Cultivating help to stay in bloom
The horticultural industry has joined forces to offer support to independent nurseries, gardens and events during the coronavirus pandemic, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
WHILE online seed and plant retailers have reported a huge surge in sales over the past few weeks, independent nurseries and growers whose livelihood depends on selling their stock of plants to garden designers or direct to the public at horticultural events have been hard hit by the cancellation of all spring and early summer flower and garden shows.
Candide, the gardening app which has an online community of more than 300,000 plant and garden lovers, is now offering its sophisticated technical resources to help independent nurseries, growers and garden event organisers promote their services free of charge.
Given that the Government is still allowing retailers to continue with deliveries, Candide is providing practical support by opening a free Marketplace which enables nurseries to sell directly to gardeners through the app, with all profits going directly to the nursery.
Visit: marketplace@candidegardening.com for information about listing on the site.
“These are extremely challenging times for everyone in the horticultural industry,” says Candide’s CEO Andrew Philbrick. “We want to do everything we can to keep the season blooming.we are delighted to offer free support, video advice and creative solutions through this difficult time.”
To kick-start the campaign, Candide has joined forces with garden designer, broadcaster and passionate plantsman
Chris Beardshaw, who has worked in the industry for 30 years. Chris has created a video message to plant and garden enthusiasts which highlights how they can help support the UK’S growers and nurseries.
“We mustn’t forget that this rather small industry needs our support,” says Chris, “there is a breadth of people who are integral to that industry keeping going and they now face an uncertain future.”
Having spent months nurturing large stocks of plants, which through no fault of their own are no longer needed, the knock-on effect to these small, vulnerable businesses could have a profound effect on future garden and flower shows, should some of them be forced to cease trading.
Further help is being offered to the small businesses who are new to selling their plants online by professional grower Rosy Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants. Rosy has created a video guide for nurseries which explains how plant passports work and gives advice on practical packaging for growers posting plants, using sustainable methods so that they avoid damage in transportation.
●Visit candidegardening.com for videos. ● The Horticultural Trades Association has asked the Government for financial assistance to help the industry avoid collapse. It warned that up to a third of producers could go bust.