Tag: Little Seedlings Club

Little Scare-lings get in the Halloween spirit at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre to host children’s pumpkin themed event

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting children in Edinburgh to its great value Little Scare-lings event this Halloween, guaranteed to get them feeling pumpkin-tastic with a treasure trove of family-friendly activities. 

Available in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store between 26-29 October, Little Scare-lings is guaranteed to get everyone in the spine-chilling spirit. Great for kids aged 3-10, this event is action-packed and has something special in store for those hunting for the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve.

Kids can also strut their spooky style and take part in the garden centre’s annual scare-a-thon to be in the chance of winning a prize for the best dressed.

Little Scare-ling attendees will sink their fangs into Halloween treats, pumpkin-themed activities and games.

With plenty options for even the fussiest trick-or-treaters, children will have the choice of fish fingers, chicken nuggets or plant based goujons, served with chips and garden peas, or a cheese and tomato pizza with vegetable sticks.

Adults can enjoy a selection of soup and sandwich pairings or a slice of cake. Sticky chocolate orange, blueberry Victoria sponge or a nutty coffee and walnut cake ensure the parents are spoilt for choice.

Families will be invited to visit Dobbies’ very own miniature pumpkin patch. Here children can take a pumpkin home, carve it up using Dobbies’ guide and create their own personalised pumpkin for welcoming trick-or-treaters.

Sarah Murray, who created this year’s event, loves Halloween and can’t wait to welcome Little Scare-lings along for the event. She said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Halloween event in Edinburgh and warmly welcome kids of all ages to get involved with our pumpkin extravaganza.

“ These events are always extremely popular with our regular Little Seedling Club attendees, so please book in advance to save any disappointment. It’s a fang-tastic way for families to get together this Halloween.”

Tickets for Little Scare-lings are now available for Dobbies’ Club Members, priced at £9.99 per child and from £3.95 for adult tickets, which officially go on sale to all customers from 5 September.

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Little Scare-lings afternoon event, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Free children’s event: Engage your five senses at Dobbies

Join this free-to-attend children’s gardening workshop

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has announced its September Little Seedlings Club workshop in Edinburgh, a free-to-attend, inspiring and educational session around Garden Senses.

Aimed at children aged 4 to 10, this workshop will take place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on Sunday 3 September, giving young gardening fans an understanding of how they connect with their natural world through their senses. 

During the workshop, Dobbies’ team of gardening experts will focus on the five fundamental human senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Through engaging activities and demonstrations, children will learn how to use their senses when exploring their outside space.

From the rustling of leaves to the chirping of birds, participants will understand the role that sight and sound play in their garden. The workshop will delve into humans’ intricate sense of taste, explaining why certain fruits like apples taste sweet and vegetables like broccoli taste earthy. 

Children in Edinburgh will learn how touch receptors in the skin send signals to the brain to interpret the different textures of plants in the garden, as well as the science behind how we are able to smell lovely scents in the garden. Chrysanthemums play a large role in enhancing sensory gardens and there will be the chance to uncover how these vibrant flowers can engage multiple senses at once.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The five senses play a crucial role in how we connect with the garden and environment around us. It’s an interesting subject and we’re delighted to be using it as a topic for our next Little Seedling Club workshop in our Edinburgh store.

“We’re looking forward to making nature even more exciting to young gardening fans and helping them understand how their senses all work in harmony.”

Little Seedlings Ambassador, Iniya Raj, adds: “I’m really looking forward to September’s workshop and learning all about how I can use each of my senses in the garden.

“I enjoy listening to the different sounds in the garden, especially the birds and little creatures that live there.”

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club session, visit Garden Senses | Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store gives customers hot tips for summer gardening

Free workshops this August

With summer in full swing, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is sharing its expertise to help gardens thrive this season. Dobbies’ gardening experts in Edinburgh are hosting two free sessions, for both children and adults, to help them learn about what plants do well during sunny spells and how to protect your garden in the warmer months.  

According to Your Weather, the last two summers in the UK have been drier than the historical average. Dobbies’ horticultural experts will lend a hand to offer free advice to customers in Edinburgh about how to maximise their outdoor space and ensure their gardens are prepared for whatever the weather may bring.

Dobbies’ interactive Grow How session takes place on Saturday 5 August at 10:30am where customers will be invited along to further their gardening expertise. Attendees will get advice on plants that will thrive in sunny spots, insider tips for getting the garden to grow and the different types of drought-friendly plants to keep your outdoor space vibrant all summer long.

The Little Seedlings Club takes place on Sunday 6 August and is ideally suited for children aged 4-10 years old, offering a jam-packed interactive workshop with educational content and craft activities. Kids will learn about summer as a season, what the warm weather means for the environment, how plants adapt to dry weather, specific plants to grow and how we can be safe in the sun.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The hottest summer months can have an impact on the overall health of your plants and the success of your garden. Choosing the correct plants for the right position and soil in your garden is essential.

“Many plants have adapted and evolved to cope with hot and dry weather conditions, and gardeners in Edinburgh can take advantage of this by potting up plants such as Lavender and Rosemary or by growing palms or outdoor succulents. 

“Certain plants like Salvia, Lemon trees and Dahlias all burst with vibrant colours and thrive in a sunny spot, a great choice for south facing gardens or balconies that get sunlight all day.

“Our in-store experts are looking forward to speaking with customers and our Little Seedlings Club members to make sure everyone is putting their best foot forward this summer.”

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ sessions, visit Events | 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

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

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

Art in the garden this autumn with Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club 

Free sustainable workshop in Edinburgh store 

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, encourages families in Edinburgh to get artistic in the garden this autumn with its free Little Seedlings Club workshop next Sunday 6 November.  

During the autumn months the trees change colour and bronzed leaves pave the ground, so it’s the perfect time  of year to give your garden a colourful makeover.

Dobbies’ November workshop will show kids aged 4 to 10 how to create beautiful garden art using existing pots, natural objects, and recycled materials to brighten up any garden. 

This interactive workshop will spark the children’s imagination and teach them how to be creative with nature in  a sustainable way. Dobbies’ Edinburgh team will share a variety of fun craft activities.  

The team will highlight the value of exploring the outdoors and how children can use natural materials like sticks,  rocks, and flowers to create striking art in a sustainable way.

They will also learn about recycling, its importance  to the environment and how recycled items, such as plastic bottles or aluminium, can be used to create a  colourful piece of garden art. 

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming our  Little Seedlings Club attendees this November. Gardens are full of warm tones during autumn, and we hope that  our workshop helps children explore their creativity with arts and crafts to brighten their outside space  sustainably. 

“Our workshop is a great place for locals in Edinburgh to meet new friends, learn more about the environment  and try something new.” 

For more details on Dobbies’ Edinburgh free November Little seedlings workshop, visit: events.dobbies.com.  

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings get their five a day this September

Free sustainable workshop in Edinburgh store

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is hosting a free session in Edinburgh for its Little Seedlings Club on Sunday 4 September. During this workshop, children aged 4 to 10 will learn how to grow their own fruit and how they can enjoy some of their five a day this autumn. 

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club provides exciting interactive learning activities that allow children in Edinburgh to understand, explore, and connect with plants, wildlife, and the environment around them.

September’s workshop is set to be fun-filled and educational with a key focus on how you can grow fresh fruit in your garden space. The workshop will cover the early history of different fruit, as well as diving into the science, illustrating how we classify those frequently misidentified as vegetables.

Children will also learn about the health benefits, along with how different fruits grow and how to plant their own at home. There will also be a crafting activity.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, explained: “Our Little Seedling Club is very popular and we hope to encourage and nurture young people’s passion for growing their own crops.

“We’re looking forward to highlighting all the health and wellbeing benefits of fruit, as well as having lots of fun.”

Advance booking is required to secure a free spot at the September Little Seedlings Club.

For more information on how children can participate at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit: events.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.

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