January in the Garden

In this episode Peter Brown and Chris Day welcome 2022 and the promise of a new gardening year! We chat to Andrew Peck, MD of Malvern Garden Buildings and discuss the massive rise of interest in outdoor rooms whether for business (home offices) or for pleasure. Andrew chats about the evolution of garden buildings from the humble shed (and who doesn’t love their sheds!) to more sophisticated buildings such as the Breeze House. In today’s everchanging world with home working becoming more popular as well as having the flexibility of an additional covered space in the garden for entertaining or hobbies or simply the perfect escape into the garden through these challenging times.

Peter and Chris look at some topical news stories, including a chat about the way Garden Centres are evolving from traditional plant-based companies to becoming more diverse in the products and services they offer to the customer.

News stories discussed

Baby Bio are launching an organic version of their famous houseplant fertiliser. It will be coming to our store over the next few weeks.

The changing face of Garden Centres from introducing large Food Halls such as Sainsbury’s into Dobbies Garden Centres. Elsewhere Country House Group under the guidance of Garden Centre legend Nicholas Marshall are developing and building a network of around 30-40 plant centres, estate farm shops, restaurants and children’s play areas at some of the finest historic country houses and estates in the UK.

What’s on this month

5th - 21st January Big Schools Birdwatch 2022

10th - 16th January Houseplant Week UK 2022 Share your photos and videos on social media using the hashtag – #HouseplantWeekUK Catch up with our chat with top Houseplant podcaster Jane Perrone from last month and you still have the chance to win one of two David Domoney’s signed houseplant books too!

Wednesday 19th January 2022 at 4pm. FREE Masterclass talk on Celebrating Climbers at the Garden Centre

Friday 21st January Squirrel Appreciation Day. Appreciate your squirrels in whatever way you can! However, from the gardener’s point of view the grey ones can cause problems.

A reminder that our Dig It competition to win one of two signed copies of David Domoney’s book, My House Plant Changed My Life is still open! To enter head over to our podcast pages on our website

Winter wash apples and pear trees to kill overwintering pests and diseases. A good organic pesticide for doing this would be Vitax Winter Tree Wash. Available in store.

Tackle moss and algae affected paths and drives with Path Magic or Algon Path Patio & Decking Cleaner – both products are available in store. A pressure washer is another good option for removing moss.

Plant a new hedge and where possible select well-priced bare-root plants, which have been grown in a field instead of pots so you’re also reducing both peat and plastic use.

Malvern Garden Buildings have 11 UK Show Sites around the UK.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music.

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