Capital Gardens Group Press Releases and News

Project Peacok

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:22:59 +0100

Having joined Capital Gardens as their new marketing guru, my appetite for gardening seems to be growing, mainly due to the passionate nature of the staff and the eco friendly environment, in which I now work. However gardening history is rather nonexistent; the closest I have ever got to the great greenery that is my back garden is using a lawn mower, pruning the apple tree and cutting the unworldly rose bush, which has turned into my worst nightmare. The parasite just grows and grows with no consideration for my lush lawn.

Buoyed on, by my new working environment and the sunny weather this morning, I decided to try my hand at growing my first plant. My new project is now in full force, Peacock Project is the name.

Your initial thought might have been "but a peacock is not a plant", you most certainly are correct; the “Peacock” I am referring to is an easy to grow bulb, which starts its life in the form of a tiny bulb or pseudo bulb as the experts refer to it. So no peacocks were harmed during this garden experiment.

I have read many wonderful things about the peacock orchid; experts say it is not a real orchid. Peacock Orchid - Gladiulus Callianthus, is its official Latin name, it is not actually an orchid of any sort, although the flowers do look very orchid like.

Real Orchid or not, I've embarked on my very first fully fledged gardening project, baby steps are the order of the day here. The instructions seem fairly easy. After all it is a bulb (pseudo bulb) plant, what could go wrong?

Jamie Oliver goes up the garden path

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:17:45 +0000

Jamie Oliver, who is often regarded as Britain's favourite celebrity chef, is embarking on what may be his toughest challenge yet; the “Naked Chef” wants to get gardens in every school in the country.

In his promo video; he stated that there is no excuse for schools not to participate. From wellington boots to roof tops the opportunity for schools to participate is endless, which is why Jamie is embarking on the Kitchen Garden Project. His aim is to teach children how to grow fruit and vegetables, and finally how to cook with their produce.

The kitchen Classroom which is currently run at a Suffolk school, aims to teach primary school children basic cooking skills. This is to be taught alongside your typical subjects such as English and Maths. The project aims to integrate food growing into the school curriculum.

How successful he will be, will depend on the press attention he generates and of course public opinion.

In and around London parents are pushing for school gardening clubs, which typically operate after school or at weekends. Jamie’s Kitchen Garden Project, aims to offer a curriculum based subject. This is the one defining difference, between what is already set up at many schools and his Kitchen Garden Project.

Having visited schools myself, it seems parents will be keen supporters of his Kitchen Garden Project. One such parent is Alicia Pivaro, who has set up and obtained funding for her local school which her children also attend. "The kids love gardening - and support is out there from RHS and Capital Growth! Be great to have a school gardener - some older person who has the knowledge and time!"

With support from proactive mothers like Alicia, Jamie’s campaign may make up for the bad press his US show garnered. He will have supporters in the mums and dads across the country who are actively engaging in community based gardening projects such as The Big Dig.

So, why is Jamie attempting to launch a new campaign so soon after his much publicised failure in the USA? Well, the UK has fallen in love with “Grow Your Own” (GYO), schools across the capital have already launched their own gardening clubs for their pupils. So with the potential backing of schools, the chances of Jamie’s new project failing are pretty slim. However some might argue that schools are already trying to educate children on gardening and where the food they eat comes from.

Jamie's School Dinners was hugely popular, and regarded by many as a triumph. That campaign led to the government launching its School Foods Trust in 2005, which has now reached more than 1.5 million people with healthy cooking activities.One can only assume he expects more of the same with this new project.

Colin Campbell-Preston, the Managing Director of Capital Garden said of the project “This is a great project that Jamie Oliver is spearheading; we hope it will be a huge success and we will be offering our support in any way possible. This also falls in line with our Young Gardeners Club which we will pilot in May at our Alexandra Palace site. A company wide roll out will be launched in June 2012”.

Jamie Oliver does have a rather colourful history in school related campaigns, and has often clashed with hard nosed dinner ladies and cooks, who have made no secret of their distaste for him. The challenge Jamie faces is a unique one, do we care enough about our children knowing how to grow potatoes, or where they come from? We shall find out soon, as the project is expected to go nationwide from April.

Easy Care

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:45:31 +0000

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Aloe Vera - Aloe barbadensis

Neal’s Nurseries named in 50 best garden centres in the u. k.

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:22:21 +0100

Neal’s Nurseries has been named by The Independent newspaper as one of the 50 best garden centres in the U. K.

Neal’s Nurseries is part of the London based Capital Gardens Group. The nursery which is located in Wandsworth (South West London) has been serving the local community for over a century.

Renowned for its excellent customer service, Neal’s also has great selection of containers, gardening tools, gardening related gifts, and plants.

Much of the credit must be given to the manager of the garden centre, Peter Chrysostomou, who has upheld Neal’s quality standards, through his leadership and the efforts of his hard working staff.

The report which was part of the Independents pull out section (The Information) highlighted the sheer effort the staff members make to ensure that customers leaves the centre having experienced the best possible custom care.

Excerpt from the article

"My local must get a mention for its sheer ability to produce exactly what I am looking for whenever I'm looking for it," says Dorothy. "And I can be a tricky customer."

And if you can't find it, helpful staff will make sure they bend over backwards to get it for you.

Store Details

Capital Gardens
Neal's Nurseries Garden Centre
Heathfield Road
Wandsworth
London SW18 2PH

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8874 2037 Fax: +44 (0)20 8875 1362