by Thompson & Morgan | Dec 29, 2015 | Expert Update, Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Independent trials carried out by consumer group Which? Gardening have named incredicompost® as the best compost on the market. It was given an overall test score of 95 per cent, setting it well ahead of the next best performer, Verve multipurpose compost (B&Q) at 80 per cent. It came miles ahead of the worst performer – GroSure Peat-Free All-Purpose Compost with 4 Month Feed, labelled a ‘Don’t Buy’ product by Which? Gardening, having scored just 33 per cent in the trials.
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The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | Dec 18, 2015 | Gardening Posts
Seed and plant specialist Thompson & Morgan is predicting the best ever year for grow your own following a sharp rise in vegetable seeds sales for the 2016 season.
The Thompson & Morgan seed retailing year runs September to September. The Ipswich based mail order expert has reported an impressive 24 per cent rise in seed sales through September to end of November 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. While flower seed sales remain strong it is vegetable seed that has driven the increase.
Interest in grow your own hit an all time high in 2009, when industry wide sales of vegetable seeds peaked at an historic £60million for the year. Some said the bubble would soon burst but Thompson & Morgan customers are showing no sign of giving up on the good life. Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Director Paul Hansord says if vegetable seed sales continue to perform at current levels then the firm will be reporting its best ever year for the category.
Tomato seeds sales have jumped 51 per cent in the three month period. Much of this growth has been generated by sales of Thompson & Morgan’s Vegetable of the Year for 2016 – Tomato Mountain Magic, a fully blight resistant variety ideal for a trouble-free late season outdoor crop. Akron and Sweet Aperitif join with blight buster to form T&Ms top three tomatoes.
Onion ‘Bunton’s Showstopper’
Brassica seed sales have risen 52 per cent, while onion seeds have seen an impressive growth of 67 per cent. T&M says the loss of show bench favourite Onion Kelsae from other retailer’s 2016 catalogues (the Italian seed crop was destroyed by a hail storm and will not be available again until at least 2017) has driven growers towards other large varieties including Onion Bunton’s Showstopper, an exclusive show bench variety developed by one of Thompson & Morgan’s customers. Pea and Bean sales have risen 82 per cent, with Runner Bean Firestorm – the 2016 Thompson and Morgan Seed Catalogue cover star – alone seeing a 75 per cent rise in sales.
Thompson & Morgan’s Chilli and Pepper range has seen the biggest growth, with sales rising a staggering 111 per cent. This has been driven by a complete overhaul of the category for 2016. Paul said: “Much of our product development focus has been on making growing from seed as easy as possible. Our redesigned sweet and hot pepper range does away with the complicated Scoville Heat scale. Each variety has been given a 1-10 heat rating, from cool & sweet to explosive, allowing gardeners to make a quick informed decision on which varieties are right for them.
Leek ‘All season’ Collection
Thompson & Morgan is also helping veg growers to take the guesswork out of crop timings in 2016 with All Season Vegetable Collections. Each packet contains at least three top- performing varieties of the same vegetable that can all be sown in one hit but will crop at different stages to give the longest harvest window from a single sowing. The All Season Mange Tout Pea collection for example contains Oregon Sugar Pod, Sweet Horizon and Kennedy for a 16 week harvest from June through to October, while the All Season Leeks collection provides a massive 36 week crop window from August through to the following April.
Thompson & Morgan has a long history as market leader in the mail order supply of seed and young plants, direct to gardener’s doors since 1855. Its award winning website and seasonal catalogues have undergone a massive product expansion through 2015, now listing 10,000+ items covering most areas of garden supply, from sheds, greenhouses and mature plants to garden machinery, composts, fertilisers and hand tools.
Despite this, Paul says Thompson & Morgan remains committed to offering the best selection of garden seeds on the market. He says: “Seed sowing is economy-proof, remaining core to our customers’ garden experience in both good and bad years. Nothing beats the satisfaction of nurturing a seasonal crop from plot to plate, especially when you can make a huge saving against supermarket produce and slash your weekly spend.”
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | Dec 10, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Thompson & Morgan’s mail order plants and gardening sundries are to be brought to life on TV screens from January as the horticultural specialist teams up with QVC UK, the leading video and e-commerce retailer, to offer viewers a range of quality garden products through 2016.
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The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | Nov 20, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Exotic hibiscus overtake traditional poinsettia in battle for Christmas number one, but scented hyacinths still can’t be beaten.
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The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | Nov 18, 2015 | Gardening Posts
There’s a greenhouse to suit every garden – be it large or small! The protected growing conditions that greenhouses provides is invaluable. Just think how much earlier you could start germinating seeds, or maybe you would like to grow some of the less hardy plants available. Better still, a greenhouse offers a dry sheltered spot for potting and sowing, or maybe just to drink a well earned cuppa while you shelter from the elements. A greenhouse can completely revolutionise the way that you use your garden, opening up so many new opportunities.
There are so many greenhouses available that choosing the right one can prove daunting. We’ve brought together our top 10 favourite greenhouses from our range to help you narrow it down. Take a look at this handy article and find your perfect greenhouse today. Alternatively, you can browse our entire range of greenhouses available to buy online.
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Eezee greenhouse – A portable plastic greenhouse
For a no fuss portable, plastic greenhouse that can be erected in just 10 minutes the Eezee Greenhouse is perfect. Ideal for potting on your perennials or germinating seeds this super little greenhouse is a great first time greenhouse or is space is at a premium in a small garden. Tall enough to stand up in, it folds away when not needed to a handy-sized package which can be stored away during the winter months. This great mini growhouse is ideal for protecting plants from cold, wet and rainy weather, and the adjustable vents mean you can regulate air flow allowing your young plants the best start in life. No accessories needed.
- Halls 4ft x 2ft Wall Garden Lean To – A small lean-to greenhouse
If space is at a premium in your garden or outdoor space, this fantastic little lean to greenhouse will give you ample growing room under glass. Halls Garden Lean To has enough space to grow seeds in trays, potted plants and perhaps also a tomato plant, meaning you have enough room for all the average gardeners needs. Best constructed against a wall in a sunny position, this lean to looks great over decking and patio areas. This lean to has a strong aluminium frame and an opening roof vent, with a sliding door for easy and convenient access, making this great lean to perfect for all your garden needs. No accessories are required.
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Eden 6ft x 4ft Wide Birdlip – Our smallest freestanding greenhouse
One of the smallest freestanding structure greenhouse in our range the Eden Birdlip Greenhouse is ideal if space is tight or you have a particularly small garden. Perfect for the allotment or if you are new to gardening with a limited budget. This compact greenhouse is perfect for raising young plug plants, for overwintering your perennials and for springtime hardening off. The open roof vent means you can regulate air flow, and the smooth action sliding door allows for easy access, and as it is a sliding door it will not take any room up in the garden or greenhouse. The Eden range comes with an extensive range of accessories to maximise your growing environment and utilise space.
- Eden Burford 6ftx6ft Wide Greenhouse – The ideal beginners 6×6 greenhouse
A great first time greenhouse the Eden Burford Greenhouse is perfect to house your young plants, or overwintering your perennials or hardening off in springtime. With 2 large roof vents more air is able to flow through, keeping the temperature regulated and making sure your young plants have the best start in life. This great little greenhouse comes with built in guttering to collect rainwater, and with a smooth-action single sliding door that allows easy access, and wont take up room in the greenhouse. The Eden Burford range comes with an extensive range of accessories to maximise growing room and utilise space in the greenhouse.
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Growhouse Classic Lean-To (6ft x 10ft) – A large Victorian tall wall greenhouse
When space is at a premium but gardening is your passion, the Growhouse Classic Lean To is perfect for you. Ideally suited to a south facing wall or large courtyard garden this well designed, and highly functional Victorian tall wall greenhouse is ideal for overwintering your plug plants, hardening off your springtime vegetables and germinating your seeds. With an apex roof which is perfect for those taller plants and ample room for both shelving and staging you will be amazed at how much you can grow, and with the added bonus of roof vents you can regulate temperature to suit your plants, making this lean to more like a fully functioning greenhouse. Accessories available to increase your growing environment.
- 6×10 Growhouse Cedar Greenhouse – A wooden frame greenhouse
Growhouse Cedar Greenhouse is one of the most attractive stand alone greenhouses which will compliment your garden colour scheme perfectly. With a generous footprint providing room for growing your plants from seed, overwintering young plug plants, this fantastic natural finish greenhouse is perfect if you are new to gardening. This wooden greenhouse will serve as a great place to relax and unwind while enjoying some sedentary gardening and with 4 good sized vents giving greater air volume control and reduced temperature fluctuation you won’t beat this beautiful greenhouse. Growhouse accessories available to extend your growing environment.
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Halls Supreme 12ft x 8ft Double Door Greenhouse – A medium size double door greenhouse
A larger garden needs a larger greenhouse, and this beautiful Halls Supreme 12ft x 8ft Double Door Greenhouse has a traditional feel with functionality as key. With double doors which can open out to allow air flow in and regulate temperature, and 4 roof vents for added control, you will be able to include many new varieties of plants and seeds with the extensive footprint of this greenhouse plus all the usual greenhouse activities of potting up perennials or hardening off vegetables during spring and cultivating seeds, and with the extra room perhaps grow some of the more exotic varieties. Large enough to include a table and chairs and plenty of room for tomatoes, and other hot house plants this large, traditional greenhouse is perfect for the serious gardener and allotment grower to produce everything they want.
- Juliana Premium Greenhouse (9ft x 9ft) – A medium high specification greenhouse
This premium greenhouse is an excellent choice for the more serious gardener and allotment grower. Unique and sophisticated the Scandinavian design is the only aluminium greenhouse endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Perfect for all the usual greenhouse activities including overwintering delicate plants, protecting new shoots, cultivating from seed and as there is more room perhaps growing those exotic plants can be a reality.
One of the best features of this greenhouse is the double stable doors, opening outwards to give maximum space inside, and like all stable doors they open at the top to keep the fresh air flowing in and by closing the bottom keep the garden pests out. A low threshold entrance allows easy access for both wheelchairs and wheelbarrows providing excellent manoeuvrability making this wonderful greenhouse a perfect addition to your garden. Juliana comes with a full range of accessories and glazing options.
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Halls Magnum 14ft x 8ft Wide Greenhouse – A large all-purpose greenhouse
This large all-purpose greenhouse will provide the serious gardener or allotment grower with all the space required to grow and cultivate a whole variety of plants. From hothouse plants such as tomatoes to growing exotic varieties never tried before, this large greenhouse has room for it all. With 4 large vents for controlling air flow and temperature regulation this greenhouse serves every possible need, and is large enough to include a table and chairs so it can double up as a conservatory. With a choice of colours to match garden colour schemes and with double doors to allow excellent manoeuvrability this extra large greenhouse will make a good looking addition to your garden. Halls Magnum comes with a full range of accessories and glazing options.
- Juliana Gardener Greenhouse (12ft x 19ft) – An extra large high specification greenhouse
One of the largest greenhouses in our range is designed for the professional gardener and allotment grower who needs more than the average greenhouse working space. This huge greenhouse is perfect for the gardener who wants to have maximum space to grow, plant, experiment and improve their gardening techniques, and does not want to leave any variety out from their extensive range of produce. This enormous greenhouse is perfect for all the normal greenhouse activities, such as overwintering your perennials and delicate plants, growing your own herbs and vegetables all year round, cultivating from seed old favourites and new and exotic varieties; and because it is so big you will find you never have to choose which plants you want to grow and which you just do not have any room for. The expertly designed double stable doors, which open outwards keep the fresh air flowing in and the closed bottom half keep the garden pests out. With a low threshold entrance allowing easy access for both wheelchairs and wheelbarrows, this extremely large greenhouse has enough room to add a table and chairs and has the appearance of a much more expensive orangery, making this greenhouse perfect for all your needs and much more besides. Juliana comes with a full range of accessories and glazing options.
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
