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Lawn care sector poised for buoyant spring


There’s a sense of optimism in the lawncare sector that cannot be crushed by the political turmoil surrounding Brexit or unpredictable weather in the run-up to Easter. As we enter a point in the spring season where sales traditionally go into overdrive, expansion of the lawncare category is being driven by consumers’ desire to restore tatty lawns that failed to recover from last summer’s drought. Marloes Rots, Brand Manager at Westland, said:


of activities, from rebranding to harnessing the latest research and technology to bring innovative new products to market. The result is an expanded product offering with the potential to extend the lawncare sales season, increasing consumer confidence via new products that deliver fast-acting results with minimum effort. A major launch this spring comes from DLF


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brand, Johnsons Lawn Seed, which is introducing a triple action lawn fertiliser that feeds grass, enhances the natural colour of turf and boosts root growth using only naturally- occurring ingredients. Super Smart Lawn Feed contains beneficial bacteria called Azospirillum, which directs nutrients straight into the root system, working in conjunction with soluble mycorrhizae which can increase the root system by up to 150 times. A third ingredient, seaweed extract, ensures dense, green and even growth. Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins said: “Super


Smart is a UK first – there’s nothing like it in the market to date. It is leading the way in lawn innovation and caters for gardeners who want a natural, organic lawn food with no synthetic fertilisers or animal by-products.” To cater for gardeners who need to overseed patchy lawns, Johnsons is boosting awareness of its Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed with Seedbooster, as well as its Luxury Lawn and Shady Place lawn seed mixes. Westland is looking to tighten its grip on the lawncare sector with products that extend the season for retailers and deliver quick results for consumers. New Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed Fast Start uses proven aqua gel technology, a seed coating that encourages the absorption of water and nutrients, with specially- developed seed varieties that germinate at just 7C. This, says Westland, means that seed germinates quickly, even in cold conditions – so consumers can repair and sow lawns earlier in spring and later in autumn.


GCU June 2019 www.gardencentreupdate.com | 31


IMA members have been channelling resources into boosting the sector’s fortunes through a host


“This unique product has been designed to meet the needs of our customers who are looking for a sure-fire way to sow a lawn with minimal effort. It contains cutting-edge technology, premium fast-germinating lawn seed and grants gardeners more flexibility when it comes to sowing, as the seed performs so well in lower temperatures compared with alternatives, extending the gardening season by months.”


Sipcam, the company behind the ecofective brand, is another major player that believes the market for natural lawncare products is poised for growth. ecofective® Natural Lawn Feed is ideal for getting family lawns into shape in time for summer, resulting in lush, green lawns to enjoy during the warmer months. This concentrated liquid lawn feed is derived from natural ingredients, resulting in a faster uptake of nutrients with rapid results.


Natural Lawn Feed is perfect for smaller urban gardens or larger gardens with small lawn areas. The company says: “Not only does it


ensure that lawns look good quickly, but its formulation, which is also used extensively by professionals, helps control diseases and moss. For added reassurance, the feed is child, pet and bee-safe.”


However, it is recognised that some consumers prefer the low-maintenance benefits of artificial turf. New for 2019 is ecofective Artificial Grass Cleaner. The spray- and-leave dual-action formula removes grime, grease and dirt from synthetic turf, while battling against a wide range of algae, fungus and bacteria to prevent further growth. Artificial turf is left fresh due to the formulation’s deodoriser, which creates an authentic freshly cut grass fragrance. The product is safe to be used around children, pets and beneficial insects, including bees, and will even clean pet mess from synthetic turf.


u01959 564947 uinfo@gima.org.uk


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