The pond market has been a challenging one over the last few years so it’s vital for retailers to be able to recommend high quality, reliable products that make pond keeping more enjoyable and easier for their customers. Tetra has launched a number of new products this season that breath life back into the pond sector and help consumers meet the challenge of keeping their pond water clear and clean, and looking its best.

Vital Earth, the manufacturer of environmentally-kind, peat-free composts, made from garden and food waste which would otherwise go to landfill, has triumphed at the Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA) Awards. The company won a GIMA Award for the Best Suppliers Information Website for its site, www.thegreenergardener.com, followed by a runner up award in the Best New Product category for its innovative Chicken Poo TM fertiliser.

Which? Gardening has declared Vital Earth’s multipurpose and tub & basket compost, which are made from recycled garden waste, as Best Buys, the first time environmentally-friendly peat-free composts have outperformed peat-based competitors. This is not only great news for Vital Earth, whose compost and fertiliser products are all 100% natural, 100% recycled, and 100% UK-sourced, it is also great news for garden retailers. For Vital Earth has over thirty other compost products in its range including specialist blends like peat-free ericaceous compost for lime haters, peat-free John Innes composts, and specific purpose products like vegetable compost, planters and the Kayak growbag, so-called because of its innovative boat-like shape.

Mike Lomax, marketing communications manager at Lafarge Cement UK shares his top tips on merchandising during the summer season

The Prop-a-Plant is just that with an innovative cantilever design that holds the cane firmly in place, using the weight of the grow bag to provide strong support.

Organic, peat-free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose well-established green credentials are based on a core range made from recycled garden waste, is now entering the organic fertiliser market with a natural recycled chicken manure product, sourced exclusively from British free range hens. Strikingly and aptly named ‘Chicken Poo’, it has been rigorously researched with consumers proving its appeal to gardeners. It can be used as a fertiliser with wholly natural ingredients and is ideal for all kinds of vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees and shrubs, Vital Earth ‘Chicken Poo’ contains all the essential plant nutrients, all naturally derived.

Town & Country’s Cloggies have come a long way since they were first introduced to the footwear range nearly 10 years ago. Back then they were available in just two colours and were made from a heavy PVC material.

Anna Nova is an international designer fashion accessory company. We offer a beautiful and never before seen wallet and Journal collection, a stunning range of Scarves, beautiful keyrings and a wonderful collection of Jewellery and a slim range of clutch bags. We started trading in the UK in January and since attending the Spring Fair in February we have had massive success with reports back from our customers that they have been selling out of the Anna Nova range in just 2 weeks in some cases.

Look out for the NEW range of low friction secateurs, available exclusively from DRAPER TOOLS in the UK and Eire.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is working closely with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) on initiatives to help garden centre visitors get more from their gardening while building support for the UK’s leading gardening charity.

The Royal Horticultural Society is urging school gardening to be high on the education agenda and recognised as a key teaching tool.

Carl Kammerling International - major supplier of quality tools for professional and DIY sectors – has re-launched its popular Gardening, Cutlery and Hardware range under the new C.K Classic banner.

Following three years of heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the UK, there is no increase in the amount of water being captured for use in dry spells. This year we are being asked to conserve rainwater again as hose pipe bans are being introduced over the summer period.