insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 16 - June 2016 | Page 96

OUTDOORLIVING

How does your
garden grow?
First popping up in the UK during the 1930s,
garden centres as we now know them began as
humble horticultural businesses where gardeners
bought plants that were in season and where
out of season ‘in pot’ plants were a rarity. Since
then, nationwide breeding programmes have
ensured that a huge variety of plants are available
all year round, and garden centres themselves
now double up as day out destinations in their
own right. Squires, a family-run business with
15 garden centres across the UK, including two
in West Sussex, celebrate their 80th anniversary
this year, so we thought who better to get an
opinion on all things green-fingered from than
their deputy chairman, Sarah Squires.

Hi Sarah. How have garden centres changed over the years?
Garden centres have changed enormously. When we were founded
by my grandfather in the 1930s, there were no such things as garden
centres, so, like many horticultural businesses, we began life as a
nursery and landscape company until my father opened our first garden
centre in 1964. Since those early days the quality and variety of plants
has improved dramatically thanks to the breeding programmes of so
many fantastic nurseries. Secondly, the range of other products such
as modern garden furniture has grown hugely. The catering side of the
business has grown dramatically over the last few years too and our café
bars are extremely popular.

What would be your advice to someone new to gardening about
where to start?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your friends and neighbours about
what works well in your area, and ask garden centre staff too, who are
always willing to help customers with their queries. At Squires, we run
gardening workshops for adults on the third Friday of every month,
which are great fun and an opportunity for novice and more experienced
gardeners to plant and ask questions. Think about how you want your
garden to look year round; look for reliable performers such as those in
our 80th collection; and keep it simple choosing plants that you like the
look of - as well as the traditional A-Z display of plants, we also group
them by colour to make this easier for customers. If you are thinking of
growing fruit and veg, pick some easy winners to start with - I would go
for courgettes, potatoes, cut and come again lettuce, and rhubarb for
starters before moving on to more complex subjects. Above all, grow
things you like to eat.

Which plants are still popular and why?
Plant trends come and go. From the formal bedding schemes of the
1800s, to the conifers of the 1970s, and the more relaxed prairie-style
planting schemes of recent years. That said, there are many plants that
are just as popular now as they were 80 years ago and for good reason.
We’ve put together a ‘Squire’s 80th Celebration Collection’, which
includes reliable favourites including roses, trachelospermum - the best
evergreen climber in my opinion – and sweet peas.

Squires was first incorporated on 8th July 1936 and will be marking
their 80th anniversary with a Show Garden at the RHS Hampton Court
Flower Show, 5th-10th July. www.rhs.org.uk

How important it is to pass gardening knowledge down through
the generations?
I think one of the big challenges in recent years has been the lack of
gardening knowledge passed down from generation to generation. For
many young people today you have to go back to their grandparents
or great-grandparents to access that inherited gardening wisdom.
Fortunately, primary schools are doing more to now to encourage
children to grow plants. There is still much more to be done to promote
horticulture in secondary schools and we have been working with the
Royal Horticultural Society on a project to enthuse children at that stage
of their education. Squires are keen to encourage young gardeners, so
we do as much as we can with families and schools, and during school
holidays we run children’s planting activities called ‘Create & Grow’. It’s
great to see children so enthused by gardening.

Squires Garden Centres
01252 356860
www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
@SquiresGC
/SquiresGC

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