Tag: Grow How workshops

Edinburgh Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with tomato and flower growing

Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February at the Edinburgh store, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.

These workshops are open to people of all ages and with all levels of skill – whether an expert, a beginner, or someone starting out a new hobby.

Dobbies’ popular Grow How workshops will take place on Saturday 1 February, and Wednesday 5 February at 10:30am and 3:30pm at the Edinburgh store and will focus on growing your own tomatoes.

It will cover the history of the popular fruit, as well as offer tips and advice on how to grow and care for tomato plants. Customers taking part will also get the chance to taste and learn about different varieties and the most popular kinds that are grown in the UK.

These include Gardeners Delight, a cherry variety of tomato that was the most popular tomato plant sold at Dobbies in 2024. Other popular varieties include old favourites, Money Maker and Alicante, as well as Tumbler varieties that are ideal for baskets and containers.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is designed for children aged 4-10 years old and will take place on Sunday 2 February.

During the workshop at the Edinburgh store, Dobbies’ colleagues will take passionate young gardeners through the wonderful world of tomatoes, unveiling the origins of one of the world’s most popular fruits, busting fruit vs vegetable myths, while taking part in fun and interactive games.

Children will learn how to grow their own tomatoes and how to help them thrive on windowsills. They’ll also learn care tips, fun facts and the different varieties and flavours.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Holiday Club will also return in February throughout half term. The fun-filled workshop will focus on flowers, with children learning all about where they come from and the different types, why they make great gifts and more about the most popular gifting flower, the rose.

Nigel Lawton, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, is eager to showcase the programme of free events on offer to gardeners of all ages and experience at the Edinburgh store during February.

He said: “There is something particularly rewarding about enjoying fruit and vegetables that have been grown at home and these workshops are designed to make the activity accessible to all.

“Our Little Seedlings Holiday Club is a great opportunity for children to come together and learn something new by taking part in a variety of fun-filled and educations activities.”

To find out more about the free workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres

Prepare your garden for Spring with Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre offers free Grow How workshops on seasonal planting

As the cooler days of Autumn approach, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting families and gardening enthusiasts to its Edinburgh store to gear up for a colourful spring with its free monthly Grow How sessions this September.

Grow How provides a welcoming space for gardeners of all ages and skill levels to learn, share, and get growing.

The series of informal workshops will take place at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on the first Saturday of the month, then every Wednesday throughout September at 10:30am and 3:30pm. The 15-minute demonstrations, led by Dobbies’ friendly and knowledgeable colleagues, are packed with practical tips and engaging Q&A sessions, making them a perfect outing for anyone looking to learn more about gardening.

September’s workshop, Getting Ready for Spring in September, is all about preparing for a burst of springtime colour as Dobbies takes delivery of over 6 million spring flowering bulbs across its stores.

Participants will discover the best bulbs for Spring displays, including top picks for the season – vibrant Tulips, cheerful Daffodils, and delicate Crocuses. These flowers are not only easy to plant but also promise a stunning array of colours, perfect for brightening up any garden.

Attendees at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will learn how to create a beautiful bulb lasagne, a technique of layering different bulbs in one pot, ensuring a continuous bloom from early Spring into the Summer.

This method is ideal for small spaces and adds a lovely splash of colour to patios and balconies. The workshops will also cover essential tips, such as choosing bulbs for cut flowers, selecting the best bulbs for pots, and understanding the proper planting depths to ensure healthy growth.

Dobbies’ Horti Manager, Simon Jefferey, is looking forward to helping people to get out into their gardens during September in preparation for spring.

He said: “These Grow How sessions in our Edinburgh store is a fantastic way for families to bond over gardening. We love seeing kids get involved, planting their first bulbs and eagerly awaiting the flowers.

“It’s a great introduction to the joys of gardening, an opportunity to connect with nature and get inspired for the seasons ahead no matter your experience.”

For more information about the Grow How sessions and to secure a spot, visit:

 www.dobbies.com/events.