Peat Free and Proud: Inside Durston Garden Products’ Sustainable Revolution

In this episode, Kate and Phil chat with Dan Durston, National Sales Director of Durston Garden Products, and Simon Blackhurst, a consultant working on Durston’s groundbreaking peat-free compost range. Join the conversation as Dan delves into the rich history of this Somerset-based family business, from humble beginnings to its modern, innovative approach to sustainable horticulture. Simon shares his expertise on the challenges and triumphs of creating high-performing, peat-free growing media, shedding light on the science behind the transformation. The duo discusses the importance of education, the myths surrounding peat-free compost, and what it takes for the industry—and gardeners—to embrace sustainability. Durston Garden Products: https://durstongardenproducts.co.uk/Simon Blackhurst: https://www.sjbqc.com/ Your hosts: Phil Wright: ⁠http://wrightobara.com⁠ Kate Turner: ⁠http://www.gardenerguru.co.uk

In this episode of The Underground, Phil and Kate sit down with Nigel Thompson, Sales and Marketing Director at Sipcam, to uncover the story behind this innovative and agile challenger brand in the garden industry. From its agricultural roots to the development of standout consumer gardening products, Sipcam is proving that being smaller doesn’t mean thinking small.  Nigel shares insights into the brand’s unique culture, which fosters creativity and collaboration, and discusses how Sipcam’s eco-friendly innovations, like the award-winning Slug Stoppa, are setting new standards. Discover Nigel's thoughts on being a disruptor, winning the GIMA Sword of Excellence for a second consecutive year, and why Sipcam is a company to watch in 2025 and beyond. Sipcam: http://sipcamhg.co.uk Your hosts: Phil Wright: ⁠http://wrightobara.com⁠ Kate Turner: ⁠http://www.gardenerguru.co.uk

In this inspiring episode of The Underground, Phil and Kate are joined by Ross Dyke from The Plant Pod and Lee Connelly, aka The Skinny Jean Gardener, to discuss the power of horticulture in early years education. Ross shares the journey behind his “Get Children Growing” initiative, a creative programme designed to introduce primary school children to gardening with sustainable sunflower grow kits. From engaging hands-on activities to educational materials, the initiative aims to spark a lifelong love of gardening while teaching vital lessons in sustainability and responsibility.Lee adds his perspective on the importance of building connections between children, parents, and nature. As a long-time advocate for incorporating gardening into schools, Lee highlights the need to make gardening accessible, affordable, and part of everyday life. Together, they explore how gardening can bridge gaps in education, foster creativity, and even address global challenges like food security. Don’t miss this passionate conversation that sows the seeds for the future of horticulture! Get Children Growing Campaign: https://theplantpod.co.uk/get-children-growing Ross Dyke: www.theplantpod.co.uk Lee Connelly (The Skinny Jean Gardener): www.skinnyjeangardener.co.uk Your hosts: Phil Wright: ⁠http://wrightobara.com⁠ Kate Turner: ⁠http://www.gardenerguru.co.uk

In the first episode of Season 3 of The Underground Podcast, hosts Kate and Phil return with a focus on the thriving Grow Your Own movement. Kicking off with Ade Sellers, known as The Good Life Gardener, the conversation explores how sustainable gardening is empowering communities, particularly in urban areas. Ade shares practical tips and insights on how garden care businesses can cater to beginner gardeners, highlighting the importance of accessibility and education. With his passion for sustainability and community, Ade paints a compelling picture of how gardening can improve mental health, foster connections, and promote a greener future.The episode also features David Hinckley, founder of Grow Mad, who dives into the role of technology and innovation in making gardening more inclusive. From modular garden kits to digital platforms fostering community engagement, David illustrates how garden care businesses can leverage these tools to meet the rising demand for small-space gardening solutions. With a shared emphasis on accessibility and storytelling, both guests offer actionable insights for professionals looking to adapt to this growing market. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the garden care sector seeking to stay ahead of trends and connect with a new generation of gardeners. Ade Sellers, The Good Life Gardener: https://www.adesellars.com https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ade-sellars-7429ba42 https://www.instagram.com/adesellars/ David Hinckley, Grow Mad: http://growmad.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/grow_mad/ Your hosts: Phil Wright: http://wrightobara.com Kate Turner: http://www.gardenerguru.co.uk

In this final episode of The Underground at Glee 2024 interview series, we welcome Alan Down, former President of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), and Terri Jones, co-founder of Joy of Plants. Down shares stories from his long career, his commitment to peat-free growing, and his efforts to highlight horticulture’s role in environmental solutions. Jones, with a background in technology, explains how she combines her passion for plants with digital tools, creating plant guides and services that cater to both garden centres and novice gardeners.The episode covers the potential for innovation in horticulture, the importance of nurturing new gardeners, and the industry’s shift towards digital transformation. Both guests explore how horticulture can adapt to meet consumer needs while remaining rooted in sustainability and tradition. HTA: https://hta.org.uk/ Joy of Plants: https://joyofplants.com/ Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ Phil Wright: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.wrightobara.com

In this episode Kate and Phil sit down with Steve Harper from Southern Trident and Matt Bryant from Harvest Pet Products. Harper discusses the benefits of coir, a sustainable alternative to peat, and shares updates on Southern Trident’s award-winning products. Bryant talks about Harvest’s journey from a family pet shop to a major wild bird food supplier and their focus on supporting biodiversity in British gardens. Both guests delve into the environmental challenges and opportunities within their industries. Harper offers insights into sourcing coir responsibly and reducing carbon footprints, while Bryant highlights Harvest’s commitment to wild bird welfare and their recent initiatives to engage consumers with eco-friendly bird care. Southern Trident: https://southerntrident.com/ Harvest Pet Products: https://www.harvestpetproducts.com/https://www.harvestpetproducts.com/ Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠⁠⁠ Phil Wright: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.wrightobara.com

Data analytics isn't always the first thing that springs to mind when you're considering the Garden Sector, but getting your head around the numbers can give your business a significant advantage. Continuing our special episodes recorded live at Glee, we talk with two people who are all about the numbers: Anthony Creaby, Customer Success Manager from GfK and David Denny, Director of Research & Insights from the HTA. GfK: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/ HTA: https://hta.org.uk/ Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠⁠⁠ Phil Wright: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.wrightobara.com

Continuing the conversations we recorded live at Glee 2024, this episode highlights among other things the fantastic work of the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA). Nat Boynton is one of the founders of the YPHA as well as being the Sales Director of Happy Plants, while Jess Dabell is the Brand Manager for Meadow View Stone, she's also a member of the YPHA and an ambassador for the Greenfingers Charity. YPHA: https://www.ypha.org.uk/ Happy Plants: https://happyplants.co.uk/ Meadow View Stone: https://meadowviewstone.co.uk/ Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: ⁠⁠⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠⁠ Phil Wright: ⁠⁠⁠www.wrightobara.com

In this bumper episode we chat with representatives from three very different manufacturing businesses, but all of whom play a pivotal role within the garden sector. Edd Cantle is a Channel Sales Manager at Gardena, suppliers of watering equipment and other garden tools. Jenny Douthwaite is the Managing Director of Primeur, a company that uses recycled rubber to create a multitude of garden products. And Scott Gammon is the General Manager at Pelsis, specialists in pest control. Gardena: https://www.gardena.com/uk Primeur: https://www.primeur.co.uk/ Pelsis: https://www.pelsis.com/ Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: ⁠⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠ Phil Wright: ⁠⁠www.wrightobara.com

This episode features two very different companies, but both of which might not immediately come to mind when you think of the garden sector: eBay and Shark Ninja. Simon Mayhew from eBay discusses how the online platform can be a valuable channel in your sales arsenal. And Seb Bartlett from Shark Ninja discusses the meteoric rise of the brand and how they're developing outdoor and leisure products with the UK market in mind. eBay: https://www.ebayinc.com/company/ Shark Ninja: https://sharkninja.com/ Discover more about our hosts:Kate Turner: ⁠www.gardenerguru.co.ukPhil Wright: ⁠www.wrightobara.com