'Willpower & sheer idiocy combine in harmony'
Horticulture in crisis: what can WE do?
I'D love to say 'we all know about the crisis in the world of horticulture', but I won't, as it's not true. Only people within the industry, or keen observers outside of it, realise the skills shortage due to the lack of young people entering the profession. Gardening is NOT just a middle-class pursuit carried out by the ageing - it's for everyone, regardless of age, sex, 'class', qualifications, etc. It is a real career and lifestyle choice for all. On this page, I aim to highlight others trying to change the system, whether individuals or big companies. I'm expecting a kicking from the establishment.
I'M all for this Poundland gardening range.
Why? Because it's NOT preaching to the converted and may stand a chance of germinating a life-long love of plants in ordinary working-class kids and parents.
The stores are in town centres, removing the need for a car to get to an out-of-town garden centre. Please remember, not everyone has, wants or can afford to run a vehicle. I can't drive - I have epilepsy - so I have to rely on someone else to drive me places I can't get public transport to.
Before the inevitable hoo-haa erupts in the horticultural world about not promoting 'proper' gardening businesses, bear this in mind. If this Poundland range gets people into gardening, they will start to look further afield - into the garden centres and nurseries.
As for the Homebase initiative, it opens the eyes of young people to a career they probably hadn't known existed. When you were at school, did anyone ever suggest gardening as a career for you?
There will be a trickle-down effect for all - but this relies on nurturing, helping and informing these new gardeners. It's an opportunity no-one can afford to miss.
My view: STOP preaching to the converted!
DO you want to garden but can't afford it or think you don't know what you're doing?
Now Poundland has launched a range of gardening sundries with Charlie Dimmock, plus some great ideas and advice from her on how grow the simplest of things.
In The Garden with Charlie Dimmock consists of more than 130 lines - each item has simple instructions and helpful tips on the back of the packaging.
The range is available now and simple how-to videos featuring Charlie are available on www.poundland.co.uk and on YouTube.
Charlie said: "Gardening doesn’t need to be complicated or overwhelming – making it affordable and accessible makes gardening enjoyable and satisfying: a simple hanging basket and window box is something that everyone can achieve for minimal cost and maintenance.
"With so many Poundland stores across the UK they are much handier to get to than out-of-town garden centres and hopefully that will encourage people to take up gardening.”
Survey: is lack of knowledge and cost killing the future of horticulture?
According to a new survey by Poundland, more than one in 10 Britons who have a garden never spend any time tending to it. Despite a quarter (26 per cent) claiming to love spending time in their garden, one in five (21 per cent) don't have the time, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) don't know where to start.
One in five (23 per cent) cited lack of knowledge as the main barrier to getting in the garden.
Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) admitted to not knowing how to take care of a window box, while well over half don't know how to grow their own veg (60 per cent) and a third (33 per cent) claim to not know how to weed.
Well over a quarter (28 per cent) will only set foot outside when it's warm, missing the main planting milestones. In fact, 15 per cent claim to have no clue as to the best times in the year to plant - and 15 per cent view gardening as a chore.
Charlie added: "I am quite surprised that so many people feel that gardening isn’t for them without giving it a try!”
Poundland enters the fray with Charlie Dimmock range
Charlie Dimmock with her new gardening range for Poundland, available now. Pictures; Poundland
SET up in 2013, Homebase’s Garden Academy aims to inspire and train the next generation of gardeners.
Students spend time with Adam Frost learning about garden planning, planting and landscaping as part of their training to achieve a Royal Horticultural Society Level 1 Award.
They work in Homebase garden centres to hone their knowledge of gardening products and understand what customers want.
In its 1st year, 12 students graduated and 40 students joined the academy last September, with another 40 starting in January. Applications to join the next academy will be open May/June, visit www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/garden-academy for details.
Picture; Homebase