contents A Spring Clean Leaving winter far behind us, it’s time to look forward to the


season that signifies new life, and whilst you’re all extremely busy preparing your spaces for the fantastic opportunities that Spring will bring to the industry, this issue highlights that people are definitely interested in picking up in their gardening gloves and are ready to muddy their knees in the garden. Garden centres have the means to create an experience for the customer, more so than most, and why not use plants to do that? Plants like lavender, wisteria, honeysuckle and jasmine all have wonderful scents that people can recreate in the garden, and with mental health and wellbeing a key factor for gardening, this is a fantastic way to get people to relax and enjoy their outdoor spaces again.


Having recently read a self-help book (don’t laugh), I learnt that it is better to take small steps in


the right direction than to make a great leap forward, only to stumble backwards. This is something we can all take on board, and you all specifically with your businesses. Change is natural, and a good thing, as nature teaches us, but we don’t have to move mountains, it’s ok to start small. Even getting one new customer excited to start gardening is an achievement in my book.


Wishing you all a very Happy Easter and may it be a celebration filled with family, chocolate and many beautiful blooms.


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Editor: Kiran Grewal Email: kgrewal@datateam.co.uk


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 @ GCUpdateUK 4 8 The Big Interview Landscaping


10 Grow Your Own 11 Wyevale Trends Report 12 Pots and Planters 13 Association Comment: GIMA & HTA 14 Association Comment: GCA & BHETA 16 Industry news


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Kiran Grewal, Editor kgrewal@datateam.co.uk


12


GCU January/February 2019


www.gardencentreupdate.com | 3


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