GCU_March10_PG16:Page 6 05/03/2010 09:56 Page 16
GIMA Voice
You Don’t
Have to Say
it With
Flowers …
A
s we get into March thoughts turn to
Displays of even quite plain bird boxes can be
Mothers Day and Easter, a traditional
brought to attention with soft toys and ribbons.
time for giving presents. While many
garden product retailers make profits from
As a parent there probably is not a Christmas or
selling Primroses and chocolates, even Easter
Easter that goes by that you don’t think “I wish
egg shaped ones, there is so much more that
there was not so much chocolate in this house”,
can be promoted.
so instead of spending more money than you
ever think they are worth, on an Easter egg
GYO is not just about producing some of your
where up to 60% of the cost is packaging, get
own fruit and veg. It has a much broader appeal.
the kids some of their own garden tools this
It is all about healthy lifestyle, looking after
year. Yeominis and the Joseph Bentley ranges
yourself – health, wealth and well being. Buying
cover ages from toddlers to teenagers.
Mum a session at the local Spa might fit into this
category but in these days of consumers
Gardening is fun, it’s healthy and meets so
spending their cash more wisely, Mum might in
many of those needs of today, fresh air,
reality get greater satisfaction from something
exercise, good for the environment and the
like a Stewart Garden Herb Pot to grow her own
perception of saving money. So garden retailers
selection of herbs on the window sill.
can do what they are so good at, as garden
retail consultant Roger Crookes highlighted
So while there is nothing
recently, and go to town with inspiring
wrong with the traditional
customers to get involved with gardening
Mothers Day or Easter
through their displays.
display in the garden
centre, expand it with other
In the over the top world of political correctness
ideas aimed at the stressed out
though don’t fall into the trap one leading
Dad lacking in inspiration, the busy
retailer did in the run up to Christmas
Mum needing something for her own
by suggesting a washing line was a
Mother. You’ve got the products –
great present for the lady in your
they need the inspiration.
life, but as gardening is back
in fashion and the trendy
If pots of luxury hand cream are good
thing to do once more, it
gifts for Mothers Day, a pair of colourful,
is time to make the most
comfortable gardening gloves can be just as
of this.
successful. Gather together a selection of seeds
with a feminine colour theme for the children
to give Mum so she can enjoying a bit of
relaxation in the garden with the family
growing some colourful flowers. Tie them
together with a piece of ribbon into a little
parcel. A few packets of seeds are a great gift to
pop in a card if you have to post it.
Feeding and watching garden birds is rapidly
becoming one of our greatest past-times so
All the products mentioned are available from
particularly for the older Mum or Grandma
GIMA members and more details of them can
there will be much greater, lasting pleasure in a
be found by visiting the GIMA website,
bird feeder and seed than even her favourite
www.gima.org.uk or by calling GIMA Director
box of crystallised fruits!
Neil Gow – 01905 381 142.
16 GCUMARCH 2010
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