on a range of different initiatives.

Kevin Moreland, Marketing Manager at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “The level of work undertaken across Danderhall by the Guerrilla Gardeners and youngsters is fantastic, and it is clearly creating a positive impact for the multigenerational local community. 

“Stewart Milne Homes is committed to supporting the communities where we build in and we are very proud to support the school with funding to enable a range of outdoor initiatives, which are integral to creating thriving neighbourhoods.

“It was great to get out and meet some of the keen gardeners to see first-hand the change they’re making which will complement our nearby Shawfair development which has been built with a people-first approach, with active travel links connecting the site to the wider village.”

David Halliday, Principal Teacher at Danderhall Primary School, said: “Encouraging and capitalising on the opportunity to experience learning and new challenges in the outdoor environment is integral to our curriculum, and the funding from Stewart Milne Homes is a brilliant boost to the opportunities that we can offer our pupils.

“The hi-vis vests will be used year-round as we encourage our pupils to get out of the classroom and allow themselves to experience new hobbies, such as gardening, as much as possible.

“We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners as it is now a weekly highlight for the pupils who have developed a love for gardening and creating new areas in the village that they can be proud of. It really is a great example of a community coming together to create a force for good.”

Helen Graham, member of Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners, said: “It has been a pleasure to meet local youngsters and encourage them to get outdoors to learn more about the garden, plants and wildlife.

“The Guerrillas have been busy working across Danderhall and surrounding villages to enhance the area with bright plants and foliage, and in turn it has brought together a number of likeminded individuals and created friendships and social opportunities, which is an added bonus.

“We have big plans to continue the revival of the village and we invite anyone in the local area with a passion for gardening or the outdoors to get involved as we work together to create a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood.”

For more information about the Stewart Milne Homes’ Shawfair development, visit: https://www.stewartmilnehomes.com/new-homes/neighbourhoods/shawfair

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.”

Little Seedlings learn to grow indoors at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Free sustainable workshop in February

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is hosting a free sustainable workshop on Sunday 6 February in Edinburgh for the Little Seedlings Club to learn how to grow indoors. 

Suitable for children aged 4-10, this workshop will take place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and will encourage children to take advantage of the cold winter months and start growing fruit, vegetables and herbs indoors.

Children will learn about what fruit and vegetables can successfully be grown indoors, the best technique for chitting potatoes to prepare for sowing and all the benefits and uses of indoor herbs.

Dobbies will also be educating children on the benefits of growing your own for their health and the planet. Home grown produce creates no plastic waste and also reduces food waste as you only harvest what you need. In addition to this, locally grown vegetables reduce carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager said: “At Dobbies we always look for ways to help our customers be sustainable and we’re delighted to be educating and encouraging the next generation of gardeners to use sustainable practices.

“Our gardening club allows children from all backgrounds to come together and connect with one another in a friendly group setting. Learning about the plants in their garden, wildlife and environment, we strive to nurture their minds with fun-filled activities.

“Our Little Seedlings Club is ever-popular and spaces are filled quickly. We’d encourage anyone looking to bring their children along to our Edinburgh store to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.”

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

For more information on how your little one can take part, visit:

https://www.dobbies.com/events

Blackhall Library needs YOU!

Do you have any spare paint brushes, leftover paint, or anything else from your summer gardening ventures, for example flower bulbs, compost, etc?

You can drop any donations into our box at the main entrance of the library, or hand it to one of our staff members.

Thank you for helping us create our own little library oasis!

Blackhall Library 56 Hillhouse Rd Edinburgh EH4 5EG

Monday – 1-5pm

Tuesday – 10am-5pm

Wednesday – 1-5pm

Thursday – 10am-5pm

Friday – 10am-2pm

Saturday 10am-2pm

Plant Sale and Scrapstore Open Day at granton:hub this afternoon

granton:hub are having a Plant Sale and the Edinburgh Scrapstore Open Day today (Sunday 11th July) from 2.00 – 4.30pm.

Not heard of The Edinburgh Scrapstore? This is the repurposed blue shipping container in our community garden which is a unique resource where scrap materials can be donated, stored and collected by members to be re-used.  Some of the materials include textiles, paper, paint and tiles.  Come along and see what resources and gems you can find for your next project.

We will be running a plant sale which will feature young plants grown organically in our community garden by our volunteer garden group. We want our plants to be affordable for all, with most plants costing £2 from our nursery. Come see the selection of Scottish plants we have grown and ask our garden team advice for your gardening needs.

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tips: Gardening for Good Health

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

Gardening for Good Health

Gardens and greenspaces have been hugely important to many people during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many people finding their refuge through gardening.

Here we explore some of the health and mental wellbeing benefits of gardening:

Stress relief

Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever and can cultivate feelings of empowerment, connection, and calm. Being in touch with nature and the great outdoors can help you feel more removed from the daily stressors of life. 

Work out

Gardening is exercise and working in a garden can use every major muscle group in the body. While activities such as raking and cutting the grass may be light exercise, shovelling and digging can be counted as vigorous exercise.

Grow your own

There is nothing quite like eating your own fresh home grown produce! Not only are many fruits and vegetables very easy to grow, but they are also more nutrient-dense, free of pesticides and tasty. By growing your own, you are also helping to preserve the environment.

Get the kids involved

It can sometimes be a challenge to get children to eat healthy foods and enjoy them. Growing vegetables not only teaches children valuable lessons about the work that it takes to grow them, but it can also help them to gain a keen interest in eating them too.

Work with what you have

Whether your patch is large or small, a raised bed, a community garden or window box – make the most of it by researching the best plants for your space and sunlight exposure. You can grow a range of things with very little space and maintenance, whilst still reaping the benefits.

Happy gardening! You can find lots more tips, recipes and health advice at https://heartresearch.org.uk/