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Peat Free Compost Wins Sustainability Award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

  • Dobbies Peat Free John Innes 1, 2 & 3 wins RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award 2022
  • Judges also praised the GARDENA AquaBloom automatic irrigation system
  • Competition highlights importance of sustainability within horticultural industry and demand from consumers for planet-friendly products

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has today announced Dobbies Peat Free John Innes 1, 2 & 3 as the winner of the RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award 2022, championing sustainability in the horticultural industry.

The shortlist of ten newly launched products was judged at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show sponsored by The Newt in Somerset, as it opens for the first time in May since 2019.

The judges included Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden and Chair of the Panel, sustainability expert Chris Harrop OBE who commented:

“Peat is an incredibly important natural ally in the fight against climate change. It’s an invaluable carbon sink, a rich haven for wildlife and improves water quality and helps reduce flood risk. People who love gardening also want to protect the environment and we are seeing day to day the impact of climate change. They are equally aware of the challenges of becoming peat free, a subject that has been talked about for many years without resolution.” 

The judges were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted products coming from a wide range of passionate manufacturers committed to the circular economy, organics and accessible gardening.  The GARDENA AquaBloom automatic irrigation system was highly commended as a practical solution for people living with small outdoor spaces, roof gardens or balconies.

The competition was initiated last year and replaced the Product of the Year award to champion sustainability in the horticultural industry and to highlight the increasing awareness that consumers want more environmentally friendly products to choose from for their gardening needs.

The winner and all of the finalists are on display in the Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea Flower Show from tomorrow (Tues 24 May 2022).

Further information: www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea
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For more details and images, please contact the RHS Press Office at [email protected]

Notes to editors

About RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden Product of the Year was launched in 2021 to recognise the best new garden products at the show. In line with the ever increasing importance to ensure products offer sustainable solutions, an expert judging panel assess the shortlisted products placing prominence on environmental sustainability as well as taking into account their innovation, visual appeal, functionality and quality.
 
WINNER:
Dobbies Garden Centres – Peat Free John Innes 1, 2 & 3, RRP £5.99
Dobbies peat-free John Innes range is based on a unique combination of loam, sand or grit together with a combination of peat-free ingredients in place of peat. Working with their supplier, Dobbies tested a number of combinations of peat-free ingredients before identifying a series of mixes that will grow great plants and meet with the John Innes Manufacturers Association seal of approval.
https://www.dobbies.com/
 
RUNNER-UPS:
 
HIGHLY COMMENDED - GARDENA – AquaBloom, RRP £114.99
The GARDENA AquaBloom automatic irrigation system is a watering system that is solar powered and does not require a mains water supply. It comes as a ready to use set in five simple steps and is able to water up to 20 plants. The Microdrip system uses water much more efficiently than regular watering, and can save up to 70% water when compared to a standard garden sprayer, ideal for spaces such as balconies and roof terraces.
https://www.gardena.com/uk/
 
GARDENA – Ecoline, RRP from £12.99
A new range of gardening tools and accessories made from significant shares (at least >65%) of post-consumer recycled plastic material. GARDENA has a commitment to sustainability through clever design, incorporating recycled plastic and metal waste, with packaging design made from 100% recycled and recyclable material, printed with water based inks.
https://www.gardena.com/uk/
 
Twool – Tree & Shrub Tie, RRP £5.00
Made from 100% undyed British wool sourced locally from Dartmoor flocks, this durable twine can be used for heavier garden work due to its tensile strength. Unlike other ties which can damage trees and shrubs as they grow, the natural properties of this material mean that ove
r time it gives way as the plant grows until it reaches its fraction point when it will begin to biodegrade from 3 to 5 years. https://twool.co.uk/
 
Oxley’s Furniture – Casa Range, RRP £895
This personalised, sustainable and colourful outdoor furniture is made from scrap aluminium, a hard wearing waste product that can be recycled. Buyers can customise their design and colour exactly as they want it for their own garden and Oxley offer a 10 year buy back guarantee if they no longer need the furniture or want to change it. https://www.oxleys.com/
 
Ocean Plastic Pots – Bloom, RRP £20
Ocean Plastic Pots are manufactured in Scotland, made from rope and fishing net recycled in the UK. Following the success of winning the 2021 RHS award, founder Ally Mitchell has expanded with the Bloom range including six different coloured pots and saucers that come from the waste material. https://oceanplasticpots.com/
 
Niwaki – Kenzan, RRP £8.00
Fusing British and Japanese design, Niwaki’s Kenzan tool allows florists to create floral displays without the need for unsustainable products like floral foam. The lead and brass metal spike base doesn’t rust and comes in various sizes to hold woody and green stems in perfect position. https://www.niwaki.com/
 
Miracle-Gro - Performance Organics Liquid Plant Food, RRP £6.99
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Liquid Plant Food provides a high-performing alternative to synthetic plant food which encourages gardeners to make the switch to more sustainable options to feed their plants without feeling like they need to compromise on quality. The plant food is 100% vegan and plant based, as well as OF&G certified with a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic which is 100% recyclable.
https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us
 
Dalefoot – Potting Compost, RRP £11.75
This climate friendly, nutrient rich peat-free compost uniquely blends sheep’s wool and dynamic accumulator crops, bracken and comfrey, which capture carbon and at the same time, yield significant levels of natural nutrients, trace elements and minerals to nourish growing plants.
https://www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk/
 
Dalefoot – Wool Compost Double Strength, RRP £12.75
This fertiliser strength wool compost, has the power to enable gardeners to reuse existing compost rather than throw it away, making it a sustainable option to their growing. Made from 100% natural, fully traceable, UK sourced and renewable ingredients, this nutrient rich compost offers a credible answer to the pressing needs of peat-free and climate change gardening.
https://www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk/
 
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 24 – 28 May 2022
24 – 25 May      RHS members only, 8am – 8pm
26 – 27 May      RHS members and non-members, 8am – 8pm
27 May                 RHS members and non-members, 5.30pm – 10pm
28 May                RHS members and non-members, 8am – 5.30pm

Venue: Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3 4SL

To book tickets visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

About the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) was founded in 1804 and is the UK’s largest gardening charity.
The RHS vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place via its inspirational gardens and shows, science research and advisory, extensive library collections and far-reaching education and community programmes. With over 600,000 members the RHS also shares its horticultural knowledge and expertise with millions of people every year through its website and publications.
In 2021, the RHS launched its Sustainability Strategy, committing to be net positive for nature and people by 2030. The supporting RHS Planet-Friendly Gardening Campaign will continue to harness the power of the UK’s 30 million gardeners to help tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.
We are solely funded by our members, visitors and supporters.

For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

About The Newt in Somerset  
 
The Newt in Somerset is a working country estate in Somerset, between the towns of Bruton and Castle Cary. The original Georgian manor house and farm buildings sit amidst farmland, woodland, orchards and acres of gardens - shaped over centuries by successive enthusiasts, including renowned garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse, who first opened them to the public in the mid 1980s. The gardens’ latest incarnation was designed by landscape artist Patrice Taravella. Influenced by thousands of years of horticultural history, mixing ornamental and productive elements, they are a feast for the eyes and the stomach.
 
With a focus on Somerset heritage, sustainable agriculture and artisan production, the estate encompasses a luxury hotel and spa within Hadspen House and the Farmyard, designed by Karen Roos, in addition to restaurants, farm shops, immersive garden attractions and a Cyder Press & Cellar.
 
For more information visit: https://thenewtinsomerset.com/

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.