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Show gardens

I'm not talking Chelsea or Hampton Court here but what do people think about exhibiting at local garden shows? Worth the effort / expense? I've seen one that took my eye but was wondering what people thought of them in terms of business opportunities, I know some of the juice's members partake.

Many thanks.

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    • Hi Andy, I agree with John, you have to be very clear about you reasons for taking part and your objectives. I have been involved in show gardening for well over 10 years now at various levels and for various reasons, but more recently have been involved for similar reasons to your own. I'm back running my own small business and no matter what level of experience you have, self promotion is key, and many of the larger national shows are not really the answer, unless you win big and get loads of publicity, and generally that won't happen on a tight budget or a smaller garden. The local shows worked well for us in my old job, and though in our first solo venture at our local show we won gold and best in show leading to good press coverage, it didn't bring any leads, well, none that went anywhere any way. After much debate, we decided to commit ourselves to another garden this year, we won gold again, though not the best in show title, however we have taken two or three good leads that have lead to good sized projects, making it very worthwhile. For us though, taking part is as much the reason for doing it, we take the week long build as a part of our holiday really, as it's fun to do, it raises awareness, especially if as John says, you hit the social media hard. Also you make some great friends and contacts, if it wasn't for us being at BBC gardeners world live all those years ago, I wouldn't have met John Cavill and be able to count him as a good friend, and he amoungst many more, and in many ways, that's as valuable as the extra work.

      My advice would be go for it, but be clear on your budget and stick to it. But also beware, show gardening is very addictive! You may come away from the stress of a show thinking never again, but a few weeks later the pad is in hand and the next years' design is under way.

      Good luck, and I hope it all goes well, and if I can be of any help feel free to drop me an email.

      Iain Truman
      Somer Breeze Landscapes
  • From someone who has never exhibited, it's interesting to read your replies.  I think what comes though to me is that you do it more for the 'show' side as to gain work and I can fully understand that.  I would have liked to have been involved and 15 years ago had a tentative offer to join the 'Landscape Team' of our local Council at Chelsea for a few weeks - but was too busy to even consider - which I now regret.

    I must admit, I don't frequent too many shows, but trot along occasionally to our local 'Garden Show', where the few gardens on display are usually quite pathetic and would probably discourage potential clients!  

    So what I would say Andy, is think very carefully and lean on those that 'do'.  If you decide to go ahead, do it because you want to 'show', you want to show you are good, you want to show that you are a notch or two above the rest!  If you can justify the time and effort spent then go for it, but for goodness sake make it good, not just a bit of log roll holding back an assortment of various unrelated plants rammed together in front of a stepping stone path!

    Keep us informed!

    • Thanks everyone really useful. I'm going to dig a bit deeper and find out more about the show. I'd love to do it for the experience but have to look at it from the business side of things and hope that it would generate some good leads.

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