A Virtual Trip to the Garden Press Event

New products and a new gardening event – some of the things that caught my eye at the Garden Press Event 2021.

Sustainable gardening was a strong theme at this year’s Garden Press Event with many firms keen to push their green credentials.

From plant-based pots and pest control to plant food made from the bi-products of anaerobic digesters, there was plenty for gardeners who want to do their bit for the environment.

The Garden Press Event in London is the beginning of the season for many of us in the horticulture media world. Little did we realise last year that it would also be the end.

The 2020 show was held just weeks before the first lockdown, which then saw every major garden show cancelled and none of the press trips that usually punctuate my year.

With restrictions still in place, this year’s event was held online. Virtual ‘tables’ allowed us to talk via video link with exhibitors and, while the technology didn’t always work smoothly, it was far better than no show at all.

The new product award – voted on by the press – went to SylvaGrow’s new Farmyard Manure.

The Tetbury-based firm’s new compost is based on the bi-product of anaerobic digester, along with a percentage of green waste, is Soil Association approved and contains no animal products.

Dalefoot Composts were announcing a change to their range of peat-free composts – the addition of comfrey.

Comfrey has long been used by gardeners to produce a plant food packed with nutrients and trace elements.

The Cumbrian firm is growing it on a commercial scale and harvesting four times a year to add to its blend of wool and bracken composts.

Also from Cumbria, is EcoGro, a new range of plant foods produced using the bi-product of anaerobic digesters.

The firm, set up by a group of farmers who use the digesters to make renewable energy, has liquid feeds suitable for veg and flowers, as well as a mist spray for houseplants.

“As we don’t use chemicals, we are pollinator friendly and most importantly, we’re protecting the environment,” said Kevin Beaty, one of the founders.

A list of stockists is available on the website and the products are also available online.

Also using the anaerobic method is Norfolk-based PlantGrow. The farming family behind it grow grass, maize and rye, producing bio gas for 2,000 homes.

The waste is used to produce a gardening range that includes compost, plant food and pest control, all free of chemicals, animal products and peat.

“Our solid blend mulch is perfect for the no dig method,” said Ashley Day of PlantGrow. “It’s full of micro nutrients and safe for wildlife.”

Another product for those who want to garden peat-free and organically is Carbon Gold, a form of carbon produced by burning organic material at very high temperatures with limited oxygen, and designed to boost plant health and vigour.

It was launched back in 2007 and the company now produces a number of soil improvers, composts and fertilisers.

This year, the firm is increasing the range to include more ‘gardener friendly’ products in smaller sizes. The packaging is also being redesigned.

“We are moving away from the black plastic tubs and toward more sustainable packaging such as boxes and clear plastic, which is recyclable,” said managing director Mike Hartshorn.

I was interested in the new range of hemp fibre pots from Haxnicks. They are ideal for growing things such as tomatoes and can be composted.

The firm also produces pots and seed trays made from bamboo – a good alternative for those who want to avoid using plastic.

Another Cotswold firm at the Garden Press Event was Woodlodge, who supply outlets such as garden centres.

They’re well known for their pots – I’ve trialled some in the past. They were talking about new pots and garden ornaments, the Honey and Wild range.

Designed to put a smile of people’s faces and introduce an element of fun into gardens, the collection includes Owl and Jay Bird Feeders.

Definitely quirky – I wonder what my Under Gardener (resident robin) would make of them?

In fact, the Cotswolds were well represented at the event with Wildlife World from Tetbury also there.

One of their most popular products is the Simon King Wreath Nester, which can be covered with foliage from the garden.

The firm has also launched a range of bird food in compostable packaging made from starch and plant fibre.

Muddy Trowel is a new company that started in the midst of the first lockdown. The aim, as founder Steve Folwell explained, was to bring together nurseries who suddenly found themselves with stock they couldn’t get to customers and those who discovered gardening when forced to stay at home.

The premise is simple: the firm supplies a ‘kit’ of container and plants. These range from pots in three sizes to windowbox kits, and plants without a container that can be used in borders.

So far, the delivery range is mainly the Home Counties but there are plans to eventually extend this.

Finally, with the early 2021 flower shows cancelled and later dates still uncertain, it was good to learn about a new event.

BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair will be held at Beaulieu in Hampshire (pictured at the top of this post) from May 28-30 with plans to make it an annual event.

It will have nursery stands and an exhibit by Hilliers, who are sponsoring the event.

There will also be planting inspiration from a display of Beautiful Borders, gardening exhibitors and a BBC Good Food Market.

Spokesman Sarah Sandys-Renton explained that it would not be merely a scaled down version of BBC Gardeners’ World Live.

“It will have its own flavour and feel.”

Meanwhile, the BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC in Birmingham has been postponed with new dates due to be announced soon.

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