May Spotlight - Plants for my garden

When the pandemic hit the world in 2020 Mike Long along with his dear friend Tim Harrington founded Plants for My Garden.

Mike and Tim both witnessed everyone on ‘lock down’ and it sparked their combined creativities. They recognised that aside from lockdown meaning most people were homebound it also meant non ‘essential’ retail being closed, people were left bereft of finding ways to be able to access the means to beautify and cultivate their environments.

Whilst, along with many sectors at this time, horticulture was not seen as ‘essential’ this meant that garden centres too remained closed. But Mike and Tim were struck by the importance of having access horticulture, not only for a small sense of ‘normality’ but for the physical and mental health benefits too.

Providing good quality plants, sourced from local British suppliers not only supported these growers (who had suddenly lost so many of their commercial clients and retail opportunities) it gave people a safe place to choose to visit. The feedback was amazing - the smiles as people choose plants that brightened up their ‘lockdown’ spaces were priceless. Those who could grow their own fruit and veg, when supply was disrupted and people were anxious about going out to large shops, found relief in being able to harvest their own provisions and for those who now had time to test their ‘green fingers’ they could seek advice about where to start and what would work for them.

So the ‘pop up’ was born! Plants for My Garden est.2020.

Now in 2022 this is the third year Plants for My Garden has popped up! Another season of beautiful British grown, carefully sourced plants. The response, year on year, has been amazing. There are many returning customers as well as many new. Whilst the world in 2022 might be welcoming being less locked down there is definitely something important that has remained - feeling the benefit of growing, nurturing, enjoying and eating the produce of our own curation.

If you are in the Bury St Edmunds area on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning between 9am and 1pm please come and visit Plants for My Garden more information can be found HERE.