Gardening is not only a rewarding hobby, but it can also
have a positive impact on the environment. With climate change and other
environmental issues on the rise, there’s never been a better time to start
gardening with the planet in mind. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the
best plants for the environment and provide gardening tips that will aid in
making a difference.
Best Plants for the Environment- Native Plants:
Native plants
Native plants are those that occur naturally in a specific region or ecosystem. They are adapted to the local climate, soil, and pests, making them more resilient and requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. They also provide habitat and food for local wildlife. Examples of native plants include coneflower. (echinacea), Yarrow (achillea), Lily of the valley (convallaria)
Perennials
Perennials are plants that live for more than two years. They come back year after year, reducing the need for replanting and the use of resources. They also have deeper roots, which can help prevent erosion and improve soil quality. Examples of perennials include hostas, daylilies, and delphiniums.
Edible Plants
Planting fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your garden not only provides you with fresh produce, but it also reduces the need for transportation, packaging, and refrigeration. It also helps to support local agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint of your diet. Examples of edible plants include tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and herbs like basil and rosemary.
Gardening Tips to Aid the Environment
Composting
Composting is the process of recycling organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. By composting food scraps, yard waste, and other organic matter, you can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and create a natural fertilizer for your garden.
Water Conservation
Water is a precious resource, so it’s important to conserve it in the garden. Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering plants, choose drought-tolerant plants, and water in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
Attract Beneficial Insects
Insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are important pollinators and can help control garden pests naturally. Plant flowers like sunflowers and lavender to attract bees and butterflies and avoid using pesticides that can harm beneficial insects. An Insect Hotelcan offer pollination benefits.
Plant Trees
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, provide shade and habitat for wildlife, and reduce erosion. Planting trees in your garden or in your community can have a significant positive impact on the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gardening is a wonderful way to connect with nature while also making a positive impact on the environment. By choosing the right plants and implementing eco-friendly gardening practices, you can create a beautiful garden that supports local wildlife, conserves resources, and reduces your carbon footprint.
In cold weather, we may spend less time in our gardens, and it is far too cold to be digging around… therefore, we need low-maintenance gardens that look fabulous all year round! These evergreen plants can bring colour into your garden with very little effort. Once these plants are established, all you have to do is put your feet up and enjoy your garden.
Pictured below: Plum Slate 10mm and Lavender
Manageable plants that go together
This selection of low-maintenance plants goes together beautifully and can help bring a bit of colour to your garden in those monotonous grey winter months. Complete the look with our Plum Slate- looks fab with heather and Lavender
Conifers
Conifers are evergreen plants- meaning they will retain their leaves, providing greenery, all year long. Conifers are also well-known for being a low-maintenance gardening choice. They are a great choice when it comes to providing shade and privacy- making them a popular choice for hedges. A good choice for hedging would be Leylandii as it grows the quickest, other varieties that are perfect for a formal display include Chamaecy of Paris, Pine,Juniper etc. Conifers can be planted at any time of the year, provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Conifers are great for the ecosystem too- as some birds will only nest in specific conifer trees.
Heather
Heather has inspired many poets and writers for centuries- including Emily Bronte, these plants feature naturally in UK moorlands, they feature tiny flowers exuding beautiful hues of pink and purple, all year round. They are a type of shrub, with flower spiking at different times of the year, depending on the species. Although, newly planted Heathers require lots of watering for the first year, after that they are an extremely low-maintenance gardening choice.; they are drought tolerant and have very few pests on them. Heather does well in rocky and sandy zones- making them a very versatile choice. Popular types of heather include Ericas and Callunas.
EXPERT TIPS FROM A HORTICULTURIST
Alpine plants are a vast variety, with 100s to choose from, and they are low maintenance. A top tip for alpines is to add gritty sand to the soil, as these plants like to be well-drained. Our Chelsea Range Sharp Sandis perfect to achieve this and grow happy plants!
Low-maintenance Herbs
There are few feelings as satisfying, as using your home-grown herbs for cooking. They have been used for centuries for cooking and preserving food. They are great to use in teas, beers, liquors, soft drinks, curing meats, cooking oils, or even aromatherapy. We have compiled a list of evergreen herbs, which you can appreciate all year round (whilst also welcoming minimal effort).
Rosemary
Rosemary is usually propagated with cuttings as it is tricky to get evergreen rosemary seeds to germinate. It is best to plant your cuttings in Autumn, although frost, cold, and waterlogging can kill immature plants, however once planted, and matured, they are incredibly low maintenance. Cutting buds after flowering prevents it from becoming saggy and woody, but you can then reuse cuttings, and pruning it can lead to a bushier plant. One in bloom, rosemary provides nectar-rich flowers for the bees to enjoy., and the fragrant leaves are aromatic and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Lavender
Known for its beautiful, relaxing aroma, and rich purple colouring. It is worth noting that French and Tender lavender is less hardy in winter, but English Lavender is very hardy and are a low-maintenance gardening choice when matured. It is best planted in April or May as the soil naturally warms up. It requires regular watering over the first year, but after that, you only need to water it in severe drought conditions. Lavender grows well in containers, borders, and herb gardens. It is also a magnet for bees in the garden, increasing biodiversity
Thyme
Is a great option as once established they require very little water, and they can thrive in almost drought-like conditions. it is recommended to cut back the thyme after flowering to promote new growth. Some varieties work well in gravel gardens, cracks, paving, or as an alternative to a lawn. Planting thyme in the full sun brings the essential oils to the surface, providing a rich aroma.
Low-maintenance Grasses
Carex
There are over 2,000 species of carex, commonly known as sedges. Textures and colours are widely diverse, meaning you can get lots of different aesthetics, looks and feels from the plant. While frequently thriving in well-drained and fertile soil, many do well in poorly drained and less hospitable areas, when choosing a low-maintenance carex plant, it is important to consider the light and moisture needs of the specific species.
Low-up keep Flowering Plants
Rhododendron
The way this plant protects itself from harsh winters is fascinating: they curl their leaves, allowing them to hang down, protecting them from any damage! Their roots also work hard during winter by forming intricate roots, even in the coldest of winters. As it can root more shallowly than other plants, it is ideal to keep a thick layer of mulch over this system (Our Wood Chippings and seashells provide an organic, eco-friendly way to cost-effectively protect the plant). Watch out got long, dry winters though, if the soil is frozen, it is important to water them.
Japanese Azaleas
These beautiful flowers are available in a wide range of colours. They bloom during spring and last to Autumn. They only require watering just after you have planted them- securing them as a Low-maintenance plant!
Azaleas frequently feature in bouquets, home décor, and landscaping, as well as making particularly stunning bonsai trees.
Winter Pansies
Pansies grow well in partial shade, even in winter, you can yield a display. One thing to be aware of though is that if you plant these beauties too late on in the year then they may not survive a harsh winter as they will have less time to expand their roots. A top tip for winter pansies- to lengthen their growing periods- pinch out the flower heads that have finished blooming to ensure nutrients aren’t wasted. These removed heads will grow new buds providing you with more flowers. Pansies with both hot and cold tolerances include:
With the UK in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis, and energy prices continuing to rise, Deco-Pak has invested heavily into its winter fuels offering as this category is set to become more essential than ever. Providing a complete one-stop-shop, garden retailers need to look no further to find the perfect supply partner for their winter fuel needs.
Offering excellent value for money, Deco-Pak’s winter fuels range includes smokeless coal in 10 and 20kg bags, as well as netted traditional and hardwood logs, with kindling, Quickfire logs, firelighters and wood logs completing the offering. This will help you turn a profit all year round.
Adding additional value this winter, Deco-Pak also offers Rock Salt to help consumers traverse icy winter days. Sledges and snow shovels are also available, all of which are available for quick delivery for when the harsh Great British winter hits.
Check out the full range: https://www.deco-pak.co.uk/product-category/snow-solutions/rock-salt/#
Making more sustainable choices
Deco-Pak’s EcoStone range raises the bar when it comes to sustainability, transforming waste materials once destined for landfill into decorative aggregates that meet the latest design trends.
The range includes Glasglo, translucent pot topper stones and cobbles made from recycled televisions; EcoStone Rubber Chippings, which give new life to former tyres which are recycled into chippings for weed suppressant mulch; and EcoStone Seashells, sourced from a whelk processing factory to create pots and terrariums dressing and natural slug control solutions.
Supporting EcoStone’s green credentials, Deco-Pak has also increased the recycled content of its packaging (currently upto 50% +) whilst ensuring the packaging remains recyclable at the end of use.
Merchandising designed to sell all year round
It’s not just packaging that has had a Deco-Pak environmental makeover. The company’s POS has also been updated to include increased recycled and recyclable material, with more changes set to be introduced in the coming months as the company strengthens its GIMA Plastic Packaging Pledge, which sets out guidelines to reduce a reliance on plastics across the board.
With timeless and creative point of sale, stocking Deco-Pak provides consumers with a cohesive message season after season, whilst create aspirational displays that work on visual triggers to drive up the average basket spend by building consumer confidence.
Find out more
To find out more about Deco-Pak’s leading product portfolio please call 01422 204 394.
Deco-Pak’s crazy golf at Glee holds important meaning for garden retailers
Visitors to Deco-Pak’s stand during Glee were able to enjoy the company’s crazy golf themed stand. With six holes to test your golfing prowess, there is also a much deeper meaning to the themed holes, as Deco-Pak Director, Craig Hall, explains:
“Our customers have been superb throughout the pandemic, from their patience when stock availability and logistics were impacted, to working with us to identify key sellers and successful merchandising and POS solutions. As a way of thanking them for their support, we have created a different Glee stand; one which we hope will offer real value for those that join us on-stand.
“Each of the six crazy golf holes has been themed to reflect the challenges that the garden retail sector has faced during the last 18 months, as well as the resulting consumer demand. Supported by our product offering, designed to tap into these trends, retailers can enjoy a little fun as they educate themselves on how changing consumer spend will impact the 2022 season, and how these themes will hopefully drive us towards a new sense of normality, whilst also increasing profitability with products that are considered and truly reflective of what consumers want and need.”
The Deco-Pak crazy golf themes
Sustainability
The pandemic has accelerated the inevitable growth in demand for sustainable and environmentally conscious products. With consumers actively seeking out brands and products that meet these exacting standards, retailers wanting to optimise this will find Deco-Pak’s EcoStone range the top choice for the landscaping category.
Available to see at hole one, Deco-Pak’s EcoStone range raises the bar when it comes to sustainability, transforming waste materials once destined for landfill into decorative aggregates that meet the latest design trends. Glasglo are translucent tumbled glass stones, pot topper stones and cobbles made from recycled televisions; EcoStone Rubber Chippings give new life to former tyres, recycled into chippings that provide safe play areas and act as a weed-suppressing mulch, while EcoStone Sea Shells – sourced from a whelk processing factory, transform pots and terrariums when used as a dressing, and provide natural slug control in borders, too.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Deco-Pak has introduced an uplift in colour tones and a new logo for the EcoStone range to represent the true eco-nature of the product and packaging. Made with up to 60% of recycled material, all EcoStone bags will have a craft paper look to really set it apart from the other categories.
Mindfulness
With multiple lockdowns and enforced distance from friends, family and much of our normal day-to-day lives, the importance of protecting mental health has come to the fore – in fact it is at an all-time high. According to one report, the global meditation market is expected to reach $9billion growth by 2027. As a result, many of us are now looking at ways to improve our mental health, with gardening proving a popular option as the estimated three million new gardeners* are testament to.
Water gardening is one area consumers are turning to as the benefits of being near water have been well documented. From lower stress levels and anxiety, to boosting physical and psychological wellbeing, water gardening is a great way to add interest and relaxing sounds to garden spaces, no matter their size. Deco-Pak’s water feature collection – set to be extended for the 2022 season – will help retailers to raise the bar when it comes to staging high impact displays of instant aquatics. Featuring many ‘plug and play’ options, the complete offering is supported by informative and inspirational point of sale to help appeal to time-pressed consumers who want to introduce the tranquil, calming effect of water to gardens and demand products that can be quickly installed and instantly spurred into action. Find out more at hole two.
Family & Community
The last 18 months has shown just how important the notion of family is. Whether they be relatives, friends or the wider community, we have all reached for those we hold dear. Since 2017, Deco-Pak’s Toy Town range of play pit and play sand – including coloured play sand are available to see at hole three – has been raising money for the children’s hospice garden charity, Greenfingers, and will continue to do so throughout the 2022 season. Talking about this product offering, Craig Hall said: “Greenfingers is such a fantastic cause which is needed by, and resonates with, everyone in our industry, and is one that we are so proud to support. Through the sales of our play sand, we aim to leave a lasting impression for the charity and help provide more gardens for children with life limiting illnesses and their families.”
Growth
with gardening growing in popularity, business confidence is increasing in turn. One area that is seeing an increase in consumer spend is home and garden improvement, with landscape essentials such as stepping-stones proving popular thanks to their ability to transform paths and long-forgotten corners of the garden. From leaves and timber to penny coins, paws, half crescent moons and rustic circles, the Deco-Pak range is extensive and offers styles for all tastes and garden designs all of which will be available to view on hole four.
Inspiration
The pandemic has brought new gardeners to the market, including many younger and inexperienced customers. As such it has never been so important for retailers to offer new ideas and inspiration at the point of sale. As a result, hole five will showcase Deco-Pak’s new point of sale support, which is designed to showcase what can be achieved quickly and easily to drive up the average basket spend and build consumer confidence. New ‘get the look’ aggregate merchandising solutions will deliver quick, visual cues that demonstrate how products can be easily used to maximum effect with minimum effort.
Efficiency
Growing demand has placed unprecedented pressure on the supply chain, with retailers and manufacturers both having to quickly adapt to changing sales patterns. Improved service and logistics will be key in ensuring a smooth path through the 2022 season. One key update for Deco-Pak will feature on hole six – new quad rockery crates for the market-leading Rock & Roll range of rockery and boulder essentials.
Deco-Pak and customers are on course for an exciting 2022!
Deco-Pak and customers are on course for an exciting 2022
We are delighted to be able to meet face-to-face at Glee 2021, the Deco-Pak team has had plenty to talk about at the show so far, whilst also showcasing a host of exciting new developments set to help retailers grow their business in the coming year. Director Craig Hall talks more about the important themes on stand (6H50-J51) this year and what you can expect from 2022.
Always keen to keep it fresh and fun, Deco-Pak will be showcasing its new launches in a very different way at Glee 2021. Visitors to the stand will be invited to play a round of miniature golf, navigating the crazy course of 2021 and overcoming challenges in order to head into a more stable 2022; a year packed full of opportunity, the company promises.
Craig Hall discusses the theme of the stand a bit further, explains how the business has prioritised listening closely to the market and its customers, and in turn, planned very carefully to arm retailers with everything they need to hit a winner next year.
Greener choices Sustainability has been a key driver of innovation across garden categories, with eco-savvy consumers demanding more from their suppliers and retailers. Deco-Pak has identified this as a key trend, which will continue to shape the market going forward.
“As a company, we recognise how important this movement is and want our customers need to have an offer that meets, if not exceeds, consumer expectations. We expect the demand for eco-gardening products to continue, which is why we’ve invested in our Ecostone range. We have revamped the packaging to maximise consumer engagement and sales potential. The update means the packaging is now made with up to 60% recycled material and sports a craft paper look, which gives it an authentic feel and really sets it apart from other categories. We have also given the logo and colour tones on the bag an uplift in order to reflect the true eco nature of the product and its packaging. We expect this change to really connect with eco-savvy gardeners.”
Craig Hall, Marketing Director at Deco-Pak
He adds:
“The Ecostone range has also been expanded for 2022 and now includes a large bag of Glasglo chippings. The sustainably-sourced 10-20mm decorative aggregate chippings, made from recycled glass from old TVs are now available in larger bags, thanks to an increase in recycling and grading of Cathode-ray tube TVs, which is a positive for the planet and for gardeners looking for eco-friendly chippings to use in pots, beds and borders, water features and on patios.”
Creating retail theatre with new POS
The pandemic and lockdown gave rise to an army of new gardeners and novices keen to tackle DIY projects in their outdoor spaces. Great news for the industry but also a time to re-think how we all communicate with this new demographic. It is something Deco-Pak has given a lot of thought to and has put provisions in place to help retailers engage with these consumers and maximise sales opportunities.
Craig explains: “New younger consumers are seeking easy DIY projects to make their outdoor spaces more attractive and usable. We expect this trend to drive significant growth in the sector, which is why we have taken the decision to invest in our POS. The use of inspirational imagery on point-of-sale material really helps to inspire all generations, no matter their level of gardening expertise. The ‘Instagram generation’ expects ideas and inspiration from brands and retailers. They are seeking out visual triggers that can be turned quickly into purchase decisions that relate to their own circumstances. Our new ‘get the look’ aggregate merchandising solutions will capture that potential by demonstrating how products can be easily used to maximum effect with minimum effort.”
The updated POS sits in line with product packaging, providing shoppers with a cohesive message and appearance, which is crucial. “The new POS boards now sit in harmony with the product packaging to create a natural flow,” adds Craig. “To inspire consumers, we have invested in new photography, as well as simplifying messages to keep clear and concise information delivery
Experienced sales representatives from the industry Something that hasn’t changed for 2022 is the people. You can still count on a sea of friendly faces waiting to greet you on the Deco-Pak stand at Glee, with that expert team ready to support your business in any way they can, providing consistent communication and helping you to generate more sales and expand your offer. The people, the passion and the products are what make Deco-Pak stand out from the crowd and why retailers love working with the company.
“We know what value our sales team bring to the business,” says Craig. “As well as experienced sales agents, Deco-Pak has always been proud to have a strong representation of dedicated sales account managers from the gardening industry, who have built strong ties with customers to understand their expectations and requirements.”
Driving greater efficiency across the business The phrases “unprecedented demand” or “unprecedented challenges” have rung out across the industry over the past 18 months, putting enormous pressure on everyone within the supply chain. Businesses have had to learn fast and implement new strategies to ensure steady supply and stock availability in the face of further obstacles. Forgive another golfing reference but, it’s time to get out of the rough and onto the fairway, which is exactly what Deco-Pak is aiming for in 2022, with its customers set to reap the rewards of investments made and plans put in place.
“We have invested in new machinery in order to offer higher fulfilment,” Craig says. “We’ve introduced three further packing filling lines, which will allow us to be more flexible and respond quickly to changing patterns in demand. Our site in has also undergone a major reorganisation and expansion, with a view to increasing our stockholding. Work included the yard being renovated and extended, so that we can now hold 40% additional stock and keep even more lines available for our retailers when they need them.”
Reliable service
An important part of the puzzle is about relationships and securing strong ties and agreements with supplier partners. That is what helps Deco-Pak deliver the level of service its customers have come to expect. To maintain that the team has been hard at work behind the scenes. Craig explains: “As well as listening to our retail partners, we have continued to work even more closely with all of our suppliers – whether manufacturers, hauliers or exporters. We have not only communicated better but also secured transport agreements and invested in manufacturing equipment to strengthen the entire supply chain.”
Craig concludes: “We do hope you’ll join us on stand for a round of mini golf. It has been a crazy year-and-a half, and I think we all need a bit of fun, but we would also relish the chance to reconnect with you all and tell you about the exciting plans we have in store for 2022. We listened to the market… we know what you need, and we’ve responded, so come and find out more.”
With sustainability and environmental responsibility topping the retail agenda at Glee, family-run garden landscaping and decorative aggregates specialist, Deco-Pak, reported excellent levels of interest in its new ranges of eco-friendly garden decoration products.
Deco-Pak’s new EcoStone collection took pride of place on the company’s unique “Retail Theatre” merchandising concept displays, which showcased the latest trend-driven ranges and demonstrated how cross-merchandising ideas offer the potential to drive sales in the new season.
Retail buyers were offered an insight into how innovative EcoStone products can ignite sales at the point of purchase by appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. EcoStone sets a new benchmark for transforming items – from recycled tyres to redundant televisions and waste shells – into the highest quality landscaping products that meet the latest urban design trends.
At the heart of the range are Glasglo translucent tumbled glass stones, pot topper stones and cobbles made from recycled television screens, while new EcoStone Sea Shells are sourced from a whelk processing factory, with the crushed shells ideally suited to plant pot and terrarium dressing. EcoPave Decorative Stepping Stones, made from 30% recycled materials and featuring bee designs, will see 5p from the sale of each stepping stone donated to a bee conservation charity.
Deco-Pak’s Marketing Director, Craig Hall, said: “We received an excellent level of enquiries at Glee with buyers expressing interest in our new EcoStone range, which demonstrates Deco-Pak’s commitment to transforming waste items into innovative, unique products that create real talking points in gardens. Visitors to Glee could clearly see the potential of EcoStone products, which are set to drive sales of sustainable decorative aggregates and add a new dimension to the category.”
Another launch that generated strong levels of interest at Glee was Deco-Pak’s new Zen Garden offering – a calming range of decorative gravel, pebbles and cobbles with strong appeal for consumers who are looking to create a sense of tranquillity at home. This unique range, not only looks great, but they also tie in with our marketing strategy dealing with well-being within the gardening. With interest in Japanese-style gardens set to be rise as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gets underway, new lines such as Zen Gravel, Zen Pebbles and Cobbles will help consumers to create stylish Oriental garden features with ease.
Deco-Pak’s new range of contemporary Zen-inspired water features were a big talking point at Glee, too, with buyers inspired by the wow factor of these new plug-in-and-go water features, which add a piece of instant art to gardens and incorporate the latest LED lighting technology to create stunning garden illumination at night. The modern line-up of weatherproof poly-resin water features are supplied with a 10-metre cable, allowing easy positioning on patios or in garden settings.
This summer has undoubtedly been a scorcher and all the gardeners out there in the UK might be getting a little worried about their gardens. So here are a few tips to help out the garden stay in tip-top shape in this heat wave.
Water the plants in early morning/late evening
In this hot weather, watering during the day can seriously hinder the amount of water that the plants actually get. A huge percentage will be get evaporated away by the glorious sunshine that we all love so much. Another reason to do it at these times is that water droplets can magnify the sunlight and cause scorching which is quite damaging.
Bark at the borders
Okay. So you need a dog for this one…Haha. No, but seriously, laying down some Woodland Bark or mulch on your borders will really help with moisture retention in the soil.
Lawns going brown
You may be noticing that due to lack of rain your precious lawns are going all brown and look like they are dying. Don’t be too worried as the grass is very drought tolerant and hardy so when the rains return (as they always do), your grass will also return to its natural and healthy state.
Don’t mow the lawn too much
This leads onto another point about the grass, try to resist mowing it as long grass is much more tolerant of the heat and will survive longer.
Planted Containers
Potted plants need constant and regular watering during drought conditions. As well as the plants taking up water, 25% of moisture is lost through surface evaporation. To combat this effect it is important to Mulch the top of your containers, this prevents moisture loss and also shades the roots. Perfect for this job is Pot Topping gravels, not only do they look good but also they are very effective in retaining moisture.
Another great tip, if you are planting up new containers place a layer (5cm) of Lytag in the bottom of the pot before filling with compost. Lytag is an inert clay aggregate that has great water retaining properties.
Save Water
Did you know that you can water the plants with bath or shower water? As long as you aren’t using it to water anything that you will eat without cooking (e.g. Lettuce) then you are good to go. Saving water in a heat wave like this is critical.
These have been some top tips from the horticulture team at Deco-Pak and we hope they have helped you manage a well-kept garden in this hot weather.
For more information, chat to us on Twitter or ring us on 01422 204 394.
There is this myth that planting and growing alpine plants is very difficult but here at Deco-Pak, we would like to put a stop to this talk all together!
Especially in this heat wave that is going on, there are many benefits to starting an alpine garden:
Most alpine plants prefer good levels of sunshine
They are low maintenance and drought tolerant
Alpine gardens look authentic and can be enjoyed throughout the year
Can provide diversity to your garden with different types of rocks and gravel
Require fewer plants to make a garden look “full”
They look great in gardens of all sizes
Where to place your alpine plants
Choose a place where the plants can receive the most sun possible throughout the day and remember it is always better for the plants to spend a few hours in full sun than remain shaded all day. If you want to introduce some shade loving varieties, these can be planted in shady areas provided by the rocks in your display.
It is essential that alpine plants have great water drainage so choose a spot on a slope or artificially create one. Alternately you can use a raised bed.
It is recommended to draw out a plan of what you want your garden to look like before you actually start so you can bear in mind any factors that will interfere with the health of your plants.
Planting
When planting, remember to allow for a plants height and spread as giving them enough room to grow is crucial.
A basic planting mix would be:
One part Chelsea topsoil (sterilised)
One part Chelsea Horticultural Alpine Grit
One part Chelsea Multi-purpose compost or Ericaceous compost for lime-hating plants.
Remember to adjust these for individual plant requirements!
Top-dressing the plants with a layer of gravel will help reduce evaporation and deter slugs and snails, this is essential for both Rock gardens and potted displays such as sink gardens.
Tips
Placing decorative grit around plants reduces evaporation and also deters slugs and snails from feasting.
To avoid rotting, ensure that there is plenty of drainage and integrate Chelsea Garden Horticultural Grit into the soil.
Choosing a range of rock sizes will keep your alpine garden looking as authentic as possible. Starting with a keystone (larger rock) and then placing the smaller rocks around it will help keep the authenticity.
Want more tips and tricks? Contact us on Twitter or even ring us for a chat on 01422 204 394
Deco-Pak to launch ‘never before seen’ paving products at Glee 2018
Seasoned Glee exhibitors, Deco-Pak, is aiming to launch the next big thing in decorative landscaping at this year’s Glee exhibition, by introducing two entirely unique paving options for 2019. The latest in a long line of innovations launched exclusively at Glee, each new range is aimed at providing a point of difference for its garden centre retail partners.
Deco-Pak’s Marketing Director Craig Hall says: “Visitors to our stand will see new paving options that utilise cutting-edge materials and technology in a way that we believe is an industry first. For retailers, these new additions will definitely be something to get their customers excited, whilst also increasing demand for patio landscaping products. For consumers, the main draw for them will be a highly versatile product able to suit any kind of budget and size of garden. Providing decoration whilst also enhancing the functionality of paths and patios in a way you would not expect from a humble paving slab.”
Deco-Pak’s new products will remain under wraps until they are launched to the market exclusively at Glee 2018, with the Glee New Product Showcase a ‘must-do’ for the brand. Glee is the company’s main trade show in 2018 and will showcase its award-winning ranges on a stand that is 25% larger than the previous year.
The company’s current ranges of decorative paving, aggregates, growing media, water features and bird boxes can all be viewed on the company’s website, www.deco-pak.co.uk. To speak directly with the sales team call 01422 204394.
GIMA judges award category win to Deco-Pak for ‘whimsical and charming’ bird boxes
GIMA supplier Deco-Pak jumped to the top of the pecking order in the Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care category last night, with a win at the 2018 GIMA Awards gala dinner in South Wales. Deco-Pak’s Quintessentially British Collection of decorative birdhouses and birdfeeders impressed the judges who described it as “whimsical and charming – a fantastic take on the traditional birdhouse.”
The new additions to the well-established Garden Bazaar range include a realistic-looking miniature garden shed, a London Underground sign for nesting birds to hide behind, a wine rack feeder that promotes reusing bottles, and a scaled down No. 10 Downing Street for birds to peck on in protest. The award was hotly contested against a large number of entries this year, including finalists Smart Garden and Wildlife World.
Marketing Director Craig Hall said: “We’d already received a positive reception for our new Garden Bazaar decorative birdbox ranges from customers and the media, but to also win a GIMA Award – our first ever – is just fantastic. In a category crammed full of great products and innovations, the competition is always fierce and this year was certainly no different. On behalf of all of us at Deco-Pak I’d like to say a huge thank you to GIMA and the judges, this is a great deal for us and a key moment in the continued growth of our company.”
Designed by Deco-Pak, the new Quintessentially British range of bird boxes and feeders is priced at £16.99 – £29.99 RRP. Designed to appeal to buyers or collectors looking for quirky garden gifts, and fans of the original range of Garden Bazaar British birdhouses and feeders. Highly functional and made from FSC certified wood, the range was a finalist in the Spring Fair awards at the start of the year.
