Sowing the seeds for growth

Jennifer Pheasey, Public Affairs Director | Horticultural Trades Association

3 min read17 July Partner content

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), explores how we can make the most of our gardens and green spaces – while also sowing the seeds for economic growth.

As Parliament heads into summer recess, the HTA share their insights on summer gardening, maintaining office plants during recess, and the transformative power of environmental horticulture.

Supporting 722,000 jobs and contributing £38bn to GDP, environmental horticulture delivers much more than the UK’s beautiful gardens and green spaces. During this recess, why not join the UK’s 30 million gardeners in loving plants and green spaces – from houseplants to balcony pots, your local park to your back garden. When you grow green, it boosts your health and the UK's wealth.

1) Enjoy a visit to your local garden centre or nursery – whether buying or browsing, you will be met by an exceptional range of plants and products. Expert staff are always willing to provide advice on what is best for local conditions and help you find what you are looking for. 

Local horticultural businesses are the backbone of our communities, cherished not only by local gardeners but by all. These mostly SMEs and family-owned enterprises have faced significant challenges this Spring, including National Insurance and Living Wage hikes costing HTA members £134m, and proposed changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) reliefs that could lead to a ‘lose-lose’ scenario for the UK, costing the Exchequer £36m in net tax revenues by 2030 and risking 1,300 sector jobs.¹

2) Water efficiently and effectively – water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water. From water butts to advice on picking the right plant, for the right place and planting it at the right time, through to options for drought-resistant planting, your local garden centre and nursery is a good place to visit. Green infrastructure can play a crucial role in boosting our flood resilience, and the industry is calling on the government to ensure this is recognised in planning and infrastructure legislation and investment, as well as supporting the sector to invest in ever more effective irrigation and reservoirs.

3) Keep your (office) houseplants happy – if you are going away, move indoor plants away from sunny spots and into cooler places if possible. Water them before you leave. Consider self-watering planters or spread the joy of plants by asking a friendly, plant-loving neighbour to care for them. Indoor plants in the workspace can contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace through enhanced attention capacity, lower stress levels, and higher job satisfaction, a benefit for both employers and employees.²

4) Get help from your local landscaper – celebrating its 30th year, the HTA’s Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) comprises accredited landscape companies who design, build and maintain gardens throughout the UK.³

5) Get ready for autumn and boost UK horticulture – weeding, buying bulbs, or visiting a horticultural business; recess is the ideal time to plan ahead. If you’d like a constituency visit, are at Party Conferences or would like to come to the HTA’s Plants in Parliament events, contact: policy@hta.org.uk

References